The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Horatio was lounging comfortably in a plush armchair, his fair face radiating a serene aura that seemed almost divine. The prayer beads in his hand, engraved with ancient scriptures, added to his mystique, making him appear as a sage from another world.

Bowie was stunned to encounter Horatio at the airport!

As the revered abbot of the Dragon Monastery, Horatio had been a monk since the tender age of three. Born with a spiritual essence, he was a vegetarian by nature, destined for a monastic life.

But Bowie knew Horatio was no ordinary monk!

In Imperial City, many high-profile figures sought Horatio's counsel, making pilgrimages to the Dragon Monastery and often failing to secure an audience with him. The last time Horatio had left the monastery was to counter a global flu outbreak, devising a solution that became well-known among the inner circles of Imperial City.

Desperate, Bowie hoped to persuade Horatio to visit the Richardson family.

"Horatio, my family's home has been rather unsettled lately. I was hoping you could perform a blessing."

Horatio closed his eyes, his youthful face serene yet commanding attention, his presence both awe- inspiring and comforting.

"Bless you, but you should put your faith in science. If your home feels unsettled, perhaps calling the police would be more effective. I'm afraid I'm not the one you need."

Bowie was taken aback by Horatio's reluctance.

"Master, name your price, and I'll meet it!"

"You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not Horatio."

Confusion spread across Bowie's face. He had seen Horatio once before, from a distance, while with Lucian. Could he have been mistaken?

At the VIP lounge entrance, a cool voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Monk, let's go."

"Ah, coming." Horatio, seeing Noella at the door, quickly stood and followed her, paying no mind to Bowie.

Bowie had seen Noella in live streams and knew of her through the Schnabel family's public appearances. Tristan Schnabel and Beckett Schnabel had given her a significant share of the Schnabel Group, so he recognized her on sight.

Seeing Noella and Horatio together, seemingly familiar with each other, Bowie followed.

"Ms. Schnabel, hello, I'm Bowie Richardson."

Noella glanced back at the man trailing behind her.

Bowie, unlike Lorne, was sophisticated with a scholarly charm, his glasses framing his expressive eyes.

"Do you need something?"

"My family's been troubled recently, and I was hoping to invite Horatio over, perhaps to cleanse... Could you possibly facilitate an introduction? I would be eternally grateful." NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.

Noella's gaze shifted to Horatio. "Can you perform such rituals?"

Horatio shrugged. "I told him to trust in science, or call the police if necessary, but he wouldn't listen."

Noella nodded at Bowie. "He's not the one you're looking for. Try someone else."

Without another word, she and Horatio turned to leave.

Horatio, rubbing his hands together, asked, "So, Noella, what's on the menu today? I heard you acquired a famous painting recently. Gift it to me!"

"You're a monk. Why do you need such worldly possessions? To take with you to the grave?"

Horatio appeared to be accustomed to the way of interacting with Noella, as he gently touched his head, smiled with a hint of brightness, appearing less like a monk.

"Everyone has their hobbies, I just have a few too many."

Bowie, watching them leave, gritted his teeth but decided to follow.

"Horatio..."

Horatio, discussing the painting with Noella and noticing Bowie still on their trail, grew impatient.

"My friend, if you can't understand spiritual or worldly advice, I must warn you, I'm also versed in martial arts." His voice held a note of annoyance. "Understood? If so, please step aside."

Bowie reluctantly stayed back. "If you change your mind, Horatio, you can still reach me..."

Horatio caught up with Noella, not sparing Bowie another glance.

A few steps later, Horatio noticed a man standing close to Noella, an unusual sight given her usual distaste for male company.

"Ah, you're not just anyone to Noella."

Observing Palmer's handsome and reserved appearance, Horatio mused aloud. "Oh, her fiancé. That explains it."

Just one look was enough for Horatio to understand Palmer and Noella's relationship.

Palmer, having heard of the revered Horatio, hadn't expected him to be the one Noella was meeting.

"Horatio, you're aware of my relationship with Noella?"

"It's obvious at a glance. Not difficult to see."

What truly surprised Horatio wasn't Palmer and Noella's relationship but Noella's demeanor towards Palmer. Knowing Noella for years, he had never seen her allow any man other than members of the Polaris Star to get close, let alone hold her hand.

Horatio chuckled to himself.

For Noella, Palmer was clearly special.

Acknowledging this, Horatio gave Palmer a closer look and advised, "Young man, it's a blessing to have few familial ties. Your connections with your parents and siblings are light, which can be a good thing. Don't dwell on past lives too much! Sometimes, learning to let go of family ties isn't such a bad thing. Living life is all about finding your own path!"

Palmer looked surprised as he saw Horatio head towards the car, waving his hand as he went.

"Family ties might be thin, but… There's always a silver lining," Horatio quipped, his coat fluttering open in the wind, giving him an almost mystical aura, like a sage from another world.

Noella bit her lip. "The monk might be a bit eccentric, always rambling on. But if he says so, it's not without reason."

Noella knew that Horatio wasn’t one for small talk. If he was opening up to Palmer like this, it must be because he saw how much Palmer was troubled by his family situation!

Palmer had never gotten over his mother's departure and had refused to forgive his father. His contact with his siblings had been minimal over the years. Sexton was a permanent resident of the hospital, and Helen was in a nursing home. It was as if the family never saw each other.

This thought made Noella think of the cold, distant Pollack family. Their home felt nothing like one; its decor could have been lifted straight from a showroom.

Palmer glanced down at Noella, her fair, delicate profile stunningly beautiful. Her skin was so soft it seemed it might break at a touch, and the delicate curve of her collarbone was highlighted by a necklace, its diamond sparkling under the light.

"Then I should thank Horatio, and my friend as well. With Horatio's last words, I feel like the solitude and hardships of the past twenty-four years might finally find their resolution."

Horatio's last words unspoken was: family ties might be thin, but thankfully, the bond of love is deep!