The Killer Queen (Noella Briony) novel Chapter 156

Elara watched Jacob's retreating figure, then turned to Noella with a mischievous grin.

"Don't mind him. Come on, let's hit the town. I'll show you around."

Emerald County wasn't exactly sprawling, nor was it tiny. Outside the research facility lay the old county town, where researchers typically passed their time.

Noella grabbed Elara's hand, halting her. "I'm beat, Elara. How 'bout we just chill? Keep me company?"

Elara's heart soared like a Fourth of July firework! Her little sis wanted to hang out with her!

Blinded by Noella's gentle, sunny smile, Elara didn't think twice. She eagerly led Noella toward the Schnabel family's ancestral home in Emerald County.

"I usually bunk at the dorms, but it's kinda cramped. How about we crash at the family estate for a couple of days?"

"Sounds good to me."

Noella noticed the dark circles under Elara's eyes but pretended not to see them.

The mansion was always kept spick and span, with its charming rustic aesthetics and timeless appeal illuminated by the warm glow of indoor lights. A relic from the previous century, it would fetch a pretty penny if ever put on the market.

At the bedroom door, Elara's mix of guilt and glee was palpable. "Uh, so Noella... Since nobody's been staying at the mansion, I was worried about security stuff. How about you bunk with me for safety?"

She twiddled her thumbs, all hopeful and afraid of being seen through. Thankfully, her little sister, ever so innocent and kind, didn't catch on to her sly moves.

"Sure, I'll freshen up, and you can hit the hay."

Elara couldn't be happier! She was gonna share a room—and a bed—with her sister!

She did a little victory roll on the bed, giggling into the pillow, then sneakily messaged the whole Schnabel family.

[Guess who's sleeping with Noella tonight? That's right, yours truly, Elara. Jealous much?]

The Schnabel kin weren’t exactly envious, just a tad bitter, maybe a smidge jealous, and kind of wanting to give Elara a noogie!

After freshening up, Noella found Elara already snoozing, clutching a pillow. Her phone screen was still on, displaying a family photo sent by Stirling.

Elara looked peaceful in sleep, clearly wiped out.

Noella didn't disturb her. She quietly left the room and sat down in the garden, connecting to the deep web.

Erek's message popped up.

[Boss, top news on the deep web: someone's looking to score a ticket to Lockhart Prison's big event. Offering a cool fifty mil.]

[The target?]

[Unclear, an anonymous ID. We tracked it to the Pacific, then the signal was gone. Also, hot gossip: Arthur Gruber seems keen on making Walden Gruber his heir.]

This not-so-secret rumor was all over the circles! Everyone's buzzing about whether Arthur's gone off his rocker!

[Another piece of news: the Gruber family’s gallery just opened across from your spot, run by Yvonne Gruber.]

Erek was practically gorging on drama!

Ashlyn's adoptive granddaughter turned into a Gruber, and Walden's now the chosen heir. Erek's half-tempted to ask if the Grubers are prepping for bankruptcy.

What were they even thinking?

[Keep tabs on Arthur's mental gymnastics. Any leads, pass 'em to the rest of the Grubers, and get paid.]

[Roger that!]

Arthur's antics were way past quirky, veering into 'controlled by hallucinogens' territory.

Noella flicked off the deep web and skimmed through her phone, replying selectively.

Just after texting Palmer, his call came through.

"Hey, you've been ghosting my messages. What gives?"

"Just been off the grid."

He'd called hardly half an hour ago; how clingy could a guy get?

"Miss me yet? I'm really missing you."