The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Ulrich isn't trying to mock you." Noella explained.

Malvina said earnestly, "You're lying. I don't believe you. He must think it's my fault for not getting treated at your family's hospital. Why else would he chase after me? I don't even know how to explain this to my crew!"

Thinking about the situation gave Noella a headache too. Dating someone from the Schnabel family was indeed a bit of a challenge. Better leave that explanation to Ulrich, the emotional genius with an EQ of 180.

Darcy's lecture was engaging and far from dry, despite its high level of professionalism. After class, Noella nudged Malvina, who had dozed off next to her.

"Malvina, let's go."

Rubbing her sleepy eyes and noticing the drool on her book, Malvina wiped her mouth.

"See, I told you, college isn't for me."

Noella raised an eyebrow at the book in Malvina's hand, "Swine Postpartum Care" written in bold letters across the front. NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.

"If you're interested in agriculture, our university has a pretty good program for that," Noella teased.

Shaking her head, Malvina replied, "Just grabbed a random book. Didn't even look at the title."

She had picked it up on her way to class, thinking it was better to have something in her hands while at school.

Flipping through the book, a photo fell out.

"Hey, isn't this your brother Stirling?" Malvina, not one to follow celebrities, could still recognize Stirling Schnabel's unforgettable face.

Stirling, known for his looks being even better in person than in photos, could still drive countless fans wild with just a single snapshot.

The photo showed Stirling in a close embrace with a girl, looking very much like an infatuated couple.

Seeing the girl in the photo, Noella raised an eyebrow.

"Your brother's girlfriend?" Malvina asked.

"Obviously not. If you're into it, I can get you one too."

"No, thanks. If I really liked your brother, I'd have already made my way to get a photo with him!"

As they went through the book, Malvina was shocked to find a page filled with curses directed at Noella! The page was filled with hateful and vile words.

"Who the hell dares to be so vicious and insult you! I ought to slap her!"

Noella smiled. "Not gonna ask why? What if it was my fault?"

"Impossible! Whatever you do is right! If someone says you're the problem, they should take a good look at themselves!"

This blatant bias and protectiveness warmed Noella's heart. Instead of rushing off, she watched as Oriana approached.

"Here, this book must be hers."

Having found the culprit, Malvina resumed her usual haughty princess demeanor.

Oriana had been spreading rumors about Noella in class. She also claimed to be Stirling's girlfriend since they lived in the same neighborhood and had several photos to prove it. The class had mixed reactions, most choosing to stay neutral and distancing themselves from Noella, who noticed but didn't mind.

Oriana pleaded, "Noella, I’ve realized my mistake. Please don't make Stirling break up with me."

She claimed to be Stirling's official girlfriend and accused Noella of being jealous and trying to break them up.

Malvina frowned. "So you're the 'swine' classmate? Makes sense, you do look a bit like one. Already studying postpartum care at your age? Oh, haven't got back to your pre-pregnancy figure yet?"

Oriana panicked at the sight of the book and photo in Malvina's hands.

"Who are you? You're not from our class. Why are you even here?"

"This isn't your family's university. Universities openly allow auditing classes. What, afraid someone will steal your postpartum care tips?"

Oriana felt anxious. She had grabbed a random book from the library and couldn't find it when she looked later, not expecting Malvina to have it.

"You stole my stuff! That book is mine!"

Noella smirked, "This book, it's yours? Are you sure? How can you prove it?"

"It has a photo of me and Stirling from yesterday!"

Oriana felt proud, sensing the envy of her classmates.

Noella disdainfully remarked, "Since it's your book, does that mean all the content inside was written by you?"

"That's right! It's all mine! She stole my book!"

Noella flipped to the page filled with insults against her. "Did you write these words, Oriana? Explain. If you can't, Jasper, my family's lawyer, will have a word with you."

The Schnabel family had only one lawyer, Jasper, but he alone was sufficient to handle the legal affairs of such a large conglomerate! If Jasper were to have a conversation with Oriana, it probably wouldn't end so simply!

Noella continued, "Also, Stirling has been home these days, and I haven't seen you around. I'll send him the photo for confirmation. My family's legal team is quite experienced in handling defamation."

Oriana's panic was visible for all to see.

“How could you be so vicious! It’s just because you can’t stand seeing me and Stirling getting along so well. Having you as a sister, Stirling really hit a streak of bad luck!”

Noella’s gaze was icy, filled with a mix of pity and disdain as she looked at Oriana.

“An empty mind is more prone to delusions, Oriana. Maybe you should consider seeing a psychiatrist.”

Oriana tried to reclaim the book. “I got it wrong. This book is actually one I borrowed from the library, none of the stuff written in it was by me. Please don’t get the wrong idea, Noella.”

Malvina looked at her with a mix of scorn. “My friend, you’re supposed to be a student at a prestigious university, yet you’re not making any sense. Your story is full of contradictions. Maybe you should get your head checked.”

Irritated and embarrassed, yet unwilling to provoke Noella, Oriana turned her frustration towards Malvina, a girl she had never confronted before.

“And what right do you have to judge me, looking like a freak show with scars all over? You think it’s okay to go around scaring people?”

Malvina smiled to Noella, “Sweetie, if I stir up some trouble, you got my back?”

“Of course, do what you want.”

Satisfied, Malvina nodded, then turned around and slapped Oriana across the face!

“Since we’re clearly not the same breed, I won’t waste my words on you. It’s easier to just take action!”