The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

It must be because he was worried about Beckett getting duped by that cunning woman! Yes, that had to be it! Jasper was set in his belief, more convinced than ever that he was in the right!

Beckett's study door cracked open. "Jasper, come in."

Jasper thought he was about to be lectured for some earlier embarrassment Beckett had witnessed. He prepared to make a quick escape. "Beckett, I was sleepwalking... Oh, I thought I saw Mr. Pollack sneaking around Noella’s room, I'l go chase him out!"

Palmer and Noella were engaged, what could be amiss in her room? Moreover, knowing Noella’s brand, Azure, Beckett felt quite reassured about her. Noella knew what she wanted and wouldnt do anything to jeopardize herself. As long as she trusted Palmer, Beckett was willing to trust Noella’s choice!

Beckett calmly commanded, “Come in, don't make me ask a third time.”

The Schnabel children were all practically raised by Beckett, holding more sway in the household than even Tristan Schnabel. Jasper reluctantly walked in.

"Beckett, I didnt mean to speak ill of Millie. I realize my mistake, I'll go apologize.”

Beckett looked at his brother standing before him. He had heard everything, "Acknowledging your mistake is good. Don't let such incidents happen again. Millie, being able to run the family business, is beyond doubt, and the Schnabel children cannot afford to be so reckless.”

Given the Schnabel family’s standing. there were plenty seeking the favor of the Schnabel children! To hear such talk outside, wouldn't that be akin to spreading rumors? Millie, as a young woman, couldn't endure such unwarranted distress!

Harsh words rarely seen, Beckett's face showed a rare anger. "Half a year's allowance will be cut, and the deducted amount should be transferred to Noella and Elara. As for how you'll earn Millie's forgiveness, that's on you."

"Yes, Beckett."

Even as an accomplished individual, commanding respect in courtrooms, Jasper still found himself humbly subdued before Beckett! The money was a minor issue, but being penalized financially at his age was Beckett's way of disciplining him.

Beckett pointed to a stool. "Sit."

"I'd rather not."

"Sit down, grab the first aid kit and tend to your foot."

Jasper looked at the swollen red mark on his foot and obediently sat down to disinfect it with the kit. "Tell me about the Darcy case."

Jasper cautiously replied, "Beckett, is Ms. Darcy... my future sister-in-law?"

Meeting Beckett's cold gaze, Jasper swallowed, "If she's a future sister-in-law, then it's a family matter. If not, it's client confidentiality, I can't share.”

Beckett, pressing his forehead, didn’t comment on Jasper’s professional ethics. He pulled out an invitation from the deepest drawer, tossing it in front of Jasper. It was from years ago, Beckett had prepared a wedding invitation, but never found the opportunity to send it before Darcy left.

Jasper, looking at the photo and name, and then the date, had an epiphany! "Ah? Ms. Darcy is the heroine who turned you down back then! I was wondering who'd be bold enough to refuse someone as good as Beckett!"Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Jasper, aiming for a bigger deduction?"

Jasper shuddered, giving up on the notion of client confidentiality. "Ms. Darcy's family is in trouble. She wants to reclaim her father’s inheritance to settle her mother comfortably and then move abroad with her sister, never to return.

"Her mother... I've met her too. She's hell-bent on suppressing her daughters, wishing them a worse life than hers, a textbook case of NPD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

"Ms. Darcy is doing her best to break free, yet she can't completely abandon her mother. So, she plans to reclaim her father’s inheritance.” Beckett, twirling a pen in his hands, looked intently at Jasper. "Her mother’s condition, can she be committed?"

"Difficult. NPD individuals are adept at masking. She'll pretend to be well, making it hard to secure a diagnosis.”

Beckett, massaging his temples, fixed Jasper with a piercing look. "Can it be done?”

Jasper, meeting Beckett's sharp gaze, instantly grasped his intent. "I'll consult Ulrich. But, as a lawyer, I believe getting treatment for someone mentally ill is the right thing to do. It's a lawyer's social responsibility!"

Beckett nodded, satisfied. "Good, get on it."

Jasper, about to leave, turned and winked at Beckett. "Don't worry, Beckett, I won't let Ms. Darcy emigrate and leave you a bachelor for life!" "Get out."

With a chuckle, Jasper scampered off!

The study light clicked off, leaving Beckett in darkness, his complex emotions hidden. Sitting in the dim study, Beckett sighed heavily, a bitter smile on his lips. "Beckett, what are you doing?"

Letting someone who should have been cherishedtendure so much alone, out afsight. His youthful love, was too ight, so light he a rogantly. though t [ie could control everything. Yet, itwas also too heavy, so heavy that af er all these years, despite all the I people and sights he' d" encountered, he still yearfied for that one person!

What he once prided himself on as love, now seemed like a mirage, unclear and intangible. Yet, he wished to see, to have. He wanted to grasp the moon reflected in the water; he wanted... to mend what was broken

The next morning at the Schnabel family breakfast table. Jasper shot Palmer a lethal glare as he N sauntered out of Noella's room, hig eyelids tyitching uncontrollably. "Mr. Pollagk, heard you were up to‘your old tricks, scaling the walls last night? Who knew the CEQ-of Pollack Group fancied himself a fit of a mountaineer?"

Unfazed, Palmer pulled Noella to sit beside him. "I'm also into skydiving. How about I take Jasper for a spin sometime?” The comment nearly choked Jasper with indignation. He was younger than Palmer, for heaven's sake!

Grinding his teeth, Jasper retorted, "No thanks, Mr. Pollack. Perhaps you should keep your hobbies to yourself. My sister's still young and impressionable. Don't lead her astray!"

Sienna snorted in annoyance. "Eat your breakfast and get out of here! Off to work with you! You're a nuisance!"

In this household, only Jasper and Stirling were the bachelors. Neither sought to change their status, yet Jasper couldn't help but be green with envy over Noella and Palmer's blossoming relationship. The nerve!

Jasper swallowed his pride along with two heaping bowls of breakfast. Marcel, engrossed in his _ newspaper, ‘surveyed the familiar C and un Familiar faces around the > table understanding the dynamics a play." Let's eat. Is this the © Gallagher family's young la lady? A bit more respectable than ysur grandfather, I'd say.”

Marcel's words were loaded, and Millie responded with a beaming smile. "Of course, my grandfather was short-sighted. Not me, though. I'm wise and valiant!"

Marcel dryly commented, "You've certainly inherited his thick skin."

Just then, Annie's call came through. "Boss, Sexton's passed out all of a sudden. He's been rushed to the ER!"