The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 245

Garrick had intentionally placed Noella in a catch-22 situation. The guests at the opening ceremony included several partners affiliated with the Schnabel family.

With Garrick having made his statement, if the Schnabels didn't let Noella take the stage, it would be tantamount to admitting they had raised a child who lacked savvy.

If Noella refused Garrick, it would only serve to embarrass him and, by extension, tarnish the Schnabel family's reputation. Should she perform, at worst, only she would face embarrassment.

Garrick must have calculated that Noella would act in her own best interest and choose the lesser of two evils.

Merrick frowned in displeasure. "Garrick must've been lying in wait, just eager to see our Noella perform. Now it makes sense why he's been eyeing her all this time!"

Marcel also fixed his gaze on Noella. "Noella, if you don't want to go up there, I’ve got your back!"

The Schnabel family had no tradition of parading the kids out for a show at every festive gathering. Only Garrick, a childless widower, seemed to relish putting other people's children on display!

Noella shook her head, rising with composed elegance. "It's just a little performance."

She didn't want the Schnabels to be criticized over such a trivial matter. If Garrick was set on her taking the stage, he'd surely have other schemes up his sleeve if she didn't comply.

Oriana was a fool; Garrick's true intentions were yet to unfold.

As Noella shrugged off her coat and stepped onto the stage, a glint of smugness twinkled in Oriana's eyes.

She must be forcing herself to perform, Oriana thought. Once she's up there and clueless, she'll be the laughingstock! Compared to her own flawless piano recital, this Ms. Noella, who rode her family's coattails to university, would surely pale in comparison.

Noella looked at Mizar, cool and collected, asked, "Master isn’t here, but what about his instrument?"

"Right here! I'll fetch it at once!"

A zither wasn't exactly portable, and frequent moving could damage it. Master Rainer's zither was backstage.

Seeing her opt for the zither, Garrick raised an eyebrow, both surprised and wholly expecting it. He glanced at his phone's map, noting the traffic-free route Rainer was on.

That old rascal surely knew his prized apprentice would end up on stage and had left both the stage and the zither for her.

Backstage, the students and teachers were astounded.

"Noella can play the zither?"

"That's Master Rainer's instrument. Can she even handle it?"

Oriana bit her lip, sourly remarking, "She'll never manage. If she damages Master Rainer's zither, what then?"

Noella on stage was a vision of serenity, her simple white dress shimmering in the spotlight. Her delicate fingers strummed the zither strings, and the melody of "High Mountain and Flowing River" filled the hall, her music captivating everyone present.

The elegant resonance of the zither filled the air, lingering long after she had finished.

Sienna couldn't resist capturing her daughter's performance on her phone, and soon every Schnabel had a video of Noella's recital.

They had almost forgotten that Noella could play the zither – and play it exquisitely, without a hint of stage fright, becoming the star of the show.

As the last note faded, Noella rose, carefully put away the zither, and left the stage. Her rendition made Oriana's piano solo seem like child's play in comparison.

Being a musician herself, Oriana could tell Noella's mastery of the zither was nothing short of professional, leaving her own bitterness unspoken.

Oriana's nails dug into her palms, her voice tinged with envy. "That's Master Rainer's zither she's using without so much as a by-your-leave..."

On the big screen over the stage, Master Rainer appeared from his car, all smiles.

"Ladies and gentlemen, apologies for my absence, but my zither is there with you. My talented apprentice Noella will play for you, and I promise her music will delight you all!"