The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Lavinia looked lost, her eyes clouded with confusion. She had forgotten many things, and she was certain she didn't know anyone named Jacob. But her dad talked as if she should know this Jacob.

Lucian knew better than to push Lavinia's understanding too hard at this moment.

"You don't know him. He's just a friend of mine."

"That's a relief. I thought I had forgotten something important."

Lucian pocketed his phone and let Lavinia wheel him away.

...

At the Pollack family dinner table, silence enveloped the three of them.

Helen wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders, her eyes brimming with sadness.

"This child, she's had a tough life. Sexton, go contact that doctor you mentioned. See what it'll take for her to treat Lavinia. You've got the means, after all. Money is no object! If it could heal Lavinia, we'd spare no expense."

Sexton fretted over Lavinia's condition, uncertain if Noella would agree to treat Lavinia. He couldn't force Noella if she was unwilling, but he hoped Noella would consider it. He had come to trust Noella's medical skill above all others!

Helen was getting irritated watching him pace. "What kind of medical wizard is even beyond your reach?"

Jacob spoke up anxiously, "Dad, I can reach out!"

He could use his connections to get in touch with the medical prodigy, willing to offer anything for Lavinia's treatment.

Sexton found himself in a bind, caught between a rock and a hard place. He didn't want to pressure Noella. His eyes lit up as Noella walked in with Palmer, feeling as though providence had answered his call.

Noella handed a gift box to Old Mrs. Pollack, "Grandma Helen, my mom bought this for you."

Helen dabbed at the tears in her eyes. "Oh, thank you, dear."

Sensing the low spirits around her, Noella frowned slightly. "If I'm intruding, I can leave now."

Palmer caught Noella's wrist, keeping her there. He didn't want his family's issues to cause her any discomfort. Whatever it was, it should be discussed openly.

"What's going on?"

Sexton made up his mind and approached Noella, grabbing her hand. "Noella, I have a favor to ask of you!"

Noella was startled by his earnest look.

Grandpa Sexton had always been kind to her, and she could tell he was in a tough spot.

"Grandpa Sexton, what is it?"

"It's about Lavinia's condition. I'm really putting you on the spot here, but you're the only one I trust!"

Noella was surprised to hear that Sexton was referring to Lavinia's illness.

Jacob's disheveled appearance must have been because he found out Lavinia was still alive.

Jacob, in shock, asked, "Dad, is Noella the doctor you've been talking about?"

Sexton nodded vigorously. "If it weren't for Noella and Marcel, I wouldn't be here today. I trust her medical skill!"

Noella glanced around, noticing everyone’s expectant gaze fixed on her.

"Lavinia's brain tumor surgery carries a significant risk, particularly given her rare condition and psychological issues. Her central nervous system is more fragile than most. I've been working with Professor Calvin on a treatment plan. If I perform the surgery, the success rate is just over fifty percent."

"But if anyone else performs it, it’ll be less than thirty percent." Her voice was soft but filled with resolve and confidence.

Jacob, taken aback, looked at the young woman standing before him.

Noella, with her hair loosely tied and an air of understated elegance, exuded calm assurance.

Meeting her serene gaze, Jacob felt a wave of trust wash over him.

"A fifty percent chance for brain surgery is already remarkable!"

Noella gently shook her head. "What I want to discuss is Lavinia's dissociative identity disorder. It has been overshadowed by her tumor, but I suspect her current symptoms are linked to the disorder. Uncle Jacob, what is the Lavinia you know like? That persona is likely her core identity."

Jacob's eyes widened in realization. "Dissociative identity disorder? You mean, Lavinia has multiple personalities? That explains..."

He suddenly remembered the odd detail that had been bothering him.

"The Lavinia that spoke on the phone had an accent from Imperial City, but her mother was from the south, and she grew up speaking with a southern accent. She never spoke with an Imperial City accent before!"

Noella calmly explained, "That detail isn't crucial; she could have learned it later. What's important is identifying Lavinia's primary personality, the one that remembers Elara’s existence."

That Lavinia knew she had a daughter and remembered Jacob too!

"The brain tumor actually protected Lavinia, making her particularly forgetful. She forgot the bad things, or rather, the thing that hurt her the most."

Dissociative identity disorder was actually a way for Lavinia to protect herself.

"Uncle Jacob, I needed to know what Lavinia's primary personality was like in order to come up with a treatment plan."

The one who understood the old Lavinia the best in the world was Jacob!

Jacob sank into memories, trying to piece together the Lavinia he once knew.

“Lavinia was always bold and confident. As researchers, she possessed a sharp mind, akin to Elara's, with top-notch data accuracy. She had a heart of gold, the kindest soul I've ever met. Elara, well, wasn’t much like us. She resembled a Schnabel more, possessing the easy grace of your brothers and the ability to stand her ground. Even when I ticked her off, Lavinia would calmly explain things to me. Elara...she'd just tell me I'm nuts."

Noella raised an eyebrow. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Was Jacob equating Elara's sharp tongue to self-defense, much like the legendary comebacks of the Schnabel boys? Thinking about it, she did share a striking resemblance in temperament with

her siblings.

The kids from the Schnabel family, unmistakably cut from the same cloth!

Jacob had a lot to say, and Noella took mental notes of it all.

"Alright, I'll work on this with Professor Calvin."

"Let me know as soon as you find something!"

Noella nodded, promising to do so before she said her goodbyes.

Sexton nudged Palmer. "It's pitch black outside, and it’s not safe for Noella to walk home alone in the dark. Go walk her home! Don't worry about coming back; just make sure Noella gets home safe!"

The Pollack and Schnabel residences were just a short walk from each other, and the streets were well-lit. How was it pitch black?

Noella watched quietly as the old man fibbed.

Ever accommodating, Palmer walked Noella back to the Schnabel Manor. Upon reaching the doorway, illuminated by the moon’s soft glow, Palmer looked at her with gentle eyes, his demeanor calm.

"Noella, thanks for agreeing to treat my aunt-in-law."

Noella smiled softly. "Don't mention it. I'm just helping my sister find her mom!"