The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 78

Chapter T

Chapter 78

“Natalie Carl said tentatively, “was that a lucky shot, or do you actually know what you’re doing?”

Natalie shot him a look

Her gaze was unfazed, but for some reason, it made him feel like he’d just asked a stupid question.

Still he pressed on. “Natalie, how about a match with me?”

The second those words left his mouth, the eyes of everyone training nearby lit up with excitement.

A march? they wondered. Carl’s really gonna go up against Blake’s sister? Now this is something you don’t see every day!

But honestly, nobody thought Natalie stood a chance. Most figured her first shot was just luck.

After all, Carl was second–in–command of the Bone Syndicate, and his shooting was top–tier, almost as good as Blake’s.

He’d been running with Blake since he was 15, living on the edge, risking his neck day in and day out. His marksmanship w forged in real firefights.

Forget the Bone Syndicate. Even across all of Harbor City’s underworld, people could count on one hand those who could match Carl’s aim.

Just last year, during a shootout, the enemy was hiding behind cover. From more than 160 feet away, Carl fired a single shot and blew the exposed barrel clean off their gun.

So when Carl challenged Natalie, everyone’s first thought was, ‘Blake’s sister is definitely going to lose.

Sure, her shot earlier was impressive, right in the bullseye. But for all they knew, it could’ve been beginner’s luck.

They’d seen it more times than they could count.

Blake frowned, about to step in and stop her, but then he caught the faint smile curling on her lips.

‘Sure,’ she said.

Carl blinked in surprise, then grinned, “You’re a real sport, Natalie.”

He waved to the side. “Clear out two lanes. I’m going a round with Natalie.“\

The trainees sprang into action, quickly setting up two targets side by side.

Carl walked over to his lane and pulled a gun from his waist.

It was a custom Beretta 92FS, etched with fine patterns, clearly his favorite

He checked it with the ease of someone who’d done it a thousand times, then looked at Natale

So, Natalie, what gun are you using? Sticking with the Mosin Nagant, or do you want to switch it up?” he asked

Natalie looked at the Mosin–Nagant in her hand and shook her head

Tll take something else, she said

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Chapter 78

PPM.

She walked over to the display wall and scanned the lineup of guns until her eyes landed on a regular Glock 17.

She took it down and felt its weight in her hand.

Carl raised an eyebrow. He thought, ‘Glock 17? That’s a beginner’s gun. Is she serious?‘

But he didn’t say anything and just waited for Natalie to step up to her lane.

“So, what’s the game?” she asked.

Carl thought for a second. “Fixed targets. Ten shots each. Higher score wins. Cool with you?”

Sher nodded. “Sure.”

35 voucher

Carl felt a chill at the back of his head and turned to see Blake giving him a look that clearly said, “This is on you.”

Carl grinned, shooting Blake a look back that said, “Relax. I’m not about to embarrass Natalie.”

Blake shot him a look that spelled out, “You’d better not.”

Carl cleared his throat, turned to Natalie, and flashed her a smile that was almost too sincere to be real.

“Alright, Natalie, just so we’re clear,” he said and pointed toward the distant targets.

He went on, “That’s 80 feet out. Honestly, kind of far for a beginner. It’s your first time here, so if you even hit the target. that’s already a win. And if you miss? No worries at all. This is just for fun.”

The trainees nearby exchanged knowing glances.

Carl’s just letting Natalie save face, they thought and chimed in.

“Yeah, exactly,” one of them called out.

That’s right,” another chimed in.

“Just for fun,” a third added.

Carl kept going, “And that Glock 17 you picked? It’s straight out of the box, no upgrades. It can’t really compete with my

Custom Beretta.

Plus, you’re a girl, so your arm strength isn’t gonna match the guys here So it’s totally normal if you don’t hit as well

He nodded with exaggerated seriousness, like he was already covering all the bases in Case Natale didn’t perform well

The guys nearby joined in backing him up

Yeah one of thest called out

He gave her a big thumbs up his face practically shouting “You’ve got this Natalie

Carl didn’t think twice and just kept hyping her up. “Natalie, you go first. I’ll be right here cheering you on

No way was he letting Natalie get embarrassed in front of everyone.

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