The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone turned their eyes toward Nova, disbelief etched across their faces. How had she managed to piece together such a complex deduction so effortlessly, just from a quick glance?

Jacob’s eyebrows shot up in skepticism. “Wait, you really figured all that out just like that?” he asked, his tone dripping with doubt. Deep down, he wasn’t ready to put his faith in Nova’s abilities.

Ivy, never one to hold back, quickly added, “Even Arthur missed that. Nova, stop spinning tales. If your calculations are off, people could get seriously hurt.” Her voice carried a sharp edge, warning of the consequences.

Nova had originally intended her explanation for Maxwell and Hannah alone, but Ivy and Jacob had overheard everything. The main family members, who were all vying for the leadership role, naturally viewed Nova and her small group as outsiders. So, without hesitation, they aligned themselves with Arthur’s camp.

Following Ivy and Jacob’s lead, others began to join in. “Ivy’s right. You can’t just throw out theories like that, Nova.”

“Yeah, what if someone dies because you miscalculated? Can you live with that guilt?”

“Exactly! Think about the consequences.”

Nova paid no mind to their accusations, her gaze locked solely on Maxwell. “Max, do you trust me?” she asked quietly.

Without hesitation, Maxwell met her eyes and said firmly, “I trust you.”

Hannah, feeling somewhat sidelined, planted her hands on her hips and demanded, “Nova, why are you only asking him? What about me?”

Nova turned back to her, her voice sharp and unyielding. “It’s not necessary. With your stamina, you won’t make it past this stage.” Her words were blunt but honest—Hannah simply lacked the endurance needed to push further.

Hannah’s face flushed with frustration. “You’re still as annoying as ever,” she snapped, then spun away in anger. Though she didn’t argue further, deep down she knew Nova was right—her pride just wouldn’t let her admit it.

After a few awkward steps, Hannah stopped, turned back toward Nova and Maxwell, and said with a competitive glint, “I’ll wait for you at the finish line. Nova, if you’re not the first one out, I’ll be the first to laugh.” With that, she stomped off, determination burning in her eyes.

By now, most of the onlookers had started to retreat. They hadn’t come to fight for the family head position; they were simply there to experience the thrill of the upgraded escape room. Given how brutal the sixth stage already was, risking their lives for fun seemed foolish.

Maxwell moved closer to Nova, lowering his voice. “I don’t know how long I can keep up with you,” he admitted. “When it comes to the final sprint, don’t wait for me—go on ahead.”

He stayed by her side now mostly to shield her from any underhanded moves by the main family members.

“Understood,” Nova replied quietly.

Nearby, Harvey scoffed loudly. “Cowards, scared of a few stages? If you were going to chicken out, you shouldn’t have come back at all.”

His voice dripped with venom as he continued, “You brag about making Blake Security Group vanish, and your bodyguard humiliates me? Little girl, you might hire strong help, but that’s not your real strength! You’ll pay for your arrogance!”

Harvey’s grudge against Ghost-Hammer, who had thrown him out before, still burned fiercely.

He shoved Maxwell aside with brute force and called out to Arthur, “Arthur, show this ignorant fool what we’re really made of!”

From a distance of about twenty meters, he taunted Nova directly. “Well? Can you do it? Come on, loser.”

Caught up in the commotion, the crowd quickly turned their ridicule toward Nova.

But before anyone could react, Nova, who had been standing motionless, suddenly sprang into action.

Her form blurred as she dashed through the corridor, her footsteps light and silent. She moved with such speed that the mechanical dolls barely had time to register her presence.

Unlike Harvey’s clumsy charge, Nova was a shadow weaving effortlessly through the traps.

By the time the dolls sensed her and fired arrows, she was already several feet ahead, her movements almost too fast to track.

The arrows seemed to slow in midair as she passed safely beyond their reach.

The instant Nova came to a halt, her right hand shot out with lightning speed, gripping Harvey’s neck with unyielding strength and slamming him against the cold stone wall like a lifeless puppet.

The deadly intent blazing in her eyes left no room for doubt—Harvey was seconds away from death.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest.

“Loser?” Nova’s voice was icy. “Were you talking about yourself?”