The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 190

Noella's choice didn't seem out of the ordinary. It was just a piece of stone Gary had discarded earlier, nothing noteworthy at first glance.

Gary let out a sigh of relief, his laugh tinged with contempt. "I thought you picked something special, but just like what you said earlier, this stone is just junk."

It was one he had overlooked.

Noella gently wiped the stone in her hand and weighed it thoughtfully. "Your failure to find treasure is your own shortcoming. If I succeed, it's simply good luck."

Gary, still hoping to ride on the coattails of his moniker "Gemstone Gambling King," saw Noella's novice demeanor and hatched a plan.

He had studied all the raw stones before the game, convinced that this particular rock harbored nothing of value, not even a mediocre peony jade.

"Ms. Schnabel, if you fail, you owe me an apology!"

Noella met Gary's gaze with disdain. "You, the self-proclaimed Gemstone Gambling King, fail to find anything of worth and expect an apology from a novice like me?"

Yasbel chimed in with mockery. "It's laughable. The Gemstone Gambling King comes up empty and demands an apology from Ms. Schnabel. How childish. You should just go home to your mommy."

Gary's face tightened, but he was certain Noella's stone was junk. "If Ms. Schnabel's piece turns out to be something, I'll never gamble on stones again!"

Noella shook her head lightly. "No, you'll have to admit you're a fraud. According to the Northstone Quarry tradition, you'll have to leave a hand behind."

There had been impostors claiming to be the Gemstone Gambling King in the past, and losing a hand was getting off easy.

Gary shuddered under Arthur's menacing look. "Fine! I agree!"

After all, he was sure the girl's stone was worthless.

Yates offered his assistance with a smile. "Ms. Schnabel, need a hand?"

Noella didn't even glance at him, instead passing the stone to Palmer. "Help me out. I'll guide you on where to cut."

"Happy to assist my fiancée."

Noella, dressed in a form-fitting strapless gown, found it impractical to bend over the cutting machine. After handing the stone to Palmer, she didn't miss the joy twinkling in his eyes.

Just a small favor and he's this elated? His happiness seemed all too easy to achieve.

Perhaps sensing Palmer's delight, Noella allowed a small smile to grace her lips.

Below, Yasbel shuddered. "It's still a bit unsettling to see our boss smile."

Hector whispered, "Noella and this guy seem well-matched. What's his line of work? Looks like a businessman, and he's down-to-earth. Not bad at all."

Palmer positioned Noella's chosen stone on the cutting machine.

"Just cut anywhere along this line."

After securing the stone, he removed his suit jacket and draped it over Noella, saying considerately, "It's going to get dusty. Wait for me over there."

Her gown was stunning, and it would be a shame if it were marred by the dust from the cutting.

Noella's cheeks flushed slightly and she stepped back as instructed.

Malvina and Yasbel shivered in mock jealousy.

"Never thought Mr. Pollack would be so tender with Noella. But it's only right. If I had a fiancée that beautiful, I'd spoil her rotten too."

Yasbel's brain went numb for a moment. "Wait, you want a fiancée too?"

Malvina was speechless.

Gary craned his neck to get a better view of the stone under Palmer's hands.

The hum of the cutting machine echoed in the hall, Palmer's hands steady, betraying no sign this was his first time cutting stone.