The Killer Queen

Beckett, the eldest son of the Schnabels and prez of Rising Glory Group, is always on the move. hustling 24/7. He’s got a gold mine gig that needs his attention across the globe, and his flight’s about to take off any minute now.

But hanging with his sis was top priority for him. Noella’s such a sweetheart, and without him, she’d probably get pushed around at the music store and gallery. Beckett just couldn’t shake off the worry until he saw Noella make that piano store manager eat humble pie. Only then did he leave with a satisfied grin.

No sooner had he stepped out of the music store than he hopped on a motorbike parked right

out front.

Noella turned around to see her brother decked out in his sharp suit and tear off towards the airport on the motorbike, which almost sparked up the pavement with speed.

Beckett’s just looking out for her. That was why he took time out of his mad schedule to be with her, and that thought alone warmed Noella’s heart.

Just out of the store, Noella got a ring from Master Rainer.

“Kiddo, some sucker just offered a whopping 90 mil for that botched zither I had, saying it’s a gift for his sis. Can you believe that? Who in their right mind does that?”

After a brief pause, Noella responded with a smile, “Who’s the buyer?”

“Let me check… the Schnabel family… Hey, isn’t that your family? Are they buying that junker for you? There’s no need! The zither I gave you before is way better, ain’t it?”

Master Rainer, thinking he’d stumbled upon a poor sod, didn’t expect it was Noella’s folks who wanted to splurge. He’s got this serious OCD about his work, but he’s also precious about it. Only the so–so stuff he didn’t fancy made it to exhibitions, and only the clueless outside treasured them as gems.

“I fixed it up and it’ll sing after. You wanna sell it, that’s cool. But if it’s the Schnabels asking. cut ‘em some slack on the price.”

Hearing that Noella had fixed up the zither, Master Rainer’s wrinkles smoothed out with joy.

“Kiddo, you’re too good! If the Schnabels had said it was for you, you could’ve just taken it and no cash is needed! Seems like they treat you right.”

“They’re alright.” She replied. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

The Old Mr. Schnabel knew the rough times Noella had been through and that the Schnabels treated her like a treasure, and that put his heart at ease.

“That’s good to hear. If they ever give you trouble, just bring those rascals back here. Polaris Star will take care of you.”

12:23

“Got it. Found some new Jade for you, I’ll polish it up and send it over.”

Master Rainer’s a sucker for jade zithers. He’s picky about the material and composition, and Noella’s the only one who remembered all his quirks and got him the best jade.

“Hey, I’ve got this shindig in Imperial City next month. How about you join me?”

The old man’s voice carried a hint of expectation. It’d been ages since he’d seen Noella. Last time was when she popped by his tea house for a cuppa while on a border mission.

Noella thought it over, then agreed, “Sure.”

The old masters of Polaris Star were like family, who had been schooling Noella in the ways of the world since she was a kid. In their eyes, she was just their kid like those prodigies in Polaris Star.

“Awesome! Don’t forget to whip up my favorite grub, and I’ll see you then.” Master Rainer replied.

“You got it. I’ll make sure everything’s sorted for your visit.”

Master Rainer, content as can be, hung up and rang Jasper.

Jasper, who’d been waiting forever, picked up immediately. “Master Rainer, have you made up your mind? My sis really digs that zither. Please name your price!”

“Nope, not selling.”

Jasper’s pacing his office like a caged animal with his phone glued to his ear, “Master Rainer, I’m begging you to think it over! We’ll pay whatever it takes!”

“It’s not about the cash. I’m not hard up.”

True, Rainer’s net worth wasn’t sweating the price of a zither.

“Name your terms then. Whatever you ask, the Schnabel family will make it happen.”

After a good listen, Rainer was reassured that the Schnabels genuinely cared for Noella. That kind of concern couldn’t be faked, so he’s relieved.

“One condition. I need the girl who wants the zither to become my student!”

Jasper’s eyes nearly popped out!

Having Noella as Master Rainer’s student would be a dream come true!

Trying to keep his cool amid the thrill, Jasper said, “Deal, but I gotta check with my sis first!”

Rainer nodded. They didn’t presume to answer for Noella and they respected her feelings. That showed the Schnabels‘ decent upbringing.

Jasper’s quick to dial Noella.

When she hears Rainer’s offer, Noella’s taken aback but then agreed. The old man was her

mentor anyway.

12:23

Jasper was still cautious, “Noella, think it through. If you’re not keen, I won’t push you.”

“No worries, I’m in.”

“Wow! That’s great! Master Rainer’s hitting up Imperial City next month for an event. He wants you there for the ceremony.”

“Alright.”

Jasper, buzzing with joy, reported back, “Master Rainer, leave your travel and stay to us; the Schnabel family’s got you covered. No sweat.”

Rainer nodded in satisfaction, his Impression of the Schnabel family getting a solid boost, “That zither is just for the little miss to tinker with and I won’t charge a dime. Next month, I’ll bring her something even better.”

“Thanks a ton, Master Rainer!” Jasper replied.

Meanwhile, on the flip side.

Noella strutted into the gallery.

Merrick’s so–called

and sculptures.

ry was more like an art hub, with dedicated spaces for both paintings

Manager Travis, after the episode at the music store, didn’t dare show Noella any disrespect and took her on a tour around the gallery.

“Miss, our gallery spans eight floors. These two floors are rented out for artists to hold exhibitions, and we’ve got exclusive exhibition areas upstairs, along with some pieces that our gallery has the exclusive rights to showcase.”

Noella nodded and followed Travis around the gallery.

She paused in front of an oil painting.

“Miss, this is a piece by the renowned oil painting master, Master Killian – ‘Spring Night‘. We shelled out a cool three hundred mil to snag it for our gallery, and it’s our pride and joy.”

Noella looked at the painting before her, her brow furrowing slightly.

If her memory served her right, ‘Spring Night‘ should still be chilling in Master Killian’s bedroom. How did it end up here?

Noella asked coolly. “Who was in charge of acquiring this painting?”

Travis thought for a moment and motioned to someone behind him, “It was an artist too. Harper, come here.”

The gallery was teeming with resident artists.

Harper, half of his face hidden under a fisherman’s hat, sauntered over and sized up Noella with a laid– back gaze.

12-23

Clearly, this clueless little rich girl was stirring things up with her new authority. He wondered what kind of trouble she was going to drag him into.

“I bought it. What about it? I went through a lot of hoops to score this piece for the auction.” He

said.

Noella’s gaze was calm but seemed to possess a piercing clarity that somehow made Harper break out in a cold sweat.

Travis, unsure of the new boss’s angle, leaned in and asked, “Miss, do you have any instructions?”

Noella withdrew her gaze and stated coldly. “This painting is a fake.”