The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"My aim's pretty solid, guarantee a hit every time, but patience isn't exactly my strong suit."

Noella's icy gaze pierced through Robert and Magee, who stood behind him.

"Though for the thick-skinned ones, not sure how many shots it'll take to bring 'em down."

Her casual remark left everyone from the Shadow Dragon Society gobsmacked!

The gear in their hands was top-of-the-line sniper rifles, and they had them in spades. Some were even clutching multiple firearms!

The dark muzzles all pointed in Robert’s direction, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.

Gritting his teeth, Robert spat out, “Malvina, are these your friends? Are you not afraid I'll take you hostage?"

Shrugging, Malvina pulled out a compact mirror and applied her lipstick.

"Orphan here, living or dying ain't much of an issue. If you take me down, you're taking them with me. Sounds like a win to me."

Noella raised an eyebrow. "Doubting my shooting skills?"

Before her words even settled, Magee behind Malvina clutched his head and collapsed. He had intended to control Malvina to threaten Noella but ended up with his head blown off instead!

Noella handed her still-smoking revolver back to Nolan and calmly said, "Malvina, come here."

Witnessing Noella's shooting stance, Malvina was nearly driven insane by how cool it looked!

Noella was just too damn capable!

She walked over to Noella, and Robert didn’t even daring to stop her.

Who knew what kind of crazy backstory this woman had?

Robert tentatively asked, "Which gang you with? This is an internal matter of the Shadow Dragon Society. You sure you're not sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"

Alioth sneered, "Idiot, our boss does what she wants. Arthur's about to bite the dust. Better start looking for a new boss! This lesson's for you. Dare to mess with our fight club, and next time, it'll be you lying here."

Robert's pupils shrank.

The neighboring underground fight club was the biggest in Imperial City, with a mysterious owner who commanded respect from the underworld. With an army of fighters at her disposal, few could afford to cross her.

Malvina affectionately grabbed Noella's hand. "Babe, you here for me?"

And made such a big scene, too. Robert's guys were practically wetting their pants!

Noella simply stated, "Weren't we supposed to see Arthur? You're late. I was worried you'd miss his execution."

"You're the best, babe! Let's go then!"

Robert watched them leave in a swarm, not daring to utter a word.

"Malvina, that little brat, thinking she's all that, huh? I'd like to see what tricks she's got left!"

"Boss, you mean..."

"Take out that brat. The Shadow Dragon Society is mine!"

Robert glared in the direction Malvina left. "Contact Lorne. That idiot Luther couldn't even handle a little girl. Absolute moron."

...

Inside the car, Noella finally took off her mask, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

"Let's head to the prison."

Malvina nodded. "Babe, I can't thank you enough!"

"No worries. We're friends, after all."

Malvina's eyes sparkled as she stared at Noella, her lips quivering, on the verge of tears.

"You know, you're my only friend!"

Noella raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you're not exactly popular."

"True. But I had friends when I was little. Then I found out Yates, that bastard, was bullying them. So, I filled his bed with snakes and spiders, scared him so bad he didn't dare come home for a week. But then, no one wanted to hang out with me."

Malvina rested her chin on her hands, her eyes twinkling.

"Arthur didn't care. He'd rather have me doll up every day to attract investors, didn't matter if they were old men or widowers. So today, I had to dress up nicely to send them off."

Noella chuckled and extended her hand towards Malvina. "Then be my friend. No one can scare me away."

Malvina sniffed messily and grasped Noella's hand. "I'm your friend too, and so is Mr. Pollack. He won't silence me, right?"

"What's he got to do with this?"

Malvina boldly concluded, "Right. With you being so great, I fully support monogamy for you! I don't mind Mr. Pollack, and he shouldn't mind me!"

Noella's forehead throbbed, suddenly feeling the urge to get Malvina's head checked. With that mouth, it's a wonder she has any friends at all, but Noella didn't take offense. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

...

In the prison, Arthur sat in a wheelchair, his expression weary as he stared at Malvina sitting across from him. He couldn't fathom how, with the Gruber family wiped out, Malvina managed to survive.

Arthur’s glare at Malvina seemed to pierce through her as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Malvina laughed lightly, her beauty a stark contrast to Arthur's dishevelment.

"Stop staring. Your gaze won't drag me down to hell with you."

Suddenly, it dawned on Arthur. "It was you! You wanted the Gruber family to fall! You are also a Gruber. How could you be so heartless?"

Malvina's scorn was palpable, her gaze filled with disdain.

"How did the Gruber family treat me? What did you do to my mother? And my grandfather? To me, executing you is too kind, a waste. Pity, the fire I set didn't clean up all your rotten bones!"

Arthur had pinned his hopes on Malvina to save him, only to realize that the fires then were set by Malvina herself!

"You... you'll rot in hell!"

"Why don't you drop dead and show me?"

Arthur's furious screams did nothing; his voice went hoarse, only earning him a mocking smile from Malvina.

"Forgot to tell you, your son and Yates's mom, I took care of them. Impressed? Ensuring the Gruber family ends with you was my duty."

Arthur screamed with rage, attempting to lunge at Malvina, but the prison guards held him back.

At the door, Noella listened to the commotion inside without interrupting Malvina.

Phecda, holding a phone, approached with a grave expression. "Boss, Lorne, that damn guy, has kidnapped Ms. Lavinia Richardson! He wants you to meet him to negotiate, or he'll spill everything to Ms. Richardson, including the existence of your sister!"

Phecda couldn't believe Lorne's audacity, going so far as to kidnap his own aunt. What was going on in his head?

Noella frowned. "What exactly does Lorne want?"

The look on Phecda's face said it all.

"He wants you to break off your engagement with Mr. Pollack and get engaged to him instead!"