The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 376

Since it wasn't the Agricultural College and there were no chickens or dogs running around, the department head, Simon, seemed to have been rushed into his position. The university was keen on getting rid of anyone associated with the Garrick faction, so they hurriedly appointed new faces, mainly recruiting from abroad to avoid any unwanted ties with Garrick's teachers. Simon, just back from his international projects, was somewhat out of touch with the local situation and barely knew anything about Noella, except that Garrick’s stepping down had something to do with her.

“What does your family do?” he asked brusquely.

Noella replied calmly, “It's all in my student file, sir. You can check it yourself.”

Simon snapped, “I'm asking you now. Just answer the question!”

He couldn't stand students who beat around the bush. He was the teacher; they were supposed to answer his questions without any fuss.

“My parents don’t work. My grandfather is old, you could say we’re into farming,” Noella answered.

The Schnabel Estate in Emerald County was indeed into farming – if you could call owning the entire hillside agriculture.

“You have brothers too, right?”

“Yes, they run a small business.”

Simon sneered inwardly. Just another student from a family with no real standing, likely causing trouble at the school. He doubted Garrick’s departure had anything to do with her. And as for the incident with Oriana, it probably just proved Noella was a schemer. He despised students like that the most.

“Go back to your studies. I've denied your exemption request. Attend classes on time from now on, or forget about graduating. Do you think this is your backyard? No discipline at all! Is this how your family raised you?”

Calmly, Noella said, “I could always drop out.”

Simon’s face contorted at her words. He was used to having control over students; this was the first time someone had dared to challenge him like this.

“Who do you think you're threatening? Do you think I’d be intimidated by you? Ridiculous! Whose loss would it be if you don’t attend school?”

As he rambled on, Simon flipped open Noella’s file. The top line made his jaw drop.

**Noella Schnabel, descendant of Marcel Schnabel, former Admiral of Harmonia Country. Honored with several medals from Harmonia Country, specially invited to Imperial University as a highly prioritized talent. Recognized for significant contributions to the scientific community under the Polaris Star Lab.**

These accolades were beyond anything Simon could achieve in his lifetime!

“This…”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll proceed with the withdrawal,” Noella said as she shouldered her backpack, unfazed by Simon’s dawning horror of the implications of letting her leave.

Thad, passing by and always up for some drama, chimed in, “Don’t drop out! Join my department; I’ll offer you a full scholarship. You don’t even have to come to class!”

Ever since he found out Noella was the genius behind Loadstar that rocked the scientific community, Thad revered her.

“If you want, my lab can carry your name!”

Noella replied calmly, “Your lab doesn’t meet my standards; it’s a bit outdated. Plus, I prefer lab technicians with hair.”

Thad, feeling the top of his bald head, couldn’t believe his research qualifications were being overshadowed by his lack of hair.