The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

"Did you not catch what I was saying, Ms. Gallagher?" Jasper leisurely pulled out a napkin and began to dab at Noella's hands.

"Sorry about this, folks. Our Noella was raised in the countryside and doesn't know much about manners-completely spoiled by us, I'm afraid. I'll give her a talking-to when we get home."

Though he mentioned discipline, there wasn't a hint of genuine regret on his face! Clearly, he was just standing up for his own.

Christina's face was a mix of purple and red with anger! Noella had declared that she'd have Millie's back, making it clear that nobody else had the right to badmouth her!

Randy, ever the sly one, just took an extra moment to glance at Millie, absorbing the scene.

"Christina, apologize."

At the patriarch's command, Christina, however reluctantly, stood and gave a bow towards Millie. The humiliation was palpable. Christina's face was stained with drops of red wine, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Millie, Ms. Schnabel, I'm terribly sorry! I know I was wrong!"

Millie covered her mouth, feigning surprise. "Oh my, Christina, what happened to you? Such a well-bred lady, why is your face all covered in wine?"

It was too much to bear! Unable to handle the humiliation, Christina covered her face and ran off in tears!

Morgan wanted to follow and comfort her but was stopped by a sharp glance from Carolyn, forcing him to sit back down.

Randy, trying to lighten the mood with a half-smile, said, "Ms. Schnabel, Mr. Schnabel, we should definitely get together more often. The Gallagher family has many young folks who might just get along with you. It's easier to talk amongst peers, after all."

Carolyn seized the moment, smiling. "It's all Christina's fault, really. She's always been too blunt, but she means well. Morgan, apologize to Millie and Ms. Schnabel for your sister."

Standing with a wine glass in hand, Morgan began, "My sincerest apologies. I'll make sure Christina learns from this. To show my sincerity..." Without another word, Morgan downed five glasses of vodka in quick succession!

Even Jasper was taken aback! Was this Gallagher lad... a bit too naive? Since when did people skip the small talk and dive straight into heavy drinking? And that wasn't just any drink-it was high-proof vodka!

After his fifth glass, Morgan's face was beet red, clearly not handling the alcohol well. Carolyn's eyes widened in shock.

"Morgan! You can't handle your liquor! Why on earth would you drink so much!?"

She didn't actually want Morgan to drink. She was hoping he'd just make nice with the Schnabel family-having Millie pleased was half the battle won, after all.

Morgan belched loudly. He seemed unable to focus his gaze, looking around the room before slumping back into his chair.

Carolyn asked with concern, "Morgan? Are you alright?"

Morgan nodded and then shook his head. After a moment's silence, Morgan burst into tears.

"Mommy, I don't want to go to school or take over the family business. I want to be an actor! Why doesn't anyone support me? I'm not cut out for business. I don't want to compete with Millie. If she hadn't shared her food with me as a kid, I would've starved! When I was studying abroad, it was Millie who sent me money. I couldn't even earn my tuition. Those thugs always picked on me, knocking on my door at night! You don't know how hard it was for me out there! I'm not meant to be a Gallagher. Mommy, I can't do this anymore!"

The Gallaghers were stunned. Morgan suddenly got up, climbed onto the dinner table, and pointed at Randy, unleashing a torrent of accusations.

"It's all your fault! Why the hell did

you have to be so harsh? We had to fend for ourselves for everything-do you think that was the right

decision? You're too full, that's your problem! And you have the nerve to suggest I marry Ms. Schnabel? Who in our family is worthy of her? I hate you! If it weren't for you, my sister wouldn't have starved to death... She was only eight years old! How could you expect an eight-year-old to fend for herself? You're a monster! You'll get what's coming to you!"

Randy was so angry he nearly choked. "You... you!"

Carolyn was beside herself with fear, trying to pull Morgan off, but a drunk's strength is unpredictable. Morgan lunged and grabbed Randy by the throat!All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"Go see my sister if you dare! Why did you do it? I'll kill you!"

Millie, being close by, knocked Morgan out and quickly had the unconscious Randy taken away for medical attention.

The room was in chaos. Millie grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it on the floor. "Anyone who causes trouble tonight will end up like grandfather."

The rest of the Gallagher kids tensed up, knowing they were in serious trouble. Millie handed Morgan over to the second branch of the family, her gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Listen up. If anyone speaks of tonight's events, they'll spend their life on a deserted island in the Pacific, got it? Now, go to your rooms. Anyone who leaves, don't bother coming back!"

Millie's father spoke up, displeased. "Millie, it's not your place to command here. The elders are still in charge. What's with your attitude?"

Millie looked towards Noella. "Master, a little help, please? Dinner's on me later."

Noella, calm as ever, replied, "Two dinners."

"Deal!"

J

With that, Noella approached Patrick, who had just managed a fake smile, and greeted him with a solid slap across the face! Before Patrick even had the chance to scream, Noella exerted force under her feet, driving her knee into Patrick's stomach and effectively knocking the wind out of him, leaving him crumpled on the floor, unconscious.

Millie's mother acted as if she hadn't witnessed the scene unfold. "Oh dear, Millie, your father really, falling asleep in the living room? What if he catches a cold? Hurry up, find someone to carry him back to his room!"

Jasper stood gaping, utterly astonished by the smoothness of Noella's punch. "Noella... you, you, you, and I, I, I... What just happened?!"

"Sure thing."

"Sorry, Jasper, didn't mean to scare you. Millie's dad hasn't been the best to her, she asked for a little... intervention, so I stepped in."

Jasper felt like crying. Was this

elnét

really the time for apologies? He was shocked not by the situation,, but by his sister's skill! The way Noella had thrown that punch, Jasper was convinced that if it came down to it, he wouldn't stand a

chance against her...

Millie calmly patted Jasper on the shoulder. "Guess why I call her 'coach'? What do you think I've been learning from her?"

Jasper was speechless. He had never pondered this question, assuming it was because Noella was a Loadstar, and Millie was merely following her in scientific pursuit!

Millie looked at him with a mix of pity and fondness. "Silly boy, do I look like the scientific type to you? What I've learned from my coach is how to throw down!"