The Killer Queen

On the stage, the young girl was all smiles. Clad in a pale aquamarine chiffon dress, she seemed to merge with the oil painting behind her, a beauty so ethereal it was as if a sprite had stepped right out of an enchanted grove.

Her voice, a melodious tinkling, resonated with confidence, yet it sent shivers down the spine of many in the audience!

How could they dare to express dissatisfaction? Setting aside the repercussions of having offended Master Killian, even the Schnabels themselves wouldn’t let them off the hook!

Standing beside Noella, Master Killian spoke with gravity, “Noella is my one and only apprentice in this lifetime. Her artistic talent surpasses even my own. If any of you wish to critique my apprentice, you’ll have to go through me first!”

His implication couldn’t be clearer.

Did they really think they could measure up to his apprentice?

Travis stepped forward, pride written all over his face. “Ladies and gentlemen, the exhibition begins now. Please, enjoy at your leisure.”

He was beside himself with excitement! This was Master Killian in the flesh! For those in the art

world, it was like their ancestors had blessed them with fortune!

Who could have imagined that Ms. Noella was the direct disciple of Master Killian!

Years ago, Master Killian had declared he would take only one student under his wing to inherit all he knew. With this, their gallery’s status in Imperial City was set to be unmatched!

Noella escorted Master Killian over to the Schnabels. “These are my family.”

Master Killian gave Marcel a nod, a gesture that conveyed ample respect to the Schnabels.

“Have they been good to you?” he inquired with genuine concern.

“Very,” Noella replied.

Master Killian cared deeply about how the Schnabels treated Noella.

Coming from the Polaris Star, he knew all too well the challenge of accepting new family members, akin to throwing a ray of hope into an already sealed and darkened heart.

If they hadn’t treated Noella right, he’d whisk her away without a second thought and join forces with the old timers to bring the Schnabels to their knees!

Master Killian’s gaze lingered on the face of the four Schnabel sons, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “You taught the Lamberts a lesson, and that’s good. Noella is the best child in this world. Should you fail her, I’ll take her away, and you’ll never see her again!”

Tristan hurriedly interjected, “Master Killian, you jest! Noella is the jewel of our family. We’d

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never mistreat her. As for the Lambert’s troubles, we’ll handle it without disturbing our dear

He had no desire to let the Lambert’s issues trouble his beloved daughter.

Master Killian nodded, his expression softening, and his gaze on the Schnabels turned gentler.

He then turned to Noella. “They seem to be a cut above the Lamberts. I can rest easy then. I’m

ed: I’ll head back to the hotel. I’ve got some business to attend to but will catch up with you later.”

“Understood, I’ll have Ivan accompany you.”

“That would be helpful; I could use a hand.”

As Master Killian made his way out, he cast a slightly reproachful look at Noella. “Why hide behind my name when yours could shine even brighter?”

The mysterious painter known as “Solitude“, whose works had taken the international art scene by storm, was none other than Noella herself–a rising star whose paintings commanded event higher prices than Master Killian’s.

Even in the depths of the deep web, Solitude’s pieces fetched astronomical sums at auction!

f Noella were to host an exhibition under the name of Solitude, it would not just rock Imperial City but send shock waves around the globe!

“For now, there’s no need. I don’t seek the spotlight.”

Her identity as Killian’s sole apprentice was recognition enough. If her alias as Solitude were to be revealed, she feared she wouldn’t have a moment’s peace.

Initially, she had released her work under the alias Solitude out of boredom during an experiment, casually crafting a few pieces to appease Master Killian’s impatience. To her surprise, they became an overnight sensation.

Master Killian shook his head with indulgent affection. “Suit yourself. Even if you publicly claimed to be Master Killian, I wouldn’t mind.”

He could hardly wait for Noella to reveal her identity as his apprentice, to show the world he had the most outstanding apprentice of all!

“I know what I’m doing. You can just go back to the hotel; I’ve arranged everything for you.

“You’re thoughtful, kid. I appreciate not having to endure that long flight for nothing.”

With a chuckle full of fondness, Master Killian left.

Noella watched as he got into the car with Ivan and disappeared into the stream of traffic.

Meanwhile, Yvonne paced anxiously outside the ICU at Imperial West Hospital.

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What in the world was Walden doing? Why hadn’t he messaged her yet?

If today’s gallery opening was a flop, especially with so many Schnabels and the press present, the family would surely cast her aside!

But the exhibition was nearly over, and she had yet to hear from Walden.

Surely that bastard couldn’t botch such a simple task, right?

Impatient and agitated, Yvonne decided to take matters into her own hands and dialed Walden’s number.

“Walden, how did things go today?”

Just released from the police station, Walden was seething with frustration. He never thought the Schnabels would have the guts to actually call the cops on him. No sooner had Jasper’s lawyer sent a scathing letter than it landed in the hands of Arthur Gruber, who unleashed a tirade of fury.

Just five minutes ago, Walden had been fished out.

“Yvonne, have you lost your damn mind? How dare you play me like that! I’m telling you, this isn’t over between us!”

Yvonne panicked at his words. “What the heck happened?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. Check the news and you’ll see.” Walden was gritting his teeth; he was still waiting to go back to the Grubers to face the music, and he didn’t have an ounce of patience left for Yvonne.

He knew she was a fool! Had she not assured him that the Schnabels didn’t give a hoot about Ms. Schnabel, that she was just a country bumpkin who didn’t know squat, he wouldn’t have staged this whole mess that now had him as the laughingstock of the Grubers!

After hanging up, Walden let out a heavy sigh. “Did you get in touch with the Gemstone Gambling King? My next move is critical to my inheritance rights. It has to go off without a hitch!”

“He’ll be in Imperial City next week.”

“Good.”

Yvonne, listening to the dial tone, felt her heart racing faster. Irritated, she clicked on the news app on her phone.

There was Noella, looking like royalty in a designer gown, standing in front of a painting, her elegance and beauty piercing Yvonne’s heart!

That gown was a masterpiece from a world–famous designer. She had begged Ashlyn for six months to wear it, but to no avail. And now it adorned Noella, while Master Killian had declared her his sole apprentice.

Back when Yvonne was studying painting, she’d dreamed of just a glimpse of Master Killian. The Schnabels had never obliged, and now they had somehow snagged him to teach Noella. Making Yvonne look like a clown, relegated to the hospital entrance!

Why did it all come to this?

The door to the ICU swung open from the inside.

“Visiting hours. Family can come in now.”

Yvonne stepped into the room, looking down at Ashlyn, who lay on the bed, a shadow of her former self.

“Grandma, no one else came to see you. Your life doesn’t seem to count for much now, does it? Do you also think Noella is your real granddaughter? Why does everyone treat me like this!” RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

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