The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

“This is the final deadline I could secure.” Alfred lowered his head wearily.

Then, he suddenly grasped Charles hand. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Hudson assist you discreetly. I’ve heard Maxwell is the leader of the Free Combat Club at school. He must be skilled. Hannah and Nova are good kids too. Let them all take the test.

“If the family falls into the hands of those three, they won’t be able to deal with the underground forces and international terrorist groups. If that really happens, our family will be finished.”

By the end, Alfred’s eyes were unfocused, as if he could already see the family’s ruin. The nearly eighty-year-old man trembled all over, his gaze hollow and desperate.

His eyes passed over the silent Ghost-Hammer. Like all the main family members, he assumed this was Nova’s bodyguard.

Alfred thought, ‘Few in the entire Blake Security Group could subdue Harvey so easily. This guy must be formidable.

“What a pity. He’s not one of us. He can’t join the ‘Ultimate Test”,” Alfred said regretfully.

Ghost-Hammer couldn’t participate, much less become the family head.

“Why should we just accept your arrangement?” Hannah retorted. “When my dad was driven out back then, who helped him?”

“I’ll follow my dad’s decision on this.” Maxwell stated his position.

Ghost-Hammer remained silent.

Though Charles felt a sense of filial duty, he knew what letting his three children join the test meant.

They would face the main family’s unfathomable combat geniuses, experienced professional bodyguards, and youths trained in international underground circuits, even that genius ranked 2099th on the mercenary leaderboard.

The slightest misstep could cost their lives. The thought made Charles fall silent.

Just as the study grew quiet, a female voice cut through. “Is it paid?”

The abrupt question stunned everyone. They didn’t need to look to know it was Nova.

Apart from Ghost-Hammer, who knew Nova’s style, Maxwell, Hannah, Charles, and Alfred stared at her in disbelief. They were speechless.

Hannah glared at Nova as if she were a traitor. “Why are you asking about money? At a time like this? How could it be paid?” She was puzzled, thinking, ‘Do people who’ve been on the battlefield all become this weird?’

Ignoring Hannah’s question, Nova said to Alfred, “If there’s pay, I’ll join.” She followed the mercenary’s first rule-money was king.

Though Alfred planned to have Hudson assist Charles’ children discreetly during the test, he pinned his hopes mostly on Maxwell, with little expectation for Nova.

Despite having looked into Nova’s background-knowing she was separated from her family as a child-Alfred said solemnly. “The family head position represents wealth. If you can win it, all the family’s assets will be under your control.”

A faint smile touched Nova’s lips, the curve suggesting she already had everything under control. “Then it’s settled.”

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Ceside her: Ghost Hammer thought. No target Nova ever sets her sights on has escaped. The Blake family is in a world of

trouble

“If Nova’s in, then so am I. Maxwell said. “These people are dangerous. I can’t let her face them alone.”

“Max?” Hannah hadn’t expected her usually reasonable brother to follow Nova’s reckless lead.

She stamped her foot, then shouted as if throwing caution to the wind. “You’re insane, both of you! Fine. Let’s do it together.”

The test that would decide the family’s fate was settled, all because Nova took the lead.

After the discussion, Hudson led the five of them to their respective rooms to rest.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, making Nova squint.

After getting up, Nova followed Hudson with Hannah and Maxwell to the test venue.

Ghost-Hammer, of course, followed behind.

The

yenue was spacious, filled with many young Blake family members Nova had never seen.

By mid-morning, Alfred, Charles, and the senior family members had arrived. The “Ultimate Test” was about to begin.

“Arthur’s here, Look!”

“The family’s genius is back.”

The crowd suddenly erupted in cheers.

Nova raised an eyebrow and saw a group of young guys and girls entering through the main gate.

They moved together. Leading them was a handsome, stern-faced young man about 5 feet 10 inches tall, radiating an unusual presence of confidence.

It was Arthur Blake-twenty-four years old, the main family’s genius who ranked 2099th on the international mercenary leaderboard.

Walking beside Arthur was a Zoriaien over six feet tall and powerfully built.

Seeing the guy beside Arthur, those in the know immediately buzzed with discussion. “See? The strong only associate with the strong. Look the guy next to Arthur.”

“Who is that guy?”

“Bet you haven’t heard. He’s a top expert ranked within the top 2000 on the international mercenary leaderboard.”

“This is what they call ‘strong allies with strong! Arthur’s crazy strong, so he can hang with the elite. Then, he could for a real power alliance.”

In comparison, some people glanced disdainfully at Nova. “No idea how that worthless daughter who was kicked out has the

nerve to come back.”

“And she dares to join the ‘Ultimate Test? Is she asking for a beating?”

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Chapter 71

ok, she’s copying Arthur by bringing a big guy along. What a joke!”

“Compared to Arthur, she’s just a loser”

As everyone mocked Nova, no one noticed the legendary top-2000 elite’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he spotted Nova and Ghost-Hammer in the crowd.

Suddenly, as if he had come face-to-face with something terrifying, he dropped to his knees toward Nova and Ghost- Hammer, trembling all over.

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