The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 : An evil pair of mother and daughter

Outside the biggest shopping complex in Imperius City, capital of Avaloria, a girl leaned against a luxurious car, thumbs dancing across her EtherPad.

No one seeing her could ever say that the girl standing before them was a victim of abyssal corruption in the past.

People passing by couldn’t help but slow, stare, and whisper—as if mesmerized—but she didn’t spare them a glance.

She only watched the screen, ruby red eyes intent, the faintest crease on her brow.

It was Lily Dragonheart.

Her outfit screamed rebellious teen—distressed midnight jeans artfully torn at the knees and thigh, a fitted white graphic tee tucked under a cropped charcoal bomber jacket with silver zippers, and chunky black combat boots laced to the ankle.

Fingerless gloves hugged her hands; a slim choker and a tiny crescent-moon earring glinted when she turned.

Her silver hair spilled in sleek, luminous waves past her shoulders, catching the sun like liquid starlight.

Those ruby-red eyes—bright, steady, impossible to ignore—could snare a heart at a glance.

She was just shy of fourteen, yet already taller than most of her peers, the confident lines of her posture making the crowd feel like background noise.

A pair of girlfriends came striding along, noticed their boyfriends rubbernecking, and—*smack, smack*—delivered synchronized cuffings to the back of two heads.

One guy stumbled on the first step of the mall stairs, another clipped a planter. Mutters of apology, glares from their partners.

Lily never lifted her gaze.

She was too busy calling her brother.

Again.

Her call history showed a merciless column of redials. She sighed, cheeks puffing.

’That stupid idiot. He totally forgot our plan and now he’s too scared to pick up my calls.’She stabbed the call button for the twentieth time.

A voice drifted from the driver’s seat through the cracked window, dry and amused. "He stood you up, didn’t he?"

Lily glanced toward the car. Alyssa sat behind the wheel, releasing a long, theatrical sigh before pushing the door open and stepping out. Heads swiveled again—the crowd was defenseless against this entrance, too.

Even in her forties, Alyssa carried a magnetic, mature beauty that turned a sidewalk into a runway.

Her black hair fell in a glossy cascade to the mid-back, side-parted to frame sharp cheekbones and intent, dark eyes.

She wore a tailored black blazer cinched at the waist over a silk charcoal blouse, a high-slit pencil skirt that flashed just a whisper of motion, and tall heels that clicked with easy authority.

If someone had asked for a "mature Selena Vega" made real, the answer would have looked a lot like Alyssa.

Lily’s thought bubbled up, half exasperation, half awe. ’Who would say she’s in her late forties? Now I get why my brother is scared of her charm.’

Alyssa surveyed the young men hovering near the entrance, tilted her head, and licked her lips in mock predation. "Wow. A lot of eager pups."

Lily’s face went beet red. "Ms. Alys—"

Alyssa’s eyes narrowed a fraction.

Lily stopped herself immediately, stared at the concrete. "I’m sorry..... Mother."

Alyssa’s smile softened. "Now that’s my girl." She folded her arms, leaned on the roof, and let her voice go warm. "Tell me what’s bothering you. Bu I can already guess—he stood you up on his promise, again?"

Lily puffed her cheeks and nodded. "He promised to buy me whatever I want. And there’s a new pastry shop that opened today that I really wanted to try. I’m going to make him pay for this."

"And what exactly are you going to do?" Alyssa asked, one brow arched.

A devilish little grin took over Lily’s face. "Recently he opened another secret account and started pouring a lot of money into it. He thinks I don’t know. But I’ve already hacked it. I know all his passwords."

Alyssa’s eyes glittered. "Oh? I didn’t know you were a hacker, too."

"Well, I spent all that time in the hospital," Lily said matter-of-factly, shrugging. "There wasn’t much to do besides watching things online and learning. I tried my hand at... everything. I can even butcher a pig and a reindeer, if you’re curious."

"I’ll pass," Alyssa replied with a very careful smile. "But you, little lady—you and your brother never cease to amaze me. I’ve never seen anyone as quick as you. You might give him a run for his money."

Lily straightened, smug and adorable at once. "Of course. That dumbass is no match for me."

Alyssa chuckled, then nodded toward the mall doors. "What do you say we go inside and spend his savings on whatever we like?"

Lily’s eyes lit like twin fireworks. "That’s not a bad idea."

"It’s certainly not," Alyssa said, already sliding on a pair of sunglasses.

"I want to see the look on his face when he checks that account," Lily added, wicked delight in her voice.

"Sometimes," Alyssa said as they started walking, "I really do see your brother in you."

"Is that a compliment?"

"What do you think?"

"I’ll take it as a compliment."

They traded identical, villainous little laughs and strode forward. People moved aside on instinct.

"Let’s go!" they chorused, pushing through the doors of the shopping complex.

—

Two hours later, they emerged victorious.

Behind them trailed a small procession of twenty tired staffers, each burdened with shopping bags in both hands and even draped across their shoulders, more looped around their necks like fabric garlands. The shock on the porters’ faces said it all. The line looked like it belonged at a royal dowry caravan.

Alyssa turned with effortless command. "Take everything to the address i gave you."

The line of carriers nodded in perfect synchronicity and hurried away.

Lily stretched, savoring the fizz of victory. "That was so much fun. We should do this more often."

"We should," Alyssa agreed serenely. Then, with the innocent tone of a banker counting vaults: "How many more secret accounts does he have?"

"I’ll tell you... when he opens another one," Lily said, failing to suppress a mischievous smile.

They both laughed—low, conspiratorial. The pigeons on the awning actually fluttered off, as if spooked by the sound.

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