The Killer Queen

At the Lambert ancestral home in Linefort City.

Jasper’s hired muscle flew in by chopper and, while still several feet from the ground, yanked Vincent out and dumped him right at the doorstep of the Lambert ancestral horne,

Vincent, well into his fifties, nearly broke every bone in his old body!

“Dammit… Do you even know the law? This is assault, pure and simple!”

The bodyguard, sporting dark shades, Just gave a lopsided grin and sneered. “Our boss said we’re doing you a solid, dropping you home. You know exactly how you treated Ms. Noella–don’t play innocent!”

Vincent was speechless.

This was completely different!

Noella was just a heartless country bumpkin while he was the high and mighty CEO of the Lambert family!

After making the delivery, the bodyguard hopped back on the chopper and took off.

Blown around by the helicopter’s downdraft, Vincent’s hair was a mess, his suit was wrinkled, and his face was caked with dust and dirt, making him look like a beggar.

The actual beggars at the Lambert ancestral home’s gate nearly mistook him for one of their

own.

Vincent was fuming. He whipped out his phone to call the cops, but, of course, there was no signal!

Maddox, who was in charge of guarding the old homestead, spotted Vincent and hurried over to greet him.

“Mr. Lambert, why didn’t you give us a heads–up? Here to donate?”

Vincent was speechless again.

He was too proud to come back home without fanfare, always making a big show of donating like 30 to 50 grand, turning it into a spectacle the whole village knew about.

Vincent changed the subject. “How come there’s not even a proper road in this place?”

“Ah, Mr. Lambert, you’re here to fund road construction? That’s fantastic! I’ll go tell the mayor right now!”

Vincent quickly grabbed him.

“No, no, get me out of here first. My phone’s got no signal; I can’t make any donations to the village!”

12:26

“What? Mr. Lambert, you’re also gonna build us a cell tower? That’s amazing!”

Damn that Maddox! Playing dumb because of his selective hearing!

Vincent couldn’t say he wouldn’t donate, and he really didn’t want to shell out cash for these yokels. He grabbed hold of Maddox,

“I’ve got a big deal to negotiate. Get me out of here. Does this village even have a car?”

Maddox grinned from ear to ear. “Sure do. Let me pull it here for you!”

Vincent was baffled. What kind of vehicle needed pulling?

While Maddox was off to get the “vehicle,” Vincent looked up at the Lambert ancestral home.

He grew up here, but it took blood, sweat, and tears to make something of himself in Tranquility City, to become a known and respected tycoon. He never wanted to come back.

Now, looking at it, the house seemed to have been refurbished?

Someone used top–notch materials, even planted Old Mrs. Lambert’s favorite osmanthus tree by the door–a mature tree of this variety could easily fetch 200 grand at auction.

There was no way he was behind this renovation. Why would he spend money on fixing up this rundown place?

Could it be that Milford Rosenberg, out of respect for Briony, secretly spruced up the place to surprise the family?

The more Vincent thought about it, the more it made sense!

What an amazing son–in–law!

Even though the Rosenberg family had hit a rough patch, it was still not to be underestimated, given its previous glory. Besides, they had always been a notch above the Lamberts.

Lucky for Briony, she had always been close to Milford, unlike Noella, who was always so lukewarm towards those blue–blood boys.

Once back, he would definitely need to talk about Briony’s engagement with the Rosenbergs–can’t let a catch like that get away!

Lost in his happy thoughts, Vincent’s daydream was shattered when Maddox showed up with

an actual ox cart!

The old ox clearly had seen better days, stopping to rest after every step.

“Mr. Lambert, this is the only ox cart we’ve got. Hop on, and we’ll make it to town by dawn!”

Vincent’s voice was trembling. “There’s transportation in town?”

“Yep, tractors. From there, hop on a bus, and you’ll be in Linefort City in no time!”

Vincent remembered.

17-26

The reason he hadn’t come back for years was because it was such a hassle to leave! Linefort City had no airport; he would have to take the rickety old train to the nearest one.

Years ago, when the village asked him to donate for road construction, he thought it wasn’t worth it since he couldn’t brag about it, so he donated to Tranquility City’s overpass instead, barely making it onto the donor list among all the other wealthy benefactors.

Maddox called out cheerfully. “Mr. Lambert, come on up. Once it gets light, the old ox has to plow the fields!”

Cursing under his breath, Vincent pinched his nose and climbed atop the ox cart, dodging cow dung and hay.

Maddox signaled to a beggar, “Take Mr. Lambert to town.”

The cart lurched forward, shaking so violently that Vincent’s sandwich lunch threatened to make a comeback.

Maddox chuckled as he watched Vincent’s retreating figure. He pulled out a smartphone equipped with satellite GPS and dialed Noella.

“Ms. Noella, got everything Mr. Lambert said about donating for roads and a cell tower on video. Sending it your way now!”

“Appreciate it.” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Maddox’s wrinkled face split into a grin.

“No trouble at all. If it weren’t for your help, our village would’ve been toast a long time ago, not to mention the renovations you funded for the ancestral home and the village!”

“It’s Grandma’s house. It’s the least I could do.”

Noella peeped at the video Maddox sent her and then locked her phone.

There was this tiny village nestled in the Linefort City mountains, where Old Mrs. Lambert had weathered her whole life. Noella would guard it with her life, no doubt!

Five days later, at Tranquility City Police Station.

The cop swung open the slammer door and let the Lambert ladies walk free.

Vincent, rocking a scruffy beard and looking all kinds of wiped, waited at the door.

Belinda was gobsmacked at the sight of him!

“Babe, how come you look like you’ve been through the wringer more than I did, and I was the one behind bars for days?”

Vincent was on the verge of tears! He hustled back from Linefort City, burning rubber to pull every string the Lambert family had to spring the mother–daughter duo.

12:26

“Let’s just hit the road home,” he sighed.

Belinda grabbed Vincent’s arm. “Did that little brat Noella choose to settle?”

“I’m the one who got you out, using my connections. If Noella wanted to push it, you’d be back in the clink…”

Briony covered her mouth, bawling her eyes out. “What are we gonna do, Dad? I can’t stomach the thought of going back in there! It’s just too horrifying! Why is Noella being like this? How have the Lamberts ever wronged her? She’s just heartless.”

“Honey, I bet Noella’s snagged herself some rich sugar daddy. Where else would she get the guts from?”

Vincent was on the same pagel

Just thinking about Jasper’s devilish mug made his knees knock together!

“Briony, Milford’s a catch. You better not let him slip away. Once he’s out of the hospital, we’re throwing you two a wedding! As for Noella, we’ll put out a notice, cut ties, and tell her to buzz off for good!”

Briony, all bashful, chirped, “Alright, I’ll visit Milford tomorrow!”

At Pioneer’s Hospital, in the ICU.

Briony handed Milford a bowl of soup, saying, “Milford, I made this soup just for you. Have some, will you?”

Milford, pampered by the Rosenberg family, could finally

run words.

He grabbed Briony’s hand and squeezed out a passionate look from his tube–laden face.

“Briony, you’re the love of my life, the only one I’ll ever marry. The moment I laid eyes on you as a kid, I fell head over heels!”

Briony’s flushed, her cheeks burning red.

“Milford, I love you the most, too! Let’s get married once you’re better!”

Get married? No way!

Those words hit Milford’s ears like a sour note.

He had a life to live, beauties to spoil. There was no way he would chain himself to just one

woman!

Thinking about what Linsey asked him to do, Milford forced a smile.

“Sure thing, Briony. Once I’m on my feet, we’ll tie the knot. I’ll throw you the grandest wedding. the world has ever seen and make you the bride everyone envies! Just, Briony, I had my eye on this diamond ring for you, but there’s been a slight hiccup with the family biz…”

12:26

He squeezed her hand, looking all lovey–dovey. “Would you help me out? As the future lady of the Rosenberg family?”

Future lady of the Rosenberg family!

Those words, like pink bubbles, send Briony floating on cloud nine!