The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 199

Malvina couldn't help but smirk as she listened to Arthur's tirade echoing through the study. The bubblegum she'd been chewing was now plugging the keyhole of the study's door, a petty act of defiance. Her gaze drifted across the hallway, landing on Yvonne, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Malvina, what on earth are you doing? Are you eavesdropping on Grandpa?" Yvonne inquired.

Malvina let out a rare chuckle, "Idiot, are you scared to see me alive here? Thinking you could plot against me with your pea-sized brain? Do you actually believe you’re capable, or that your Nourishment Pill is some kind of wonder cure?"

She, who always loathed studying, had done her homework by spending three hours with a dictionary and poring over every bit of information she could find on that so-called Nourishment Pill. The moment she learned it was laced with toxins, Malvina could finally breathe easy.

"Wh...what are you babbling about? I don't understand!" Yvonne snapped.

"That figures with your intelligence. No need to panic." She had already sent all the related evidence to Arthur's inbox. Once he realized he had been poisoning himself, well, Yvonne and her cohort Walden would have hell to pay.

Yvonne stepped back, terror written all over her face when she watched Malvina. How could Malvina possibly know about the pill?

"Oh, by the way, did I mention your stupid daddy Duncan? He's going to spend the rest of his days behind bars. Surprise, surprise!" Malvina hadn't expected Ulrich's version of 'dealing with Duncan' to involve luring him into a police trap. Duncan was dirty, and the cops had plenty to pin on him.

Yvonne collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed and frantic. If Duncan was locked away, what would become of her? She'd only tasted the life of a Gruber for a short while. No, she wasn’t ready to give it up!

Ignoring Yvonne's despair, Malvina sneered and strode back to her bedroom.

In her room, Malvina stared at a photo on her bedside table. The seemingly emboldened woman in it had a bright smile and a black dragon tattoo proudly displayed on her arm.

Tears started to fall as she watched the photo. Clutching the photo itself, she was sobbing so hard. Her pain was excruciating, her hatred overwhelming, "Mom, I will find you... I’ll send everyone who hurt you straight to hell. I had planned to watch Arthur's despair when he realized his end was near. Did he ever consider my despair when he killed you?"

"I've prepared so much, but I can't wait any longer. Will you praise me when we meet again? Mom, I miss you so much..." she murmured.

Half an hour later, the Gruber mansion was engulfed in flames. The fire roared, consuming every inch of the estate.

Arthur, awakened by the blaze, felt death's cold grip.

How had he fallen asleep during a serious conversation with Yates?

Yates tried to find the key as soon as he woke up, only to find the door locked from the outside.

"Grandpa... why… why is our house on fire?" he asked.

Arthur scrambled for the keys, but the lock was still jammed after he twisted it for a long time.

"Someone's blocked the lock!" In a fit of panic, Arthur knocked Yates to the floor, desperately trying to open the door himself. "Who dares to cross us like this?"

The fire soon reached the study, overwhelming Arthur and Yates with smoke until they lost consciousness.

...

Meanwhile, at the Polaris Star.

Nolan, monitoring the Polaris Star's surveillance system, had accessed the Gruber's cameras, suspecting trouble tonight, "Holy smokes, Boss, Malvina set the Gruber place on fire! She's no princess; she's a warrior!"

The entire Polaris Star crew was stunned.