CHapter 184
The Killer Queen
Chapter 184
Sleep with him?
Noella glanced up at Palmer, who was standing in front of her. Only a dim nightlight lit the room, casting a seductive glow around his features. His intense gaze sent a wave of nervousness through her.
We live close by,â she pointed out.
âYeah, but climbing through windows is exhausting.â
Exhausting? Was it her fault heâd decided to scale her balcony in the middle of the night?
âYou promised to spend the day with me, remember, Noella?â
She did forget their date because of her visit to see Elara at Emerald County. Sheâd indeed agreed to a whole dayâs outing with Palmer.
Noella replied calmly, âTomorrow.â
âNo can do. Tomorrowâs the Gruber familyâs gemstone auction. That hardly counts as a date.â
âItâs all the same.â
How could it be the same? He wanted her all to himself, even if they just sat in silence. Just being able to see her was enough for him!
âNo way, itâs different. You canât take advantage of my affection by playing hard to get.â
Palmer chuckled softly, so close that Noella felt his breath on her face. The man was a walking pheromone, his voice like a sirenâs call.
Noellaâs cheeks flamed, and she subtly shifted back. âAlright, fine.â
Palmer leaned in closer, his voice husky. âCan I kiss you?â
Her heart raced, and her face burned hotter.
The sound of a door opening and voices interrupted the intimate atmosphere.
âNoella, can I crash here tonight? I canât seem to fall asleepâ¦â
Elara had pushed open Noellaâs bedroom door while speaking, flipping on the light to reveal a startling scene.
Palmer was bending over Noella, dressed only in a robe that was far too revealing, and her darling sister was in a pink nightgown, looking as if they were about to lock lips.
âSorry, just sleepwalking,â Elara quickly shut the door, but a second later, opened it again to turn off the light and leave.
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Just a oneâminute sleepwalk, guys. Hurry up, or Iâll call our brothers Elara was torn
Should she yell at Palmer to get lost? But Noella didnât seem to dislike him. And what it Noella had invited him over?
With that possibility, Elaraâs heart felt even more conflicted.
Noella coughed softly. âYou better head backâ
Palmerâs kiss landed on her forehead. âGoodnight. Iâll pick you up in the morningâ
âOkay.â
Noella opened the door to find Elara crouched down, poking at the carpet. âElara, come on In.â
âPalmerâs gone? Noella, whatâs the deal with you two?*
Noella closed the door and lay down beside Elara. Elara was serious and composed. âNoella, donât be annoyed, Iâm just looking out for you! No matter what, you have to take care of yourself!â
Noella was confused. What on earth was her sister talking about?
Her face blushed crimson, and she flipped the covers over her head. âElara, youâve got the wrong idea!â
Elara snickered.
The next morning, Beckett shot an unfriendly glare at Palmer as he joined them for
breakfast.
With Elaraâs situation, Sexton had decided to move into the Schnabel Manor. The Pollack family wasnât large, with the eldest daughter living abroad and seldom visiting, and the two sons rarely seen, Sexton was pretty lonely. When he suggested moving in, Marcel didnât object.
Before this, Sexton preferred the hospital over his own home, essentially experiencing another form of loneliness. Besides, considering the spaciousness of the Schnabel Manor, there was certainly enough room to accommodate Sexton.
Beckett gritted his teeth. âNoella, Iâm thinking of putting a fence under your room and getting a guard dog. How about that?â
Tristan smacked him. âAre you nuts? Why keep a guard dog indoors? Thereâs a garden under Noellaâs room. Why fence it? To keep out what?â.
âTo keep out thieves.â Beckett glanced meaningfully at Palmer.
Tristan slapped him again. âNo taste, man. I designed Noellaâs garden. Fences would ruin
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Beckett dodged smoothly, his glare at Palmer intensifying. âWho knows when a âthlef might show up.â
Last night, Beckett had to deal with a business matter and upon returning, saw a figure coming from Noellaâs room. At first, he thought it was a burglar, but recognizing the face nearly sent him into a midnight rage!
Palmer had come out of his sisterâs room late at night â definitely not with noble Intentions!
Elara coughed, looking at Sienna. âMom, I was sleeping with Noella last night. Thatâs why I didnât hear you this morning.â
Sienna was happy to see her daughters getting along so well. They were the treasures of the Schnabel family!
Beckettâs mood improved, and his glare towards Palmer grew slightly more friendly.
After breakfast, Noella and Palmer left the Schnabelâs, heading towards the Gruber event.
Palmer held Noellaâs hand. âYour brother seems to have the wrong idea about me.â
Noella looked up at him. âHe saw you leaving my room last night.â
Annieâs eyes widened, and she floored the gas pedal, nearly speeding on the spot.
Were the boss and Ms. Noella moving this fast?
Annie perked up. âMs. Noella, where would you like to honeymoon? Iâve prepared travel guides for lots of countries for you and Boss!â
Noella paused for a moment, gauging Palmerâs eager expression before speaking up, âEver thought about switching teams? I could offer you some time off if you join my
team.â
Annieâs eyes sparkled. âThank you, Ms. Noella! But I canât leave my current job. My boss once saved my life. People from Abyssal Organization donât just walk away.â
She was deeply moved! If she were just an ordinary employee, she would have jumped at the chance to work for Ms. Noella right away. But she owed her life to Palmer, who had saved her multiple times on the international battlefield. She had sworn to work for Abyssal Organization forever!
âIâd love to work for you, Ms. Noella. The day Abyssal Organization falls under your Obelisk Organization, Iâll switch sides in a heartbeat!â
After all, if that happened, even their boss would belong to Ms. Noella, so it wouldnât really count as leaving the organization.
Noella nodded in understanding. Those from Obelisk Organization were just as loyal,
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bound by the same creed and trust forged in lifeâandâdeath struggles,
âThen Iâll work on taking over Abyssal Organization.â
Palmer chuckled. âWhy go through all that trouble? If you want something, Iâll simply give
it to you. If you marry me, everything I have becomes yours.â
Noella glanced at him, her tone light. âMaybe I should let Beckett invest in a Mastiff instead.â
Palmer affectionately stroked Noellaâs cheek. âYou ungrateful little thing.â
At the Gruber family estate, Walden had made extensive preparations for the gemstone auction. If he could make a splash today, heâd solidify his standing within the Gruber family for good!
âWalden, Ms. Schnabel and Mr. Pollack will also be attending today. Do you think we should try to engage Ms. Schnabel in conversation?â
Just the mention of Noella made Waldenâs face twinge with a faint pain, he still remembered how she had publicly humiliated him last time. Yet, despite that, this woman of noble stature was the apple of the eye for both the Horwich and the Schnabel families.
For Walden to secure his inheritance within the Gruber family, he needed substantial backing, and the Schnabel family was a perfect ally!
âWalden, your sister Malvina Gruberâs back today, too. Sheâs always had a bit of an interest in Mr. Pollackâ¦â