The Killer Queen ( Noella Briony ) novel Chapter 443

"Wow, I didn't see that coming. You managed to have such a big kid in no time."

Stirling replied dryly, "Where would I have had the time? I found him!"

"Oh, so you've got a thing for playing daddy now?"

"What did you just say about a hobby?" Stirling was fuming, gritting his teeth. "He got separated from his family. What are you on about?"

Yasbel gave Stirling a meaningful look. "Is Mr. Schnabel the type who used to help little old ladies cross the street when he was young? Such a do-gooder. Should we pin a gold star on you?"

"No need for a gold star, finding the kid's parents will do. I can barely understand what he's saying."

Yasbel took a deep breath, lifted the child from Stirling's arms, and weighed him in her own. Stirling couldn't smell the borderland scent on the child, but she could see it right away! She and the Polaris Star crew had been tirelessly protecting Stirling, and here he was, coming out with a child after just a bath!

Little did they know, Stirling was the most oblivious of the Schnabel family. He was completely unaware of Yasbel's irritation. Seeing the genuine, slightly goofy smile on Stirling's face, and the child's somewhat slow response, Yasbel sighed.

Forget it! No point in getting mad at two dummies.

"Kid, who's your dad?"

Shiba mumbled something, his chubby little hands making a gesture of soaring high, like a bird flying over the sea.

Mizar, leaning against the wall, saw Yasbel holding a child and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, did we have a baby? You're impressive, madam!"

"Cut it out, is this kid... a bit off?"

Mizar, having picked up some medical knowledge from Noella, stepped closer to examine Shiba's eyes. "Autistic kids are often like this, children from the stars."

"He's not faking it?"

"If a kid this age could control their pupil focus and speak without any logic, unable to carry a conversation, that'd be genius. You think everyone's as freakish as our boss?"

After using a flashlight to check Shiba's pupils and tongue and exchanging a few words with him, Mizar confirmed the child showed mild signs of autism. Stirling noticed too, Shiba tended to avoid eye contact when speaking and couldn't hold a gaze. His words were mostly illogical, but Stirling thought all kids were like that and didn't think much of it.

He frowned, "I used to work with autistic children. It's impossible for a child with these traits to wander off on his own. He said he followed his dad here secretly. What's going on?"

"It's normal. Kids with special talents often excel in one area, usually in the arts, but it's not unusual for him to have a knack for hiding or tracking."

After all, growing up on the borderlands, artistic talent isn't very useful. It's the skill of evasion that ensures their survival! Kids living on the border evolve in the most unexpected ways!

Mizar sighed. "Then let's take him to the masquerade. Lots of people there, we might spot his dad."

"Sounds good."

...

The Masquerade.

The cruise ship had invited internationally renowned bands to perform, with pianos and violins playing in harmony. Noella entered the hall in a fitted black gown that highlighted her slender figure, her aura so icy it made the assassins in the room wary. Her presence was unmasked, her intent to kill unmistakable!

Despite a throbbing headache and no memory of recent events, Dillon approached Noella. "Wise Fool. Pleased to meet you."

"Get lost."

Dillon was unaccustomed to such blatant disrespect! His face turned green on the spot! Noella found a window and started cleaning her sniper rifle right there, in full view of everyone!