The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Jasper retorted, "Mom! If she's going to live here, I'm moving out!" Millie chimed in with a grin, "Auntie, you can't treat this like your own home. Back at my place, I didn't even get dinner. It's way better here!" Hearing that Millie often went without meals at home, Sienna's heart ached for her.

"You, my dear, so thin. From now on, you and Noella will start on some nutritional supplements to boost your health. Don't worry about your mom, [I'll talk to her."

"Thank you, Auntie.”

The words Jasper had ready were quelled by Sienna's stern look. After all, Millie had it tough and had known Noella for so many years. What's the big deal about her staying for a few days?

"Cut the nonsense. The house isn't yours. If you want to leave, then be quick about it, scoot!" Jasper: "..."

He wasn't really ready to leave. Who would want to stay outside, missing out on warm meals and cuddles with his sister when he got home?

Sienna looked warmly at a somewhat uncomfortable Darcy. "Darcy, it's getting late. Why don't you stay over? We've got plenty of spare rooms, one right next to Beckett's room!"

Jasper: "Hey, that's my study...” Sienna coldly interjected, "From now on, you no longer have a study in this house, got it?"

Jasper's eyes widened as he finally realized something! Was there something going on between Beckett and Ms. Darcy? Why had he only just noticed? It's just a study room. If giving it up meant happiness for Beckett, the perennial bachelor, then he could certainly live without such an uptight space!Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Darcy quickly declined, "No, no, that's too much trouble, I'll just head home!"

As she got up to leave, Sienna dramatically clutched her chest and collapsed onto the sofa. "Oh, my chest... it hurts so! Beckett, dear, I think I saw your grandmother... she insisted Darcy must stay. It's unsafe for her to leave at this hour!"

Beckett, despite knowing Sienna's act was both clumsy and exaggerated, couldn't help but play along. If he didn't, he might as well not come home tomorrow! Sienna would label him the biggest ingrate of the household. Besides... he had his own reasons for wanting Darcy to stay!

Glancing at Darcy, Beckett gently offered, "We really do have a spare room. It was actually bought for Noella's schooling; it's convenient for your work. Would you consider staying?"

Millie, covering half of her face with her hand, whispered to Jasper, "Bet I can make her stay with just one sentence?” "No way, who do you think you are?"

"Let's bet. If I win, you give me that case with the Gallagher family!"

Jasper was puzzled, "That case is a tough one. There's no way the Gallaghers can win."

"Who said anything about winning? Just leave it to me."

It wouldn't really affect Jasper to hand over the case to Millie; the evidence was already well-prepared, and there was no chance for a turnaround "Alright, go ahead."

He was genuinely curious about what Millie could say to make Darcy stay.

Millie approached Darcy, revealing the bangs on her forehead. "Remember me?"

Darcy was taken aback, recognizing the familiar face. "It's you!"

"Yes, it's me. I get so scared living alone. Stay with me, please?"

Darcy chuckled, "You, scared? I must say, I've never seen a ‘delicate girl' who could tackle a gang of thugs all by herself."

Back in college, Darcy had encountered a gang who snatched her bag. That bag was a gift from Beckett, andshe didn't want to lose it like thats illie, appearing out of > nowhere-wie ded a metal rod and” managed to retrieve Darcy's bag. At thatime, Millie was covered in blosd, her hair sticking together. After casually brushing off Darcy's concern and gratitude, she left like a hero. Darcy hadn't recognized her because the difference between Millie then and now was just too vast!

Millie coyly added, "Had to maintain my image, you know. Things were a bit rough back then.”

Noella interjected, "You were supposed to buy groceries, and instead, you played the hero, getting yourself injured.” "Heh, couldn't bear to see a beauty in distress.”

Darcy smiled. "Alright, then. I'll impose for one night. Thank you."

Jasper was stunned that Millie actually managed to convince Darcy to stay. He looked at Millie, barely containing his laughter, "...you really are a force of nature."

Millie, rolling up her sleeves and grabbing Jasper by the collar, teased, "So, Mr. Schnabel, care for a little spar?" Noella's chilling voice echoed, "Millie, let him go. Gently, please!”

If only Noella knew the extent of Millie's relentless energy, she might not have taught her judo in the first place! Now, seeing her like this was just headache-inducing.

Late at night, Noella released her grip fromMillie's pulse. "No big ~ issues, But no smoking, no drinking, no coffee, and no staying up late. Take'care of yourself Now off to bed with you." od

"...might as well kill me."

"If you keep this up, you won't need any help in that department. Then you can forget about the Gallagher estate."

Millie, meeting Noella's stern gaze, chuckled nervously. "Okay, okay, I get it."

"Why didn't you come to me?"

"I didn't want to trouble you. I thought, once I get everything from the Gallaghers, I'd come back for you in style!"

Noella shook her head in disbelief, "The flowers on grandma's grave, that was you, wasn't it?"

"Ah! Grandma Harriet was family too, not being there to say goodbye is something I'll always regret. Paying my respects is the least I can do.”

"Grandma wouldn't hold it against you. Go back to bed."

Millie stoodup, and just as she did, she heard voices coming from =~ outside: Curious, she pushed open the window of Noella's room and wagimmedia ely met with thie sight of Palmer standing on the balcony.

Millie: “..."

Well, that was awkward! Luckily, Palmer didn't seem to mind Millie's reaction and turned to enter Noella's room

Millie tried to pinpoint where the voices were coming from and realized they were all emanating from the rooms upstairs.

"Darcy, you really think you're all grown up, huh? Staying out late and not coming home?"

Darcy replied calmly, "I'm nearly thirty, I think I can decide when I come home.”

"Save it. Mom's just worried about you. You're being incredibly selfish!"

"You're her daughter, she knows you best. Not coming home must mean you're out chasing men, right? Are you that desperate? It's disgraceful!”

"The guys you're picking are all losers. Only the ones Mom sets you up with are any good for you. Don't be so picky. A woman who can't have kids is useless, so quit dreaming!”