The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

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Chapter 39

The more calmly Nova spoke, the more Hannah trembled. Her long–held beliefs seemed to be shattering.

Hannah thought, her head spinning, ‘So I was wrong. Nova hadn’t been living a happy life abroad all those years, leaving us to suffer alone…

Hannah couldn’t process it all at once. Suddenly, she covered her ears and screamed sharply, “Ah!”

Without another word, and still in her swimsuit, she ignored the imminent start of swimming class and rushed out of the natatorium.

“Hannie!”

“Hannah!”

Two voices called out almost simultaneously. Maxwell’s, full of concern, and Claire’s–outwardly caring, inwardly gloating.

Claire didn’t care if Hannah was upset. She would be thrilled if Hannah were ruined.

Suddenly, Claire thought, ‘Oh, and now there’s Nova.’

Maxwell was about to chase after Hannah, but Nova stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Let her be alone for a while.” Nova watched Hannah’s figure, her tone calm and mature.

Maxwell suddenly felt that Nova, the youngest of the three siblings, seemed more like the older sister. “Okay,” he nodded in agreement.

Though Nova’s scars had caused a stir, no one pressed further. With the class about to start, everyone had to set the matter aside for now.

The class began. The teacher demonstrated the new stroke as usual, then announced free practice, letting students train on their own.

Maxwell had already asked the teacher to excuse Hannah, and the teacher didn’t comment during roll call. When free practice started, Nova, one hand in her pocket, headed toward the exit.

Noticing she was taking the same path Hannah had left, Maxwell hesitated briefly, then followed.

“Hey, Nova, where are you going? I’ll-” Ethan acted like he had latched onto Nova, his expression pleadingly soft as he called out and moved to follow.

But Sophia pulled him back just in time. “Are you dumb? Can’t you tell Nova’s going after Hannah? It’s their family business. Don’t butt in.”

Before meeting Nova, Sophia would’ve just squealed around a handsome guy like Ethan, never daring to grab him like this. But knowing Nova had subtly changed Sophia. Even her past self would be surprised by how she

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Chapter 39

acted now.

Ethan really did sometimes act like an adorable puppy. He scratched his head and nodded. “Oh.”

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Above the natatorium was a small rooftop terrace where students could relax in the shade. A side staircase led up to it.

Right now, Hannah was leaning against the railing at the edge of the terrace, gazing into the distance.

She seemed to have been deep in thought for a while, lips pressed into a thin line, tear stains on her cheeks. Clearly, she had been crying not long ago.

Suddenly, a teasing female voice sounded from the side. “Thinking about how to apologize to me?”

Startled, Hannah turned sharply to see Nova, who had appeared silently beside her.

True to her reputation as the top girl of the Free Combat Club, Hannah didn’t show panic.

Seeing Nova, her proud nature kicked in. Instead of apologizing immediately, she retorted loudly, “Apologize to you? Not a chance!”

If it were her old self, she would have added, “You don’t deserve it,” but this time, she held back.

Nova took her hand out of her pocket, lazily crossed her arms, and raised an eyebrow at her. Suddenly, she found it quite amusing to tease this hot–tempered sister.

“Oh? Then why the secret tears?” Nova smiled, her expression captivating.

“I wasn’t crying!” Hannah immediately shot back. “You think I’d change my mind because of a few words from you? Don’t dream of it, Nova.”

After shouting, Hannah fell silent abruptly. She seemed to be thinking something over, then finally turned and walked toward the stairs leading down from the terrace.

Before leaving, she gave Nova a deep look. “What happened before is behind us. We’re even now. But that doesn’t mean I accept you as my sister.

“I know your childhood was hard, but I still don’t like you. I don’t like your arrogant words, your attitude. “There are things in this world I don’t understand. You’ve been poor, and you’ve struggled, but that’s no excuse for boasting that you can fight in Max’s place and defeat Zane in one move.

“You have had it rough, but that doesn’t mean you’re that strong, and we don’t have to play along and pretend

you are.

“You need to tone it down, Nova. SLRA isn’t as simple as you think. The hidden experts here aren’t people you should provoke. You’d better stay out of my and Maxwell’s way.”

With that, Hannah turned to leave. Though her words were harsh, her attitude was much softer than before. Hannah was naturally arrogant. While she scolded Nova and said she wouldn’t forgive, her final words, “You’d

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Chapter 39

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better stay out of me and Maxwell’s way“, subtly implied that if Nova got into trouble, she, as the older sister, wouldn’t stand by.

“Novie.” Maxwell walked up the stairs just then.

He hesitated a moment before finally asking, “All those years you were away, what exactly did you do for a living? I’m just asking. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

Hannah, who had been about to leave, paused and looked back at Nova.

“How did I use to make a living?” Nova smiled lightly. Under their intense gaze, she answered, “I have been

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