The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

The Schnabels were quite the lively bunch, and Stirling's return home was marked by a rather unconventional welcome-a brand-new pack of diapers landing smack on his face the moment he stepped through the door.

Brushing off the unexpected greeting, Stirling's gaze fell upon the two little whirlwinds wrestling on the couch, instantly draining any frustration he might have had. The elder, with his hands on his hips, declared with all the seriousness a child could muster, "I'm a boy, and the nanny said only my kids can carry the Schnabel name. Yours will have to take your husband's!"

The younger retorted with a scoff, "At least I'll be sure my kids are mine. Who knows about yours?"

The barb hit home, and the older child's tears came rushing out. "I've read so many forum arguments, how come I can't win against my sister?" "Because you're a numbskull," his sister shot back. "Believing such divisive nonsense from the nanny. Look at our family; the most cherished isn't even a boy!"

Realization dawned, and the tears halted at the brink. Indeed, the Schnabels' favorite was none of their sons.

"But why would she say that?" the older sibling wondered aloud.

"To see you make a fool of yourself!"

Plotting revenge on the nanny, the two kids quickly shifted gears.

Stirling cleared his throat, "...Are these two Ulrich's? Who thought it was funny to hit me with a diaper?"

Peeking from behind the staircase, a little one sheepishly admitted, "Uncle Peregrine, sorry, it was my diaper."

Sienna rushed to Stirling, barely recognizing her son. "Why do you look so... tough and tanned?"This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

Stirling, having notified only Marcel of his desert adventures, spun around for his mother's inspection. "Mom, I'm fine."

Sienna's eyes welled up at the sight of her son, grown and changed. The diaper culprit, seeking forgiveness, clung to Sienna's legs. "Grandma, don't cry. Uncle Peregrine is a hunk!"

Noella introduced the children: "This is Layla, Beckett's daughter. And these are Daren and Ophelia, Ulrich's."

After years of frail health, Darcy Sinclair hadn't expected much improvement. Yet, a trip brought them Layla, a gift from above, according to Beckett.

Home now brimming with kids, Stirling joyously embraced the chaos, showering them with affection.

Noella warned, "Don't underestimate Layla because of her age. She's a little schemer."

Stirling scoffed, "She's just a kid. I can handle it."

Elara counted down, "3, 2, 1..."

Stirling's yells echoed through the house, soon found suspended in a kid-engineered trap.

Layla declared, "Dad said Uncle Peregrine was tough. If he got caught so easily, he must be an imposter."

The kids, realizing their mistake, tearfully apologized to Stirling, who couldn't help but forgive their earnest faces. "No harm done, Uncle Peregrine is fine. You kids just enjoy yourselves."

At Noella's cough, the little conspirators quickly resumed their dinner, innocence plastered on their faces.

Truly, they were undeniably Schnabels through and through.

"That move is straight out of daily practice!"

Malvina sighed, "Those three are only scared of Noella's darling, otherwise, they'd be too big for their britches." Sienna's gaze landed on the spot next to Stirling, "When are you bringing her home to meet mom?"

Stirling grinned, "I'll fetch her from

the Antarctic tomorrow! Just in time for Noella's wedding! Perfect timing since Imperial City is in the throes of winter, will cool her off a bit."

Stirling had sped through his training camp in the desert to make it back in time for Noella and Palmer's wedding!

After dinner, Noella wrapped a scarf around her neck, grabbed the lunchbox Sienna had insisted she take, and drove off to the Pollack Group.

On a snowy night, the world was cloaked in pristine white, the moon obscured by the snowflakes, while streetlights cast a golden glow.

A man in a black coat emerged from the Pollack Group building, finishing up with his secretary. Catching sight of Noella standing by the car his gaze softened instantly.

Annie knew to play it cool, "The boss's lady is here to pick you up, I'll be heading off then."

Noella was the shining star of the Pollack Group!

Her arrival meant it was officially quitting time!

Palmer approached her steadily, making his way to Noella standing in the snow.

Removing his gloves to take Noella's hand, Palmer's voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

"Why didn't you wait in the car? It's cold out here."

"Just a few minutes, I wanted to see you come out."

Bending to hug Noella, opening his coat to share his warmth, Palmer murmured, "Is it not cold, or did you miss me?"

"Both."

It was about confirming Noella's

wishes, as well as affirming... that the happiness within his reache amidst the stormy night, was genuinely there!

Behind him was an endless abyss of darkness, yet ahead lay the snowy path home.