The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

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“You think you can just say you’re leaving and actually walk out? Things aren’t that easy,” Hannah said, her tone unyielding.

Hannah wasn’t the type to mess around with anyone’s feelings.

She wasn’t cut out to be the kind of gentle big sis who’d hold Nova’s hand and offer a heart–tugging plea of “Don’t go.”

Her words carried a hint of the big sister’s authority.

“Novic, Hannah’s right.

“From the day you came back to the Blake family, you became one of us. No exceptions.

“When Hannah and I ask about what happened, it’s not to accuse or grill you.

“We just want to talk it through and figure out how we can work through this together.”

Maxwell jumped in to add, right after Hannah spoke.

That was the real feeling from both Hannah and Maxwell.

Their anxious yet gentle concern made Nova feel truly at home inside–her heart was finally at peace.

It was as if a soothing enchantment had settled over her, melting away all the tension.

Nova’s eyes lit up again, brimming with hope.

She found her footing, looking at Hannah and Maxwell with renewed resolve, and spoke with unwavering determination.

“Thank you. I’m not leaving–I promise,” Nova said firmly.

‘You really took in a runaway like me and gave me a place–a real family!’

Nova’s brow arched, a flicker of hesitation passing through her eyes.

She decided this was how she’d respond to Hannah and Maxwell’s questions.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you everything,” Nova said.

“There’s just way too much tangled up with why I’m involved with so many different powers, Nova thought, feeling the weight of all those secrets.

Even though she really did see Hannah and Maxwell as family, some things she just couldn’t bring herself to share–not yet.

She had her own choices to make.

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“It’s fine. If you don’t want to say anything, then just leave it, Maxwell said.

Just remember, no matter what happens, your family’s always got your back.

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“Plus, over these years, Hannah and I have built up some real influence out there. If you ever need it-

“We’ll pull out all the stops and use anything we’ve got to help you out,” Maxwell said.

He meant every word.

But Nova’s answer cut even deeper, the raw truth laid bare.

“Honestly… you guys can’t help me,” Nova said flatly.

She turned her gaze to the side.

“If you honestly want to help me… maybe there’s another way.”

The conversation just fizzled out; nobody spoke further.

That night, Charles drove the whole family out of Green Ridge Village.

During the drive, Hannah spelled out every detail to Fiona and Charles–the truth that it was actually their cousin Jane who caused Nova to be kidnapped when she was young.

Charles’s face was stormy the entire ride back.

Even Fiona, who’d always been so grateful to her sister Mabel and her family, couldn’t hide her sense of betrayal this time.

“So she’s been hiding this from us all these years?” Fiona said, her voice trembling with anger.

“She’s been lying to me all these years!”

Hannah chimed in, making it sound even harsher.

“Who’d even want family like that, anyway?

“She kept her mouth shut just for our family’s money.

“Seriously, people like her are so disgusting, I could puke! Ugh!”

This time, the Blake family made it clear–they were done with Mabel and her family for good.

From now on, not a single cent would go to Mabel’s family.

“I must’ve been blind all along… Nova, thank goodness you came back,” Fiona said, her voice shaking with

-lief.

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“If you hadn’t returned, I’d be miserable with guilt for the rest of my life.

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All this time. I thought your aunt was the only real family I had left. I tried my best to be good to her, no. matter what… Never thought she’d turn out like this.

“Well

“You know, you three actually have a younger uncle. He took off before any of you were born. Out of all my siblings, he was the one closest to me.

“But he’s been gone for more than twenty years now…

“So I guess, all the love I meant for your uncle… I ended up giving it to your aunt instead…

Fiona said, guilt heavy in her voice.

Fiona’s parents had three kids.

The oldest was Mabel, then came Fiona, and the youngest was their brother, Elias.

Growing up, Fiona and Elias were always thick as thieves–they had the strongest bond out of all the siblings.

Even though they were siblings, Fiona and Eric were so much alike that they’d always clicked since they were kids.

What a shame.

When Elias hit twenty, all fired up with big dreams, he swore he wouldn’t come home until he’d struck it rich out in the world.

And true to his word, he never set foot back home–not once.

Just like that, more than twenty years slipped away.

Saturday night, the following evening,

Answering an invite from Hannah and Maxwell, Nova waited for them outside Frostwave Bar.

Once the three met up, Maxwell led the way, weaving the group through the buzzing crowd.

They spotted a bare–chested guy, cigarette hanging from his lips, his body inked with a blue dragon curling up his arm, eyes locked on the girls dancing in the pit.

“Yo, Woody!”

Maxwell swaggered over, raising his voice as he called out to the guy.

The guy jolted so hard at Maxwell’s shout that his cigarette nearly fell right out of his mouth.

Woody snapped upright, looking between Maxwell and the unfamiliar girl standing beside him–Nova.

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“Whoa! What’s this? Maxwell, did you suddenly switch sides?

“And here you are, bringing a knockout with you!”

Woody whistled at Nova.

“No, she’s also my sister–her name’s Nova,” Maxwell clarified.

“Whoa, nice! Two sisters? Man, talk about good luck!” Woody said, switching gears in an instant.

Nova stayed silent, standing next to Hannah, just observing how things played out.

“Hey, what’s the deal? You guys here for something?” Woody asked with a casual grin.

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After finishing his smoke, Woody stood up and tugged Maxwell over to a quiet corner, dropping his voice.

“I want to let my sister see the kind of influence we’ve built up out here over the years,” Maxwell said.

That got Woody interested right away–he looked genuinely pumped.

He shot a look at Nova, sizing her up with raised eyebrows.

“Stick with me, little sis! I’ll show you the ropes,” Woody said, throwing Nova a playful grin as he motioned her

closer.

Without another word, he started leading the crew deeper into Frostwave Bar.

They wove past the thumping dance pit, private karaoke lounges, and the glitzy club area, heading straight to a discreet door at the back–the gateway to where all the real business happened.

Woody shot a friendly nod to the two hulking bouncers posted out front, and they immediately moved aside to clear a path.

With zero hesitation, Woody strolled right in with Nova and the others, like they ran the place.

“Take a look, little sis–see all those guys posted up by the stairs and around the club? Every one of them is muscle your brother and I trained up over the last few years.

“They’re our own crew, all off the books.

“Right now, we’ve got Frostwave Bar in on it with us. We send over the muscle, they split the take–been working together for ages now.

“We’re no small–time players, you know!” Woody explained.

No question about it.

This was exactly the crew Hannah and Maxwell had been talking about–the network they’d built up over all these years.

Nova lowered her eyes, thinking hard.

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The place was wide open, with a staircase winding toward the second floor. Scattered around, guys lounged and joked, trading crude banter while cigarette smoke curled through the air.

So all these guys… They’re Hannah and Maxwell’s people,‘ Nova realized.

All at once, the whole place stirred–heads snapping up in a ripple of motion.

The second the guys spotted Nova and the crew, they shot up like they’d just seen the top boss walk through the door.

“Whoa, hey! Hold up!

“Rex, Darren….

“Relax, guys, we’re just doing a little inspection–no need to jump up like you’re saluting the big boss!”

Woody saw their reaction and thought it was because they’d spotted him, Maxwell, and Hannah–the OG founders of this whole crew, after all.

He shot each of them a knowing look, rattling off their names one by one.

But he couldn’t have been more wrong. And then–just like that–the vibe in the room changed in an instant. The whole crew broke for the open floor, snuffing out cigarettes and clamming up instantly. Just like that, everyone fell silent and bowed low to Nova, giving her the full respect you’d show the true big boss.

The shouts from the guys rang out so loud they nearly blew the roof off–Maxwell, Hannah, and Woody heard every word, crystal clear.

“Nova!”

“Boss!”

“Boss, you’re here! We’ve been missing you like crazy–feels like forever since you stopped by! Here for a meeting? Want me to call all the higher–ups into the conference room for you?” one of the guys shouted, practically bouncing with excitement.

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