The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101

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[My brother and I need to find our dad–he’s in trouble in the casino, and my brother’s so panicked he can’t even get the words out. Can you please let us through?]

Andrew stared at Nova, shocked at how naturally she slipped into Veldorian.

In Trinova, most people spoke Thalassian, Dravidian, or Veldorian, but one’d also run into plenty who could speak Zoriaien.

Normally, one just switched languages depending on who one was talking to.

Luckily, for this mission, they didn’t need to talk to anyone from other countries.

And even if they did, they had selection officer to handle it.

Andrew had only ever seen people with foreign language skills among the high–ranking officers, like selection officer–it wasn’t something ordinary folks had.

Nova’s knack for slipping into a new language so easily honestly left Andrew both impressed and a little shaken.

Even though Andrew couldn’t follow what Nova was saying to the two muscleheads, he could tell she was trying to get herself and him into the casino.

Her urgent act was so convincing, even Andrew–the one who actually knew what was going on–almost believed her, not to mention those two muscleheads.

‘Damn!‘ Andrew thought, a mix of awe and disbelief swirling in his chest.

The two muscleheads had seen plenty of dads run up massive debts in the casino, then drag their kids in to bail them out.

Seeing Nova and Andrew’s desperation–especially Andrew, with tears glistening in his eyes–they figured these two were for real. No way they were lying.

One of the muscleheads waved them on, saying, “tailulu.”

[Go on in.]

Nova yanked Andrew through the doors, slipping into the casino in a flash.

As they entered, the other musclehead called after them in a mocking voice.

“ເອື້ອຍນ້ອຍແມ່ນງາມຫຼາຍ,ພໍ່ຂອງນາງວະສູນເສຍເງິນໃນສະຫນາມ,ນາງຢ້ານທີ່ຈະຂາຍໃຫ້ຜູ່ຄົນ!”

[Damn, that little cutie’s a knockout. If her daddy tanks at the tables, I bet she’ll get pawned off to some scumbag for playtime!]

As they stepped into the shadowy hallway leading into the casino, Andrew scratched his head, his brow

Chapter 101

furrowed in confusion.

He said, “Nova, what were you saying to those guys back there?

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“And why’d you pull me in here? This is Trinova, not some casino back home! One slip and we could really be screwed!”

Nova arched an eyebrow with a sly grin and gave him a quick rundown of her conversation with the muscleheads, putting it all in Zoriaien.

Andrew felt dizzy just hearing it all.

‘So all along, I was just her crying prop?‘ Andrew thought, a wave of disbelief and self–pity washing over him.

Andrew just lost it and burst into tears right on the spot.

“The Seduction Casino is the turf of Trinova’s number–two drug lord, Mihoon. It’s also the headquarters for his whole operation,” Nova said, her tone low and serious.

As soon as she said that, Andrew’s face went pale.

Suddenly, Andrew remembered what the selection officer had said about their mission–his whole expression flipped as panic filled his face, his voice wobbling as he stammered, “Nova, are you actually thinking of…”

Nova replied instantly, cool and composed.

“Come on, it’s just a measly research report–what’s the point in waiting till tomorrow?

“With Mihoon being the number two drug lord around here, I can bet he’ll have an ambush ready at the meetup spot tomorrow.

“If you all wait till then, trust me–none of you are walking out alive. Except for me.”

Nova had made up her mind–tonight was the night to make a move.

It would be just her and Andrew taking action, nobody else getting in the way.

Why not tell the others? Simple. Dragging extra baggage would only mess with her pace and throw off the whole plan.

She was here for a clean hit–strike fast, finish faster.

Andrew’s eyes got round as saucers, and he sighed, sounding half–resigned, half–bitter. “So, Nova, if you didn’t. need me as your crying sidekick, you wouldn’t have bothered dragging me along, huh?”

Nova gave a quick, cheeky smile, her tone light as ever.

“Yep,” she shot back with zero hesitation.

Andrew dragged a hand over his face, but he didn’t even try to argue. Just managed a crooked grin.

:

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“Alright, Nova, whatever crazy plan you’ve got–guess I’m riding this out with you!

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“Honestly, Nova, you and Maxwell really are cut from the same cloth–both stubborn to the core!

“Figures, you’re siblings after all.”

He finished his little rant.

“Rip-”

A sharp tearing sound echoed.

Andrew gaped as Nova, totally unfazed, grabbed her top and with one swift yank, tore it down to her belly button–baring her midriff without a second thought.

Just like that, everything changed.

What had been a cute, straight–laced schoolgirl look was now sizzling with streetwise charm–she went from innocent to playfully provocative in a heartbeat.

Then, without missing a beat, Nova whipped a lipstick out of her pocket and stroked her lips with vivid, striking red–her look shifting in an instant from innocent to electric.

She tugged off her hair tie and just let her long, sleek hair cascade freely over her shoulders, adding an edge to her whole vibe.

It all happened in seconds–she gave herself a total makeover right there.

That fierce red lipstick made her look dangerously alluring, like a temptress who knew exactly how much trouble she could stir up.

Finally, she whipped out two soft masks from her pocket.

She slid one on, tossed the other to Andrew, and coolly said, “Stick close to me and follow my lead.”

Not bothering to wait for his response, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the casino’s chaotic, motley crowd.

The Seduction Casino was renowned as one of the hottest spots in Trinova, and with the number–two drug lord Mihoon running things from here, the place pulsed with its own wild, decadent nightlife.

If anyone wanted to keep their identity hidden, slipping on a mask was all it took to lose yourself in the crowd.

No one would bat an eye–it was all part of the scene,

Nova and Andrew had barely set foot inside the casino when an elderly manager, dressed like an old–school butler, glided over to them and greeted them in flawless Zoriaien.

“Welcome, beautiful miss. Do you and your friend have a reservation?” he inquired, his words smooth but with a hint of authority.

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In Trinova, one would meet every type of character.

Folks came from all sorts of countries, each bringing their own language to the mix.

So running into someone who spoke Zoriaien didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

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But now, Nova was like a whole new person–the shy, fragile act she’d put on for the muscleheads had vanished. She stood. Icy–cool, radiating the kind of presence one could expect from a high–roller sizing

up the table.

Andrew couldn’t help but marvel at how fast she could switch up her vibe.

She drawled, her voice smooth and unhurried.

“No reservation. I’m here tonight to challenge your casino champion–Celia.

“So, is the rumor true? If I beat your champion, I get granted any wish I want?“.

Andrew just stared, mind blown by Nova’s guts. For a second, he was honestly convinced she’d lost her damn

mind.

Even the veteran casino manager nearly tripped over his own jaw–he was absolutely gobsmacked.

With that mask on, Nova still looked like some rookie girl barely out of high school, not nearly badass enough for this kind of challenge.

Who would believe she was about to take on Celia, the undefeated Queen of the Tables–twenty years at the top, and not a single loss on her record.

To be fair though, every season saw a parade of cocky gamblers swagger in, itching to take down Celia. Wannabe legends everywhere–nothing unusual in this joint.

The old manager gave a respectful bow and gestured toward a table up ahead.

“I’ll go fetch Celia. Please wait over there,” he said.

As soon as Nova sat down and the manager walked away, Andrew leaned in close, barely able to keep his voice steady.

‘Is she seriously going through with this?‘ he thought, disbelief swirling in his chest.

“Nova, are you for real?!” he hissed.

“They say in joints like this, you win big and you’re set for life–but if you lose, you walk out with nothing, maybe not even your boxers…

“Nova, are you sure you wanna bet this high? This is insane!”

Andrew barely got the words out when Nova hadn’t even responded yet before, out of nowhere, chaos exploded across the entire casino!

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Shfft shift shfft!

Suddenly, a squad of men in black burst in from behind, brandishing machine guns.

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Before anyone could even react, they took control of the place–the whole casino was thrown into chaos, screams filling the air.

Rat–tat–tat-

The gunmen fired a burst into the ceiling–instantly, the chaos stopped. Silence fell over the crowd.

Boots thumping.

Next, surrounded by a pack of men dressed in black, a towering, beastlike figure stalked in right behind Nova, owning the whole room.

Just then, a gruff, commanding voice shredded through the casino crowd.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m only after one person.

“Just play along and I promise–nobody’s getting hurt.”

“That voice-‘ Nova’s heart gave a jolt. She knew exactly who it belonged to.

She tipped her chin up, expression sharpening. There was Ray Hale–the infamous nightmare warden of Devil’s Isle, the one who’d vowed to hunt her down and drag her back himself.

‘Of course, Nova sneered inwardly. ‘His patrol just had to track me down here. Could my luck get any worse?’

Nova’s eyes narrowed, steeling herself for what was coming.

Ray’s voice thundered from behind, his presence predatory and suffocating–every word was an order that resonated in the marrow.

“You’ve got three seconds! Everyone–off with your masks and turn around, now. Let me see every face. Otherwise, my men will put a bullet straight through your skull!”

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