The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)



The set was a treasure trove of props, each one an imposing figure of bulk and weight. A disaster waiting to happen if one were to topple over, especially if it landed on someone. The potential for chaos was palpable.

Stirling's value, both in terms of his ties to the illustrious Schnabel family and his own fame as a leading man, was astronomical. The mere thought of him getting injured on set could send shivers down the spine of the production team. The backlash from his fans alone could be enough to shut everything down.

And there he was, not just in danger himself but cradling a child in his arms!

In a swift, protective move, Stirling rolled away with little Shiba, covering the child with his own body. They ended up covered in dirt and dust, and Stirling's arm bore the brunt of the escape, scraped raw by the edge of a steel prop.

"Stirling, are you alright?"

"Stirling's hurt! Someone, call an ambulance!"

Shaking his head, Stirling dismissed the idea. "No need for an ambulance. Just grab the first-aid kit."

It was just a flesh wound, after all. He wasn't about to make a mountain out of a molehill.

The prop team was in disarray.

Yasbel, eyebrows furrowed in concern, questioned, "How did that prop even fall? It wasn't exactly a featherweight."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The team suggested, somewhat unconvincingly, "Maybe it was the wind?"

"Blaming it on the wind? You really think nature's at play here, or do you think I'm naive?"

Stirling was lost. "What are you getting at?"

"It seems you've lost your senses," Yasbel chided, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, which was quite the feat given the circumstances.

But one didn't need to be a genius to realize this wasn't an act of God. This was sabotage.

As Yasbel inspected the first-aid kit, the prop team was sweating buckets.

"Yasbel, the first-aid kit is safe, I assure you..."

Their assurances fell flat when Yasbel pulled a needle from a supposed sterile cotton swab. The room fell silent. The implications were terrifying. Had they used it on Stirling, they would've been dealing with more than just a hospital visit.

Yasbel's icy tone cut through the tension. "Check the cameras. Unless you can prove your innocence, you might find yourselves enjoying the local jail's 'exquisite' tea selection."

Was jail really a place to critique tea?

Regardless of the quality, they weren't keen on finding out.

Nolan gestured towards their trailer. "Let's head to our place. It's safe there."

Inside Yasbel's trailer, Stirling finally shed his coat and shirt, revealing the wound still oozing blood.

"Lucky it was stainless steel," Yasbel commented as she disinfected the cut, "or you'd be up for a tetanus shot."

"I'm not a kid. It's just a shot," Stirling retorted, his bravado faltering as the alcohol hit his wound, making him wince in pain. Yasbel teased, "Thought you could handle it?"

Stirling was at a loss for words, silently enduring as Yasbel finished bandaging him up, even adding a butterfly knot for effect.

Nolan exchanged a knowing look with Yasbel. "The prop team tampered with the equipment, but it's minor. Thankfully, no one's hurt. Yasbel's got it under control."

Stirling knew it was Yasbel's quick thinking that saved him from a worse fate.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. It was nothing."

Watching Yasbel storm out, filled with an unspoken rage, Stirling was baffled.

"What's her deal? Did I do something wrong?"

Nolan shrugged, "We all come from Polaris Star. Not exactly the hallmark of well-adjusted individuals. Yasbel's just worried about you and too proud to say it."

Concern over him?

"She's mad because I risked myself to protect the kid."

That realization hit Stirling hard. His upbringing in the Schnabel family had always taught him to express his feelings openly. Yasbel's reticence was something entirely foreign to him.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Nolan assured, "and don't worry about Yasbel. She's just... Yasbel."

Stirling couldn't be mad, not really. How could he be upset over someone caring about him?

Handing Shiba back to Dog-Head,

who awaited them with a mix of

worry and relief, Stirling felt a weight

lift off his shoulders. Dog-Head

tender moment with the child. testament to the man's hidden softness.

"Thanks. If not for you, Shiba might've been in real danger."

"No worries. He's a great kid."

Standing alone, Stirling made a decisive call to his grandfather, Marcel.

"Grandpa, I'm ready for the family trial."

Marcel's voice, warm yet tinged with concern, responded, "Are you sure? The Schnabel family's trials are no small feat."

"I refuse to be the weakest link. If Elara can do it, so can I."

Marcel chuckled, "Your father faced his own trials. Did you think the Schnabel Group thrived on my name alone?"

Stirling, resolute, knew what he had to do. His journey was just beginning.

In the early days, the Schnabel

family business, the Schnabel Group, struggled to keep pace due, to Marcel's status. It was Tristan who, against all odds, steered

company to its zenith. Later,

when

Beckett took over, the Schnabel Group expanded even further, securing its position as one of the

top families in Imperial City.

"Kid, don't underestimate your old man!"

"Grandpa, I'll head over as soon as I wrap up my current project. Let's keep this between us for now, I don't want to worry mom." "Understood, as long as you've made up your mind! But I have to warn you, your trial is in the Sahara Desert, and it's going to be tough!" Stirling said solemnly, "Grandpa, I can handle it!"

"Alright!"

Hanging up the phone, Stirling felt a weight lift off his shoulders, heaving a sigh of relief.

He had been wrestling with this decision for a while, and voicing it out loud made him feel much lighter.

Around the corner, Yasbel was chewing on a blade of grass, stepping forward to block Stirling's path.

"You're heading to the desert?"

"Not right now. Don't worry, I'll leave after we wrap up this movie!"

Stirling thought Yasbel was concerned about him delaying the project and scratched his head, chuckling.

"Why go? Isn't life good enough for you right now?"

Leaning against the wall, Stirling looked up at the night sky, where the dazzling Big Dipper shone brightly. Counting from the handle, the third star was unmistakably the Yasbel Star!

"It's good, but I want it to be better. If I'm not strong enough, how can I conquer the stars in my heart?"