The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Everyone stared at Nova in shock. They couldn’t believe that she had really deduced all that at a glance.

“Seriously? You figured it out just like that?” Jacob exclaimed skeptically. Deep down, he didn’t trust Nova.

“Yeah. Even Arthur didn’t spot that. Nova, stop making things up,” Ivy chimed in. “If your calculations are wrong, you’ll get people killed.”

Nova’s explanation was meant for Maxwell and Hannah, but Ivy and Jacob had overheard.

Though the main family members coveted the head position, they saw Nova’s trio as outsiders and naturally sided with Arthur.

After Ivy and Jacob spoke, others joined in. “Ivy’s right. Nova, you can’t just say things like that”

“What if someone dies because of your wrong calculation? Can you take that responsibility?”

“Exactly!”

Nova ignored them, her gaze fixed only on Maxwell. “Max, do you trust me?”

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“I trust you,” Maxwell answered without hesitation.

Hannah, feeling left out, put her hands on her hips. “Nova, you only ask him? What about me?”

“Not necessary,” Nova glanced back, her tone sharp and direct. “With your stamina, you’re not fit to go further. She meant Hannah didn’t have the strength to pass this stage.

Hannah, who had just started warming up to Nova, blew up instantly. “You… You’re still as annoying as before. Humph!”

She turned away angrily but didn’t argue back. She knew Nova was right. Her pride just wouldn’t let her admit it.

After hesitating awkwardly for a few steps, Hannah turned back to Nova and Maxwell. “I’ll wait for you at the finish line. Nova, if you’re not the first one out, I’ll laugh at you.” With that, she stomped off.

By then, most people had started to withdraw. They weren’t there to compete for the family head position–just to experience the upgraded escape room.

With the sixth stage already this hard, there was no point risking their lives for fun,

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“Nova, I don’t know how many stages I can stay with you,” Maxwell said, moving closer to Nova. “When it comes to the final sprint, don’t wait for me. Go ahead on your own.”

He was staying with Nova now to prevent any underhanded attacks from the main family members.

“Got it,” Nova replied.

Harvey snorted, “Foolish brats, scared of a few stages? If you were going to be afraid, you shouldn’t have come back.

“Bragging about making Blake Security Group disappear, having your bodyguard humiliate me… Little girl, you might hire strong help, but that’s not your strength! You’ll pay for your ignorance!”

Harvey still held a grudge from being thrown out by Ghost-Hammer.

He shoved Maxwell aside aggressively and waved to Arthur. “Arthur, show this ignorant tool what we’re made of”

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2:09 pm P P P P

Chapter 74

Harvey ared, as if hyping himself up, then charged into the deadly corridor first.

“Damn, he’s got guts!”

“He’s so brave. Isn’t he afraid to die?”

“He looks so tough.”

Some people who had already given up were still there. They were stunned by Harvey’s boldness.

Nova narrowed her eyes, watching as if it was a circus act as the mechanical dolls sensed Harvey and fired arrows continuously.

At first, Harvey moved fast enough to dodge arrows, but he quickly struggled as he went further.

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At the last moment, an arrow nearly grazed the back of his head. One second slower, and he would have been pierced through the head.

Terrified, Harvey scrambled forward and plunged headfirst into a rotten mud pit, swallowing a mouthful of sludge.

He spat repeatedly before clearing the mud from his mouth. His wretched look was a far cry from his earlier arrogance.

Seeing Harvey in such a terrible state, the crowd burst out laughing. “That was hilarious!”

Harvey stood up after spitting out the mud, flushed with anger. “Stop laughing. Come over here if you dare.”

He taunted Nova from 65 feet away. “Well? Can you do it? Come on, loser.”

The crowd, caught up in the commotion, turned their mockery back on Nova.

But as soon as Harvey’s jeers ended, Nova, who had been standing still, moved.

Her figure became a blur streaking through the corridor, her steps light and silent, her speed so fast the mechanical dolls couldn’t sense her in time.

In stark contrast to Harvey’s clumsiness, by the time the dolls detected Nova and fired arrows, she was already several feet ahead. Her steps were so fast.

The arrows seemed to move in slow motion before her. When she safely reached the other side, the arrows were only halfway to their target.

The moment Nova stopped, her right hand shot out, gripping Harvey’s neck precisely and slamming him against the stone wall like a doll.

The killing intent in her eyes left no doubt in Harvey’s mind that he was moments from death.

Harvey’s heart skipped a beat.

“Loser?” Nova said coldly. “Were you talking about yourself?”

2:09 pm p p pp