The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Chapter 289

In Lorne's hospital room, Noella pushed the door open to find a scene straight out of a nightmare. Thorpe was huddled in a corner, his massive frame shivering, holding his head in his hands. Lorne, pale as a ghost on the bed, was pointing a trembling finger at Palmer.

"Mr. Pollack, what have I ever done to you for you to treat me like this?"

Palmer's hand was resting on Lorne's shin, feigning friendly banter, but only Lorne knew the true force behind that grip. It felt as if his bones were about to be crushed!

That damn Thorpe, the moment Palmer walked in, he was the first to surrender. After all his big talk about taking Palmer down, now he was just cowering in a corner, pretending he didn't exist. Such a turncoat. It infuriated Lorne so much he couldn't stop cursing under his breath.

Palmer looked on indifferently, his aura of authority more intimidating than ever.

"You know well what you’ve done," he said coolly.

"Agh! Mr. Pollack, aren't you afraid of my grandfather and my father coming after you?"

Lorne was in agony, his body convulsing, veins bulging on his neck as the pain sawed through him.

Noella walked over, her voice detached. "I'm hungry. Let's go grab a bite."

Palmer withdrew his hand, wiping it carelessly. "Sure, whatever you say. Lorne, you better keep yourself alive. I'd be quite displeased to find you dead when I need you."

Lorne knew Palmer was not only the heir to the Pollack Group but also the head of the Abyssal Organization. However, he had never directly confronted Palmer before!

No wonder Thorpe looked like he'd just seen the Grim Reaper himself upon seeing Palmer. This man, he was like a demon straight out of hell, utterly terrifying!

Even though Lorne knew he was no match for Palmer, this was the first time he truly felt the terror of facing such an adversary. An enemy like this made him apprehensive.

To get what he wanted, he needed to have the Polaris Star!

Ignoring his pain, Lorne called out to Noella, who was about to leave.

"Ms. Schnabel, even for Elara's sake, you shouldn't just stand by and let Mr. Pollack treat me this way." Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Noella turned around. "For Elara's sake, you're still breathing. And by the way, I've already contacted your grandfather and your father. If your first thought after messing up is to run home and cry to daddy, maybe you should consider preschool instead."

Tristan had called Lucian, outlining all of Lorne's misdeeds.

Lorne wasn't the only one who could tattle; Tristan could do it too! And he didn't see why he should feel ashamed. After all, he was also a junior in Lucian's eyes.

Lucian himself called Noella to apologize, asking her and Palmer to let Lorne off this once, as he was already on his way to the hospital.

"Lorne, I couldn't care less about what you or Garrick intend to do. But both you and your boss should know, the Polaris Star is mine now."

Noella's eyes gleamed with a deadly sharpness.

The reason why Lorne was acting so recklessly was that he thought he had Garrick's backing. Whether it was Garrick or Lorne who dreamed of taking the Polaris Star back, they were delusional!

Lorne was shocked, instinctively saying, "No, I hadn't planned on making a move on the Polaris Star."

"I thought you'd deny being Garrick's lapdog. Tell your boss, a dog that bites recklessly doesn't live long, and neither will you."

Noella was only guessing that Lorne was Garrick's man, but his reaction confirmed her suspicion.

Garrick's ultimate goal was to take back the Polaris Star.

She had dealt with the old man and his schemes before, and now the Polaris Star shared her name!

"I don't understand what you're talking about. I have no ties to Garrick..."

Noella smirked, her voice carrying a cold and faintly menacing edge. "Whether you're connected or not, deep down, you know the truth. But let me make it clear, if you want to take what's mine, you might as well go play cards with the Devil."

Noella wasn't one for lengthy discussions with the likes of Lorne, but he was so persistent. Without looking back, she walked out of the room.

Palmer spoke up, "Grandpa Lucian also called me."

"I know. That's why Lorne only ended up with a broken leg."

Palmer nodded. "The Pollack Group has reported all of Lorne's illicit activities, which might involve Grandpa Lucian."

"It's fine. Grandpa Lucian has been hands-off with the family business for a while now. Besides, the part you reported will likely impact the Pollack family as well."

Palmer's eyes softened behind his glasses, a hint of amusement in his gaze. She always understood his actions; this unspoken agreement was more than enough for Palmer.

"Yes, that part involves businesses Lorne had with Larson, and Arthur Gruber had some shares in it too."

Palmer had allowed Larson to take the seat of CEO at the Pollack Group, but he would make sure Larson understood the true cost of that position. The gift he was preparing for Larson was already on its way, leaving no room for discontent.

Noella turned, the man behind her tall and imposing. As the hallway lights dimmed, his features were cast in shadow, his sharp jawline giving him an air of cold nobility.

"Larson will find it impossible to step down now. I'll make sure he feels the true heat of being at the top, as unbearable as the fires of hell. Noella, do you find me terrifying?"

He was always calculating, with a depth to his strategies that was almost inscrutable, his gaze icy and defiant, his methods ruthlessly efficient.

Palmer wanted Larson to taste the ultimate despair and agony—having everything he ever wanted yet feeling an endless void of despair!

Noella stood where a shaft of light fell, creating a stark contrast between her and Palmer—one in the light and one shrouded in darkness. It was a scene of light and shadow, yet their eyes were fixed on each other.

Feeling a sudden impulse, Noella reached out, grabbing Palmer's wrist and pulling him slightly.

"I am the same."

As her words echoed, the lights in the hallway flickered on, revealing the mix of joy and surprise in Palmer's eyes, all witnessed by Noella.

"There's no need to worry about how I see you, Palmer. Just be who you are. My opinion isn't that crucial." Noella let go of his wrist, walking side by side with him out of the hospital. "Maybe, I wish my friends could be a bit more unrestrained. The real you might not be disagreeable to me, but a facade? That, I might not like. The dealings of the Abyssal Organization and the Obelisk Organization are often similar. You're well aware of the challenges I face, and my methods are no kinder than yours."

Palmer chuckled softly. "I understand."

He knew Noella was comforting him!

Palmer never cared about his methods; it was just that when facing Noella, whom he treasured above all, he subconsciously worried she might not like this side of him.

Noella paused, suddenly speaking, "But I also care about how you see me, so this time, we're even."