The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Noella arched an eyebrow slightly. "Where's Lorne now? I'm heading over."

"He's waiting for you on the rooftop of the Richardson Hotel, insisting on a one-to-one meeting. He also made it clear he’d reach out to your sister if you didn't show."

Noella rubbed her temples, a cold smile playing across her fair and striking face, adding a touch of allure to her features.

The few people around her shivered at the sight!

Their boss, when most angered, wouldn't rage but smile instead. This smile was internally referred to within Polaris Star and along the frontier as the Grim Reaper's grin!

Noella nodded slowly, her fingers cracking with tension.

"Fine, I'll remember this. You guys keep an eye on things here. Since there's a heartfelt invitation, I must honor it."

"Don't worry, Ms. Gruber is safe with us."

After all, Lorne's invitation was, essentially, his life on the line!

Noella swung her leg over her motorcycle and sped off, her presence chilling the air around her!

Malvina stepped out of the visitation room just in time to see Noella's departing figure, and after hearing from Alioth what Lorne had done, she was stunned!

"What? Is Lorne out of his mind? Lavinia is his aunt, for heaven's sake! You'd think his brains were scrambled by Arthur, the scoundrel! Aren't you guys going with Noella?"

Phecda shrugged. "Boss always has someone shadowing her. Don't worry."

Besides Polaris Star, Noella was also protected by a whole squad of mercenaries, all arranged by Beckett to serve as her bodyguards. While shaking them off was easy, Noella tolerated their presence to keep Beckett from worrying.

Growing increasingly anxious, Malvina finally made a call to Palmer. "Mr. Pollack, Noella might be in danger. You have to help her!"

"Explain yourself!"

After quickly detailing Lorne's actions, Malvina stamped her feet in frustration. "I didn't dare tell Elara, but what if Lorne has laid a trap for Noella?"

After careful consideration, Malvina concluded that Palmer was the most reliable choice. Given how Palmer looked at Noella, he surely wouldn't stand by if she was in trouble!

Palmer's furious laugh came through the phone, his voice dripping with cold menace.

"That damn Lorne!" he cursed angrily, followed by the sound of a car engine roaring to life. Palmer's chilly orders could be heard before the call abruptly ended.

From the sounds on the other end, it was evident that Palmer was already on his way!

Malvina finally breathed a sigh of relief!

...

On the rooftop of the Richardson Hotel, Lorne sat in a wheelchair, a glass of red wine in his hand, its liquid shimmering under the sunlight. Besides him, Lavinia was tied up in a chair, her expression filled with confusion.

"What on earth are you planning, Lorne? If I had known this is what you'd become, I'd have never let your father adopt you!"

Lorne took a sip of his wine, seething with anger. "I know you and Grandpa have always looked down on me, but I don't care! The Richardson family will soon be mine!"

Lavinia couldn't believe the maniacal Lorne before her, her gaze filled with disbelief.

"What are you trying to do? Who were you trying to threaten using me?"

"Aunt, you should be thankful. I even contacted your daughter. Don't you want to see your child?"

Her child?

Lavinia felt like her head was splitting open, the intense pain giving her the sensation that she was about to be torn apart.

Her child... When did she have a child?

"What are you on about! Let me go!" Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Lorne's phone, which had been on the call screen, was finally disconnected as he tossed it aside.

Elara stood up abruptly on the other end, trembling all over! Without even bothering with shoes, Elara ran out barefoot straight to the Pollack family estate, calling out for Jacob.

"Jacob! Come out quickly!"

Jacob was startled by Elara's voice. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Tears streamed down Elara's face, her features contorted with intense fear as she clutched at Jacob's sleeves, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Lorne kidnapped Mom. You have to help me find her, please!"

"Don't cry, I'm heading out now!"

As Jacob was overtaken by shock, Helen intervened.

"With you two in this state, driving there yourself might as well send your whole family to meet in the afterlife! Let the chauffeur take you!"

The chauffeur brought the car around, and together with Elara and Jacob, they headed towards the Richardson Hotel.

Helen adjusted her shawl, watching the car leave, her eyes brimming with tears.

...

The door to the Richardson Hotel rooftop swung open, and without turning, Lorne chuckled, wine glass in hand.

"Ms. Schnabel, I hope you make the right choice."

Noella stood behind him, her gaze icy. Lavinia seemed to have passed out, her head drooping beside the chair, though her breathing remained steady.

"Ms. Schnabel, what do you say? Just break off your engagement with Palmer and be with me, and I'll release my aunt! See, I'm the better match for you. Palmer is too dangerous; he couldn't possibly truly love you."

Lorne took another sip of wine, continuing, "How could someone who wouldn't bat an eyelid at his own mother's death in front of him be a good match?"

Noella sneered, "And you think you, a beast, are a good match?"

Lorne's face tensed up for a moment, but he managed to smooth it over quickly.

"Ms. Schnabel, guess what? I also invited Elara to come over. Imagine how she'd feel seeing her sister pick a man over her mother?"

Lorne's plan was simple - Elara’s presence would likely sway Noella to choose him, given the potential impact on her sister’s well-being if she didn’t! After all, choosing him meant choosing Lavinia!

"Ms. Schnabel, you should choose me! Just break off your engagement with Palmer, marry me, and Aunt Lavinia will start getting better day by day, won't she?"

Noella frowned. "Are you the one who's been agitating Lavinia, causing her condition to worsen?"

Lorne burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Yes, it was me, but it wasn't on purpose. I just didn't want her to recover too quickly. You know, if Aunt Lavinia got a bit better, I'd be cut out of the family fortune!"

Lavinia was the sharpest mind in the Richardson family. If not for her ill health, Lorne wouldn't stand a chance at inheriting the family's wealth.

Elara's heavy breathing sounded from behind Noella. She leaned against the wall, having rushed up here so hastily her feet were bleeding!

Seeing Elara, Lorne raised his glass in a distant toast.

"Noella, it's time for you to make your choice."