The Killer Queen (Noella Briony) novel Chapter 155

Elara was still reeling from the chaos when the lab's hefty door swung open, and in strode Jacob, the head honcho of Phoenix Lab, trailed by a posse that meant business. He cast a mocking glance around the room, his chuckle sending a chill down everyone's spine.

"Step out for a quick pow-wow, and look what happens—this place turns into a regular circus! Ryker, Zack, you two really outdid yourselves, didn't you?"

Jacob exuded an air of authority that was unmistakable, a natural-born leader with an innate sense of command. His entourage included a squad of SWAT members who stepped up to grace Ryker and Zack with a pair of shiny silver bracelets.

With a composed aura, Jacob eyed the crowd. "This mess has ruffled some serious feathers. I've called in the big guns for an investigation, so let's all put our pet projects on ice and play ball. If there's any more rotten apples in Phoenix Lab, they won't find sanctuary here!"

He was fuming!

His own turf, his own mess, and it had to be some other lab that blew the whistle.

During the meeting, as he showcased their latest breakthrough, he didn't hesitate to click on the incoming video. The content, now witnessed by the creme de la creme of the scientific community, was out of the bag, and all Jacob could do was watch helplessly as the footage played to its embarrassing end.

Now, these two had made a name for themselves all right—a name that would live in infamy!

Phoenix Lab's reputation was in tatters!

As the two culprits were escorted out, Jacob was practically steaming.

After sorting out the fallout, he finally approached Elara and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Rough day, huh? Take a couple of days to yourself, Elara. Oh, and introduce me to your sister, would you?"

Elara eyed him warily. "Boss, my troubles are nothing to sweat over, but why the sudden interest in my sister? You're pushing fifty—don't tell me you've got... you know..."

She gave him a look that mixed disdain with suspicion, as if he was some sort of creep.

Jacob's patience wore thin, and he slapped her shoulder in exasperation.

"Cut me some slack, will ya? Can't I meet my future niece-in-law without you jumping to conclusions? Get your mind out of the gutter!"

He whipped out his phone, flashing Elara a photo of himself with Sexton.

In the picture, Jacob stood proudly next to Palmer, the family resemblance clear, and the domestic bliss unmistakable.

Rubbing her sore shoulder, Elara gaped at the photo. "Boss, I heard rumors you were some tycoon's kid, but Sexton... Wait, what are you doing in research?"

Wouldn't it be sweeter to take over the family empire? Was the Pollack fortune not enough, or was the lure of the lab too strong for Jacob to resist?

Pocketing his phone, Jacob said cryptically, "Isn't Ms. Schnabel of the Schnabel family also in research?"

Elara pouted, trying to mask her own sense of defeat. "I'm not like you."

Realizing something, her eyes suddenly widened. "Wait a minute! Boss, don't tell me you're not his real son?"

"Watch your mouth, I'm as real as they come. I'm talking about my ideals, my dreams—you wouldn't get it. Let's go meet my niece-in-law!"

He had given the lab a day off and rushed back just to meet her.

"That's fine, but don't mention any of this lab drama to Noella, okay? I don't want her to worry."

As Jacob and Elara made their way out, he nodded in agreement. "Well, given that your grandmother Freya is aware, it’s certain that the Schnabel family won’t be kept in the dark."

During the meeting, Freya had been at Jacob's side, and when the video surfaced, her expression was one of sheer fury, as if she was ready to storm Phoenix Lab herself.

The thought alone made Jacob shiver.

Elara, scratching her head in irritation, began to strategize how to explain things to her family when they came across Noella, standing amid the flower beds, engaged in a phone call.