CHapter 266
The Killer Queen
Chapter 266
[Boss, since when did you start caring about these conferences?)
Polaris Star gets bombarded with invites every year Noella always thought of them as nothing more than gatherings of soâcalled Industry Insiders putting on airs. Pelaris Star had its own wellâoiled machine internally. There wasnât any need to network or expand resources at these conferences. It was the organizers who were desperate to connect with Polaris Star by any means necessary.
[Ive changed my mind. Howâs the investigation going?
[Pheeda managed to snag a medical report on Lavinia Richardson, and it looks fishy. You better take a look yourself.]
Reviewing the medical report on her phone, Noellaâs brow furrowed slightly.
Sheâd had her suspicions about Laviniaâs condition and had Polaris Starâs people look into it. The data in the report only confirmed her hunch!
Seeing Noella engrossed in her phone, Palmer placed some peeled shrimp on her plate. âIs everything alright?â
Polaris Starâs intemal communications were in code, indecipherable to those not trained to understand it,
Noella quickly sent a message to Professor Calvin and put away her phone.
âNothing. Just discussing Grandpaâs medication with Professor Calvin. And Grandpa Sextonâs prescriptions seemed off. This moming. I spotted a few discrepancies.â
Now responsible for Sexton and Marcelâs health, Noella occasionally gave the old gentlemen massages. However, Marcel, not wanting to burden his granddaughter, often had Uinch, his strong and knowledgeable grandson, do it instead.
Spotting issues with Sextonâs medication that morning had raised Noellaâs concern.
âGrandpaâs medication was off?â
âIt seems Grandpa Sexton caught a cold and chose his own medication.â
There were a few more medications Noella needed to discuss with Calvin.
Calvinâs reply came quickly
[You are interested in a case? Great, swing by the hospital when you have time, and weâll talk.]
[See you later today.]
After replying. Noella put away her phone. âSorry for interrupting the meal,â
Jacob quickly interjected. âNo worries! Whether youâre checking on the old manâs health or playing games, itâs all good here. Palmer spoils you rotten!â
While he spoke, he worried that Palmer might not express himself well and nudged him under the table.
Palmer chuckled helplessly. âOf course, Noella can do whatever she pleases here. Although, if itâs gaming. I hope sheâll play with me.â
His tone was filled with adoration.
Elara shivered at his words. âYou better keep your word, or Noella might not marry you! You wouldnât believe how many folks at the lab have been asking me for Noellaâs contact info!â
But Elara hadnât given it to a single one.
Those balding researchers, despite their hairless heads, were dreaming of being with her sweet and innocent sister!
Jacob tumed serious. âElara, got your eye on anyone?â
Elara rolled her eyes. âWhy would I fall for someone whoâs worse at experiments, has less hair, less money, less looks, and throws their back out lifting a water jug compared to me? Iâve called several Sir before leaming theyâre younger than me!â
The mere thought made Elara see stars. Men like Jacob, who found a partner in the lab, were rare gems. Elara had seen photos of a young Jacob at Sextonâs place; it was no wonder a young Lavinia fell for him.
Elara kept Laviniaâs condition from Jacob, It was Lucian who said Lavinia was frail and couldnât handle stress.
Jacob nodded. âYouâre young, so
so no rush for love. As for that lab mess, FL handle it.â
âCan you, though? Mr. Pollack, I thought you hated the backstabbing in the lab?â
âWhen itâs about you, like or dislike doesnât matter. Itâs all important.â
Bara smirked.
After dinner, Noella had the kitchen pack some meals, planning to take them to Ulrich still tied up in surgery
Jacob checked his watch. âNoella, sorry, but I need to borrow Palmer for a bit I retum himn later.â
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apter 266
His tone made it seem as though Palmer was Noellaâs to lend.
They were merely engaged, Jacob didnât need her permission to take Palmer. Yet, Jacob made it sound perfectly natural, and Palmer seemed to have no objections.
Noella merely nodded. âAs you wishâ
Jacob patted Palmer on the shoulder, âLetâs pick up your grandma. Sheâs anxious to return after hearing about Elara
Palmerâs grandmother, a recluse living in a nursing home, seldom wished to see visitors, not even her own grandchildren. However, news of her second son having a daughter and wanting to see Palmerâs fiancée had her eager to leave.
Palmer glanced at Noella, explaining softly. Tve mentioned my grandmother beforeâsheâs a tough character. I didnât want to scare you, so I thought weâd wait. Weâll arrange a meeting when the timeâs right.â
âFine by me.â
Palmer and Jacob were nervous about meeting Old Mrs. Pollack!
Knowing her reputation for being peculiar, Palmer wasnât sure how sheâd react to Noella and feared she might say something offâputting. It was better to meet her first, give her a headsâup, and avoid scaring off his fiancée!
At the hospital, in the emergency department, Noella placed the packed lunchbox she was carrying on Ulrichâs office desk.
Elara pointed towards the ward. âI think I just saw Grandpa Lucian there, Iâll go check on him. Can you wait here for Ulrich? And hey, if a stranger tries to chat you up, just ignore them, okay?â
Noella sighed in exasperation. âIâm not a toddler, Elara.â
The Schnabels always treated Noella like a child, often seeming eager to do everything for her.
No sooner had Elara left than Calvin barged into the office.
âWow, that smells amazing. I havenât had lunch either, and Dr. Schnabelâs surgery wonât be over for a while. Maybe Iâll just help myself!â
Noella replied coolly, âNot happening. Hands off.â
âThatâs so unfair!â He handed Noella the medical files he had prepared earlier, his eyes wide with feigned sadness as his hand sneakily reached for the lunchbox Noella had prepared.
Without looking up. Noella said, âThe two boxes on the left are yours; donât touch the rest.â
Calvin gasped in surprise. He knew she wouldnât let him starve!
Noellaâs attention remained fixed on the medical files in her hands.
She was surprised. âSo, my suspicions were correct. Laviniaâs illness is due to external stressors and medication reactions.
Which meant, someone had been deliberately agitating Laviniaâs mind, causing her to break down n time and again!