The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 28

hapter 28

Before Ethan could even react, Nova slammed her hand hard onto his shoulder.

The force was so strong that Ethan felt as if his shoulder might be dislocated.

He turned to look, only to see Nova already walking toward the exit of the bar.

“Keep up.” Standing at the doorway, she glanced back over her shoulder and urged him forward.

By now, Ethan had completely forgotten about that time he swept the classroom for Nova, or when she praised him like a little kid with a candy, and wanted to challenge her just to teach her a lesson.

Back at Saint Laurel Royal Academy, Ethan had been famous for both his looks and his skills.

Now, he had become Nova’s personal sidekick.

Her command left him momentarily stunned. “Huh? Coming,” he stammered.

Then he immediately hurried to catch up.

Mason was quick to follow, stepping in front of Nova. “Ms. Blake, are you leaving already? Aren’t you going to stay for a celebration?”

The surrounding crew chimed in as Mason spoke.

“Yeah, Ms. Blake, you just took the top spot–we were going to throw you a proper celebration.”

“Let’s organize something tonight, celebrate your rise.”

“Our boss is just a teenager. Is there any other city with a leader as young as ours?”

“If word gets out, I’ll be boasting about this for the rest of my life.”

Their voices brimmed with excitement and pride.

“No need,” Nova said flatly.

She didn’t care for celebration parties and had no intention of attending one.

She had agreed to take over Frostwave Bar only because she planned to stay in Ravensport long–term.

Holding influence here would provide her with countless conveniences–nothing more.

“If Ms. Blake doesn’t like formalities, then forget it. Break it up, everyone, go home.”

The crew responded with respectful laughter, clearly honoring her words.

Victor had stepped down as Frostwave Bar’s owner, handing over the title of Ravensport’s underground king to Nova.

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Chapter 28

Yet he remained at the bar, overseeing its daily operations.

He knew better than anyone that Nova, as a high–ranking member of Crimson Web, would not meddle in every little detail.

He respected her choice.

Before leaving, Nova gave Victor a contact method so he could reach her whenever needed.

*****

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They stepped out into the night.

Though it was just after dusk, the wind cut through the streets, whipping at passersby’s thin jackets and leaving them shivering uncontrollably.

Ethan, following closely behind, immediately shivered as the cold wind slammed into him.

He rubbed his reddened nose and asked, “If you have abilities like this, why didn’t you show them at school?”

Nova replied lazily, her tone almost teasing, “Was there a need?”

Even though Ethan was the school heartthrob while still in his teens, he was just as hung up on all the usual stuff boys his age cared about.

In front of his peers, he cared deeply about appearances.

His tone grew heavier, as though what he was about to say was of life–or–death importance. “Yes, there was. Of course, there was.

He said, “Do you know what people have been saying about you at school?

“Many say you’re an abandoned girl from the Blake family, wandering the streets all these years, and they say

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Ethan’s face flushed crimson–not from embarrassment, but from anger on Nova’s behalf.

Nova, unfazed, asked calmly, “They say what?”

Ethan took a deep breath, voice grim. “They say you were kept by an older man and even claim you were a prostitute.”

“Oh?” Nova feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow as if hearing such rumors for the first time.

Under Ethan’s anxious gaze, she finally spoke calmly. “That’s actually quite an amusing joke.”

Just as Ethan had said, the slanders weren’t really about her.

After all these years as a mercenary, she had heard far worse.

Insults, lies, and rumors far more demeaning than this had long since lost their sting.

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Chapter 28

For her, it was enough to focus on being herself.

With that, Nova waved at Ethan–a gesture of farewell–and began walking toward home.

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Watching her retreating figure, Ethan stood frozen for a long moment. Finally, he made a firm decision deep within himself.

*****

Ten days later, the much–anticipated freshman training began.

The day was brilliantly sunny. With the morning sun blazing overhead, teachers gathered students from all four years onto the main athletic field.

The previously announced dull training exercises had been replaced with a wilderness survival program, and it was about to start.

The atmosphere was electric, as if the students were about to embark on a spring excursion.

Excitement buzzed across the entire field.

Sophia, beside Nova, could barely contain herself. “Nova, I think I’m overexcited. Where do you think we’ll go? Do you think the survival instructors will be handsome?

“Ah, wait they changed it to wilderness survival. I wonder if we’ll even have our usual instructors leading us. Ah, I’m talking nonsense–I’m too excited.”

Sophia’s whole body seemed to tremble with energy, words tumbling out chaotically.

“I think so,” Nova replied, her tone a faint tease at Sophia’s flustered state.

“Nova, you’ve gotten naughty–you’re teasing me now.” Sophia lightly pushed her.

Suddenly, a chorus of screams erupted from the crowd.

There was no doubt; the commotion must be caused by one of the school’s three most famous heartthrobs.

As expected, within a minute, Ethan pushed his way through the crowd straight toward Nova.

Over the past ten days, he had found every excuse to come to the Freshman Year Class A classroom to see her. Although no one knew what Ethan and Nova talked about in private, the girls couldn’t stop watching.

The female students, who already disliked Nova and often insulted her behind her back, were practically fuming.

Seeing their beloved heartthrob. Ethan, heading toward Nova nearly made them snort with rage.

The girls gathered, linking arms, scolding on the spot.

“Her again? Ethan’s going to her again?”

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“What did she do to our heartthrobs? They’re so obsessed with her.”

“Remember when Zane asked her to be his partner in front of everyone? She refused—just as he said, she’s playing hard to get.”

“Why doesn’t she just die? She’s probably trying to seduce Ethan again.”

The surrounding girls were convinced Ethan was about to launch an all–out romantic pursuit of Nova.

Indeed, Ethan was walking straight toward her.

When he reached Nova, he scratched his head, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

‘I’m so shy to say this in front of everyone for the first time, but to show my resolve, I have to succeed, he thought.

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Under the shocked gazes of Sophia and the other girls, Ethan mustered his courage and spoke loudly to Nova, “I’m serious. Please think about this carefully.

“Nova, please consider taking me as your student. I swear I will become your most outstanding student–this I

Vow.”

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