The Killer Queen

Glancing at the designer outfits hugging the frames of Noella and Malvina, the shopkeeper knew instantaneously that these were ladies with deep pockets!

Rich folks, especially young heiresses, were his favorite–they were the easiest to dupe, swallowing any story he spun.

Ladies, looking for some fine jade? Everything in my store is top–shelf material!” he boasted, his face a grotesque mask of greed despite his attempt at a welcoming smile.

Noella observed the hands of the shopkeeper. They lacked the calluses of a man who’d done time in the underworld, let alone the skilled hands of a true jade connoisseur. Clearly, he was a charlatan hired to swindle unsuspecting customers.

Sensing their silence, the shopkeeper feared letting two cash cows slip through his fingers. “Our pieces are unique treasures you can’t find just anywhere. Take this bangle, for instance–it’s top–of–the–line Glassy Type!”

Noella eyed the bangle in his hand, a chunk of resin masquerading as luxury. “A high–end piece made of plastic?”

The shopkeeper’s hands trembled–a giveaway,

How had the girl discerned the fraud?

Maintaining his composure, he flashed another smile. “Ah, I see you have an eye for quality, miss. Then perhaps this piece will meet your standards. Genuine Glassy Type!”

Noella arched a brow. “Glassy Type made of actual glass?”

The shopkeeper’s smile faltered. His counterfeits were usually top–notch, but this young lady saw through them with just a glance? In the past, when daughters of fortune came shopping for jade, they’d be fobbed off with resin or glass imitations. However, it seemed they had encountered a true connoisseur this time.

The shopkeeper’s demeanor shifted as he scrutinized Noella.

She appeared young, barely twenty, perhaps a novice in the world of jade, having picked up a trick or two from her family’s dealings? If she truly understood the value of jade, she wouldn’t have set foot in his shop–something any genuine aficionado would know. After all, not a single item in his store was a genuine Glassy Type.

“You’re not here to shop? Then what do you want?” he asked, a hint of hostility creeping into his voice.

Noella’s gaze was icy as she replied, “We’re looking for the real boss of this establishment”

“I am the boss. What business do you have with me?”

“You’re not.”

Even a shop dedicated to selling fakes wouldn’t have a clueless man at the helm.

With a dismissive glance, Noella took Malvina by the arm and they left.

The shopkeeper watched them leave, sensing something amiss

Had these two young women come merely to cause trouble? If they were looking for a fight, he wouldn’t let them leave unscathed.

His expression deepened as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number

After narrating the events, the person on the other end chuckled coldly. “Tail them. See which store they enter. If someone’s trying to mess with me, make sure they never return home!* Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

As Noella and Malvina appeared on the surveillance feed, the caller’s gaze shifted to a man shrouded in the shadows.

The middle–aged man who’d just issued threats suddenly wore a different expression.

“Mr. Larson Pollack, that girl is Palmer Pollack’s darling. You really want to cross her here?*

Larson leisurely sipped his drink, glancing at Noella on the monitor. Even through the grainy footage, her graceful figure was evident.

“Palmer is still wet behind the ears, choosing such a naive girl. She’s pretty, sure, but she’s nothing but a canary”

His smirk was cruel. “Td love to see if Palmer’s reaction will be more entertaining than the past if he finds his canary breathless.”

“But she is from the Schnabel family. If we harm her, how will we explain ourselves to the Schnabels?”

“Once I take the helm of the Pollack family, even the Schnabels won’t dare cross me!” Larson’s confidence was palpable.

Palmer’s mother had come from a similar background, yet they hadn’t touched him. As long as he remained a Pollack, all he needed was for that young fool to die in despair, leaving the leadership role open. What could the Schnabels do to him then?

“Send a few men. It won’t take much to deal with that girl. Just make sure she breathes her last. And let it be slow. After all, I’d like my dear nephew to witness his sweetheart’s final moments”

“Understood fl see to it immediately”

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Exiting the jade shop, Noella led Malvina to an antique store across the street

Upon entry, the curt voice from behind the counter greeted them. “Look around if you must, but I doubt you can afford anything here.”

Noella replied coldly, “Megrez, what in this store could possibly be beyond my reach?

Hearing the familiar voice, Megrez looked up and instantly swapped his disdain for sycophancy. “Heh, Boss, what brings you here?”

“We’ve got some tails. Take care of it.”

Malvina was baffled. Tails? Someone was following us? I didn’t notice anything!”

She watched in astonishment as Megrez pulled a sniper rifle complete with a silencer from under the counter and sauntered out the door

Her jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared at Noella. “Honey, aren’t the people you associate with a bit too… wild?”

But when she turned back, Noella was already reclining on a rocking chair within the shop, eyes closed in relaxation, sipping coffee, with a mysterious cat nestled on her lap.

The serene scene almost made Malvina forget the sounds of struggle and screams emanating from outside.

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Surely, it had to be her imagination.

Noella opened her eyes and beckoned to Malvina with a wave. “There’s a stool over here, come take a seat. It won’t be long; the line isn’t too crazy. We’ll be done in no time.”

“Alright!”

Half an hour later, Megrez came whistling back inside, casually wiping a smudge of blood from his cheek. “Boss, they were all sent by

Larson Pollack,”

Megrez felt a tinge of disappointment. “Too easy. They spilled the beans after just a couple of threats. Not a single tough nut in the bunch. Doesn’t give me much of a thrill, you know?”

Larson? That must be Palmer’s distant uncle- bold enough to cross her and clearly on Palmer’s bad side. Think she’s an easy target?

That’s a laugh and a half!

Noella settled back into her chair, closing her eyes, her hand gently caressing the sleek, soft fur of her cat.

“Another group’s on their way, so get ready for your thrill. Not one left standing”