The Killer Queen

Noella nodded slightly. “Thanks for the assist, Galen

It’s no trouble at all ”

Sweat was beading on Terrell’s Terehead as he waited anxiously!

How could Ryder be taken away so easily? Most of the shady deals had Terrell’s fingerprints all over them. If Ryder’s wrongdoings were uncovered. Terell knew he wouldn’t stand a chance of getting away!

Just days ago, Terrell had visited Travis, who was now getting a taste of prison life. It was far from living, it was surviving Lights blazed 24/7, sleep came in fits and starts under harsh fluorescent bulbs, and even a trip to the can was under the unblinking nye of surveillance cameras. No privacy, not even dignity, remained for those behind bars.

The mere thought sent shivers down Terrell’s spinel

Il Noella got wind of his part in these shenanigans, he’d be bunking with Travis soon enough

Terrell swallowed hard, silently praying Galen wouldn’t notice the tampering he had done to the instruments.

Noella stood aside, silently observing as Galen and his team of technicians were busy with their assessments.

Half an hour later, Galen peeled off his gloves.

“Ms. Schnabel, we need to take these samples back for a thorough analysis with our high–tech gear, but at first glance, none of these instruments were crafted by Master Rainer, and the inlays and

carvings certainly weren’t the handiwork of Master Sylvie,”

Gritting his teeth, Terrell insisted, “Galen, could you take another look? How are they not Master Sylvie’s creations?”

Galen waved him off, his face a mask of reverence and seriousness. “Master Sylvie is my idol! I’ve studied every single one of her sculptures meticulously, and I can tell you, the pressure and technique used in these carvings are nothing like her signature style!”

Galen was dead serious, offended that someone would dare question his idol right before him!

Noella glanced at Galen, surprised. The owner of the appraisal center was a fan of hers? This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.

Galen continued to point out several inconsistencies in the carvings on the instruments, minor details that only a true aficionado would

notice

Indeed, he was a fan.

Noella nodded in acknowledgment “If they’re all fakes, there’s no need to send them for further appraisal. These instruments, mere antiques with no real value, are likely bought from some flea market to pass off as rare finds.”

Realizing they were dealing with counterfeits, there was no sense in wasting more time on appraisals.

Terrell, clearly distressed, dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief. “Ms. Schnabel, the nephrite in these instruments is genuine. Event if the instruments aren’t the work of Master Sylvie or Master Rainer, the nephrite alone is quite valuable. I was duped by Ryder. Just at single piece of the nephrite alone is worth two hundred thousand!”

Noella laid her hand on one of the nephrite pieces and, with a firm twist, removed it from the instrument

Without the wooden backdrop, the stone’s impurities were glaring under the bright light. It was the lowest quality of nephrite

“Two hundred thousand? For that sum, I could get you a hundred thousand pieces just like it. I thought maybe two thousand was a fair estimate but seems I’ve overrated this trash and underestimated your nerve.”“

Terrell was stunned; he never expected Noella to physically dislodge the nephrite!

Even a novice could discern the quality of the stone. This piece of nephrite was coarse and grainy, the kind that wouldn’t even turn heads in the jade market.

Noella raised an eyebrow at Terrell. “As the manager of a music store, conspiring with appraisers to cheat customers by flipping real for fake, buying low and selling high, and charging exorbitant fees for false certificates. Your city mansion was probably funded this way. wasn’t it? The shop’s salary can’t afford you à Lamborghini, yet you boast three, all collectors‘ editions. Terrell, you and Travis truly are cut from the same cloth. I reckon you’ll be sharing a cell soon enough.”

Seeing the tide turning against him, Terrell backed away, defiant but desperate. “You… You’re talking nonsense. I earned my money through hard work. I’ve been with this store for years, and not even Mr. Horwich could fire me. Don’t you go too far!”

Noella’s gaze was heavy with disdain and scom. “Would you dare tell my grandpa about your escapades?”

Terrell, faced with Noella’s icy stare, shuddered, leaning on the windowsill before making a rash leap outside!

The assistant manager gasped. “Ms. Schnabel, should we go after him?”

Noella shook her head. “Do you really think a pig can make it far after jumping from the third floor? Besides, I had some… additions made to the garden bed below”

10:56

The store’s garden bed, facing the street, was always planted with seasonal blooms for decoration, switched out every quarter.

Temell’s scream echoed from below.

The assistant manager peeked down to see Terrell, hefty and greasy, caught up in the cacti that filled the garden bed!

Noella stated flatly, “Call the police and have him taken away.”

“Right away, Ms. Schnabell

Those cacti, part of Polaris Star’s last quarter experiment and imported directly from the desert, had not been accounted for by Terrell in his hasty escape. He was now a human pin cushion!

“You” Noella said, tuming to the assistant manager “will take over as head manager. I expect no more mistakes.”

The assistant manager, overwhelmed with gratitude, replied, “Thank you, Ms. Schnabel, for this opportunity!”

e store’s

Noella efficiently dealt with the counterfeit goods and reorganized the store’s operation. Galen, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but admire Noella’s swift handling of the store’s affairs.

It seemed that young Ms. Schnabel was not only an apprentice of Master Rainer but, in the vein of the Schnabel family, a business prodigy as well.

“Galen, could you do me a favor and appraise all the zithers in the store? We’ll settle the fees according to standard rates.”

“You got it, Ms. Schnabel. I look forward to more collaborations with you,” Galen replied with a grin, his eyes crinkling at the comers.

Noella was an apprentice of Master Rainer and the proprietor of the largest music store in the Imperial City: Galen knew his appraisal center would be working hand in glove with Noella for the foreseeable future.

Galen sprang into action, his team bustling about, attentively inspecting each instrument,

After straightening out the last zither, Noella turned and caught sight of Palmer. He’d been leaning against the door frame, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her take charge. This was her realm, and he seemed content to observe her command the room with natural authority.

“You’re doing great, Noella. Seeing you in your element gives me a run for my money. As a reward, would you care to spare a moment to hear me play a piece?” Palmer offered with a twinkle in his eye.

Play a piece? For her?

“You can play?” Noella asked, her eyebrow arching in surprise.

I’ve picked up a thing or two watching others. I dabble,” Palmer confessed with a casual shrug.

He picked up a classical guitar from a nearby stand and led Noella by the hand into her office, gently closing the door behind them.

Settling into a chair, Palmer cradled the guitar and his long fingers began to caress the strings, sending ripples of melody through the

air.

Noella’s lashes fluttered slightly. “Your wrist is injured, you shouldn’t be playing.”

w guys serenade their sweethearts Palmer let out a soft chuckle. “It’s no big deal; I can manage with my left hand. Back in college, I saw with guitars. I figured, why not give it a shot? Maybe I can make my fiancée feel just how much she means to me!”