The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Garrick's face was a study in frustration!

"Marcel Schnabel actually agreed to this nonsense? This is higher education, not some kind of playground for your whims!"

Noella pointed to the parental signature at the bottom of the withdrawal application, where Marcel's name was signed with a flourish that spoke volumes of his character. A personal seal from Marcel himself was also stamped next to the signature, ensuring all formalities were meticulously observed.

"My grandfather supports all my decisions."

"This is madness! Has Marcel lost his mind? A perfectly good student quitting school to gallivant around like a headless chicken? I won't have it!"

Noella, her backpack slung over one shoulder and her ponytail swinging with determination, faced the incensed Garrick with a cool, calm gaze.

"Sir, I don't need school to complete your so-called 'obedience training'. If you think that's the way to keep me here, you're sorely mistaken."

Garrick looked up at Noella, taking in her confident stance as if she had the world at her fingertips, a beacon of unattainable grace and authority. As the original founder of Polaris Star, he knew all too well that Noella attending classes at Imperial University was a sheer waste of her time.

What Garrick truly wanted was to bend Noella to his will! But Noella scoffed at such petty power plays.

Garrick's gaze deepened. "I'd love to know what those old geezers have been teaching you. Your duty is to follow orders, and you can't even master that!"

Noella raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Garrick, the first people who demanded my obedience are now serving as compost in the Polaris Star Cultivation Nursery."

Her presence here was proof enough that she was now the rule-maker at Polaris Star!

"Garrick, just take a look at these two applications. Your signature is welcome but not necessary."

With that, Noella turned on her heel and left without a backward glance, as if the prestigious school and the respected Garrick meant nothing to her.

This display of nonchalance and cool defiance stoked a fire in Garrick. Clenching his fists, his voice betrayed a hint of anger.

"I'll sign your exemption, but you are required to attend my classes!"

"Understood. Thank you."

...

At Serene Haven’s Dragon Tower, a car pulled up in front of the grand Pollack Mansion.

Jacob stepped aside to open the door, extending his hand to assist the elderly passenger.

The old lady, adorned in a silk jacket and a glowing pearl necklace, gracefully stepped out of the car. She glanced at the neighboring tower, then shifted her gaze to the stark and quiet Pollack Mansion.

"Where's Sexton?"

"He's been staying at the Schnabel Manor lately. Says Marcel can't bear to be without him."

Old Mrs. Pollack snorted disdainfully, her thin lips pressed tightly together. "Marcel can't bear to be without him? More like he can't wait to see him in a coffin. Where's my granddaughter?"

Jacob wiped the sweat from his brow nervously. "Mom, Elara is with the Schnabel family as well."

"Useless!"

Old Mrs. Pollack glared at Jacob, her dragon-headed cane coming down hard on Jacob's leg.

"A perfectly good child, and you can't even acknowledge her. What use are you? I should've let you fall into a ditch and become compost back in the day! Palmer, help me inside! I'm going to see my granddaughter!"

After being whacked by Old Mrs. Pollack's cane, Jacob couldn't do much but grit his teeth and, along with Palmer, support the old lady into the Schnabel Manor.

Marcel was in the middle of a chess game with Sexton when the glittering figure of the old lady entered the room, causing Sexton to drop his chess piece in surprise.

"Helen, why did you leave the nursing home?" Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Helen gave Sexton a cold look. "None of your business. Out of my way! Where's my granddaughter?"

Her visit wasn't to see this old codger. Having encountered nothing but irrelevant people since her arrival, she was growing impatient.

Elara just happened to come downstairs, a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers in her hands, which she placed in a vase in the living room.

Helen's eyes lit up, pushing past her son and grandson to approach Elara.

"Who are you, madam?"

"I'm your grandmother! You're Elara, right? A Schnabel?"

Helen frowned, her sharp and somewhat intimidating features making Elara feel uneasy.

"Yes, I'm Elara Schnabel."

Jacob feared his mother might say something untoward that could upset Elara, leaving him in a difficult position.

"Mom, it doesn't matter what Elara's last name is. Please, don't make this hard for her."

Helen brushed Jacob aside, raising her voice. "Why are you blocking my way? No manners, off with you!"

Her voice, sharp and commanding, betrayed her past as a professional opera singer.

"Why not take my last name, huh? What's so good about being a Schnabel? And ‘Pollack’ doesn't make it any better!"

Elara was bewildered, struggling to follow the conversation.

"My daughter takes after me, so why can't you? Marcel must be some ancient relic from the past, clinging onto old traditions. Look at you, all skin and bones. What, are you studying archaeology?"

Elara shook her head. "No, I'm into paleogenetics..."

"I thought you had a thing for skeletons, but no, it's worse. You're pretty though, got that from Tristan or Sienna?"

Jacob was mortified. "Mom, Elara is my daughter."

His daughter, likened to Tristan and Sienna?

Helen paid him no mind, her presence dominating the room.

"Your daughter? You think you're up to it? You think you could raise such a fine girl? Elara, isn't it? Help me back to my place."

Elara was still trying to figure out her grandmother's temper, but seeing her reaching out, she had no choice but to step forward.

"Grandma, take it easy."

"I won't die. The Schnabels have done a good job raising you. It's only right that Jacob is too ashamed to acknowledge you. I feel like I've struck gold."

Elara's smile twitched. This was the first time she had heard someone describe it as striking gold.

After escorting Old Mrs. Pollack to the somewhat chilly Pollack Mansion, she spoke up again.

"Palmer, bring your wife over tomorrow for me to meet, and Elara, you come too. I've prepared welcome gifts for you both. It's too late tonight; I need to rest. You all can go now."

Jacob tentatively asked, "Mom, Dad's been staying with the Schnabels recently. Should we invite him back to keep you company?"

"Cut it out. The house is better off with one less old man; it smells less musty without him. He can stay away! Nice words, but keep me company? I finally got comfortable in the nursing home, why would I need him bothering me? If he comes back, I'd have to look after him!"

Jacob chuckled nervously. "Mom, we have a nanny; you wouldn't need to look after Dad. We just thought you might feel lonely!"

Helen raised an eyebrow, her feisty spirit shining through.

"Then let Elara come keep me company. It'd be even better if Palmer's wife could come too. But with their situation being what it is, having the girl come over to spend time with an old lady like me might not look too good. The Pollacks might not care about propriety, but I certainly do."