The Killer Queen

“So you also know things about burns, Professor Calvin.” Elara said.

Calvin smiled mysteriously and gave Ulrich a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “I haven’t personally researched it, but I know someone who can make sure Ms. Gruber won’t have a scar from that burn. Let me reach out to her.”

Ulrich knew that if Calvin vouched for someone, they had to be good. “Alright, I’ll wait for the great news from you, Professor Calvin. And if your friend requires a hefty fee for the treatment, just let me know. Ms. Gruber might not have the funds right now,” he claimed.

“No worries, my friend charges fairly.” Calvin said. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Noella rolled her eyes at Calvin’s grimace and focused elsewhere.

Healing Malvina’s burn was an easy task; she just needed to whip up a salve in the lab when she had a moment.

Elara wrapped an arm around Noella’s shoulder and clicked tongue in amazement.

“Noella, do you think Ulrich got a screw loose or something? Is he, um, playing philanthropist?”

And he was even offering to cover medical expenses, which was totally out of character.

Noella nodded, “Maybe he feels guilty about almost hurting Malvina?”

“Ha! Guilty? As if he knows the meaning of the word. That’s something Stirling had wiped out ages ago!”

Ulrich bopped Elara on the head and then tenderly ruffled Noella’s hair.

“Don’t lead Noella astray. And don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense, Noella! I just feel bad for her, nothing more.” He said.

“Oh, please. There are plenty of people to pity. Why don’t you pay their medical bills?”

“Don’t make me give you a whooping at the hospital, Elara!”

Elara and Ulrich wanted to fight each other, but they were careful not to hurt Noella. Also, they land their blows so softly. Watching that, Noella felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

Lavinia, pushing Lucian in his wheelchair, appeared down the hall.

Elara swiftly skated behind Lucian and tattled with theatrical flair, “Grandpa Lucian, Ulrich hit me! The heartless doctor has no medical ethics–reporting him!”

Lucian could tell Ulrich was just fooling around with Elara and shook his head in exasperation, turning to Calvin, “Professor Calvin, how’s my grandson doing?”

“He’s stable for now. Would you like to see him?”

“Of course, I have to check on him. With his parents abroad, so I’d never forgive myself if something went wrong!”

Lucian then looked at Elara and Noella, “You girls should come in with me, okay?”

Noella knew Lucian wanted Elara to spend some time with the patient inside since the eldest grandson of Richardson was also a cousin of Elara’s.

Elara nodded, “Sure, we’ll join you.”

“Well, so sorry to trouble you guys,” Lavinia said with a helpless smile.

She had been unwell, and her condition had worsened last year, nearly proving fatal. Lucian, after much deliberation and consultation with Marcel, chose not to burden Lavinia with the news.

Lucian patted Elara’s hand, a complex mix of emotions flickering across his face as he hesitated to say something.

He knew how cruel it was not to tell Lavinia the truth, but the risk of stimulating her brain was too great.

With a heavy sigh, Lucian said, “Let’s go in.”

Inside the hospital room, Lorne Richardson, surrounded by a tangle of tubes, tried to move his fingers at the sight of Lucian.

“Just rest easy, the important thing is you’re okay. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Lucian said.

Standing by the bed, Calvin whispered to Noella, “He’s doing well with all his vitals stable, and the operation was a success.”

Noella nodded slightly, “Got it. Call me if anything changes. I’ll handle it.”

“You sure you don’t want to tell Ulrich? Carrying all this credit around makes my back

ache.” Calvin said.

“If you don’t want the credit, next time I’ll find someone else.”

Calvin’s grin was wide enough to split his face. His name would be on the department’s commendations for the next three years at least, so he wouldn’t give up this credit.

Noella glanced at Lorne on the bed, “Show me the vital stats report, and let’s give the room back to Grandpa Lucian and others.”

Calvin followed Noella out, clearing the way for the Richardson family.

Hearing his familiar voice, Lorne’s fingers twitched again.

At the Schnabel Manor in Phoenix Tower, a gemstone gambling event had concluded. The

11:22

Schnabel family’s status in the gemstone market was now unchallenged, so Beckett’s face was alight with a radiant smile.

And just thinking about the profit brought by half of the gemstone market made Beckett’s mood soar.

Plus, with the Gruber family’s bankruptcy, his spirits lifted even higher and he was satisfied with Ulrich’s efficiency.

Master Hector lounged in the living room with Yasbel kneading his shoulders.

“Put some muscle into it. Haven’t you eaten?” he quipped.

“No, I’m an actress; I have to maintain my figure. Don’t you get it?”

“Forget that! Don’t you know that eating well is a blessing? And calling yourself an actress for that little gig? Ridiculous! You’ve squandered the skills I taught you!”

Yasbel, fuming, landed a heavy punch on Master Hector’s shoulder and plopped down beside him.

Acting was her dream, and she knew Master Hector would give her a hard time for it.

Stirling blinked, understandingly stepped in to massage Master Hector, and glanced at Yasbel, whom he had collaborated with several times.

“Is Yasbel your apprentice, Hector?” he asked.

Master Hector was chuckling heartily as Stirling applied the massage, and his affection for the Schnabel clan was growing by the minute, “No way, no way. I’m not acknowledging that kid as my apprentice.”

Within the Polaris Star collective, the term ‘apprenticeship‘ was more about legacy than tutelage. The elder ones raised the new generation to pass down a lifetime of knowledge and skill.

But Yasbel, poor thing, just wasn’t cut out for the gem game.

Whether it was Master Hector and Yasbel, or Master Killian and Ivan, they never admitted to any master–apprentice relationship in public. It was more of a mentorship than anything formal.

Tristan was also in high spirits. He chucked away as he said, “We owe you one today, Master Hector. All your expenses while you’re in Imperial City are on the Schnabel family.” “No problem! Speaking of which, where’s your daughter? I saw her yesterday and I think she’s got a knack for this gem business. Let’s see if she’s willing to learn a thing or two from me!” Hector said.

The folks from the Schnabel family looked at Master Hector in sheer astonishment.

After all, Hector was a legend among the old–school Gemstone Gamblers. The high–quality gems he had a hand in were countless, and the Schnabels had their fair share of stones that came from his magic touch.

Noella stood at the doorway, watching Hector with a resigned expression.

“I’m not interested. I’ve got a lot on my plate and no time for gem gambling. You can go now; your hotel is all arranged.” She said.

Hector turned to see Noella and met her warning gaze with a mischievous grin, “Aw, come on, didn’t I see you crack open a fine stone yesterday? I sense some real talent there!”

“Just beginner’s luck.” Noella knew Hector just couldn’t resist showing off. Seeing Master Killian openly acknowledge his mentorship with her made Hector antsy.

Yet she wasn’t ready to reveal her gem gambling prowess to the Schnabel family just yet.

Hector had been waiting for Noella’s return, and now that she was back, he was content.

The Schnabels feared Master Hector’s displeasure, and Tristan also quickly shot up, “Master Hector, Noella didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just she truly doesn’t get the whole gem thing. It’s just a kid’s beginner’s luck. We appreciate your kind offer, but let’s just say Noella isn’t keen. Maybe we can discuss this some other time?”

Tristan wouldn’t dream of making his daughter do something she disliked. Since Noella had expressed disinterest, he wasn’t about to push her into it.

Hector glanced at Tristan.

As a father, he seemed just alright. He was definitely more reliable than the last one.

Master Hector looked away and waved at Noella, “Alright, I’m off. Left you a little something, and don’t forget to open it!”