The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

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Fiona had spent more than a decade in a wheelchair, enduring the pain and despair after the car accident and the grueling journey of seeking medical help.

By now, she had already accepted her disability and prepared to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Once, she had been a society lady who cared about her appearance. After the accident, she hid her injured legs under clothing, afraid her children and husband would look at her with disgust.

Carrying that weight, Fiona had endured so much over the years. But today, her long–lost daughter told her there was a way to heal her legs.

At that moment, Fiona saw a trace of hope, like a dying traveler in the desert finally seeing an oasis.

Her voice quivered as she asked, “Nova… Are you serious?”

Hannah and Maxwell were both shocked.

Nova replied, “Yes.”

Fiona finally revealed the injured legs she had hidden for over a decade. Her legs lay limp like deflated balloons. The deep, long scars left by the car accident were shocking.

Years of being unable to stand had caused nerve damage in her thighs, leading to severe muscle atrophy. They were emaciated, skin stretched over bone–a horrifying sight.

“Nova… I’ve made peace with it. You… Don’t push yourself, “Fiona whispered, instinctively tugging her pants to cover the scars, her expression insecure.

After crouching to examine the legs carefully, Nova met Hannah and Maxwell’s hopeful gazes and said frankly, “The nerves are damaged. The injury is too severe. I can’t heal it.”

Nova wasn’t omnipotent. There were things beyond her abilities–like medically curing Fiona’s legs.

She knew medicine, but it was the survival skills of a mercenary. She excelled at bandaging and stopping bleeding, controlling severe hemorrhages until medical help was available.

She had even learned to remove bullets without anesthesia in the field to prevent fatal infection.

Her medical skills were for survival or poisoning targets. Superficial leg injuries she might have attempted, but Fiona’s condition was too far gone. She was powerless.

Hannah yelled, frustration erupting, “Nova! Are you doing this on purpose? First you say you can heal her, now you say you can’t? Do you know how much this hurts Mom? You just don’t get it! Can’t you think before you speak?”

Hannah’s eyes reddened as she looked at Fiona’s scarred legs, especially after seeing Fiona’s crushed hope. She could no longer hold back her anger.

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Chapter 19

Hannah was about to go on scolding when Fiona stopped her. “Hannie, don’t scold Nova. I’m alright. She

meant well.”

“Hannie” Maxwell said, voice trembling slightly.

But Nova cut in, “I can’t heal it, but someone else can.”

Her words reignited hope in all three of them. Fiona gripped her wheelchair tightly, her eyes full of anticipation. “Really?”

Hannah, who had been furious moments before, softened instantly. “Nova, you… You’re serious?”

Maxwell’s steady gaze fixed on Nova.

Meeting their eyes, Nova replied firmly, “I never lie.”

Fiona, Hannah, and Maxwell’s expressions shifted instantly–shock mixed with renewed hope.

Hannah’s voice lifted with excitement. “Where is the one who can heal Mom?”

She wasn’t entirely skeptical. Even a sliver of hope was enough to make her choose to believe Nova.

Thinking of the legendary doctor, Nova pressed her lips. “Wait for me to contact her.” Then, she turned to Fiona and pledged solemnly, her expression serious. “Mom, you’ll be healed.”

*****

After Nova promised someone could heal Fiona’s legs, Hannah’s attitude toward her noticeably changed.

Though she still occasionally criticized, she was no longer as confrontational as before.

*****

Time passed, and Jordan still hadn’t contacted Nova. Instead, Victor sent Yannick to invite her to Frostwave

Bar

In the meeting room on the second floor of the headquarters of Frostwave Bar, only Victor and Nova were

present.

Victor said with respect, “Nova, next week, the head of Verdant Reign will come to Ravenport for a high- society party. They intend to close a deal with an out–of–state big shot.

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“If they succeed, it would be a threat to Frostwave Bar. So I asked you here today to discuss it. Could our team to the event and gather intelligence?”

you

lead

Victor sounded a bit nervous.

Nova asked calmly, “When?”

Victor knew she had agreed and quickly answered, “Next Saturday evening, at The Oceanfront.”

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Chapter 49

Nova nodded. “I see. Anything else?”

Victor shook his head. “No. That’s all.”

As Nova stood to leave, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Narrowing her eyes, she pulled it out.

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She pulled out her phone. The screen showed an unknown number from Xylem. It was Ghost–Hammer–her old comrade, now the acting leader of the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps in her stead.

Nova had made sure Ghost–Hammer had a way to reach her just in case. She thought, “This guy is calling long–distance from Xoria. He must have just finished a battle and couldn’t wait to brag to me about the results.

Without avoiding Victor, Nova answered the call.

A rough male voice came through. Ghost–Hammer sounded like he was in a good mood. “Boss, I just pulled out of the Ase Conflict–blasted the enemy with a rocket launcher. Those cowards pissed themselves. Pathetic!

“Finally crawled out of that hellhole and had to call you right away. By the way, something huge happened in this battle. It involves you! Where are you in Zoria? I’m flying to you now.”

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