The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Elara even met my aunt before, but alas, my aunt didn't recognize her!"

Jacob shot up from the dining table when he heard Lorne's words. In an instant, his head was buzzing, unable to make out what Helen was saying.

"What did you say? Who are you going to tell!"

Elara met her? When? Why didn’t Elara tell him!

Lorne knew he had played his cards right, casually adding, "My aunt loves me the most. If she knew I was being bullied, she'd definitely come to my aid!"

Helen scolded sharply, "Jacob, calm down!"

Jacob's hands were shaking, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face. Seeing him like this, Helen became extremely worried.

Helen snapped. "Sexton, are you dead? Hang up the phone. Don't listen to this kid's nonsense!"

Was Sexton blind or what? Could he not see the state Jacob was in!

Sexton was too shocked to react at first but quickly regained his composure and hung up the phone. This was a lot to take in! During Jacob’s relationship with that girl, they called her Yvette. Now she was still alive as Lavinia?

Sexton paced back and forth in the living room, his prayer beads almost worn smooth.

Helen frowned, handing Jacob a glass of water and commanding, "Drink this! Calm down, and think whether Lorne is deliberately saying this or if it's true!"

Jacob, holding the glass, spoke with a trembling voice. "I… I'll call Elara. If she met Yvette, no Lavinia, why didn't she tell me?"

Sexton turned around. "No need. The girl's already bothered by you; questioning her about her mom will only annoy her further! I'll call Lucian directly!" Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Lucian picked up quickly, and there was a long silence before he finally let out a sigh.

"All these years, I've hidden her existence! She's been frail, couldn't handle the shock, so I didn't dare reveal Elara's identity to her."

"Lucian, you mean she is indeed alive?"

Lucian let out a bitter laugh. "Yes! The night she returned home, covered in blood, she even asked me, ‘Who are you?’ She didn't even remember me!"

Hearing this, Jacob, who was just about to head out to find Lavinia, stopped in his tracks!

Lucian, sounding defeated, said, "Sexton, we made too many mistakes when we were young. I accept my karma without complaints! But the kids, they’re innocent!"

Sexton clenched his teeth. "How could you let Elara grow up without recognizing her own mother?"

"How could I bear it? I couldn't just watch my daughter die, could I? Sexton! She fainted the moment she heard Jacob's name, was in ICU five times. I've signed who knows how many critical condition notices! I kept her indoors, didn't tell you she was alive, because all I wanted was for my daughter to live! Sexton, you have kids, don't you understand me?" Lucian, tears streaming down his face, sat heavily on a bench in the hospital corridor.

Sexton sighed. He understood all too well!

"It's been hard on you too!"

Lucian shook his head. "I didn't know about Elara. That child… I'm thankful for the Schnabel family, but she's had it rough!"

Now Jacob understood why Elara said what she did. She had come to accept that her parents didn't love her as much because she had met her own mother, only to find her mother didn't recognize her.

How pained Elara's heart must have been! She was always too smart for her own good, understanding the complexities of human relationships better than anyone.

Years ago, when she found out she wasn't the biological daughter of the Schnabel family, Elara made a swift decision. She voluntarily gave up the Schnabel family's fortune, gradually distancing herself from them, making way for their daughter and marginalizing herself.

Such a sensible child, seeing her mom but unable to call out, still cooperating with Lucian. How heartbroken Elara must have been!

Jacob wiped his face, only to realize it was drenched. "Sir, may I see her?"

Lucian hesitated for a moment, then looked towards Lavinia, who was walking out from the examination room.

He sighed. "It's not that I don't want you to see her… Never mind, just listen to this!"

Lavinia's gaze was indifferent as water, looking at Lucian as if he were a stranger. She bent down, her voice gentle and caring, "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"

Lucian seemed to have gotten used to it.

"Lavinia, have you forgotten me again?"

Lavinia looked surprised. "Should I know you? Sorry, I might be a bit forgetful."

"Look at your phone."

Lavinia unlocked her phone, finding a screensaver of her and Lucian together. It seemed she knew she would forget, so she had recorded a video in advance for herself.

After watching it, Lavinia apologized, "Dad, I'm sorry, I've forgotten you again. Shall we go home now?"

She pushed Lucian's wheelchair, her eyes still somewhat puzzled. Why couldn't she remember anything?

Lucian looked at his phone. "Do you understand now? There's something in her brain, like an eraser, making her forget everything periodically, including me! I can't let you see her, for her sake!"

Jacob understood. Lucian, worn by age and the weight of past sorrows, couldn't bear any more turmoil. He had endured the pain of his shattered daughter’s condition for many years and couldn't risk any further harm. If Jacob’s presence would upset Lavinia, Lucian would never allow him the chance to meet her!

Sexton frowned. "Something in her brain? Can it be treated?"

"Professor Calvin said it's conservative treatment only, but he mentioned a surgical genius, suggesting if that medical prodigy operates, the success rate might be higher. I just haven’t decided yet!"

Lucian was a bundle of nerves. Lavinia's brain tumor was one of those rare conditions that even the best neurosurgeons, dubbed the "Hand of God," had only a 30% chance of successfully treating.

Thirty percent. Those were the odds of him having a healthy daughter again. But it also meant a risk of losing her forever!

In the midst of his turmoil, Sexton's thoughts unexpectedly drifted to his granddaughter-in-law. Noella - that girl had some impressive medical skills! Having been under her care himself, Sexton knew firsthand how capable Noella was.

If they could get Noella to operate on Lavinia...

"Lucian, I know a prodigy, the one who did my heart surgery! Absolutely trustworthy! But whether she'd agree to consult on Lavinia's case, that's up to her."

Lucian perked up at that.

"Absolutely, go find her! Money is no object for us!"

"Money isn't the issue, Lucian. No matter what, Lavinia will always be my daughter-in-law!" Sexton's voice was firm, his eyes misty with emotion.

Lucian sighed heavily. "It's my fault. I've let Jacob down! But Jacob must not see Lavinia until she's on the mend!"

Lavinia's gentle voice came through on the phone.

"Dad, who's this Jacob you're talking about? Should I know him?"