The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 48.

Chapter 58

Nova knew so much detail it was as if she had created the platform, leaving Felix, Evie, Freya, Dustin, and Isaac staring at her in disbelief.

Nova, the creator of Crimson Web, knew better than anyone the inner workings of the platform’s design.

But she had no interest in revealing the truth to people she didn’t yet trust. Even though she sensed Felix and his team were reliable, she didn’t disclose her secrets.

Nova handed the laptop back to Isaac, saying, “If you don’t believe me, ask around in the underground circles.”

The hidden code wasn’t known only to the founder. Veterans of the international underworld were well aware of it.

The fact that Felix and his team were so shocked showed they were only newcomers to the underground world-like novices unaware of the hidden rules.

“No, no. It’s not that we don’t believe you,” Felix hurried to explain. “It’s just the first time we’ve heard this. Anyway, thank you so much. If you hadn’t pointed it out, we’d still think our old organization was after us.”

With that, he gave Nova a nod, his manners impeccable.

“I’m not joining your team,” Nova said, deadpan. She wasn’t the type to accept every invitation, but refusal didn’t mean she couldn’t cooperate.

She narrowed her eyes and added, “I admire that you’ve achieved so much at a young age. You have potential, but right now, I have more important things to do than joining you.”

Dustin, ever the straightforward one, couldn’t understand. “You admire us. Why not join? Felix may be a low-level assassin, but he’s completed two SSS-rank missions. Even most high-level assassins can’t do that.”

He firmly believed Felix was among the top hidden experts at SLRA and that their team’s strength far surpassed others.

Dustin thought, ‘Nova did show off some unique skills lately, but deep down, she’s an assassin. Doesn’t she feel lonely and afraid working alone?’

Honestly, before meeting Nova, Dustin had expected her to be thrilled by the invitation. But to his shock, she was so calm, totally unfazed.

“Is it because I exposed you as an assassin in public?” Evie asked anxiously. “If so, I apologize. I’m sorry, Nova.” With that, she

r imitated Felix and lowered her head solemnly.

Nova was amused. ‘The siblings’ apologetic postures are so similar, she thought.

Felix pulled Evie and Dustin back.

As the most socially adept member of the team, Felix said gently, “Something more important than joining us is being with your family, right? I expected you might decline, but I still wanted to try.”

For a young talent who had completed two SSS-rank missions, communication was effortless.

Nova genuinely admired Felix’s sharpness. She handed him a contact card and smiled, “Reach out if needed. I won’t join the team, but you can hire me.”

For mercenaries, money came first. Whoever paid got their loyalty. That was their ironclad rule.

1/3

2:05 pm p p p p

Chapter 58

wa was nu exception. There was no reason to turn down casy money.

35 vouchers

Hearing the word “hire”, Felix was momentarily taken aback. For a second, it felt like the term was tailor-made for her.

They now knew the bounty wasn’t from their former assassin organization, but as long as the post remained, the threat persisted.

Felix thought, Fortunately, contacting Nova this time wasn’t for nothing’

He took the card and nodded. “We’ll contact you when necessary, and we’ll pay you.”

After :alking to Felix and the others, Nova considered it an expansion of her campus freelance work. Not a major contract, but earning some pocket money was always welcome.

Time flew by, and the high-society ball arrived on Saturday evening at The Oceanfront.

Nova was supposed to infiltrate the venue with the Frostwave Bar team, but Charles, Maxwell, and Hannah would all be there along with many students and school heartthrobs.

To ayoid suspicion, Nova had Victor and her team enter first and standby.

Nova entered the venue with Maxwell and Hannah, Charles presenting the invitation at the entrance.

Fiona hadn’t come due to her leg injury.

“Don’t wander off tonight. This ball isn’t simple. Reckless moves could be dangerous,” Charles warned his three children solemnly, as if aware of hidden risks.

Dressed in a tailored suit, he carried the charm of a mature middle-aged man. Maxwell’s good looks clearly inherited from

him.

“Got it, Dad,” Hannah replied obediently, though inwardly she was eager to explore. The usually willful, sharp-tongued girl was sweet and proper around her strict father.

“Dad, I’ll take care of them,” Maxwell promised seriously.

Nova kept her hands in her pockets, making no responses. She was definitely going to “wander off” tonight.

r Charles had to socialize with business figures and couldn’t watch over them. He glanced at his wristwatch and repeated before hurrying away. “Be good. Don’t wander off.”

Before Nova could slip away after Charles left, Hannah’s friend Claire, one of the prom queens of SLRA, rushed over and linked arms with Hannah.

As Claire got closer, she shot Nova a glare and said, dramatically lowered her voice. “Hannie, guess what I found out? Some black market players have slipped into tonight’s ball. Rumor is they’re here to close a deal.”

2/3

2:05 pm p p pp

Chapter 48.

Chapter 58

Nova knew so much detail it was as if she had created the platform, leaving Felix, Evie, Freya, Dustin, and Isaac staring at her in disbelief.

Nova, the creator of Crimson Web, knew better than anyone the inner workings of the platform’s design.

But she had no interest in revealing the truth to people she didn’t yet trust. Even though she sensed Felix and his team were reliable, she didn’t disclose her secrets.

Nova handed the laptop back to Isaac, saying, “If you don’t believe me, ask around in the underground circles.”

The hidden code wasn’t known only to the founder. Veterans of the international underworld were well aware of it.

The fact that Felix and his team were so shocked showed they were only newcomers to the underground world-like novices unaware of the hidden rules.

“No, no. It’s not that we don’t believe you,” Felix hurried to explain. “It’s just the first time we’ve heard this. Anyway, thank you so much. If you hadn’t pointed it out, we’d still think our old organization was after us.”

With that, he gave Nova a nod, his manners impeccable.

“I’m not joining your team,” Nova said, deadpan. She wasn’t the type to accept every invitation, but refusal didn’t mean she couldn’t cooperate.

She narrowed her eyes and added, “I admire that you’ve achieved so much at a young age. You have potential, but right now, I have more important things to do than joining you.”

Dustin, ever the straightforward one, couldn’t understand. “You admire us. Why not join? Felix may be a low-level assassin, but he’s completed two SSS-rank missions. Even most high-level assassins can’t do that.”

He firmly believed Felix was among the top hidden experts at SLRA and that their team’s strength far surpassed others.

Dustin thought, ‘Nova did show off some unique skills lately, but deep down, she’s an assassin. Doesn’t she feel lonely and afraid working alone?’

Honestly, before meeting Nova, Dustin had expected her to be thrilled by the invitation. But to his shock, she was so calm, totally unfazed.

“Is it because I exposed you as an assassin in public?” Evie asked anxiously. “If so, I apologize. I’m sorry, Nova.” With that, she

r imitated Felix and lowered her head solemnly.

Nova was amused. ‘The siblings’ apologetic postures are so similar, she thought.

Felix pulled Evie and Dustin back.

As the most socially adept member of the team, Felix said gently, “Something more important than joining us is being with your family, right? I expected you might decline, but I still wanted to try.”

For a young talent who had completed two SSS-rank missions, communication was effortless.

Nova genuinely admired Felix’s sharpness. She handed him a contact card and smiled, “Reach out if needed. I won’t join the team, but you can hire me.”

For mercenaries, money came first. Whoever paid got their loyalty. That was their ironclad rule.

1/3

2:05 pm p p p p

Chapter 58

wa was nu exception. There was no reason to turn down casy money.

35 vouchers

Hearing the word “hire”, Felix was momentarily taken aback. For a second, it felt like the term was tailor-made for her.

They now knew the bounty wasn’t from their former assassin organization, but as long as the post remained, the threat persisted.

Felix thought, Fortunately, contacting Nova this time wasn’t for nothing’

He took the card and nodded. “We’ll contact you when necessary, and we’ll pay you.”

After :alking to Felix and the others, Nova considered it an expansion of her campus freelance work. Not a major contract, but earning some pocket money was always welcome.

Time flew by, and the high-society ball arrived on Saturday evening at The Oceanfront.

Nova was supposed to infiltrate the venue with the Frostwave Bar team, but Charles, Maxwell, and Hannah would all be there along with many students and school heartthrobs.

To ayoid suspicion, Nova had Victor and her team enter first and standby.

Nova entered the venue with Maxwell and Hannah, Charles presenting the invitation at the entrance.

Fiona hadn’t come due to her leg injury.

“Don’t wander off tonight. This ball isn’t simple. Reckless moves could be dangerous,” Charles warned his three children solemnly, as if aware of hidden risks.

Dressed in a tailored suit, he carried the charm of a mature middle-aged man. Maxwell’s good looks clearly inherited from

him.

“Got it, Dad,” Hannah replied obediently, though inwardly she was eager to explore. The usually willful, sharp-tongued girl was sweet and proper around her strict father.

“Dad, I’ll take care of them,” Maxwell promised seriously.

Nova kept her hands in her pockets, making no responses. She was definitely going to “wander off” tonight.

r Charles had to socialize with business figures and couldn’t watch over them. He glanced at his wristwatch and repeated before hurrying away. “Be good. Don’t wander off.”

Before Nova could slip away after Charles left, Hannah’s friend Claire, one of the prom queens of SLRA, rushed over and linked arms with Hannah.

As Claire got closer, she shot Nova a glare and said, dramatically lowered her voice. “Hannie, guess what I found out? Some black market players have slipped into tonight’s ball. Rumor is they’re here to close a deal.”

2/3

2:05 pm p p pp