The Killer Queen

which kicked off with the usual fare–a smattering of trinkets and baubles to warm up the crowd.

Noelle casually eyed the stage, her voice tinged with a cool detachment. “I’m guessing your last injury had something to do with the

aly the Pollacks could have such precise control over Palmer’s interests, luring him to South Flora Storage with an heirloom from his tate mother. And it was the Pollacks who seemed most eager for Palmer to meet his demise, to relinquish his grasp on power.

Hadeed. That’s why I made sure the culprits and their entire family met with a rather… permanent end,” he replied, his gaze softening, but bis words as chilling as the Arctic wind.

Mahma’s mother was a close friend of my own mother, and those people had the audacity to desecrate her grave to lure me in. Since they have such an affinity for graves, I thought it only right to give them a family reunion six feet under.”

Noella nodded impassively. “How benevolent of you.”

They were more alike than she cared to admit.

as a shame I’ve yet to find the key evidence of their involvement in my mother’s death.”

Noella raised an eyebrow. A shame indeed, but evidence isn’t what you’re after, is it?”

For someone like Palmer taking action never required evidence. He was simply determined to root out the true mastermind behind his mother’s untimely demise. In other words, the Pollacks‘ continued existence was not a testament to their strength, but rather to their usefulness to Palmer as he hunted for the real villain..

The once helpless child who could only hide and succumb to despair was now the thunder–wielding patriarch of the Pollack family.

The auctioneer’s voice snapped the room to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is a remarkable piece of nephrite. As you know, the market for nephrite has been quite favorable recently, and this piece is a true gem!”

Interest piqued among the previously indifferent guests, many of whom had come specifically for the nephrite.

The nephrite, roughly the size of a fist, lay on the stage, flawless and gleaming under the unrelenting spotlight, a sight to soothe the soul.

Let’s not dawdle–our starting bid is three million!”

Noella’s interest lay not with the nephrite itself, but with the person who had put it up for auction.

Palmer whispered, “A piece from Polaris Star?”

“Perhaps once, but it’s been sold off long ago. Even if it originated from Polaris Star, they have no claim over it now.”

A nephrite of such quality would have commanded a hefty sum even at its original sale.

As Noella glanced at the nephrite being showcased, she pulled out her phone and began scouring for information. Polaris Star kept meticulous records of all their sales, and with nephrite being as unique as fingerprints, she was certain she could trace its origin.

Frowning at her phone, she muttered, “The buyer… why is it him?”

Palmer glanced at the information displayed on Noella’s screen.

The Richardson family, and in particular, Lorne.

“He bought it only to resell it now?”

She nodded. “Exactly. And I’ve just learned something quite intriguing–Lorne has been fueling the nephrite market’s surge in prices.”

Boosting interest in an item before a sale wasn’t uncommon in the antique world, but for Lorne to create such a spectacle for a single piece of nephrite? It didn’t add up.

Noella’s phone buzzed with a new message: [Boss, those zithers were sold directly through the Richardson family’s own market.]

Terrell, a regular at the market, had been in contact with Lorne numerous times last month.

Noella’s brow furrowed. “Nephrite prices spiked last month.”

During that month, Polaris Star sold quite a bit of nephrite for a considerable sum.

“Are you suggesting Lorne hyped up the nephrite market for a windfall?” Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

She nodded again. “The Richardsons wouldn’t dare sell subpar items openly. The nephrite pieces in the music store are of such poor quality that Lucian would definitely notice if they were taken out from Lorne’s antique market.”

However, it would be a different story if they formed alliances with others! For someone like Terrell, as long as there’s money to be made, it doesn’t matter. Lome could earn more money without taking any risks, so it wouldn’t be a loss for him at all.

On stage, the nephrite sold for an eye–watering ten million–well beyond its actual value.

10:32

Another message arrived on Noella’s phone: [Boss, Lorne wants to buy more nephrite from us. Should we sell to him?]

Her response was swift: [Don’t sell.]

[But he’s hinting he has info we’d want, asking for a discount in return.]

Alioth, her contact, seemed bewildered by Lorne’s antics. Polaris Star never did discounts; they were more inclined to break bones than

prices.

[Find out what info he has.]

Minutes later, Alioth replied: [He wants a face–to–face with you. Claims the info is too sensitive for text.]

[Then block him. Polaris Star is cutting all ties with Lorne.]

Alioth glanced at the message on his phone and let out a snicker.

This guy thought he could strong–arm Boss with such a trick? What’s he got rattling around in that head of his?

When Lome received the message forwarded by Alioth, he wasn’t surprised. He chuckled, his expression as serene as a clear sky, not a hint of his defenses being breached.

[I was just kidding around, you know. I just wanted to make friends with the head honcho at Polaris Star. After all, I was chums with the former big cheese of Polaris Star.]

Alioth didn’t respond, but relayed the message verbatim to Noella.

[Boss, does he mean he knew our previous head honcho? I sure don’t!]

Noella’s brows furrowed even deeper.

What’s Lome getting at?

[If they’re such good pals, then let him buddy up with the last boss. I’m not interested in a partnership.]

When Lorne received the update, his composed facade began to crack!

How could the current kingpin of Polaris Star be so unshakeable?

It seemed he needed a fresh strategy to find out who was calling the shots at Polaris Star now. He’d thought that hyping up nephrite would surely catch the attention of Polaris Star, but it seemed the interest wasn’t mutual.

Lorne frowned slightly. “Where did I go wrong? Wasn’t my plan foolproof?”

Shouldn’t these actions grab the attention of Polaris Star’s current boss?

Noella set her phone on the desk.

Palmer asked, “What do you think of Lorne?”

“He’s probably not the sharpest tool in the shed. Sounds like he’s got a screw loose. If he’s off his rocker, then whatever he’s up to has nothing to do with me.”