The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"It's you!"

Why the hell is this old man back?!

Back in the day, he was always giving her a hard time!

Marcel Schnabel had just tied the knot with Ashlyn, and Xavier had been stirring up trouble non-stop. Xavier didn't care whose fault it was. Anyone who crossed Harriet in his eyes was in for a beating! Sure, Marcel had messed up, but Ashlyn was no angel either. He treated them both the same. Seeing Xavier brought all those old memories flooding back to Ashlyn! And Marcel? He couldn't care less. Xavier causes trouble, and his advice is just to suck it up!

The helicopter was still a few meters off the ground when Xavier slid down the rope, swaggering over with a smug grin, holding out a box.

"My dear granddaughter, this is a little something from your Uncle Xavier. An engagement is a big deal, and when you get married, I'll get you something even nicer!"

Noella took the elegant box from him.

"I thought you were stuck in prison?"

"Hey! Who the hell cares about that? If anyone's got the guts to deal with me, they might as well try to finish me off! They don't dare, so I'm back!" Xavier's robust appearance drew sneers from the other old-timers present!

Oh, so you're the lively one, huh?

We're all the same age, and while they're stuck in wheelchairs, he's jumping out of helicopters! Show-off!

The old guys scoffed at his antics.

"Hey, Marcel, you're not looking too hot yourself. Maybe it's time to check out!"

"The guy by the door, you deal with it."

"It's none of my damn business! You stirred up this mess yourself! Don't go blaming Garrick, you idiot. You believed every stupid thing. Whose fault is that?"

Marcel closed his eyes for a moment.

"Xavier! It's a day of celebration. Don't make me have you arrested!"

Xavier wasn't actually looking to start a fight. He just couldn't resist poking at Marcel to soothe his own ego.

Approaching Ashlyn, Xavier chuckled, "We go way back, don't we? So, should I send you to the pearly gates or down below? Your pick."

Ashlyn's face went pale. What's the difference between those options?

"Murder is illegal! You can't touch me!"

"Sorry, but I have a thing for breaking the law. If it's not illegal, I'm probably not interested!"

His mere presence was already breaking the law. But Xavier didn't want to miss Noella's engagement!

He pulled out his phone and showed Ashlyn a chilling video. The video showed people strung up at the top of a tower, battered by the wind, a sight that sent shivers down the spine!

"Look here, this one's your son, and this one, your granddaughter, and here's your daughter-in-law. What do you think? Missing anything? Maybe we should send you up there too, keep the family together!"

On the screen were Duncan Gruber and Yvonne Gruber, among others! Ashlyn, despite her faults, only had that one son! She had hoped he would take care of her in her old age!

Seeing this, Ashlyn fainted on the spot.

Xavier, a blade of grass between his teeth, muttered, "This old hag, might as well take her too, let the family reunite for a bit!"

Noella calmly responded, "No need for that trouble. Her body might not make it back with you."

Ashlyn's pulse was weak. Drained by too many 'Nourishment Pills' and constantly playing deadly games with Helen at the rehab center. Plus, rushing here from the rehab center for Noella and Palmer's engagement announcement, she was literally scared to death!

If Xavier tried to take her, she might not even make it on the way. That would be a literal ascension!

Xavier felt a bit regretful. "Such a shame!"

Ashlyn had passed out at the sight of Xavier!

Thinking of her precious son's plight while Harriet's son enjoyed all the perks of the Schnabel family, she couldn't stand it!

Glancing at the unconscious Ashlyn, Xavier said, "Noella, dear, Uncle Xavier has to go now!"

Noella stepped forward, "It's not easy coming here. Stay for a meal before you go. It's a family dinner!"

Family dinner! After years of being on the run, aside from Harriet, no one else had treated him like family!

Tristan hurried over, eager, "Uncle, please stay for dinner. And maybe you could visit my mom's grave with us. It'd be nice, you know?"

Xavier seemed tempted. Though he verbally declined, his feet honestly followed Tristan towards the dining area.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

The Schnabel sons stood together, greeting, "Uncle Xavier."

"Eh, alright. I brought something for your sister this time. Let's skip the formalities for you guys!"

After all, the Schnabel kids weren't lacking anything.

Tristan was a bit nostalgic. "Last time you saw me, Uncle, you were talking about taking me out..."

"Nonsense! If you were Marcel and that wild woman's kid, I wouldn't just take you out; I'd make sure your whole lineage ended with you! Anyone who wrongs my sister deserves death!"

If not for the Schnabel family's unique status, and Xavier's limited activities in the country, he would've turned the Schnabel household upside down long ago!

His gaze swept over the banquet, pausing on an empty chair adorned with a pink bouquet. The bouquet, a delicate mix of bellflowers and lilies, surrounded a nameplate.

Mrs. Harriet. This was Noella's reserved spot for her grandmother!

Before she was their grandmother, she was her own person! Not anyone's wife, mother, or grandmother. Just Mrs. Harriet!

Before assuming those roles, Noella had learned from Marcel that the original Mrs. Harriet was also a remarkable woman. A woman who co-founded Polaris Star with Garrick wasn't just any follower!

Xavier's eyes became moist. "Harriet would've loved these flowers," sighed Noella wistfully, "It's such a shame she can't see them in person. She would've been over the moon!"

With a gentle smile, Noella added, "Grandma always said there's nothing like a vase of fresh flowers to brighten up the toughest of days. I hope she's up there, keeping her grace."

The bouquet in question was Noella's own creation, arranged with the utmost care. The same bouquet also graced the seat reserved for Palmer's mother, Mrs. Kendra Fowler, at the family gathering.

Marcel, with a twinkle in his eye, teased, "Xavier, planning on coming back anytime soon? Enjoying the high life too much, are we?"

"Home? What's that? Nowhere feels like home! Wait till Noella and that Pollack boy have a couple of kids, then maybe I'll consider it," Xavier shot back, half-joking.

Noella, ever the calm one, chimed in, "If it eases your mind, I'm willing to take over the Lockhart Correctional Facility."

Tristan was the first to jump to his feet in protest. "Absolutely not! That place is a ho's nest! Sweetheart, why not stick to designing clothes or playing the piano, huh? No way, I won't allow it!"

"Look at you, all delicate and kind-hearted. How could we let you step into such danger? No, if anyone should help Uncle Xavier ease into retirement, it should be your brothers. It's far too risky!"

Their precious Noella was simply too good-natured for such a perilous task!

Xavier glanced over, baffled by Tristan's outburst. "What? Delicate? Are you talking about the same girl?"