The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

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Three days later, in Ravenport, Zoria. Nestled in the city’s most bustling commercial district, the villa complex at Riverside Bay was undoubtedly a paradise for the wealthy.

Right then, at the grand gates of a luxurious villa, a young woman with long hair draping over her shoulders, fair skin, and strikingly beautiful features stood quietly, waiting.

Her breathtaking beauty drew the attention of passersby, who couldn’t help but turn their heads for a second look.

But no one would have imagined that this stunning girl was actually a notorious fugitive–fresh from breaking out of the world’s most infamous prison just a few days ago.

After successfully escaping Devil’s Isle, Nova wasted no time and returned here from abroad.

She came back because her birth parents, and her own older brother and sister–whom she’d been separated from for over a decade–all lived in Ravenport, Zoria.

After about ten minutes of waiting, Nova finally saw her parents.

Nova’s mother, Fiona Blake, called out, “Nova? Nova? Is that really you? My sweetheart. You’re finally home. Mommy’s here, my dear…”

The first to rush over was an elegant lady in a wheelchair, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Nova’s own.

From across the courtyard, Fiona sped toward her in her wheelchair, her voice shaky and full of emotion as she reached out.

Maybe it was because Fiona couldn’t quite believe her long–lost daughter was finally home. She pushed her wheelchair so forcefully in her rush that she almost tipped over, nearly losing control.

Nova reached out and steadied her effortlessly with one hand.

“Mom?” Nova murmured hesitantly, the word feeling strange and unfamiliar on her lips.

Nora had never let anyone get this close to her before without being on guard.

After surviving for years in the ruthless, predatory world of the international underground, vigilance had become second nature to Nova–almost a reflex she couldn’t switch off.

But this woman, who felt like a stranger to Nova, was actually her birth mother.

The reason Fiona was in a wheelchair was all because of Nova. More than ten years ago, Fiona had gotten into a car accident while searching desperately for her missing daughter, and she lost the use of her legs forever.

Right now, Nova could read the raw, heartfelt concern in her mother’s eyes.

“Oh, sweetie. I’m so happy. My baby is finally home,” Fiona blurted out, her voice full of trembling emotion.

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“Charles, our little girl’s come back.

“My dear, you’ve had to face this world all alone for so many years. We’re so sorry.

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“But from now on, you’re safe. We’ve got your back. Nobody’s ever going to bully you again. This is your home.”

Fiona’s hand shook as she patted Nova’s, her eyes glistening with tears.

Next to Fiona stood a middle–aged man in a crisp suit, looking every inch the high–powered businessman.

It was Nova’s father, Charles Blake.

Charles Blake was the most well–known entrepreneur in Ravenport and the CEO OF Blake Group.

But today, even this man, usually ruthless in the business world, had tears brimming in his eyes.

“It’s good you’re home. I’m happy too. Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you inside,” Charles said softly.

The Blakes were both smart enough not to mention anything about Nova’s years lost out in the world.

They could only imagine what kind of hell she’d been through.

Maybe, just like the rumors, she’d been trafficked at a young age into some den of vice, forced to do things against her will.

After all, she’d been just a little kid when she disappeared.

Just then, a woman’s voice–completely out of place in the warm, emotional atmosphere–rang out from behind. “Dad, Mom, shouldn’t we get a DNA test first before jumping to any conclusions about her being my

sister?

“For all we know, she could be some dirty girl from who–knows–where just trying to scam our family for money.”

The voice came from a pair–a young man and woman–standing off to the side, their vibe chilly and suspicious, worlds apart from Charles and Fiona’s warm welcome.

It was the girl who spoke, her words sharp and biting.

Both of them looked about Nova’s age.

The guy wore a slick black jacket and ripped jeans, oozing cool with every move. Tall, with movie–star looks, he was probably around twenty–two and stood about 6 feet.

He was Nova’s older brother, Maxwell Blake.

The girl had on a white crop top and orange shorts, her sweet, oval face making her look innocent. She was about twenty and stood at around 5’5“.

She was Nova’s older sister, Hannah Blake.

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Chapter 2

គ

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It was Hannah who’d just said those words.

Nova narrowed her eyes at the scene. Maxwell and Hannah clearly weren’t thrilled to have her here.

Fiona snapped, “Hannah, watch your mouth. Did I teach you to talk like that? That’s not what a Blake should

act.

“This is your younger sister. After everything she has been through, she finally made it home. As her big sister, you should be the first to welcome her back, you know?”

Fiona was clearly taken aback, as if she never expected Hannah to be so prejudiced against Nova.

Fiona didn’t even get to finish before Hannah cut her off. “Sister? What sister? I don’t need someone like her.

“Mom, how could you forget? The reason you’re even in that wheelchair, and Grandma’s death. Are we just supposed to forget all those things?

“Back then, it was all her fault anyway. She didn’t listen, ran off and disappeared, and made the whole family worry sick. She’s the one who killed Grandma.

“I’ll never forget that day–you said there was some kid in Grantity City that looked just like her, and you two rushed off without even grabbing dinner, desperate to find her…

“Grandma was already so old. And in the end, you didn’t even find her, then the accident happened. Grandma was gone just like that, and you can never walk again.

“She wrecked our family, tore us apart… What about her? Just look at those fancy labels she’s wearing. Does she look like someone who’s suffered and gone hungry out there? As if I’d ever want a sister like her.”

Hannah was practically screaming, tears streaming down her face as if she was finally letting out every bit of pain and resentment she’d bottled up all her life.

Maxwell just stood beside Hannah, silent. His silent presence said it all—he was just as cold as Hannah. In his silence, his blame toward Nova was clear.

“Enough. Stop dredging up the past,” Charles barked, his voice rough and commanding.

Normally, when Charles lost his temper, Hannah would be scared out of her wits.

But today, her feelings were running too wild—even Hannah wasn’t scared anymore.

Hannah stuck out her neck, finger pointed straight at Nova, yelling at the top of her lungs, her rage boiling over. “I’m saying it right to her face. Let her hear every word.

“Why didn’t you stay lost and die out there? What gives you the right to show up here? Who do are? You’re not part of this family–you never were!

you think

you

She choked on her sobs, but she wouldn’t stop–her words got nastier, pure venom dripping from every syllable.

“You decided to come back now. What do you want? Cut the act, w. We all know exactly what you’re after.

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“If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and tell us what exactly you were doing all these years. Don’t tell me you were living it up as some rich guy’s secret mistress.

“Or maybe you spent your time in some sleazy joint, selling yourself for cash?

“What? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too ashamed to admit it? Do yourself a favor and get a full health check. Who knows what kind of nasty diseases you caught out there, just waiting to mess up the whole family…”

But Hannah’s tirade was cut short.

A crack sharp as fingernails scraping down a chalkboard suddenly split the air.

In the next instant, a palm whipped clean through the air and smacked right across Hannah’s left cheek.

The force was so fierce that it looked like her face nearly got knocked out of shape.

Nova was the one who delivered that slap.

The whole place went dead silent. Everyone was just frozen, eyes wide and jaws dropped. Even Charles and Fiona were so shocked that they couldn’t get a word out.

Hannah and Maxwell couldn’t believe it. In their minds, Nova had always been this meek little mouse after all those years lost, but the real Nova was nothing like that.

She’d slapped Hannah so hard that the sound echoed in the air. It was really ruthless.

“That was for your mom and dad,” Nova said coldly, calm and arrogant.

“Spoiled, reckless, always mouthing off to your parents–is this what twenty years as a privileged heiress has taught you? What an idiot,” Nova shot Hannah a scathing look.

Nova didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath. Another sharp slap split the air.

Nova’s hand cracked across Hannah’s right cheek, just as fierce as before.

Now, both sides of Hannah’s face were burning with deep, perfectly balanced red handprints.

Everyone in the Blake family just stared in shock, too stunned to even breathe. No one expected Nova to slap Hannah again.

Nobody could believe it–Nova, stripped of her pampered past, had come back fierce as hell.

Nova’s tone was freezing cold, every word sharp as ice. “And this slap? That one’s for me. Don’t talk like you know anything about me. If you haven’t lived my life, you’ve got zero right to judge.

“What makes you think you know what I’ve been through all these years?”

Compared to Hannah’s spoiled life in the Blake family, Nova’s world was a whole different game.

Back before prison, every night, she lay her head down on a battlefield–dodging bullets and explosions was

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just another day for her.

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She had no family or warmth. All she ever knew was cold–blooded betrayal and staring death straight in the eyes. But Nova never once blamed anyone for any of it.

From the start, Maxwell always kept Nova at arm’s length, treating her like some outsider in his own home.

As far as he was concerned, Hannah had always been his one and only sister.

But after hearing Nova’s words just now, for the first time, he felt a strange ripple in his heart.

Maxwell thought, ‘She was just a little kid when she disappeared. How did someone so young survive all those years out there alone? What kind of world did she go through to even make it back? She…

Before Maxwell could finish sorting out his feelings, he saw Nova lift her hand again.

Maxwell, always the one trying to shield his sister, immediately thought Nova was about to smack Hannah again.

He hurried forward, planting himself between Hannah and Nova, arm raised to protect her.

But before his hand so much as grazed Nova’s shoulder, she disarmed his move with a slick, fluid motion.

Instantly, his arm went numb, limply dropping to his side like it was paralyzed for a moment.

He couldn’t even put up a defense–completely helpless to fight back.

Maxwell had never taken Nova’s so–called fighting skills seriously, but now, his eyes widened in utter disbelief. As the eldest son of a powerful family, Maxwell knew just how many enemies his father had made in business. In families like theirs, children were trained in self–defense from childhood for their own protection.

He and Hannah had been practicing martial arts, taekwondo, and free combat since they were kids. He wasn’t invincible, but even if he was up against two or three grown men at once, Maxwell could usually take them down without breaking a sweat.

Not long ago, he’d even snagged the trophy as Ravenport’s Youth Free Combat Champion.

But just now? Nova, who had never trained a day in her life, had just wiped the floor with him.

“No way. How can this be happening?‘ Maxwell thought, absolutely stunned.

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Chapter 3