Chapter 21
At the exact same moment, Bastien’s expression turned cold and sharp.
But Bastien gave Narissa no time to react or retreat. His fist came up again, ready to strike.
Right at the critical moment-
“Who’s there? Take this,” Narissa called out as a thought flashed through her mind.
Narissa raised her palm and lifted her leg, putting on a posture that looked fairly impressive, even intimidating.
But just as Narissa launched her strike toward Bastien, something unexpected happened.
Her left foot accidentally stepped on her right in the clumsiest of ways, and in one smooth motion–without the slightest hint of pretense–she stumbled straight into his arms.
Bastien had been fully braced for impact. He was ready to capture the woman he believed to be his long–lost target.
His body was tense as steel, muscles locked in, and his fist had already drawn back, about to hit with full force. But then, he caught a completely uncoordinated female body instead.
Meanwhile, Narissa felt her forehead knock hard against his iron chest with a dull thud.
Narissa almost wanted to complain aloud. What the hell has this guy been training on? His chest is built like a steel wall. Even I’m stunned for a second from the impact.
‘Not like the agents in my office, who trained for flexibility. Every one of us hoped to slip through a crack in a window like smoke. And our bodies were agile and smooth as silk.
Leaning against Bastien, Narissa committed fully to her act as the fragile, untrained Everton daughter who only knew a few. amateur moves and got carried away by Bastien’s looks.
Narissa even raised her hands and ran them lightly across his chest. ‘With that much force, did I crack the skin?‘ she wondered.
Bastien’s face darkened as soon as she touched him. His entire body tensed.
But Narissa, enjoying herself, didn’t let go. In fact, she was about to do it again.
Bastien’s expression shifted. ‘This woman–so clumsy, so utterly useless–is no different than those soft, spoiled noblewomen in Sinney City. And the way she collapsed into me is like a puddle of warm jelly.
There’s no way she can be that cunning, lethal Fox who treated presidential palaces like her personal playground.’
Just as Narissa was happily taking advantage of the situation, Bastien grabbed her wrist with precision and helped her stand upright.
Bastien spoke up. “Sorry. I got the wrong person.”
A flash passed through Narissa’s eyes, but she still asked in a delicate voice, “Mr. Harlow, who did you mistake me for?”
1/4
16:48 Wed, Aug 13
OX
D
428
Chapter 21
“No one, Bastien replied, giving her another once–over.
Bastien thought, ‘Her age, build, and even the time she’d been brought home by the Everton family all matched the timeline of Fox’s escape.
The thing was, Fox had always dressed plainly, whether in disguise or on a mission. A proud, cold fox.
‘And there were no signs of intensive muscle training at all when I touched her arm.
‘Probably, the only reason she’d blocked my initial attack was because she’d had some basic training after coming back to the Everton family–and a bit of survival instinct in a dangerous moment.
This girl really might have nothing to do with that woman.’
Once convinced Narissa wasn’t the one he was after, Bastien left the garden without another word.
Narissa stood in place, a mocking smirk rising to her lips. She’d noticed him testing her muscles, of course. But maybe Bastien forgot one thing.
Narissa said to herself, “The most critical skill for a Phantom Thief… is bone–shrinking. Muscles are hard to hide for ordinary people.
“But for someone like me–if I don’t want you to find anything, then you won’t. Bastien, you’re still not good enough to catch me.”
A victorious smile curled at the corner of her mouth as Narissa turned and walked off.
Back in the hallway near the party room, Cressida was already waiting. “Narissa!”
“What’s wrong, Cressida? Something up?” Maybe because she’d just pulled one over on Bastien, Narissa was in a great mood. Her tone was even warmer than usual.
Too bad Cressida wasn’t having it. Her expression turned sharp, and she snapped, “Someone like you–trash kept by men- doesn’t deserve Jaylen. You better learn your place and stay away from him.”
“Jaylen?” Narissa looked genuinely surprised. ‘Since when did I like him?‘
“Yes!” Cressida barked. “The whole Sinney City knows I like him. I hate admitting it, but like it or not, you’re my sister now. If you end up falling for him too, we’ll be the laughingstock of the entire city.”
Cressida added, “Two sisters crushing on the same guy? You think that’s okay? So stay away from him, got it?”
Narissa wondered where this absurd idea came from. ‘How on earth did she conclude I like Jaylen?‘
To be honest, with everything Narissa had been through, Jaylen was just a kid to her. He didn’t even register on her radar.
Even Bastien–who’d been chasing her all over the globe–was more her type than Jaylen.
But Narissa was never one to explain herself too much.
“Ridiculous,” Narissa said plainly, turning to leave.
2/4
- 16.
Wed, Au
Chapter 21
–
85%
X
“Stop right there! Don’t walk away! Did you even hear me?” Cressida panicked and reached out to block her path.
Narissa said coldly, “Move. I don’t like him.”
“No way. You’re lying.” Cressida said. “I swear, I’ve got dirt on you from your time abroad. If you dare get close to him again, I’ll expose everything.”
“Oh? You’re going to expose me?” Narissa chuckled. “Go ahead. It’s perfect timing–everyone’s in the party hall right now. Basically all of Sinney City’s elite are gathered here. It’ll save you time spreading the word.”
“You–Narissa! Do you have no shame? Are you seriously proud of your filthy past?” Cressida trembled with rage.
She couldn’t believe how shameless Narissa was–far worse than she’d imagined.
Cressida thought Narissa would at least try to cover up the disgusting things she’d done. But no, she was basically begging her to expose her now. And she wanted to drag the entire Everton family into public disgrace.
Narissa answered, “Of course I’m proud. Everything I went through, I survived by myself. That makes me better than any of you pampered, sheltered heiress.”
Cressida: “You-!”
Narissa added, “And for the record, I really don’t like Jaylen. He’s a kid. I’m not interested.”
Jaylen might’ve been a dreamboat to Cressida–mature, charming, gentle. But to Narissa? Just a kid.
‘A kid. She actually calls Jaylen a kid. Cressida nearly fainted. ‘She’s flat–out humiliating my taste in men.
Cressida grabbed Narissa’s arm, threatening again, “Say that one more time, and I’ll really leak your past.”
“Go for it. I won’t stop you.” Narissa paused, then added thoughtfully, “Actually, how about making it detailed? You can start with how I almost got sold to traffickers as a kid but escaped using my wits. That’ll grab attention.
“Then there was the time I got smuggled into another country and almost sold on the black market as a pet. Escaped that one, too, by outsmarting the bastards.
“Oh, and I lived in the slums. Slept in alleys. Worked as a janitor in Zobrioca. Cleaned rich people’s houses. Survived it all. Thrived, actually–until my parents finally found me.”
“You… you…” Cressida was terrified.
Narissa stared her. “Did I miss anything, sis? If you’re still confused, I can go into more detail.”
Cressida was completely stunned. She had no words left and even more shocking.
Because Narissa had just recited every single line from Queen’s report, word for word. Exactly the same.
‘What the hell is going on?‘ Cressida wondered.
3/4
