The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 195

“There's only three on Vocalist's side in the South Flora Storage. Come now, boss!”

The South Flora Storage wasn't far from where Noella stood—it was merely six miles away. She quickly memorized the route after a glance at her phone's map, then pocketed the device and swung her leg over her parked motorcycle, securing her helmet before revving the engine to life.

"Hey, Ulrich, I've got something urgent, so can you drop off Malvina and Elara for me? I'll head home later!" Noella called out, the roar of her bike punctuating her hastiness.

"Wait, Noella—" Ulrich's response was cut short as Noella's figure vanished around the corner, soon becoming nothing more than a blur on the horizon.

Malvina let out a whistle, "Wow, would you look at that? Our little Noella's got a wild streak. I like it!" She had thought Noella was the pampered darling of the Schnabel family, the precious Ms. Noella.

Squinting in the direction Noella had disappeared, Malvina had a hunch she was heading toward the Shadow Dragon Society's hideout. Whether or not it was a mere gut feeling, she was all for buying Noella some time.

The Shadow Dragon Society had a hand in her mother's death, and now they expected to roam around Imperial City, terrorizing people under Arthur's protection. Not on her watch.

"If a dog bites without a leash, it's the owner's fault," Malvina mused aloud.

Turning to Ulrich with a flirtatious smile, she said, "I think I'll stop here. Those guys know me, and I can't explain that to grandpa. Mind giving me a ride back?"

"If you don't, I'll tell our dear Noella you're a bad brother. You're supposed to bring a girl back safe and sound, right?"

Ulrich's eyelid twitched in annoyance.

"Fine, I'll take you home. Elara, hop on."

As they drove, Malvina passed the phone to Ulrich, "Add me on WhatsApp, why don't you? You're the second in the Schnabels, and I'm in the same spot at the Grubers. We might have more in common than you think."

Common ground?

What could they possibly share?

As Ulrich added her, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you also have a passion for research on proton pump inhibitors for stress-related ulcers? Because that would be something we have in common."

There, Ulrich was launching into a ceaseless explanation of his latest research project, but Malvina didn't catch a word. Her gaze glazed over with confusion.

"Uh... what?" Elara couldn't contain herself anymore and just cut Ulrich off. "Stop it, will you? Brag about your research when you win a prize or something. Who wants to listen to that kind of talk?"

Her brother was destined to be a bachelor for life. Did he really think Malvina was interested in proton pump inhibitors?

Malvina rubbed her temples, muttering to herself, "What a blunder. I thought I could snag a Schnabel heir to beef up my inheritance claim, but I caught a dud instead."

As they continued, Ulrich's eyes flicked to the rear-view mirror.

"We're being followed. Are they Shadow Dragon Society goons?"

Malvina just leaned out for a look.

"Huh? Looks like they are after me. That driver is Yvonne's father. His face is uniquely hideous and made me hard to forget."

Duncan Gruber, namely Yvonne’s father, was Arthur's right-hand man, had been handling the dirtiest of deeds for Arthur during all those years.

"Probably that idiot Yates wanting Yvonne to replace me. As if she could, with that face? Please."

Malvina scoffed; her stunning face was dripping her disdain.

"Ulrich, if it's too much trouble, just drop me off. I'm not so helpless as to need the Schnabels to deal with this. Though, if you wanted to leave a few guys with me, that'd be great!"

Ulrich glanced at her with a complex look on his face.

She was all bravado, despite the sweat on her forehead and her trembling hands.