The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 169

The Schnabel family was a mess of tears, and it fell to Noella to console one after the other.

Nothing weighed heavier on the Schnabel brothers' hearts than the realization of how tough Noella’s life with their grandmother had been.

Beckett ruffled Noella's hair, feeling an unbearable ache in his chest. How could their sister have endured such hardships?

Looking at Noella with a stern face, Beckett declared, “Sis, from now on, your brothers will protect you!”

With a gentle smile, Noella replied, “Okay.”

Marcel wiped away his tears, stood up, and handed Noella the USB drive.

“Noella, copy your grandma's video onto this. Bring it with you tomorrow; it might come in handy.”

A sudden thought struck Noella as she gazed at Marcel’s determined face. Did Grandma have some connection to Lockhart Prison? Was it related to the secret she kept from her?

From the tone of her grandmother's voice during the video, it was as if she'd known at the time that Noella was a Schnabel.

Suppressing her curiosity and without further questioning, Noella nodded and accepted the USB drive.

“Got it.”

After giving his instructions, Marcel turned and went upstairs. His figure seemed to age with every step, a man deeply struck by grief.

Tristan, holding Sienna, cried like a toddler, “Honey, Mom knew she was my mom; I’m not an orphan! And she helped raise Noella, but they lived such a hard life.”

“There, there. Now we'll make it up to Noella. Let’s move Mom's plot back to the Schnabel family cemetery, okay?”

Tristan had thought of that too but was worried Harriet might not like it.

“Noella, would Grandma be okay with that?”

After a moment’s thought, Noella nodded. “Grandma would want to be with Dad and me. She knew about you, and she was a good person. She wouldn’t hold the past against Dad. I don’t know what happened between Grandma and Grandpa, but she wouldn’t blame Dad and my brothers.”

Tristan burst into tears again! Looking at his precious daughter, so sensible and kind, all thanks to his mother who raised her so well in such tough conditions.

“Honey, tomorrow we're bringing Mom back! And we’ll visit Elara in Emerald County; one daughter has already endured enough hardship; we can't let the other suffer in the mountains!”

“Of course, I’ll come with you.”

Elara, after watching the video sent in the group chat, buried her face in her pillow and wept in silence for a long while.

Her sister and grandmother had suffered too much. Just the thought was enough to sadden her. She realized how caring Noella was because of the hardships she faced in previous years, the ordeal she went through with her grandmother.

Elara took her phone, and after pondering for some time, she eventually decided to send Noella a sum of money. Cold comfort was no substitute for a substantial bank transfer.

Noella, puzzled by the unexpected windfall, wondered why her sister had suddenly sent her money.

Elara, with her characteristic generosity, texted: [It’s all for you. That’s the last quarter’s research bonus. I’ll keep earning and buy you even more nice things! Take it, and don't you dare refuse, or it’s like you're looking down on me! Buy whatever you want, and if you run out, come to me. If I'm broke, I’ll rob a bank to support you!]

The message was followed by a string of kissy-face emojis.

Noella laughed helplessly and accepted the hard-earned money.

[Thanks, sis. But no need for bank heists. I'm well off, and if you run short for your research, just ask me.]

Truth be told, between Polaris Star’s assets and the allowances from the Schnabel family and the Palmer family, Noella had no idea how much she was worth.

[No worries. If I run out, I’ll just kidnap Mr. Pollack - he’s loaded!]