The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Another Encounter At The Bar

Chapter 8 Another Encounter At The Bar

By “dead meat”, Nova really meant Logan and his whole crew.

To her, they were basically just walking corpses-alive for now, but not for long.

Normally, calling Logan’s gang something like that was the quickest way to get one killed.

But now, maybe it was because of what Nova had just pulled, her audacity was on a whole other level-even Logan couldn’t match it.

Her ruthlessness left Logan completely crushed-he couldn’t hold a candle to her.

Not a single soul thought Nova was joking around anymore.

They honestly believed that if Logan or his crew even thought about refusing again, they’d be dropping dead before they could blink.

A bald dude was the first one who mouthed off at Nova, throwing tough talk her way.

Now, clutching his head and still seeing stars from that bench she’d slammed into him, he listened to Nova’s words-looking about ready to wet his pants.

His earlier swagger was gone; now his voice trembled like a leaf.

He stammered, “S-Sorry, we are wrong. We’re total idiots for not knowing who we were dealing with. Please forgive us. I promise we’ll never dare again.”

As soon as the bald guy started begging for forgiveness, Logan’s entire posse lost their edge in an instant. The swagger they’d marched in with just evaporated, no one daring to act tough anymore.

One after another, they all turned to Nova, stumbling over themselves to apologize.

One said, “Sorry.”

Another added, “We messed up.”

If something like this happened to any regular girl, she’d be absolutely floored. Honestly, she’d feel honored and amazed.

After all, these guys weren’t just anyone-they were the star members at the heart of the Taekwondo club. Getting an apology from a crew like this basically meant Nova had just earned the respect of the whole Taekwondo squad.

Plus, with this opening, she’d have a shot at rubbing elbows with two of the school’s legendary top three heartthrobs.

“Well.” In the middle of all this, Nova just gave a lazy, indifferent hum.

From afar, she looked so pure and innocent. But up close, her beauty had a dangerous, almost electric allure.

But it was this seemingly angelic girl whose words came out icy and sharp, completely out of place on such a young face.

She said, “I don’t buy your apologies. You’ve got ten seconds to clear out. I’m feeling generous. Get lost…”

They didn’t even wait for the countdown to begin. Snatching up Logan, the whole gang scattered like refugees fleeing for their lives.

In the blink of an eye, they were all gone.

Nova let out a tsk. “Look at them. Escaping like lizards dropping their tails. Gotta admit, that’s damn slick.” Nova’s lips curved into a sly, almost amused smirk as she lazily licked her crimson lips.

From start to finish, Sophia’s face stayed blank and dumbstruck-like her brain had straight-up short-circuited.

In a stunned daze, she stammered, “It’s done? The Taekwondo club guys really apologized? Nova, we…” Nova cut her off. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 8 Another Encounter At The Bar

Sophia looked totally lost. “W-Where are we going?”

Nova smirked. “Back to class.”

Halfway there, they strolled past Hannah and Claire. Nova threw Hannah a knowing, teasing smirk.

Nova’s instincts were razor-sharp. On any battlefield, she could work the terrain and pick off an enemy boss from over a mile away with her trusty eight-x scope.

So of course she noticed when Hannah tried to jump in and back her up as soon as the Taekwondo club guys wanted to start something.

Honestly, that move from Hannah genuinely surprised Nova.

She never would’ve guessed that her so-called sister-the one who was always cold to her face-would be the first to have her back when trouble actually went down.

“Weirdly enough… This feeling isn’t so bad after all, Nova thought to herself.

When Hannah caught Nova’s glance, it was like Nova had seen straight through her.

Hannah paused, stunned for a heartbeat, only to see Nova already heading off without saying a word. Nervous that Nova might have misunderstood her, Hannah called out after her, not even sure if Nova could hear. “Seriously, where’d you pick up those moves? How come you never bother letting Mom and Dad in on your secrets?

“Don’t get cocky-you only made it past the Taekwondo club because luck was on your side this time. Doesn’t mean you get to walk around here acting like the queen.

“Saint Laurel Royal Academy is packed with hidden pros-way more than you think. Whatever skills you’ve got, trust me, they’re just beginner level around here.”

Finishing her rant, Hannah grabbed Claire’s arm and stormed off in the opposite direction.

Once the main cast faded from the scene, the crowd lost interest fast.

Within moments, people who’d gathered to watch just drifted apart.

Time slipped by; nobody noticed the silent figure lurking behind a pillar.

“Dead meat, huh? That’s an interesting woman. Max’s little sister isn’t half as boring as the rumors made her out to be,” said the handsome, sharp-featured young man.

The other boy, baby-faced and carrying a soft, innocent vibe, teased him back, “Zane, you actually interested in her? Who knew a girl could finally catch your eye-that’s almost unheard of.”

The two of them had caught every moment-all the drama, from start to finish.

They were none other than the two top heartthrobs at Saint Laurel Royal Academy, right alongside Max.

“Hon, my girls just hit me up for a shopping spree, so I gotta bounce early. Catch you tomorrow, okay?” said Sophia.

Coincidentally, she had her own business to deal with anyway.

So Nova didn’t give it a second thought and turned him down. “No need, I remember the way. I’ll head home myself.”

Maxwell didn’t push it. He just gave her a nod and tossed over his shoulder. “Just watch yourself.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Nova headed out right after.

Instead of rushing straight home, Nova wandered, taking in the campus sights as she made her way to the biggest bar in town-Frostwave Bar.

Frostwave Bar wasn’t just the biggest club in town-it was a longtime staple, known for its rich history. Rumor had it the owner was a big shot in the underworld-someone who played dirty and ran the streets of Ravenport. Nobody dared mess with him.

Nova had a simple reason for coming here.

Bloodblade Mercenary Corps was the biggest mercenary outfit in the world, and behind them was an intelligence network called Crimson Web.

Crimson Web was the largest intelligence network on the planet, with independent teams and bases scattered across every corner of the globe.

Basically, if anyone in the underworld sneezed, Crimson Web would dig up every last detail.

They were so thorough that they could even dig up those big shots’s mistresses if they wanted to.

And the owner of Frostwave Bar in Ravenport? He was one of Crimson Web’s regional heads in Zoria.

Chapter B Another Encounter At The Bat

That was exactly why Nova had come here-to find him.

*****

The sky was sliding into evening, its faded halo casting shadows everywhere.

The last light of sunset stretched lazily across the city, spilling warmth onto the streets.

By the time Nova showed up at the door of Frostwave Bar, dusk had taken over and nighttime was creeping in.

She slipped through the entrance, eyes sharp and face unreadable.

Nova wandered down the hallway and drifted toward one of the booths near the bar.

She hadn’t even had a chance to get down to business before someone called out to her. “Nova? Didn’t you head home? What brings you here?”

The voice was a guy she knew all too well. Nova spun around, eyebrows flicking up in genuine surprise. She hadn’t expected at all to bump into familiar faces at Frostwave Bar.

Right there in front of her stood Maxwell, Hannah, and the same group she’d crossed paths with just a while ago.