The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"What so special?"

Elara crossed her arms and leaned casually against the wall, looking up at Bowie in a way that somehow made him feel she was in control.

"Horatio's a monk, seems to have a soft spot for you, Elara."

"What are you trying to say? Bowie, I thought you were different from Lorne Richardson, but now it looks like..."

Facing Elara's slightly contemptuous gaze, Bowie felt his face flush with heat!

Lucian had already spilled the beans to Elara.

It was Bowie who had contacted other Richardsons, and he was the one who took Ashlyn away, his intentions couldn't be more obvious!

Elara smirked coldly.

"Some people's hearts see everything as tainted."

"Elara, sister, I didn't mean it like that..."

Elara laughed offhandedly, "Sorry, though I have many brothers, you're certainly not one of them. Can you imagine, each of my brothers landing a punch on you? You'd probably cry for ages, wouldn't you?"

"Elara, my apologies."

Horatio, holding a giant porcelain vase, looked it over before deciding to just sit down among a collection of antiques!

Meditating among these relics, Horatio felt his spiritual practice advancing further!

"I shall meditate here, Miss Elara, please feel free to do as you wish."

"Fine, I'll go find Grandpa."

With a fleeting, cold glance at Bowie, Elara turned and left, leaving Bowie feeling somewhat intimidated!

Bowie watched Horatio sitting cross-legged on the floor, contemplating his plans, then moved closer to Horatio.

"Master, I've been troubled by many thoughts lately. Could you offer me guidance?"

"No."

Horatio curtly refused without a hint of politeness.

But Bowie wasn't ready to give up just yet!

A revered monk like Horatio, sought after by the wealthy and powerful, could introduce him to realms beyond his reach...

Suddenly, Horatio opened his eyes.

His serene gaze lifted slightly, the crimson at the corners of his eyes and forehead making him look almost divine, making one's heart skip a beat!

"If you're already walking down a crooked path, why seek me? You must be familiar with many of such lowlifes."

"Master, I don't understand what you're saying..."

Horatio's phone buzzed, a message from Noella.

[Waiting for you in the mountains.]

Upon receiving Noella's message, Horatio quickly got up and strode outside.

Just as Bowie was about to follow, Horatio turned back to look at him.

"Bowie, let me remind you..."

Bowie's heart jumped to his throat, anxiously awaiting Horatio's words.

"You've got a bit of spinach stuck in your teeth."

Bowie was mortified!

He wished the ground would swallow him up!

By the time he came to his senses, Horatio was gone!

...

In Lucian's study.

Piles of documents lay in front of Elara.

"Sign these, and they're all yours, all clean, you can be sure."

"Grandpa, isn't this a bit too much?"

This was practically all of the Richardson family's assets!

Handing them all to her felt like a hot potato!

Lucian waved his hand dismissively.

"Take it, you're the only child in our family, and I trust you with these. I was considering giving some to Bowie, but that boy's intentions aren't pure. Grandpa is at peace knowing they're with you."

Speaking of Bowie, Lucian sighed.

"Grandpa, Bowie wants me back in the Richardson family to drive a wedge between us, the Schnabels, and the Pollacks, right?"

"Hmm, the Richardson's assets are just this much. From now on, they're yours, so no one else covets these peanuts. As for Grandpa's antiques, do as you see fit. I'm planning to donate those I can't manage."

Listening to Lucian, it felt like he was settling his affairs, making Elara uneasy.

"Grandpa..."

Lucian patted Elara's head affectionately.

"Child, I'm grateful to your Grandpa Marcel for raising you so well. I'm content!"

Tears welled up in Elara's eyes.

...

At the Schnabel family cemetery.

The mountain was lush, the distant hills a deep green, with endless mountains stretching beyond, shrouded in mist.

Noella, dressed in waterproof hiking gear, climbed the mountain, followed by Horatio in his monk's robes.

Nolan swung from tree to tree, holding onto a rope.

"What's he doing? Using the most primitive method to explore?" Horatio was puzzled. NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Noella, expressionless, replied, "No, he's looking for monkeys."

Nolan swung around the vines, quickly found the monkey king, and they chattered away, seemingly in deep communication.

Horatio was astounded!

Soon, Nolan descended.

"No choice, signal's bad in these mountains; drones aren't allowed to fly. The Schnabels are strict, any drone gets shot down. Had to ask the monkey for directions."

The Schnabel family cemetery was maintained by a professional team. To prevent disturbances to the Schnabel ancestors, drones were banned.

Horatio had seen many tricks from the Polaris Star, but negotiating with the monkey king in the mountains was a first for him.

Nolan pointed ahead.

"It'll lead us there, let's go!"

Following the monkey, they quickly reached Noella's desired location.

The mountain path was rough, but Horiano and Noella, survivors of uninhabited regions, found making a temporary path not so difficult.

Standing atop the mountain, Noella looked down.

"My grandma's grave is over there. This side is barren, untouched by people."

"Let's get this show on the road; I'm all set," the voice echoed with a calm readiness.

...

An hour later.

A group emerged from their hiding spots and ascended the hill, led by none other than Garrick!

Cassius, following right behind him, cautioned, "Watch your step, Garrick."

Among those accompanying Garrick were several imposing figures, including the burly Thorpe and Hollis, who was confined to a wheelchair.

Bowie lagged at the rear!

There were also several faces Noella didn't recognize, presumably Garrick's trusted lieutenants.

Bowie spoke up, "Garrick, just across is the Schnabel family's cemetery. It's their day of remembrance. If we play our cards right, we can definitely take Harriet's casket."

Noella, hidden in the shadows, raised an eyebrow.

Garrick wanted to take Harriet's casket?

What was he up to?

A crimson zeal flared in Garrick's eyes!

"Harriet was a genius, the only one who managed to break free from the grip of Polaris Star. If I can just peek inside her brain, I'll know what she took from Polaris Star in the end...

That brat Noella has control over Polaris Star; it must've been something Harriet passed onto her!"

"Once Polaris Star is back in my hands, I can fulfill my vision! To create a world where only geniuses exist!"

Garrick's delirious words echoed through the hills.

Noella frowned.

Garrick actually planned to exhume and dissect her grandmother's body!