The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 288

Malvina paused for a moment, her mind racing.

Did she like Ulrich?

Tucking a curl behind her ear, Malvina's laughter was laced with allure. "You don't get it, sometimes liking someone just isn't enough. And besides, I like you too, Dr. Lowry."

Malvina was the kind of stunning, bold beauty one would expect to see on the silver screen, not in real life. Her vivacious personality and exotic charm were irresistible.

Dr. Lowry blushed a deep shade of crimson at her teasing proclamation – something she’d only seen in movies!

"If Dr. Schnabel and I were in school, he'd be the teacher's pet, and I'd be the teacher's headache. We're not exactly compatible." Malvina's fleeting sadness was quickly masked. "Besides, he deserves better, certainly not me."

After all, she was the rebel with a cause, and Ulrich, with his gleaming reputation as a medical prodigy, was out of her league!

Patting Dr. Lowry's head, Malvina smirked, "I'll see you around. Next time, dinner's on me."

"Weren't you supposed to invite Dr. Schnabel for dinner?"

"I did say that, but he doesn’t know. What’s wrong with us beautiful women being a bit unpredictable?."

Malvina's whole body ached, and she had no desire to wait here for Ulrich. What if catching sight of Ulrich's face triggered some inappropriate thoughts again?

Sienna, Noella, and Elara had been nothing but kind to her.

"I need to be grateful," she murmured, her voice bitter.

The Schnabel family had been so good to her, yet she contemplated pulling Ulrich into her chaos. That was too cruel!

Frustrated, Malvina decisively brushed her hair back. "No more visits to this hospital. I'll find another. Take care, I'll treat you next time!"

"Ms. Gruber... Goodbye."

With her bag in tow, Malvina stormed out as if being chased by shadows.

...

In Calvin's office, the atmosphere was different.

Lavinia Richardson, dressed in a vintage lace-trimmed dress with a string of pearls around her neck, exuded a timeless grace, as soothing as a gentle spring breeze.

Calvin greeted her with a warm smile. "Ms. Richardson, welcome back. No need to be nervous. Ms. Schnabel has been shadowing me in medical training; think of her as my intern."

Under the table, Noella's foot found Calvin's with a swift kick. He really thought of himself as her mentor.

The pretext was a convenient one, albeit Calvin's skills were hardly a match for Noella's.

Lavinia's eyes softened as she looked at Noella, radiating maternal warmth. "If I had a daughter as smart and beautiful as Ms. Schnabel, I'd be the happiest woman alive. Though, I do have a lovely daughter."

Noella was taken aback. "You have a daughter?"

Lavinia nodded, her voice tender, her brows knitted with faint sorrow. "Yes, but I don't know where she is. I've looked everywhere at home. I fear they'll think she's a figment of my imagination. Ms. Schnabel, my mental health isn't great; I don't want to worry my father."

Noella looked at Lavinia and suddenly asked, "Lavinia, do you remember what my sister ate when we last visited?"

"Last time? Ms. Elara had a walnut pastry. That was our first meeting."

Noella nodded, her expression complex.

"Do you remember Jacob?" Noella asked, veering the conversation.

Lavinia, surprised, pondered before responding. "Yes, but it's been years since we parted. Ms. Schnabel, you’re engaged to Palmer Pollack, so you might have met Jacob. Is he well?"

"He's fine."