The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

“It’s… Nova?” Charles was stunned, his eyes going wide at the sight of her.

“Nova?” Claire and Hannah froze, crying out in shock.

Claire, in particular, who had just boasted to Nova about her black market connections, insisted she wouldn’t bring her along, and claimed only black market figures could access the second–floor staircase.

Now her checks burned red with humiliation, feeling like a clown.

Zane’s eyes widened. Ever since losing to Nova in the duel, he had kept his distance yet remained irresistibly drawn to her.

Now, looking at her, he felt both annoyed and impressed. He thought, ‘Nova… She’s always full of surprises!

“Zane? Zane?” Jessica gently called him several times before snapping him back to reality.

“What’s up, Jessica?” Zane responded distractedly.

“You’re bothered by Nova, aren’t you?” Jessica asked.

“Nova!” Charles finally regained his composure and called out toward the staircase.

Unlike these young adults in their early twenties, Charles had navigated business storms for years and knew how ruthless black market players could be. Seeing Nova being led upstairs, he instantly tensed up.

As a father and a businessman, he saw it not as a polite invitation but as a threat.

Instead, his mind raced to what might have happened to Nova before she returned home–maybe she had been kept by a black market boss or forced into degrading acts.

Charles and Fiona never dared to mention it, terrified it would break Nova. But now, this seasoned businessman panicked and moved to chase after Nova.

“Dad!” Hannah tugged at his sleeve and stopped. She stared at the spiral staircase where Nova had disappeared, biting her lower lip. “Let’s sneak up like Claire said and bring Nova back.”

Charles had earlier entertained the idea of using this adventure to save his company through black market ties, but now, he had only one thought–rescue Nova.

“Let’s do it.” Charles nodded firmly.

Claire rolled her eyes and sneered, “Fine, let’s work together to save that troublemaker!”

Claire gloated inside, ‘Maybe we’ll catch Nova sitting on some old guy’s lap, serving drinks and being toyed with.‘

The other students from SLRA were fired up. “Yeah! Let’s save Nova.”

“She’s strong, but together we’re stronger.”

“Let’s show the black market what we’re made of!”

Nova had noticed Claire’s group the moment they appeared and heard Charles‘ call.

But she remained steady as always, showing no reaction and sticking to her plan. The mission was well underway, and in her code, even if family witnessed it, she wouldn’t let it be disrupted.

“Huh? I thought I heard someone calling you, Nova.” Ethan said, slowly looking around the empty hallway.

“Just your imagination,” Nova replied calmly, guiding him forward to keep him focused.

Then, she turned to Ethan, Victor, and the Frostwave Bar team. “Stay close and follow my lead.”

“Got it,” they responded.

The group arrived before the castle–like doors on the second floor.

The Oceanfront’s second floor housed a luxury themed restaurant, far tnore imposing than the first floor.

Nova arrived with her team.

Right away, a Verdant Reign member opened the door for them.

The grand doors revealed an over 50 feet long dining table. Seated at the head was a middle–aged man missing his left pinky finger.

Along the left side of the table sat a group of people. They were Verdant Reign executives. The seats on the right were reserved for big shots from other cities.

Before coming to the ball, Victor had briefed Nova. The head of Verdant Reign had lost his left pinky in a gang fight. And there he was, Frank Davidson, the squinting man at the far end of the long table.

Frank aimed to win both Ravenport’s underground scene and Frostwave Bar.

He had heard from his guys that Frostwave Bar’s new owner named herself and demanded go upstairs. It made him laugh. He thought, ‘She is courting death!‘

Nova and Frank faced off across the doorway. Frank broke the silence first. “So it’s the Frostwave Bar crew? Rare guests! Heard you got a new boss. This little lady?”

He glanced at Nova with suppressed amusement, his scornful tone sparking laughter from the left–side Verdant Reign higher–ups.

They couldn’t hold themselves back anymore and burst out laughing, “The teenage girl is the new owner of Frostwave Bar? Stop joking, Frank!”

“I’m laughing my ass off!”

“Go home, little girl. This is no place for kids.”

Frank raised a hand, and the laughter cut off instantly. Obviously, his command was absolute.

Frank gazed Nova, the sneer in his eyes growing deeper. “Get it now, little girl? There’s no seat here for you.”

He didn’t take her seriously at all. He jerked his chin toward the empty seats on the right. “Those are for honored guests, not for you.”

Facing such ridicule, the Frostwave Bar team clenched their fists in anger.

Only Nova remained unbothered. She said flatly, “I never planned to sit there.” She meant the empty seats on the right side of the long table.

The Verdant Reign high–ups laughed, “What? She says she won’t sit there? So she came here just to get

Frank thought the same, looking at Nova with a sneer.

humiliated?”

Just as everyone thought Nova was weak and easy to bully–even her team was confused, a cold glint flashed.

A dagger flew from Nova’s hand at blinding speed, cutting through the air and embedding itself in the table just one centimeter from Frank’s right thumb.

Instantly, there was dead silence in the room.

Nova’s arrogant voice rang out. “Because the seat I want is yours.”