CHapter 105
The Killer Queen
Chapter 105
Ulrichâs furrowed brow deepened as he glared at the medical chart in front of him.
Yvonne had the nerve to call him in just to treat Vincent? Did the Lamberts actually think they deserved his medical expertise? Why couldnât they just drop dead and be done with it!
Memories of the conversation heâd overheard on the phone flooded backâwhispers that Noella had been spotted at the hospital, perhaps even in the maternity ward.
Damn it all! The Lamberts must be spreading vile rumors about Noella! He should have done more than just have someone rough them up a bit; that was far too kind for their ilk!
Just as Wren had dug up, the Lamberts were a greedy, conscienceless lot.
Ulrich shuddered to think of what Noella must have endured with them before. The thought alone was enough to twist his heart in pain.
Noella noticed Ulrichâs growing agitation with the chartâhis teeth clenched, his face contorted with a burning vengeance, looking as if he might rip the chart to shreds right then and thereâand felt a twinge of confusion.
Ulrich was known to be the most evenâtempered of the Schnabels.
âUlrich, whoâs sick?â she asked.
Ulrich quickly tucked the chart away and flashed a tender, warm smile. âItâs nobody important, just an annoying bug. Not worth our attention.â
He gently stroked Noellaâs silky hair and covertly exchanged a knowing glance with Palmer.
âNoella, you just focus on eating. Iâll go check on things.â
The moment Ulrich stepped out of the office, the spring breeze of his smile vanished, replaced by an icy, steely resolve.
Annie approached with a respectful bow. âDr. Schnabel, Iâm Mr. Pollackâs assistant. Ms. Yvonne is currently in the underground parking garage.â
As a capable assistant, Annie knew precisely what to do the instant she saw Ulrich emergeâa Schnabel through and through, he was surely out for blood now.
âLead the way.â
In the parking garage, Yvonne was gagged with several layers of duct tape and bound to a concrete pillar. She was cornered by a few of Thorpeâs thugs, with no chance to cry for help!
The situation was terrifying!
Despite her claim to be a Schnabel, the thugs had dared to abduct her! And they had chosen such a secluded spot, surrounded by Thorpeâs cars, ensuring no one would come by!
Yvonne was close to despair.
Chapter 105
The sound of leather soles hitting the concrete echoed through the silent garage.
Ulrich, clad in his white coat, walked in from the other side, his polished shoes kicking up dust that seemed to sparkle in the light.
Approaching against the backlight, his handsome face was a mask of frost as he eyed Yvonneâs captors.
âWhich group are you guys from? Mind if I take this one off your hands?â
The thugs ignored him, their eyes on something in Annieâs hand. She discreetly held up an item from the Abyssal Organization and gestured to the thugs.
Once the thugs confirmed Annieâs affiliation with the Abyssal Organization, they dropped their guard around Ulrich.
âWas the surgery a success?â
Annie hurried forward. âA complete success. Weâll take it from here.â
Nodding, the thugs tossed Ulrich the loose end of the rope binding Yvonne and quickly vanished into the garage.
From the moment she saw Ulrich, Yvonne was paralyzed with relief. Someone had finally come to rescue her!
She knew the Schnabels wouldnât abandon her; she was still important to them. If it werenât for Noellaâs unexpected return, sheâd still be the Schnabelsâ darling little princess.
âMmphâ¦â Yvonne attempted to speak through the duct tape, issuing muffled cries towards Ulrich.
Ulrichâs icy gaze fell on her, sending shivers down her spine!
Why was the usually gentle Ulrich looking at her like that?
Ulrich might have appeared to be the mildest of the Schnabel children, but Yvonne knew better. It was all a facade. In truth, Ulrich was the most terrifying of them all!
Even if she accidentally crossed the other Schnabels, the worst sheâd get was a scolding. Jasper and Stirling might have harsh words, but they were the softâhearted ones of the family. But the least softâhearted? That was the man before her, Ulrich.
Yvonne still remembered, as a child, accidentally shattering Ulrichâs favorite vase. She had endured two long months of his creative punishments, leaving her too scared to even visit the Schnabels for a while.
Ulrich crouched down, picked up a small knife from the ground, and, without a hint of mercy, used the blade to lift a corner of the duct tape on Yvonneâs mouth before ripping it off. The pain was so intense that Yvonne screamed, tears streaming down her face.
She couldnât say a word against Ulrichâs cold stare.
Ulrichâ¦â
âYvonne.â Ulrichâs voice was sharp, âexplain why youâre here.â
Yvonneâs eyes darted around, desperately concocting an excuse, but Ulrichâs grip on her jaw silenced her.
âDidnât I tell you that Noella is our familyâs daughter? Why canât you remember? You think you can take whatâs hers?â
âUlrich, I wasnât going after Noella. I was scared. I heard she snuck into the maternity ward, and I just followed because I was worried something happened to her. I swear, I had no other intentions!â
Ulrichâs smile was devoid of warmth as he looked down at her. âReally? And what makes you so sure Noella has been to the maternity ward? Let me guess, because if Noella was expecting. with some guy. the Pollack family would kick her to the curb, and we, the Schnabels, would never forgive her, leaving you the perfect opening. Right?â
Yvonneâs eyes widened with panic. âUlrich, I swear, thatâs not what I was thinking. I didnât mean anything by it; Iâm just concerned about Noella. If I had such intentions, Iâd have marched straight to Mr. Pollackâ¦â
Her little scheme was as clear as day to Ulrich, and she was all out of sorts.
âYou didnât go to him? Then how did this lady beside me end up with that red mark on her face? Did she slap herself for fun?â
Annie was just as startled.
Ulrich deduced that from a red mark? Were all the sons of the Schnabel family that sharp?
Yvonne was stunned, too. She couldnât believe this⦠this snitch had dared to tattle on her!
So what if she had slapped her? She was going to be the future matriarch of the Pollack family. and sheâd have every right to fire all these seductive women.
Yvonne glared at Annie with venom in her eyes.
Just from her expression, Ulrich knew his offhand guess had hit the mark..
âYvonne, youâre a Schnabel, but youâre out here acting a fool. Mr. Pollackâs assistant is his trusted aide. You think you can just strike one of Mr. Pollackâs own and he wonât come after you?â
Yvonne started to feel a bit scared. âUlrich, sheâs just an assistant. It was her fault for getting in my way that day. I wouldnât have hit her otherwise.â
Ulrich let out a scornful laugh. âDo you think Iâm an idiot? You know how the Lamberts have been treating Noella. If youâre so chummy with them, then maybe you donât need to part of the Schnabels anymore.â
What was he implying?
11:41
Chapter 105
âUlrich! Iâm sorry! I really am! The Lamberts reached out to me! I came because I was so worried about Noella. Theyâve looked after her for years, and when they start talking smack, I wanted to find out the truth.â
The look Ulrich gave Yvonne was filled with nothing but disdain. âIf you trust them over your own family, then go be a Lambert. How about you run along and play Vincentâs little girl? What do you think of that?â
Yvonneâs eyes bulged in shock. âUlrich, what do you mean?â