The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Why now of all times?

Marcel scoffed. "Then go find Sexton. I don't buy that he's out traveling too."

As for who Tristan's mother was, Marcel had his suspicions, but he needed more evidence.

...

At the Pollack Mansion, Marcel looked at Sexton, who was sprawled on the couch, feigning death.

"Sexton! Get up! I want some straight answers from you!"

"What's gotten into you? How am I supposed to know what you're on about? I was as gutted as anyone when Harriet had her troubles. If you'd taken better care of Harriet back in the day, let her marry me, she wouldn't have had such a miserable life."

Marcel took a seat, exhaling heavily at the words. "I just need to know one thing. Did Harriet have a child back then?"

Sexton rolled over, hugging his tailor-made body pillow, silent as the grave.

"It was my mistake back then. I never imagined Harriet was still alive, nor did I suspect that Tristan... Tristan wasn't her child."

The 'her' he referred to was Ashlyn. Marcel was at the point where he couldn't even stand to speak her name.

"She deceived me. I had no idea Tristan was my son but not hers. I married her for the sake of the child. If I'd known Harriet was still alive..."

Sexton cut him off with a wave of his hand. "You sure do go on. If you're really hung up on Harriet, get to the bottom of what really happened."

Marcel leaned in, his tone serious. "Sexton, I came to you because I suspect there's more to Harriet's story. She was in Tandy Hospital when it happened. I've checked, and there have been mix-ups at Tandy Hospital. Noella was switched at birth there, and your second son, Jacob’s wife had her accident there too!"

At this revelation, Sexton sat bolt upright. Narrowing his eyes, he locked gazes with Marcel. The once formidable business tycoon and the battle-hardened general seemed to return to their prime; the air itself froze in that instant.

"Spill it. What have you found?"

"There's definitely something fishy about Tandy Hospital. Last month, the director of Tandy Hospital got nabbed by Interpol for meeting with Toxic Monarch in Imperial City. He's been shipped off to Lockhart Prison. He knows everything."

Sexton nodded, his tone bold. "I'll see what I can do. But neither of us can leave the country, let alone get into Lockhart Prison. We can't go in person, but this is critical. I'll send Palmer. Though young, he's reliable. Have Noella accompany him. Heh, they might even bond over the adventure!"

Sexton indulged in his fantasy, chuckling at the thought of them returning with a baby in tow.

Marcel stood abruptly, his cane thudding against the floor. "Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what kind of place Lockhart Prison is? If anything happens to my precious granddaughter, I'll have you in a coffin ahead of schedule! Noella is just a child. How could you consider sending her to such a perilous place? What are you playing at?"

Lockhart Prison was in one of the most dangerous international war zones, a place of constant violence and bloodshed.

Marcel felt uneasy at the thought of sending delicate, precious Noella there.

Sexton shot him a defiant look. "Sit down! Let's talk this through without you getting on your high horse. I wasn't finished. What's the rush?"

"Palmer will look after her, isn't that reassurance enough? I swear, with my grandson by her side, Noella will be perfectly safe. Plus, Noella was raised by Harriet. With Harriet's bracelet, Lockhart Prison will be her turf."

Calmed by this assurance, Marcel sat back down.

Sexton continued persuasively, "Noella's in a unique position. If you sent your son or grandson, they wouldn't last two seconds. I don't want to endanger my future granddaughter-in-law. I'm looking forward to their wedding, after all!"

Marcel stood and headed for the door without looking back.

"Eh? What's that supposed to mean, Marcel? Are you agreeing or not? I need a straight answer before I talk to Palmer!"

Marcel cursed under his breath, "I'm gonna call Xavier. If he dares mistreat Noella, I'll blow Lockhart Prison sky-high!"

...

At the Schnabel Manor, in Marcel's study, an antique agarwood desk held an exquisite coffee brewing set. The rich aroma wafted from the brewing pot, filling the room with a comforting scent.

Noella rolled up her sleeves to prepare the coffee, revealing slender, pale wrists, and the glow of the jade bracelet made her arms look even more delicate. Her fluid coffee brewing technique was both elegant and professional, not a single grain of coffee spilled.

Even Marcel, with his critical gaze, was taken aback with pride and admiration. He sipped the coffee, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Did your grandma teach you this?"

"Yes, Grandma loved coffee, especially with a hint of osmanthus."

That particular flavor, only Harriet could brew. Marcel hadn't tasted it since she left.

Setting down his cup, he spoke solemnly. "Noella, there's something I've been hesitant to ask, but I've made up my mind. There's a favor I need you to do for me."

"Please, tell me."

After Marcel explained, surprise and confusion washed over Noella's face.

"I know this sounds like a risky business, but I promise you, I'll make sure you come back safe and sound! Palmer will be there to protect you every step of the way. Do you want to go?"

Noella was merely surprised that Marcel would arrange for her to go to Lockhart Prison. Even without Marcel's words, she and Palmer would still go to Lockhart Prison.

Noella nodded in agreement. "I'm willing to go. This is about finding out what really happened to Grandma back in the day, and about mine and Elara's origins. I'll get to the bottom of it. Don't worry."

Noella's lips curved into a smile, dimples flashing softly at the corners of her mouth, her smile as beautiful as it was sweet.

"Grandpa, there's something I want to show you." Noella took out the paternity test report and placed it on the desk.

Marcel seemed to have anticipated what it was, his hands trembling slightly as he picked up the report. Looking over the data, he lifted his head in a mix of excitement and disbelief.

"Is this... is this for Harriet and Tristan?"

"Yes, when Grandma Harriet was sick, I kept a sample of her DNA and had a comparison done. Grandma was indeed Dad's biological mother." NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.

Marcel laughed and cried at the same time. Looking at Noella, Marcel was overwhelmed with emotion!

The child she had raised was, without a doubt, the best kid in the world.

"I feel guilty for not having you grow up in the Schnabel family from the start, but I thank you, Noella, for always being by your grandmother's side. Lucky for me, having you means I have fewer regrets!"

Marcel could vividly imagine the bond between Harriet and Noella over the years, how Harriet must have cherished Noella. Thankfully, Noella had grown up to be such a good kid. It was wonderful that Harriet had Noella's company!

Marcel's tears were still fresh on his cheeks when the study door was pushed open by Tristan.

He looked at Noella, then at Marcel, and spoke with conviction. "Dad! I do not agree with Noella going to Lockhart Prison!"