The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Aria blinked in utter disbelief. Wait, what?!?

Drawing on her years in medicine, Aria fell silent for a moment before answering Aiden.

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“Yep, it’s definitely a case of erectile dysfunction. You should really urge Mr. Thorn to take this seriously, and get it checked out ASAP,” she said.

The two Shadow Sanctum execs were hanging out nearby, masterfully keeping their voices down so nobody around could overhear their conversation.

And since Nova and Damien were way off in the distance, there was no chance they’d pick up any of it.

Meanwhile, Nova and Damien were running into a bit of trouble themselves.

“You again? What are you doing here?” an annoyed voice shouted.

Charles had just watched his daughter, Nova, drive a dagger through Mabel’s tongue, and he didn’t even flinch.

But the instant Damien showed up, Charles completely lost his composure.

Charles glanced around in a panic, spotted a mop, grabbed it, and lunged straight at Damien.

It was clear Charles still thought of Damien as that notorious black market big shot who’d basically claimed his youngest daughter.

With everyone around staring in shock, Charles swung the mop straight at Damien’s handsome jawline.

Aiden and Aria, quietly trading news on the sidelines, froze in shock.

But what truly shocked them wasn’t that Charles actually went for their boss.

No–what floored them was that Damien just stood there and took it. He didn’t even raise a hand to defend himself!

It was like seeing pigs fly–seriously, stuff like this just doesn’t happen!

Thud!

But before the mop could hit Damien, Nova casually lifted her hand and intercepted it with one smooth

motion.

Nova raised an eyebrow.

For the first time, she didn’t let her dad’s opinion of Damien spiral–this time, she actually stepped in to protect him.

She said coolly, “Dad, Aria works for him. You had it all wrong before. Seriously, Damien and I only work

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Chapter 121

together–nothing else.”

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The mop, which Charles had been about to bring down, came to a sudden halt–like a truck slamming the brakes just before crashing into a pole.

Charles froze, stopping instantly.

“Nova, is that… is that really true?” he stammered, voice trembling.

Nova nodded.

“Yes,” she replied.

Hearing his youngest daughter’s sincere answer, Charles felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Plus, since Aria worked for Damien, it didn’t even matter whether she could actually fix Fiona’s leg or not–it was already a huge favor.

If Damien really was some black market kingpin out to get his daughter, there’s no way he’d just hand over his own people to help like this.

Once Charles realized this, he scratched his head, suddenly feeling a bit awkward.

“Uh… well… young man…” he stammered.

“Sorry for misunderstanding you all this time…” he muttered.

Damien tilted his head, his rich, velvety voice making Nova practically tingle all over.

“No worries,” he replied smoothly.

“Though, I gotta admit–I’m definitely chasing after her.”

Charles was left speechless. ‘Wait, can I just take my apology back?‘ he thought.

With the dust finally settled, Aria–under Nova’s direction–guided Fiona in her wheelchair into a secluded

room.

Only in a quiet setting could she start Fiona’s treatment.

Standing next to Maxwell, Hannah gazed at Nova with wide, uncertain eyes and blurted out, “Can she… really heal Mom’s leg?” She sounded more lost than she meant to.

Even Hannah herself didn’t realize just how gentle her voice had become.

Just across the yard, Mabel and Forge were still lingering, refusing to leave.

Honestly, it couldn’t tell if they were just thick–skinned or if they were trying to leech off a few more favors.

Charles pulled Damien outside, making it clear: if Damien wanted to date his daughter, he’d have to pass his test first.

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Chapter 121

“Just wait and sec. Nova said, tilting her head and giving Hannah a quick, reassuring glance.

Her lips lifted in a subtle smile as she answered with just five words.

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“Actually…” Hannah muttered, fidgeting a little, clearly struggling with what to say before finally blurting it out.

“Honestly, I don’t hate you as much as you think.

“You’ve had it rough out there these past years, haven’t you?

“Once I realized how hard things were for you… the hate just kind of faded.

“But I’ve always talked like this–people are always telling me I’m too blunt. Whenever I see you, I just can’t help it… Sorry for all the stuff I’ve said and done before!”

Hannah’s voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

By the end, she raised a hand to cover her ear, her cheeks flushing bright red.

“Ugh, what am I even saying?

“Just forget every word I just said! Whatever–just go on thinking of me as your wicked big sister!”

With that, she turned and bolted.

The tension at home finally seemed to be easing. For once, things were actually moving in the right direction.

As she watched Hannah–every word, every gesture–Nova’s lips quirked into a sly, knowing smile.

“Mom! Mom! Grandpa and Grandma and I went up the mountain and picked a ton of wild berries! We-”

Just then, a bright, youthful voice rang out from outside the door.

A girl with pigtails dashed inside, a year or two older than Nova.

She held a basket brimming with wild berries, her cheerful voice bubbling as she talked excitedly.

“Grandpa and Grandma are still up on the mountain. I came down first–let’s chow down on these wild berries!” she chirped, practically bouncing with excitement.

Obviously, she and Nova’s “grandparents” were nowhere to be seen just moments ago.

Thud!

When the girl looked up and saw Nova standing by Maxwell, she immediately recognized her.

The basket full of wild berries dropped from her hands, landing hard on the floor.

Berries scattered everywhere, but she just stood there in a daze, not even trying to pick any up.

This girl–Verity Steele–was the daughter of Mabel and Forge, making her Nova’s so–called cousin.

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Seeing her daughter freeze up like that, Mabel, worried some secret could spill, gave Forge a sharp nudge.

Since she couldn’t talk herself, she just pulled Forge up to do the talking for her.

Together, the two of them hurriedly dragged Verity out into the yard.

“Verity, you’re back?” Forge said.

“Dad, Mom… Is she…?” Verity stammered, her voice shaking as she glanced at Nova.

“That’s right, she’s your aunt’s little girl–the one who’s been missing for over ten years!” Forge answered. “Mom, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you talking?” Verity asked, concern written all over her face.

“That bitch messed up your mom’s mouth so she can’t speak. Your mom just asked me to set you straight- watch what you say, and don’t start blabbing about anything, you hear me?” Forge warned sternly.

Their voices drifted in from outside the yard.

After that, their voices grew quieter.

It sounded like the three of them had moved somewhere else to talk.

Sure enough, outside the yard, Mabel was dragging Forge off to a different spot to talk.

She wanted to talk to her daughter, but since she couldn’t speak, Forge had to act as her mouthpiece.

Forge, convinced Nova couldn’t hear him from way under the tree, dropped his voice but still let out a rough, stern warning.

Little did they know…

Nova, whose battlefield instincts let her pick up the tiniest sounds, caught every word loud and clear–not missing a beat.

After overhearing every scrap of their secret conversation, Nova’s eyes went dead cold–her stare sharp as daggers.

“Your mom said none of it was your fault, Verity. Just keep quiet and act like you don’t know anything, you hear me? Don’t breathe a word of it!” Forge said.

“But, Dad…” Verity protested, voice quivering.

“No ‘buts! Your mom wants you to shut your mouth! If anyone asks, Nova only got lost when she was a kid. because she was wandering off on her own. That’s what happened, and don’t you dare forget it!

“You didn’t drag her to the market and snatch her necklace, then ditch her there on purpose. She was taken by traffickers, and it wasn’t your fault–none of this had anything to do with you!” Forge said.

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