The Killer Queen

Belinda and the Fuller family couple both got hauled off to the cop shop by the mountain patrol. Briony got off the hook since she didn’t really do much wrong; she just tagged along with her family to the graveyard. Plus, with Vincent needing someone to watch over him, the cops let her walk.

She was no match for Linsey in a rage! She Spilled the beans about tonight’s drama in just a few words.

When Linsey heard it, she got even more ticked off, raised her hand, and whacked Briony across the other cheek with a slap!

“You Lamberts are all nuts! If anything happened to my husband today, I’m gonna make your life hell! And you want to marry Milford? In your dreams!”

Briony was seething but didn’t dare to speak up; she just covered her face and bawled her eyes out, feeling super wronged.

She wanted to vent to Milford but realized he hadn’t even glanced her way, just glued to his phone, checking messages–obviously from some chick.

The thought of Milford possibly cheating on her turned Briony’s anger into pure spite! She curled up in a corner, trying to make herself invisible so Linsey wouldn’t go ballistic on her again.

A low–key luxurious sports car cruised into the dim light of dawn, rolling up to where Noella NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

stood.

Palmer, decked out in a deep brown suit, looked like a gentleman straight out of a medieval painting. Resting one hand on the steering wheel, he reached out to her. “Hop in.”

Noella had just settled into the car when Palmer leaned over to buckle her seat belt.

He kept the perfect distance, close enough for her to feel his warmth and scent but not too close to be intrusive.

“Where’s your meet–up with Thorpe?”

“Fortress Hospital. It’s neutral ground and doesn’t belong to any faction, so it’s relatively safe. Thorpe will be less on guard there.”

Fortress Hospital was indeed a solid pick, but it was a bit of a trek from Imperial City.

Palmer drove a few feet away from the sight of Serene Haven’s high–rise and then snapped his fingers.

The car morphed into a helicopter, its blades stirring up a vortex that made trees on the ground

thrash about.

“Sorry for the turbulence, but we’re pressed for time. This will be quicker.”

“No worries.”

The last time Wren picked up Noella from Tranquility City, they had used the same tech. Looked like more brands had teamed up with this tech recently.

This should mean a nice chunk of change in research funds for Noella.

Palmer, with flying skills that even outdid Wren’s Air Force background, casually handed Noella a paper bag.

Inside was a warm sandwich and milk, clearly prepped by him for her breakfast.

“Rushed it a bit, so don’t get mad, my fiancée.”

Noella was puzzled. Was she known for having a short fuse?

“Thanks.” Noella nibbled on the sandwich, watching clouds race by the windows.

“Got folks from Obelisk Organization and Abyssal Organization lying low near the hospital since last night, so don’t fret, my fiancée.” Palmer explained, “Set it all up last night while you were- resting. Didn’t want to bug you.”

The stakes were high for this op–top brass from the three elite deep web hit squads all converging.

Palmer knew Noella would be there, and to ensure her safety, he had been losing sleep for days.

He had run through this mission in his head over and over to guarantee nothing went wrong. She couldn’t come to any harm.

Noella noticed the dark circles under Palmer’s eyes. “I know. Erek called me last night; my people are also stationed around the hospital.”

She hadn’t had much rest either, prepping for this showdown.

But Palmer had his corporate gig to juggle, making time for meals with her; even covering her breakfast.

Noella eyed the other sandwich in the bag, thought for a second, then handed it over to Palmer.

“You skipped breakfast, too, right? Here.”

A faint smile played on Palmer’s lips; fatigue eased by her concern. “Hands are tied. Mind helping me out?”

He needed to focus on flying, so he really couldn’t take his hands off the controls.

Noella sighed, carefully unwrapped the sandwich, and held it up to Palmer’s mouth.

“Thanks, it’s good.”

10:23

It was from his own stash–how could he not know it tasted good?

A blush crept onto Noella’s cheeks as she fed him the whole sandwich,

The sunrise painted the sky as the helicopter smoothly landed at Fortress Hospital’s entrance. morphed back into a car, and rolled into the parking lot.

Noella followed Palmer upstairs to the agreed–upon ward.

་་་

Briony sat outside the door, wiping tears and feeling aggrieved.

How could the Rosenbergs treat her like this?

Linsey had the nerve to say she was picked out of the trash and acted all disgusted by her!

And Milford didn’t even bother to back her up.

Briony clenched her teeth in fury, but her gaze accidentally landed on Noella heading upstairs.

What was Noella doing at Fortress Hospital?

Was she called in by Milford?

It couldn’t be that she had clients even here, right? Must be she knew about Vincent’s hospitalization and wanted to stir up trouble.

Briony squinted, eyeing the man with Noella.

She didn’t recognize him, but just his suit screamed big bucks–looked like a custom job, just the jacket was worth a cool two hundred grand.

They walked too fast for Briony to get a good look at his face. Maybe some rich dude Noella had just hooked up with?

The more Briony thought about it, the fishier it seemned. She whipped out her phone and dialed Yvonne’s number.

“Ms. Schnabel, I just caught a glimpse of Noella with some dude at Fortress Hospital, and they seemed to be heading towards the maternity ward. Could Noella be preggers?”

Briony covered her mouth as she spoke, pretending to be utterly shocked.

“I’ve never seen this guy before, definitely not one of your family. Noella’s love life is such a hot mess, isn’t it? Ms. Schnabel, this surely isn’t how we Schnabels bring up our girls.”

Yvonne perked up when she heard this.

Why on earth would that bumpkin Noella trek all the way to Fortress Hospital?

Even if she felt off, the Imperial West Hospital and the Schnabel Hospital, with their superior medical resources, would be the top picks.

Running off to Fortress Hospital, and to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at that…

10:23

Yvonne’s eyes sparkled with excitement!

If that bumpkin got herself knocked up by some random guy, Palmer would totally dump her. and the entire Schnabel family would wash their hands off this daughter.

The more Yvonne thought about it, the more thrilled she became.

“Briony, keep tabs on her; don’t let her slip away; I’m on my way!”

“Got it, will do.”

Palmer and Noella made their way to the top floor and slipped into an open–door doctor’s office.

Erek handed them two crisp white lab coats.

Noella took hers and, in perfect sync, she and Palmer slipped them on.

Since she was making an appearance as Phantom Surgeon Lunaris, a disguise was in order!

Erek’s gaze fell on Palmer, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of déjà vu.

“I remember now! You’re the guy who was all cuddled up with our boss at the bar last time. I

never would’ve guessed you’re the boss’s fiancé. I thought you were just some hottie our boss had a fling with!”