Chapter 29
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?”
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Chapter 29
“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.”
