The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Rising Glory Group was a household name in Imperial City, known to all its residents. Even Poppy's family's house was developed by Rising Glory Real Estate!

Poppy's expression twisted momentarily.

"...What did you say? My eldest daughter's suitor is no high-flying CEO, just a down-to-earth mechanic. I've always liked that kind of boy."

"I'm not joking, Ms. Darcy is about to marry Mr. Schnabel."

Millie pulled out her smartphone and showed Poppy a photo of Darcy Sinclair and Beckett Schnabel dining together.

The warm lighting of the restaurant bathed them, as Beckett stood to drape his jacket over Darcy's shoulders. This photo, taken by Beckett's secretary and not deleted by Beckett himself, was sent to Millie upon her request.

Poppy instantly recognized the outfit Darcy was wearing from a few days ago!

"You're set for life. Mr. Schnabel treats Ms. Darcy so well. With his wealth, Darcy won't have to worry a day in her life."

Poppy scrutinized the photo repeatedly.

Eyes don't lie!

Beckett's gaze was dripping with tenderness, the lighting making him appear refined and dignified.

The last time Poppy saw Beckett was in the news!

She knew all too well how exceptional this man was.

After all the effort to break Darcy and him up years ago, how did they end up back together?

That darn girl must have been in touch with him all along!

"This is absolutely not happening! My daughter is nowhere near his league! I won't allow it!"

"Why not? Mr. Schnabel is such a catch. Women would line up from here to France just to have a shot with him."

Poppy would never let Darcy marry such an accomplished man!

"My daughter is full of flaws, poor taste, weak health, and she can't have children! It's all because she's been messing around with men, her body is filthy, she has no right to marry a man like Mr. Schnabel!"

Noella replied coolly, "Isn't it a bit harsh to talk about your daughter like that?"

"How is it harsh? I'm her mother, I know her best. She's a lost cause, rotten to the core, can't even bear children. What does she have to offer to the Schnabel family?"

Noella joined in.

"Mr. Schnabel said he doesn't mind, even about the children."

Poppy felt as if a switch had been flipped inside her!

Suddenly, she screamed, clutching her head!

"No! Absolutely not! These people are villains, only I know what's best for my daughter!"

She frantically tried to call Darcy, but after a dozen unanswered calls, she broke down completely.

“All ungrateful wretches, I raised her with such hardship, not for her to go chasing after men!"

Watching her emotional meltdown, Noella calmly stamped the diagnostic report with a seal she'd borrowed from Calvin.

Getting him to sign off every time was a hassle, so after discussing with Calvin, she just took a seal instead.

Though Calvin was more than willing to sign in person, enjoying the drama, Noella found him annoying.

"Alright, we can call the psych ward now: overly aggressive, verbally abusive, lying, extreme control issues, playing the victim, no sense of boundaries, unable to accept her daughter doing better. All classic symptoms."

"The most concerning is the psychosomatic aggression."

That was more than enough reason to have Poppy committed!

Hearing she was to be locked up, Poppy panicked.

"I'm just a mother who gave up everything for her children's betterment, what did I do wrong?"

"You're all villains, I'll call the police! You want to separate me from my child forever!"

Poppy broke down completely.

Noella glanced at her, holding down Poppy's flailing arm, "If there's an issue, you can explain it to the police."

As the psych ward staff took Poppy away, Millie waved the diagnostic report in her hand.

Jasper eyed Noella at the end of the hallway in her white coat.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"Doesn't that doctor look like Noella?"

Millie patted his shoulder.

"Don't avoid the subject, come home for dinner!"

"Don't you think she looks like Noella?"

"Why would our mentor be here? Surely not to see you lose it?"

Jasper clenched his fists!

But he knew he couldn't stand up to Millie's might and reluctantly followed her.

“Just because you brought up Beckett, her mom went crazy?"

"Typically, NPD sufferers can't stand to see their daughters doing better than them. Why do you think she set your Darcy up with a mechanic? Because he's beneath you, Darcy!"

"For a woman, much of her later life's misery stems from marriage Finding the right partner ensures Darcy will always be stuck in a

mire-quite a bargain."

Millie casually munched on a lollipop. "Jasper, you may be a pro, but sometimes you really need to brush up on psychology."

"You minored in psychology?"

Millie shrugged. "Nah, just that my dad had the same issues, I got to know them well.”

"But luckily, our family values benefits more, so they didn't force me to marry a garbage truck driver. Young master, looks like you hit the jackpot."

Though he's the youngest son of the Schnabel family, Jasper didn't want to be referred to as 'young master'!

He was about to argue when Millie stretched, laughed heartily, and strode out of the hospital.

Jasper suddenly realized, he never seemed to win any argument with Millie!

Azure Studio.

Esme had carefully arranged a

shipment of the latest haute couture fabrics and Kitai was practically stretching his neck out in anticipation of their arrival.

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Among these fabrics were the materials for their boss's engagement gown!

And also the collection Esme planned to unveil at the upcoming Fashion Week.

Nothing could go wrong!

After a full half-hour of waiting, Kitai started to get antsy and decided to drive out to meet the delivery himself.

If there was any issue with the fabrics, he was sure their boss would have his hide for it!

Ten minutes later, Kitai, crouching behind a dumpster, nervously dialed Noella.

His voice, sneaky as a thief's, crackled through the phone.

“Boss, I think I just saw your guy out on a date with another woman.....”

"Speak English."

Kitai was baffled for a moment.

He was absolutely sure the man he saw was Palmer Pollack, and there was even a kid with him!

Could it be their boss's man had a child already?!

Noella massaged her temples, "Anything else?"

“Uh, I also saw a kid lurking around our fabrics. I hope he's not planning to pee on them!"

"Give me the address."

Kitai got excited.

"Boss, are you coming to catch them in the act?"

Noella replied calmly, "To skin you and dye your hide for fabric."