CHapter 60
The Killer Queen
Chapter 60
Alkaid and Ivan were only so eager to see Noella off because they wanted to get a gander at what the big cheese of the Abyssal Organization looked like!
But they got just a glimpse of the hoityâtolty Palmer sitting in the car.
When Palmer gave them the eye. Alkald and Ivan felt like they were under attack by that sharp hawkâlike stare, full of scrutiny and wariness, as he watched them holding Noellaâs hand.
Holy moly, the CEO of the Pollack Group was seriously intimidating!
Calis
Alkaid whispered, âWhat do you reckon, could the Pollack Groupâs CEO be that Vocalist from the Abyssal Organization?â
âDo you even have to ask? With the way he was looking at us, he was practically shooting daggers.â
âDude, I thought Noella was playing the field! The Pollack Group with all their riches, probably offing people for fun when theyâre bored, huh? Gee, I didnât expect that our gang would be getting hitched with the Abyssal Organization even now!â
Ivan rolled his eyes. âOur boss ainât any better. What if she tricked or snatched that Vocalist, huh?â
âYou might be onto something.â
The two exchanged glances, watching the Porsche Cayenneâs exhaust fumes fade into the distance, lost for words.
Inside the latest model Cayenne, Palmer handed Noella a cup of water, and gently touched her
hands.
Thank goodness, not too cold. She hasnât frozen.
Noella felt weird and thought, âIâm not a toddler; how would I let myself get cold?â
âItâs been days, but only now did I realize that I could actually miss someone this much,â said Palmer.
Annie, sitting in the passenger seat, was shivering with goosebumps!
The old Mr. Pollack, Sexton Pollack, was worried Palmer didnât know how to romance, but with that smooth talk, it was more like worrying whether Noella could handle it!
Palmer watched Noella sipping water with a smile growing deeper.
Noella capped the cup and glanced at Palmer with a coquettish look, murmuring, âYou always this straightforward?â
really. I used to hate showing emotions as a kid. So after my mom passed away, Iâve been full of regret. If Iâd expressed my feelings more when she was alive, sheâd have known how
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much I loved her.â
There was a faint melancholy in Palmerâs voice, a hint of sorrow in his handsome and stern features, his smile turning bittersweet.
âSorry, I didnât mean it like that.â
âNo worries, everything I say to you comes straight from the heart. If you donât like it. Iâll learn to change. Just give me some time.â His voice was deep and magnetic, enough to make anyoneâs ears tingle.
Annie shuddered, thinking how on earth was Miss Noella going to turn down her boss now!
Sure enough. Noella simply stated, âNo need to change.â
Palmerâs face lit up with joy and asked, âSo, do you like hearing me talk like this?â
How had Noella never noticed him being such a brownânoser before?
Annie silently pulled out earplugs from her bag and put them on with practiced ease. maintaining the professionalism expected of a topâlevel assistant.
âWhat do you fancy eating? Got any plans for tonight?â
Noella shook her head.
âAnythingâs fine.â
Beckett knew she was going out for dinner with Palmer, and the Schnabel family wouldnât wait for her. Tristan and Sienna were probably thrilled to have Noella and Palmer stick together all day, under the guise of fostering a relationship.
âThen letâs grab dinner first, and afterwards, I want to take you somewhere.â
âWhere to?â
âYouâll find out when we get there. Letâs keep some mystery, shall we? Heard you went to MediCore University today with your brother. Thinking of studying there?â
Noella wasnât surprised that Palmer knew her whereabouts; she had turned a blind eye to the Pollack Group personnel lurking around corners.
âDonât you want me to?â
Palmer held her hand, warming it in his, a feeling that always brought him comfort, as if all the fatigue and the sickening backstabbing just washed away.
âItâs not what I mean. Medical studies are tough, and youâd be in the lab most of the time. Iâd think youâd prefer to keep some time for yourself, for other things.â
Noella certainly wouldnât just abandon her own organization. To have time for taking on jobs, she couldnât schedule all her time at school.
In the past, her time was divided between old Mrs. Lambert and missions; now, she had to
share it with the Schnabel family and Palmer. For the first time, Noella felt like there werenât enough hours in the day!
âYeah, Iâll think about it.â
Palmer smiled, his handsome face glowing, almost dazzling. If Noella studied medicine, sheâd hardly have time for him, and that would mean less time together â no way that could happen!
Besides, with Noellaâs talent, she didnât need to waste time at university.
âYour grandpa Sextonâs medicine is all arranged; itâll be delivered tomorrow.â
âThanks! Iâll come to pick you up.â
On the bund in Imperial City, the rippling river reflected the palatial restaurant on the roadside. where the piano music inside was melodious and lingering.
Palmer pulled out a chair for Noella, a perfect gentleman, and only sat down opposite her after making sure she was comfortably seated.
âWhatâs the deal with Yvonne?â
âSimple. She was tempted by the amount of money Thorpe offered, so she took a job under Lunarisâ name, and got taken away by Thorpe. She should be at the port by now.â
Noella frowned slightly. Yvonne was, after all, still with the Schnabel family. If she was indeed taken out of the country by Thorpe, it would bring some trouble to the family.
Palmer poured her a glass of wine, his affectionate gaze on her face, always feeling at peace whenever he saw her.
âDonât worry, he ainât going anywhere. Grandpa Marcelâs got a special status. If anyone from the Schnabel family tries to make a run for the border, itâll definitely set off alarm bells.â
âYou got people set up at the port?â
Palmer swirled the liquid in his glass, chuckling with a knowing smirk.
âDidnât you take care of it too? Great minds think alike, eh? You and I are really in sync.â
Noella was at a loss for words.
Maybe they did have a kind of unspoken understanding. Ever since their organizations began eyeing the same hit jobs, thereâs been no shortage of tussles and sneaky power plays.
No wonder Alkaid and Ivan were so curious about him!
âWhen do we make our move then?â
Palmer laid out the nicely cut steak in front of Noella and said with poise and elegance, âNo rush. Gotta at least let you have your fill first. This restaurantâs steak is on point. Wanna try?â
âIt is good.â
After the meal, Palmer took Noellaâs hand and led her straight to the beach, boarding a yacht
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Chapter 60
with her. The yacht was alight, hosting a lowâkey dinner party.
Palmerâs arrival drew plenty of stares, but even more eyes were fixed on Noella, the woman he was holding hands with!
Under the lights, Noellaâs demeanor was cool and detached, like a queen looking down on her subjects, exuding an otherworldly and stunning elegance.
âThat must be Noella, right? Sheâs gorgeous, a perfect match for Mr. Pollack.â
âThe young miss is even more beautiful in person than on live TV!â
Palmer extended his hand, signaling Noella to take his arm, showing impeccable manners even though she hadnât been prepped to attend the dinner.
âAre we joining the party?â
âNo, just passing through. This yacht will pass by the port where Thorpe is planning his escape.â
Palmer caught Noellaâs slender waist and slowly stepped into the dance floor to the rhythm of a waltz, the chandelierâs light rippling down, the open sea stretching out endlessly.
Leaning close to Noellaâs ear, Palmerâs voice dropped to a low, magnetic whisper that tickled her senses. âBy the way, I just wanted to spend some more time with my fiancée. Iâve been
missing you these past few days. Have you thought about me at all?â