The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Dalia's voice still trembled as she spoke, "I know him!"

Dillon, as the eldest grandson of the Patel family, had been abroad for studies and business, only recently returning home.

"How do you know him?"

"Well... we met playing video games, and only later did I find out he was part of the Patel family."

Dalia looked around for her phone, only to remember it was taken when she was kidnapped.

The Patel family had business dealings with Noella's art gallery, having consigned a few paintings there, all under Dalia's management. Thus, Dalia and Dillon had come to know each other.

Noella pulled out her phone and dialed Beckett's number.

"Ensuring Ms. Darcy's safety, I told her you returned to the gallery."

Dalia quickly took the phone, apologizing and coaxing in a flurry to calm the worried and angry Darcy.

Noella looked at Dillon, unconscious on the bed.

"You knocked him out?"

Palmer nodded, "It was convenient. After all, I don't really like people witnessing me taking someone down."

That was indeed very convenient.

Noella knew Palmer came into this room probably because he saw Dalia, knowing she was an employee of her gallery, so he followed to check. "These assassins were hired by the Patel family, planning to target you, Beckett, and Stirling. I just took care of them too. Did I do good?" Noella faced the man clearly seeking approval.

She coldly chuckled, "So, this isn't your room, and that takeout on the desk isn't yours?"

He hadn't planned on eating at all!

Caught in his lie, Palmer immediately became flustered!

Just as he tried to explain, Noella scoffed and left the room!

"So much for lying. Seems Mr. Pollack isn't hungry after all!" "Noella, listen to me..."

The door slammed shut, leaving Palmer rubbing his nose, caught in a mix of helplessness and embarrassment. Noella's temperament was clear to him; usually indifferent to most things, but stubborn and domineering when provoked.

Now he was in trouble!

Behind him, Dalia, holding Noella's phone, asked, "Um, Mr. Pollack, could you let me out, please?"

In a spat between the boss and her fiancé, she naturally sided with her boss, especially holding Noella's phone!

Palmer opened the door, taking the phone from Dalia, and marched out first.

"Let Annie set you up in a room, get some rest."

Catching up with Noella ahead, Palmer knew she was waiting for him.

"Why follow?"

She wasn't ready to deal with him yet!

"I was wrong! I'll go eat now."

The attempt at appeasement looked odd on his face, and even his apology sounded stiff, clearly not used to saying such things.

Noella took her phone back, looking into his dark eyes, her anger dissipating.

"Alright, I'll look for Stirling."

Since Stirling was also a target here, Noella needed to ensure his safety.

Palmer knew Noella's concerns were for their safety.

"The Abyssal Organization is at your command; they recognize you."

"I understand."

Having not seen each other for days, Palmer wanted to linger, but worried Noella might still be upset, so he headed to the dining area. As he left, a door cracked open, revealing a gleaming bald head.

"Noella, over here!"

Approaching with curiosity, "Why are you here?"

Letting Noella in, Horatio explained, "Business. Once it's settled, I'm off wandering again! Thought to say goodbye, but here you are!" Noella didn't buy his monk's tale.

"What business?"

"Can't say, client confidentiality! But I overheard plans to ambush Stirling in his room during the fireworks tonight, aiming to eliminate him." Noella eyed Horatio skeptically.

"That's quite the coincidence."

"Indeed! And I heard they wanted to invite Beckett too, planning to take him out next if he didn't show

They've got people waiting outside your company too." NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Raising an eyebrow, "Anything else coincidental?"

"Dillon wants to meet Elara."

"I know, but it's just an introduction, shouldn't be a big issue."

Horatio, growing anxious, "How can it not be? The Patel clan is conspiring with foreign hitmen to take out your family, aiming to get to Elara at this critical moment means they're plotting against your entire lineage!"

The Schnabel family, with their numerous children, might be reduced to just one daughter if the Patel's plan succeeded!

Noella, with a meaningful lean towards Horatio's handsome, non-monastic face.

"Are you worried about my sister?"

"I'm concerned for all your family. After all, they are your kin."

Horatio left unspoken the worry for the family's safety, his gaze serious and sincere.

"Also, even though I'm a monk, Mr. Pollack might get jealous with you this close."

"...Get out!"

Quickly setting up her portable computer, Noella logged onto the deep web.

The top post had numerous hitmen responding.

“Board the cruise, eliminate the specified target, $10 million reward for the successful. Beware, the mission invites a swarm of predators."

Clearly, it was a trap for the assassins themselves, pitting them against each other in a deadly game.

Noella skimmed through the assassin listings, and Soaring Bird's name popped up first.

The next moment, both Abyssal Organization and Obelisk Organization flooded the chat with their orders!

The entire dark web buzzed with shock!

Who on earth were they after? That it warranted three entities to spring into action!

The target's details soon came through.

【Target, Imperial City Stirling, Stirling.】

Horatio couldn't hide his surprise, "Wait, you're taking a hit out on your own Stirling?"

"Is there a problem?"

By accepting the job herself, any other hitmen en route to cash in would think twice.

"And Abyssal Organization took the job too?"

Noella said coolly, "Oh, I hacked into Palmer's account and snagged it for us."

Horatio was dumbfounded!

Talk about ruthless, they didn't even spare Noella's fiancé.

Dark, truly dark!

...

At the restaurant, Palmer casually picked some food, snapping a photo from his window seat to send to Noella.

Overheard conversations filled the air.

"They're just offing an actor, why did both Abyssal Organization and Obelisk Organization jump on it?"

"I bet Abyssal Organization and Obelisk Organization are here for Soaring Bird..."

"Whatever, I'm about to go take out that Stirling! Ten million dollars will soon be mine!"

With a slight clink of cutlery, Palmer's hand paused for a moment, realizing Noella must have used Abyssal Organization's name to take the contract.

He loved this side of her!

After finishing his meal, Palmer took another photo of his empty plate.

Noella: "Looks good, but where's the cutlery?"

"Disposed of a couple of noisy lobsters on the way out."