The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Listen here, buddy, I'm your old man!"

"My throat's been rough these past few days, caught a nasty cold. Stinker, remember when you were a kid, we used to call you 'Stinky'? Guess who?" Only Beckett and Sienna would know about that nickname.

Beckett frowned, "How come you're calling from a new number?"

"Got pickpocketed on my way back! Your mom and I are stuck on some remote island now, can't reach anyone!"

"Alright, send me your location, I'll have someone come pick you up."

After hanging up, Beckett eyed the location that was sent over. It was indeed on the route Tristan would take back home.

He checked Tristan's flight back, which was indeed scheduled for today.

Noella grabbed Beckett's phone, dialing Tristan's number, but couldn't get through!

Ulrich worriedly said, "Didn't Dad mention his phone got stolen? Someone probably wiped it clean by now."

Noella shook her head, tried calling Tristan from her own phone, but still no answer!

Even messages on WhatsApp were left unanswered.

"Malvina, let me borrow your phone for a sec."

"Sure."

After taking Malvina's phone, Noella dialed Tristan's number again!

This time, Tristan's hearty voice came through.

"Hey there! Is this my number two, or the missus?"

"Dad, it's me."

"Noella, what's up? Missing me and your mom? We'll be back in a few days!"

Hearing Tristan's familiar voice, Beckett and Ulrich realized something was off.

They might have stumbled into a scam!

Noella explained the situation, and Tristan couldn't just sit still.

"I did buy tickets for today, but your mom wanted to stay a few more days, so we decided to return later! How could there be another Tristan in this world? Beckett, you've been out there recognizing random folks as your dad?"

Beckett calmly responded, "If I could, I'd have already replaced you."

Having a dad who talks nonsense like this, the pressure's real!

Tristan fake sobbed, "I've got a dozen bodyguards with me. They might lose their way, but my phone's safe. That island's been sketchy lately; I'm not planning on visiting!"

"I was busy surfing, didn't check my phone, hence no WhatsApp replies!"

Seeing Malvina's call, Tristan thought maybe she was feeling under the weather or had a spat with Ulrich!

Most likely, it was because of the rumors about the offshore oil field under the island Tristan was planning to buy.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

That's a goldmine right there.

Plenty of folks would kill for that kind of opportunity!

The pie's only so big; not every time can the Schnabel family have the whole thing.

Beckett also thought, with so many bodyguards around Tristan, it was unlikely anything bad would happen. Plus, all the information checked out, he didn't think much of it at that moment!

Little did he know, it was a scam targeting the Schnabel family!

Noella sighed, "Stay clear of telecom fraud."

The siblings figured, since the scammers were keen on luring someone, they'd likely call back!

With that thought, and planning to involve the Schnabel family's legal team, Beckett simply asked the kitchen to send over a plate of sliced fruit!

Half an hour later.

The unknown number called again. This time, Noella had already connected Tristan via video, allowing him to see everything happening on their end. The raspy voice of "Tristan": "Son, have you set off yet? Your mom and I are still waiting for you!"

Beckett coolly replied, "Not going. If you die out there, the Schnabel estate is mine."

The fake Tristan was momentarily speechless!

Is that something you say out loud?

Or has the Schnabel family lost their minds?

"Not... How could you! Thinking of rebelling? Hurry up and pick up me and your mom, or I'll write you out of the will this instant! You have to come get me personally!"

Beckett, unfazed.

"If you die on that island, you won't have the chance to write a will. Everything of the Schnabel's will still be mine."

The audacity of Beckett left the fake Tristan stunned!

Grinding his teeth, he spat, "Fine. You'll regret this! Once I get back, I'm leaving everything to your brother and sister!"

Beckett casually ended the call.

Even the real Tristan was shocked!

Rubbing his chin, "You know, that voice did sound a bit like me at first, but it lacked the essence. Felt off to me."

Noella, typing rapidly on her phone, traced the fake Tristan's audio source in no time.

"It was from that time Dad was at an event, got a bit drunk, and had a cold, so his voice sounded different than usual." Tristan slammed the table!

"This is way too sloppy, why couldn't they find a better quality voice clip?"

"Beckett, are you really planning to let your old man die out there so you can inherit the family fortune?"

Beckett deadpanned, "I'd rather have you back at the corporation. Your vacation's been long enough.'

Did Tristan really want to go back to work?

"Fine, fine, you rebellious child, can't let your parents enjoy a vacation, can you?"

"That imposter won't give up easily, probably will try again."

Noella nodded, her eyes fixed on the tracking data on her phone.

"They'll likely change their strategy next."

Just as she finished speaking, Ulrich's phone rang!

An international police station number appeared, Ulrich answered calmly.

"Hello, are you a relative of Mr. Tristan Schnabel? He's encountered a mishap abroad and has met an untimely demise. We need a family member to verify his information and claim his body."

Tristan pointed at himself, bewildered, "Me? What?"

Was this person serious?

Here he was, alive and kicking, now being declared dead?

Too bizarre for words!

Ulrich retorted, "I don't believe you're the police. My dad's still young, how could he be dead? You're lying!"

His face was impassive, but his voice betrayed a note of panic!

The response came quickly: "We can confirm via video call that we are indeed the police."

"Then let's have a video call."

Clicking on the link sent over, the video opened to show what appeared to be a police station, with a man in uniform looking sternly at Ulrich.

"Sir, please accept our condolences.

We now require all the records of your father's travels, and the family needs to come and claim the body as soon as possible, otherwise we'll have to dispose of it in whatever way we see fit."

Ulrich couldn't believe the lengths scammers would go to these days!

"Oh, then just toss him in the sea for all I care."

A moment of confusion flickered across the officer's face.

"That's against the regulations. The body must be claimed by a family member."

Ulrich, with a deadpan expression, asked, "You sure my dad's gone?"

"Positive."

"Do you have a DNA test to prove he's my dad? Or do you have our family's genealogy records? You say he's my dad just like that? Well, I could say I'm your dad. Go on, call me 'Dad!"

Ulrich pressed on, "You know what, just call me 'Dad' once, and we can forget this whole thing, or else I'm filing a complaint!"

The other side: "...What?"

The Schnabel family, what on earth was going on with them?