The Killer Queen

Palmer’s fingers coaxed Noella’s curtains aside. Leaning lazily against the balcony rail, his gaze swept over the potted blooms Sienna had chosen with care–a riot of color that celebrated the vigor of life.

The scent of flowers mingled with something odd, causing Noella to frown slightly.

“You…” she hesitated.

“Just missed you,” Palmer said. “Saw you were busy, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

Clear weariness tinged his features, but a lazy curve softened the lines of his face. With the room’s light swallowed by the heavy drapes, Palmer under the moon took on an alluring and mystical air.

Noella stepped toward him, pausing at the window’s edge, “It seems that my fiancée has her own empire to run; I’ve got my hands full for a while, too. Pollack Group’s got a slew of mergers on the table. Would you miss me if I didn’t come around, my fiancée?”

The mountain of paperwork that came with Pollack Group’s dealings justified Palmer’s busyness.

“I’ll… try.” She said.

His smile deepened, “Good. Once this is all over, I’ve got a story for you.”

“What story?”

“About the first time we met! You might’ve forgotten, but I remember every detail.”

With a lingering gaze that seemed to caress her from afar, Palmer drew back his hand as if to touch her, then thought better of it.

“Sweet dreams.” He swung himself from the balcony with a grace that belied his fatigue. His car purred to life in the shadows–he didn’t return to the neighboring Dragon Tower.

One last look at Noella’s rose–framed room, and his smile dropped into a mask of ice.

“Let’s go.” He said.

“Boss, aren’t you gonna tell Ms. Noella where you’re off to?”

“No need. If she cares, she’ll worry without me saying a thing. If she doesn’t, it’s better she doesn’t fret.” Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

He wished for her a night free from concern–for her dreams to be as peaceful as the stars above.

Hospital, private room.

Yvonne, leaning on a cane, had finally found her way to Malvina’s room before she slipped in while the nurses were distracted.

Gazing down at Malvina, her face twisted with derision, “Ever imagine you’d be here, Malvina? It’s hilarious!”

Malvina put down the comic book she was reading, her gaze lifting to meet Yvonne’s.

Der heiress? lady here!”

“Hilarious? How about you show some respect and kneel? I never took you for much, and it seems you’re bent on proving me right.”

Yvonne hadn’t expected Malvina to mock her, not in this state! She scoffed, “You still think you’re the high and mi The Gruber fortune’s gone, and here you are, bedridden–might even end up scarred. You’re less than me now–I’m

Malvina raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “Oh, a lady? So which nightclub’s got you dancing on tables, my dear lady? Never seen a club desperate enough for a limping, sour–faced ‘lady‘ like you.”

2 2 2 2 2 0 2.

Yvonne seethed, itching to slap Malvina silly. She remembered her purpose, so she was quelling the storm of anger and jealousy. Why should Malvina, even now, trample her dignity?

“Listen up, Malvina. Don’t play games with me. Get ahold of Shadow Dragon Society and free my father! And whatever hidden assets the Gruber family has left–I’m a Gruber too, and you owe me a share!” Yvonne gritted her teeth.

Malvina now finally understood Yvonne’s goal here. Arms folded, she looked down her nose at Yvonne. “Duncan got himself locked up because he’s as dirty as they come. And as/for the Shadow Dragon Society, most of them are dead or in cuffs. Who’s left to call?”

The remnants of the Shadow Dragon Society were in Malvina’s hands, but why would she help Duncan, a man of more brawn than

brains?

“As for the Gruber’s money, the old man’s still kicking. Go to him instead of me. But you’d better hurry, or you’ll be left with nothing.”

The old man could kick the bucket at any moment, and she was almost worried about if Yvonne could catch the last crumbs of their crumbling dynasty.

Yvonne’s eyes flicked with malice. Even bankrupt, the Gruber family could still be loaded. Arthur surely had funds. If she could get the money from his hand, her life in Imperial City would be secured.

Taking steps closer to Malvina, her eyes were dripping venom, “I’ve despised you for too long! Why should you have ever humiliated me

10:27

In our family?”

Her hand raised for a slap, but it was caught by a chilling grip.

“Ah–It hurts!” she exclaimed.

Ulrich’s face was a mask of frost as he twisted Yvonne’s wrist with a sickening crack.

“Ulrich, how can you hit me? Let go!”

He flung Yvonne aside, her body hitting the ground with a series of bone–chilling snaps. Tears streaked down Yvonne’s face. The fire hadn’t left her with any serious injuries, but now, thanks to Ulrich’s rough handling, she felt like all her bones were about to shatter! “… I’m going to report you, and you’ll be out of a job soon, Ulrich! How dare a doctor at this hospital lay hands on a patient!?” Ulrich looked at Yvonne with a chilling gaze, “Honestly, I’ve been itching to do just that.“.

“Sometimes, upholding medical ethics can be exhausting. The day your complaint against me succeeds, I swear I’ll personally disassemble every single bone in your body.”

His chilly words were laced with undeniable menace, and with that, Yvonne swallowed the retort she had ready.

Ulrich closed the door of the hospital room and turned to face Malvina, who had been watching the whole scene.

“Are you out of your mind? She tried to hit you, and you didn’t even try to dodge?” he asked.

“Huh? She couldn’t have beaten me anyway. I was trained by the Shadow Dragon Society…” Malvina blinked at Ulrich’s growing irritation and quickly changed her tune. “Alright, I’ll make sure to dodge next time.”

“There won’t be a next time.” Ulrich pinched the bridge of his nose and took out his phone to send a few messages. “She won’t be bothering you anymore. We used to cut her some slack because of her grandmother, but we eventually realized she’s an ingrate who was always coveting what belongs to Noella and Elara.”

Thankfully, they had realized it not too late.

“Didn’t you say you were interested in EKGs last time? I’ve brought you some authoritative literature.” He added.

Malvina looked at the journals filled with medical terms beside her and twisted her face.

Looking at Ulrich, she suddenly asked, “Dr. Schnabel, are all the kids in your family really bright?”

Ulrich nodded, “Yeah, Stirling’s the least sharp, that’s why he went into showbiz.”

“And your mom… Sienna doesn’t play favorites?”

Ulrich gave Malvina a puzzled look. “Play favorites? My mom can even accept my dad, and his IQ isn’t exactly sky–high. Stirling’s still got him beat by a long shot!”

Malvina draped the journal over her head, muttering to herself, “Sienna’s a great mom, even if the son she raised is a bit… off.”

Was she really interested in EKGs after all?