The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 26

Nova. He could literally be her dad.‘

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Everyone in Frostwave Bar knew Victor was one of the big names in Ravensport’s underworld. Yet, right now, he was speaking to Nova like a subordinate begging his superior.

That was insane.

Shock spread across Ethan’s round face. ‘Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?‘ he wondered.

But nobody paid him any attention.

Every single person inside Frostwave Bar had their eyes glued to Victor and Nova.

“Go ahead,” Nova said with a nod.

Only after receiving her permission did Victor dare to speak again.

“To be honest,” he began, “Frostwave Bar has been going downhill for a while. No point hiding it, Nova.

“I may be known as the big shot of Ravensport’s underground scene, but in truth, I’ve been under constant pressure from Leewaine’s boss–Frank Davidson of Verdant Reign.”

He took a breath, his tone bitter. “I own a total of one hundred and nine establishments across Ravensport- bars, nightclubs, after–hour lounges, you name it.

“But in recent years, all alcohol supplies for those places have been completely monopolized by Verdant Reign. That’s left us with almost no profit to make.

“Worse still, Frank keeps poaching our VIPS–the regulars who used to spend big in my venues. Business has been bleeding out.”

He added, “A few weeks ago, he sent word through his men–he wants to buy out all my assets for a dirt–cheap price. He’s made it clear. He intends to replace me and crown himself the new king of Ravensport’s underground.

“He wants both cities under his control.”

Victor’s voice grew heavier with each word. “Honestly, I could walk away anytime. I don’t care about the title. But I’ve got a crew–men who’ve followed me for years. I owe them that much. I can’t just abandon them.”

Verdant Reign was Leewaine’s underworld syndicate.

Victor and Frank held similar ranks in their respective territories, but unlike Frank, Victor had never formed a crime syndicate.

Victor and his crew had simply built up those 109 venues–bars and clubs–as a way to make a living.

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Chapter 26

Most of them were middle–aged men, burdened with families to feed and parents to support.

For years, they’d run their businesses legitimately, keeping their heads down.

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But Frank had other ambitions. His greed was boundless–and now he wanted everything Victor had built.

The problem was, Victor no longer had the strength to fight back.

He refused to see all he had earned–his crew’s hard work, their livelihoods–fall into Frank’s hands.

He knew the man too well to believe Frank would ever spare his people.

Nova, quick–witted as always, immediately understood why Victor had come to her.

“You want my help?” she asked.

Before Victor could reply, Ethan blurted out in shock, “Wait, you’re the owner of Frostwave Bar? The big boss of Ravensport’s underground?”

Ethan had always assumed Victor was just one of the higher–ups in Frostwave Bar.

But the man himself–the one everyone in the city whispered about–was standing right in front of Ethan.

Even someone like Ethan, who had seen plenty of wild situations, was completely dumbfounded,

‘Did the king of Ravensport’s underworld just bow to Nova?‘ he thought. ‘Are you kidding me? What kind of power does she have to make Victor show that kind of respect?

Ethan’s astonishment didn’t even ripple the air between Nova and Victor.

Both of them—and everyone else–simply ignored the wide–eyed young man.

Victor nodded solemnly and said, “Yes, Nova. I’m asking for your help–to save me and my men. And for that, I’m willing to give up my position as the boss of Frostwave Bar and name you our new leader.”

Letting go of the Frostwave Bar title meant more than just stepping down as its owner.

It meant surrendering his crown as Ravensport’s underground king, handing the city’s top dog title over to Nova.

It was clear Victor hadn’t made the decision lightly.

He must have thought it through countless times before finally resolving to do this.

Nova was one of the upper ranks from Crimson Web.

Victor had no idea why she was in Ravensport, but anyone capable of sitting that high within Crimson Web wasn’t someone ordinary.

Her power and methods had to be extraordinary.

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Chapter 26

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Giving Frostwave Bar–and everything it controlled–to Nova was, without question, the smartest move he could make.

But aside from Victor, no one else in Frostwave Bar knew that Nova was part of Crimson Web’s upper circle.

As one of Crimson Web’s representatives in Zoria, Victor was bound by strict rules.

He wasn’t allowed to reveal a single internal secret–not even to his own people.

Before, Victor would show all this respect to Nova–even though she was just a teenage girl.

The higher–ups and guys at Frostwave Bar were confused, but they figured, hey, if that was how the boss wanted it, whatever.

But when the crew heard their boss talking about stepping down and putting Nova in charge, they just couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

“What the hell?” someone shouted. “Victor, have you lost your mind? You’re really giving the bar to a girl?

“What’s a clueless little girl like her going to do with us? Lead us by crying and running for her mommy?”

The first to speak was a middle–aged man with a bulging beer belly who had seen Nova before. “I don’t accept this.”

“Neither do I.”

“Making a teenage girl our boss? What a goddamn joke.”

“Even we can’t deal with Verdant Reign. You think she can?”

“Come on, Nova–why don’t you go home and have a glass of milk from your mom instead?”

Once one of the higher–ups spoke out, the rest of the Frostwave crew immediately followed, their voices rising one after another.

‘Are you kidding me?‘ they thought. ‘Nova’s weak, just a girl–and she’s supposed to be our boss? She’d be better off nursing babies than running a bar.

“Hey,” Ethan shouted. He had come here tonight planning to rescue Nova—but he hadn’t expected things to spiral this far out of control.

He turned toward her, desperate. “Nova, let’s go. We’re just students. This isn’t our fight. Let’s leave. Please, come on, right no-”

Before he could finish, Nova’s icy gaze locked onto Victor. In that instant, she carried herself like a queen.

Ignoring the outrage and disbelief around her, she spoke in a tone that brooked no argument–calm, commanding, absolute. “I accept your petition.”

Her reply was brief, yet it carried the weight of a decree. She stood there like royalty–untouchable, unshakable.

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Chapter 26

Before anyone could react, there was a sharp thud.

Nova grabbed a nearby stool and flung it in front of her, its legs scraping against the floor.

She planted one foot firmly on top of it.

At that moment, she looked like the sovereign of the entire room–the ruler of all she surveyed.

Facing the men who dared defy her, Nova declared her challenge with cold, unrestrained arrogance. “From this moment on, I’m your new boss.

“Frostwave Bar belongs to me. You’ve got three minutes. If anyone disagrees–step forward and fight.”

B

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