The Killer Queen (Noella Briony) novel Chapter 157

The moment Vincent so much as thought about cash, his aches and pains seemed to vanish!

Belinda sneered inwardly.

Considering how blind and biased the old lady was, her favoritism had known no bounds. She treated Noella like the apple of her eye, raising her as if she were a precious gem. Chances were that bracelet was deliberately left for Noella by the old bat herself!

Why should Noella get it, though? The old lady's belongings should rightfully go to her own flesh and blood, her granddaughter! That bracelet was so exquisite; putting it on Noella was like casting pearls before swine. If only Briony could have it...

Calculations danced in Belinda's eyes.

"Honey," she conspired to Vincent, "that bracelet must've been nicked by Noella. She's out of our lives now, so let's call the cops, say she took Mom's stuff. She'll have to return it then, right?"

Vincent, who'd gotten a good thrashing from Noella and still felt tender in the face, hesitated at her suggestion. "Well... we don't have proof that the bracelet belonged to Mom. If that little brat insists it's got nothing to do with Mom, what then?"

"What do we do then? That bracelet's worth a fortune! Are we just going to let her have it?" Belinda, fighting through her pain, was relentless.

Vincent, of course, wasn't about to let go!

The bracelet was worth a pretty penny; how could he let Noella just walk away with it?

"Here's the plan—I'll pay off a few influencers to boost our story, claim we lost a family treasure. Once the news spreads, she’ll have no choice but to return it out of fear!"

Vincent had it all planned out. If they could just start an online smear campaign against Noella, she would undoubtedly cave under pressure and return what rightfully belonged to them!

Unbeknownst to them, Ellsworth, who had been eavesdropping, quietly opened his eyes. Seizing the moment when they weren't paying attention, he made his escape.

Why should that precious item ever belong to Vincent's?

Noella was the future bride handpicked for him by the Lambert and Fuller families. Everything she owned should rightfully be his!

...

Night fell early in Emerald County. Stars dotted the canvas of the sky, and Elara was sound asleep beside her. Noella had just undone her hair to lie down when she heard a faint rustling noise.

The Schnabel family's old mansion was well-maintained—no critters here. So, it could only mean one thing- someone was inside!

Noella glanced at Elara, picked up her phone, and checked her messages.

Mizar texted: [Boss, some punk's sneaked into your place. Want us to handle it?]

[No need.]

Accompanying the text were a few candid shots of the intruder—undeniably Ellsworth!

Noella pocketed her phone, stealthily left the room, and Elara, almost as if on cue, opened her eyes.

"Noella..."

Why was her sister up? A bathroom trip, perhaps? But their en-suite should have sufficed.

Confused, Elara's alarm spiked when she heard a strange noise.

Panic set in.

What if Noella, on her first visit to Emerald County, ran into trouble?

Without even slipping on shoes, Elara dashed out in search of Noella.

In the shadows, Ellsworth crouched, scouring for Noella's room. He'd paid a few local fishermen for information on which grand doorway the girl had entered. This was the largest house in Emerald County. Could the girl be some heiress?

The thought set his heart aflame with greed.

Visions of Noella's stunning face and svelte figure made him lick his lips with lecherous desire.

If he could find Noella, take advantage of the situation, would he not win her heart?

His mind was awash with vile thoughts, oblivious to the piercing gaze from above, observing him from the rafters.

Noella had to act without making a sound; she couldn't risk waking Elara. She touched her wristwatch, aimed at the intruder's neck artery, and fired.

Ellsworth collapsed silently, and Noella descended from her perch, looking down indifferently at the man sprawled on the floor like a lifeless pig.

If it weren't for the risk of causing trouble for Elara and the Schnabel family, Ellsworth's fate would be more than just unconsciousness.