The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Pregnant?

Darcy didn’t have any kids now!

That meant, the baby was gone.

“These matters might be a bit inappropriate to discuss with you, given you're Mr. Schnabel's sister and my student.”

But every time Darcy saw Noella’s composed and calm demeanor, she felt a surge of strength. It seemed like just Noella standing there made people believe in her unconditionally!

It was a peculiar feeling, kind of like… what Beckett inspired.

But those past events, Darcy never dared to mention them to Beckett, nor did she want to!

“I was pregnant, but due to an argument between my father’s mistress and him, I lost my child.

The doctor said I might… never be able to have children again.”

Darcy’s smile was tinged with bitterness.

Her complexion was pale, her eyes filled with nearly shattered mist.

“Noella, you might not understand, but to me, Beckett is someone I look up to. Even though he says his family background shouldn’t matter, how could it not influence how people see him?

My family is pretty average. My parents' relationship has been broken for many years, and my dad never really cared about me and Dalia.”

Because they were daughters!

Darcy's father had always been obsessed with having a son to carry on the family business.

“Noella, you might find it hard to imagine, but there are mothers who would go to church, seeking blessings to keep their wandering husbands at home, even if those prayers might not be in the best interest of me and Dalia.”

She laughed lightly, pretending not to care.

“The superstitions, I don’t believe in them either. But knowing that the very thing worshipped at home was meant to harm me and Dalia, just to bring that scoundrel home, makes me not want to go back.”

From a young age, Darcy was indoctrinated with the idea that her father’s infidelity was because she and her sister were not sons!

Her decision to leave on the eve of her wedding was also because her own mother told her, “You can’t have children, so the Schnabel family will never accept you!”

“It’s ironic, isn’t it? It was my father’s mistress who pushed me down the stairs and caused me to lose my child, but the person who made me leave was my mother.

Dalia and I had a decent material life growing up, but were starved of affection.”

With such a background, Darcy couldn’t feel right about staying by Beckett’s side!

“Beckett wouldn’t care about these things.”

“He wouldn’t, but he’d feel guilty forever, and I don’t like that kind of relationship.”

From the beginning of their relationship, Beckett was always the shining light!

“Actually, having children isn’t the most important thing, but when you love someone, you want to stand by them, right? Whether it's emotional strength or social status, I just don’t measure up to Beckett. I don’t want to be like my mother, forever seeking pity!”

Darcy was both calm and clear-headed!

She knew she would always be spiritually impoverished in Beckett’s presence!

Their world seemed to consist of nothing but a delicate emotional connection and fragmented hurts beyond the nostalgic lens of first love.

Noella's gaze remained cool, and after a moment, she passed a napkin to Darcy.

“You should talk to my brother about this.”

Darcy shook her head, wiping away the tears on her face.

The damage her family had caused her was far greater than she had ever imagined!

In such a situation, her father’s mistress still hoped for reconciliation.

Impossible!

She didn’t want pity, but every time she knew she should keep her distance from Beckett, she couldn’t help but want to be closer to him, even stopping in her tracks whenever she saw news about him.

Once, in the cafeteria, she happened to see an interview with Rising Glory Group.

The confident and elegant man on the screen moved with decisiveness and meticulous care, his tie perfectly neat.

Just a three-minute video, but Darcy watched it over and over again in the cafeteria!

That’s when it hit her.

How could she possibly forget Beckett!

He was someone she liked, liked so much.

“Let’s not talk about this now. The school has already made their decision about the issue, but Falen Gemstones said they couldn’t sponsor the competition anymore a few days ago. Was that your doing, Noella?”

Noella shook her head.

“No, it wasn’t.”

She had only taken over the company a few days ago and hadn’t had the time to deal with the school sponsorship.

Besides, Imperial University was a top-tier school.

The designers who graduated from there were indeed talented; bringing them into the company would be beneficial.

“Ms. Darcy, do you think I’m the type to stop sponsorships out of spite? The funding is from the company and it’s a win-win for both the school and us. Why would I have such intentions?

Or does the school administration think I’m seeking revenge?”

Darcy realized Noella had misunderstood and quickly explained.

“Cosmo said it was the senior management’s decision. The school wasn’t aware that you’re the company’s owner.”

Cosmo, in his attempt to get free designs for inspiration, had frequently collaborated with universities to organize competitions.

It seemed he was up to his old tricks again.

“The competition will continue, and we’ll reorganize internally.

Although I don’t like to meddle, Ms. Darcy, maybe you should consider seeing a therapist. Sometimes being too stressed isn’t good.”

Noella’s words were delivered with an air of casual concern.

“Adults have stress, that’s normal, but too much can make you sick.”

Darcy was under a lot of pressure, looking after her sister and caught between her self-pitying mother and morally bankrupt father, habitually blaming herself for everything.

The damage from her family background would take a long time to heal.

“Ms. Darcy, if there are things you can’t say out loud, at least find a place to vent. A therapist could be a good option.”

Despite the cool tone, there was genuine concern for Darcy’s well-being.

By the time Darcy realized this, Noella, along with Marisol, had already left the restaurant. Watching her skirt flutter like petals, Darcy felt a warmth in her heart.

Children raised in love indeed have a natural ability to love others!

Marisol trailed behind Noella, concern lacing her voice, "Are you trying to set that lady up with your brother? Is that why you sent her to see a therapist?"

Noella glanced at her, her expression indifferent. "I'm not a matchmaker, Marisol. It's up to them, not me.

I just made a suggestion. She doesn't have to take it."

Noella felt a pang of sympathy for Darcy, recognizing the pain she endured from her own family dynamics. It was hard not to feel for her, knowing they both shared the struggle of being women in a complicated world.

... Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

At the Richardson Estate.

"An ancient dragon-engraved jade disc, secret-color porcelain, tourmaline-set jewelry... These are all treasures of immense value! Could I possibly stay here for a few days to admire them more closely?" Horatio's eyes sparkled as he surveyed the antique collection room.

Elara, puzzled, asked, "Master, aren't you supposed to be detached from worldly possessions?"

"These aren't mere possessions; they're treasures nurtured by the energy of the universe!"

Bowie Richardson, standing behind them, couldn't help but smile with a hint of curiosity.

"Elara, you and Horatio seem to share a special bond, don't you?"