The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

‘Uh–oh, busted… Nova thought, a lazy glint in her eyes—there wasn’t a hint of surprise in her expression.

There was no panic, no fluster–none of the chaos they’d expected.

Nova leaned casually against the table inside the tent, tilting her head at the three of them with a sweet, dazzling smile.

“Yep, the most–wanted fugitive? That’s me. Well, do you guys buy it?” she said, her tone playful.

Nova straightened her back, radiating a fearless confidence.

She owned up to it, bold and unafraid.

Eric, Mavis, and Vivian froze in place, stunned, as if they’d just been smacked upside the head.

For a moment, they were completely out of it.

It was almost like they were swept up in her aura, carried along before they even realized it…

It was like some kind of magic–everyone just instinctively knew Nova really was telling the truth.

“Ptt…”

Mavis, normally the picture of icy elegance, always acting like she’s above it all, like some rare snow lotus blooming way up on a frozen peak–she was that untouchable big sister every student admired from afar.

Even she couldn’t hold it in; a laugh slipped out before she could stop herself.

Honestly, it was the first and only time Mavis had ever dropped her perfect facade–except maybe that one time during the Mula battle, when seeing Nova’s power blew her mind so much she totally lost her cool.

Mavis quickly covered her mouth, gave a quick little cough, and just as fast put her flawless big–sister mask back on, composure restored.

Still a bit flustered, she turned to Nova and mumbled.

“Who would’ve guessed? Miss Ice Queen actually knows how to joke around with us.”

Eric stared at Nova like she was a whole new person. “Nope, not buying it.

“But hey, I gotta admit–I never thought you’d actually joke around like this.”

Seriously, no doubt about it.

Truth is, none of them had ever pictured Nova as that kind of person.

About the only thing they’d ever considered was how the fugitive’s details kinda lined up with Nova.

Just then, another text from Flynn pinged on their phones, confirming their suspicions:

[Additional details on the fugitive.

[She’s brutal and merciless–harboring a deep grudge against the world. She is a bloodthirsty killer, with bodies piling up wherever she goes.

[Anyone who annoys her? She’ll kill them without a second thought.

[And anyone who’s clashed with her has vanished or ended up dead.

[Heads up: if you find someone matching these traits, you’re probably looking right at the fugitive.J

Nova had fallen out with them before, but never hurt them.

This dispelled Eric, Mavis, and Vivian’s suspicions about Nova being the fugitive.

Little did they know….

The reason Nova didn’t bring her ruthless, bloodthirsty side to Zoria was simple–she’d finally found her family.

To make a life for herself here, she’d had to shed her past as a world–class mercenary and learn to live like an ordinary

person.

“Seriously, why don’t people in Devil’s Isle just show us a picture of the fugitive?

“If they did, we’d just grab them right away,” Vivian said, scratching her head in confusion.

Vivian might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but what she said suddenly snapped Eric and Mavis to attention.

Nova, standing off to the side, replied coolly,

“Devil’s Isle is the world’s most secure prison. It’s famous for being shrouded in mystery and has zero contact with the outside world.

“To keep the ecosystem balanced inside, they never release any information–not even prisoners‘ photos.”

That’s exactly why.

Even someone like Nova, who was well–known on the international stage, barely knew a thing about what went on inside Devil’s Isle before she was sent there.

‘So that’s why… Eric thought to himself.

‘No wonder they’d go to such ridiculous lengths, scouring every inch like it’s a needle in a haystack, all just to avoid releasing a photo of the fugitive.

Eric nodded in silent agreement.

Just as the four of them were laying low in the tent, an ear–piercing scream suddenly rang out from outside–definitely one of those celebrities, though who knew which one this time.

“Ahh! Ahh-”

The four of them had signed on as special bodyguard guests, brought in just to babysit those pampered stars for the show.

Or as Nova liked to call it, just another gig for the cash.

As soon as Nova heard the commotion outside, her instincts kicked in.

After all, they were getting paid for this gig.

She spun on her heel and shot out of the tent, racing toward the direction of the screams.

People on the shore only saw a flash–Nova’s figure was gone like a bolt of lightning.

Near the fringe of the island forest, a commotion broke out.

There sat a girl with adorable, sweet looks, wearing a crop top so short it might as well have been underwear–her whole style screamed cute and flirty.

She was sprawled on the ground, almost too scared to move, frantically scooting herself backward on her behind, just trying to get as far away as possible.

Right in front of her, a green snake was slithering back and forth, coiling and swaying like it owned the place.

The snake flicked its tongue and hissed, closing in on her with that classic “ssss” sound, every inch drawing nearer.

“S–snake! Snake!

“Ahhh! There’s a snake!”

The girl shrieked at the top of her lungs while squeezing her eyes shut.

Anyone walking by would think she’d stumbled across some legendary monster or something.

By the time Nova arrived, there was already a crowd gathered around.

It turns out, her childhood big sister Yoro Powell and her gang were right there too.

Yoro rolled up her sleeves without giving Nova a chance to step in, striding over like she had it all handled.

Snakes didn’t scare her one bit–she closed the gap in a couple quick steps, grabbed the green snake right at its weak spot with pro–level skill, and just hauled it up like a total badass.

She lifted the snake without hesitation–pure boss energy, no fear at all.

“See? It’s just a little green snake–not even poisonous.

“Actually, it’s kind of cute. You’re fine, really.”

Yoro turned to the trembling girl, waving the snake around a bit as if to show it off, trying to put her at ease.

Anyone watching could tell Yoro was the type who never hesitated to lend a hand.

“Th–thank you…”

The girl who’d gotten totally freaked out was a rookie actress named Jasmine Ross–barely famous, but her sweet looks made her stand out.

Still rattled, Jasmine watched as Yoro briskly flung the snake off into the grass.

The snake writhed and zipped away, vanishing into the woods in no time.

Jasmine turned to Yoro and earnestly gave her a heartfelt thank you

“Piece of cake–just call me if you need backup,” Yoro grinned, brushing it off like it was no sweat.

She gave a casual wave, oozing big–sis swagger–everyone could see she was the generous type, always ready to step up.

The whole crowd had front–row seats to the show.

No wonder Yoro was always mobbed by celebs–her reputation spoke for itself. Anyone watching her could tell why people loved having her around.

Nova arched an eyebrow, keeping her distance–not about to get involved.

“Nova, my sister!”

Yoro spotted Nova and immediately hurried over to her side.

No matter what, Yoro still called her sister, never wavering for a second about who Nova was to her.

“Nova, you all get lunch yet?

“Hey, wanna get lunch together?”

Nova just said. “I’m good.”

Her answer was as frosty as ever.

She didn’t even look back–just turned and left, like she was done watching a free show and couldn’t care less.

Yoro watched as Nova’s figure disappeared into the distance.

Just then, a guy came up behind Yoro and gave her shoulder a light pat.

“Hey, is that guest your little sister?” he asked, nodding in Nova’s direction.

The guy was Darren Clark–one of the hottest celebs around here.

Tall, cool, and handsome, with a reputation for being the perfect gentleman–always warm, humble, and polite to everyone.

That unexpected mix of cool confidence and laid–back charm, plus the fact that he’s drop–dead gorgeous, made Darren an absolute magnet for female fans.

“Yeah, she’s my little sister from a pretty well–known family,” Lynn nodded.

“She’s interesting. Why doesn’t she talk to you?” Darren asked, genuinely curious.

Lynn couldn’t help but sigh, sounding a bit sentimental.

“Guess she’s just not good with strangers.

“Honestly, she’s really a good kid. You saw it yourself–just now, the second she heard trouble, she rushed over right away.

“Shows she’s got a soft spot for people–super kind and honestly a lot more mature than most kids her age.

“Especially when we were little, we’d be messing around, roasting grasshoppers or something, and she’d waddle over, all baby–faced, and go, ‘You can’t treat living things like that, you have to protect them!‘

“We all used to laugh and say, with how sweet she is, she’s gotta grow up to be a doctor–saving people’s lives, healing the sick and wounded, you know?”

*****