Chapter 3
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‘Whoa. Everyone froze, jaws dropping. ‘Did she just threaten to break his neck?
This is the long–lost granddaughter, fresh off the streets, talking to her grandfather?‘
And the way she’d grabbed Dario’s cane and snapped it like a twig? That thing was solid rosewood, not some flimsy stick.
‘How the hell did she do that?‘ the room wondered, stunned.
They quickly pieced it together.
‘Must be all those years scrapping it out there, they thought. ‘Bullied so much she turned into this brute. No class, just a street kid acting like a total thug.
Their disdain for Narissa cranked up a notch.
“You… you little punk!” Dario wheezed, clutching his chest and pointing a shaky finger.
He could barely choke out the words. “What a disgrace! A total embarrassment to the Everton name! We bring back a savage like you, and you threaten your own kin?”
“Apologize. Now,” he barked. “Or I will disown you!”
That was no small threat. Getting disowned meant Narissa would be a nobody in the city’s elite circles–fair game for anyone to stomp on, with no family to back her up.
“Dad!” “Dario!” Hector and Amanda swapped worried looks, their faces tight.
Narissa just scoffed, a sharp, mocking sound. “Me apologize? Nah, you owe me one.
“First, you didn’t raise me, so keep your hands off. Second, you didn’t make me, so you’ve got no say.”
She leaned in, voice dripping with sass. “And don’t get it twisted, old man. I’m here for Mom and Dad, not you. Disown me? Be my guest. I don’t care.”
Narissa–sly as a fox and a master agent who could vanish in a heartbeat–had a million ways to ditch this place after Waylen
Auction House.
She came back for her parents, not some grumpy grandpa who treated her like trash.
The room went dead silent, floored by her gutsy comeback.
“What… What’d you say?!” Dario was so mad he looked ready to pass out, his breathing short and ragged.
In a flash, maids, the family doctor, and Cressida swarmed him, fussing and checking his pulse.
“Narissa…” Hector shot her a worried glance, then looked at his dad.
She waved him off. “Chill, he’s not dying. Just asthma and a bad temper. He’ll survive.”
Her words hit like a gut punch. The room went quiet as a grave.
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Chapter 3
Because she was dead–on. Dario did have mild asthma and a hot temper that messed with his health.
But how did this rough–edged girl, just dragged back home, know his exact issues?
Even Dario, snapped out of it by Cressida pinching his upper lip, had a flicker of shock in his eyes.
Narissa was over this drama. She crossed her arms, all lazy, fox–like swagger, and pointed at a random maid.
“I’m beat,” she said. “Got a room ready or what? Let’s go.”
No first–day jitters. Just pure, don’t–mess–with–me vibes.
The maid she’d picked had been sneering at Narissa carlier, thinking she was just some trashy street kid. But after that showdown with Dario? She was spooked.
Narissa’s stare gave her chills, like summer turned to winter.
“Uh… this way, Miss Narissa Everton,” the maid muttered, leading her upstairs.
As Narissa climbed the steps, Cressida’s angry voice echoed behind.”Mom! Dad! Can you believe her?
“Grandpa’s practically having a heart attack, and she just walks off? Bet she’s been up to some shady crap out there!”
Amanda’s voice followed, thick with guilt and tears.“It’s my fault… I failed her.
“She must’ve been through hell to turn into this tough–as–nails girl, protecting herself like that.”
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Narissa trailed the maid to the third floor. When the door opened, revealing the room’s setup, a sharp twinge hit her chest- like a quick jab to the heart.
It left her buzzing, almost numb.
The room was huge, swallowing half the third floor–two hundred square meters, at least.
But it still screamed kid’s room, stuck in a time warp.
A crib and plush toys sat on one side; on the other, a walk–in closet brimmed with designer shoes, bags, and jewelry, sized for a girl from tiny to teen.
The maid spoke up, voice calm but firm. “This? All for you, from Mr. and Mrs. Everton.
“There’s even a storage room downstairs packed with more of your stuff.”
She gave a small smile. “Whatever your big sis got, they got for you too. Wanted it ready for when you came home. Over time… it just piled up.”
Narissa’s heart gave a quick thud. She’d only linked up with the Evertons to shake Bastien’s dogged chase.
Back then, she thought she was a lone wolf–no one to care if she kicked the bucket in some alley. Not a single soul would blink.
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Chapter 3
But now, parents who’d kept a spot warm for her, waiting all these years? That was pretty freaking awesome.
Once the maid left, Narissa didn’t mess around.
She locked the door, pulled the curtains tight, and fished a small device and some spare parts from her pocket..
Since grabbing The Blood Ruby, she’d been stuck with the Evertons, cut off from the world.
Her crew was probably freaking out by now, wondering where she’d vanished to.
In under ten seconds, she’d slapped together a tiny communicator.
Clickety–clack. Her fingers flew across the keys, and the screen flickered, linking to a hidden network.
She opened their secure chat and pinged her guy, Octopus.
001: [Hey, Octopus, tell the higher–ups I’ve got The Blood Ruby. Plans went sideways, though–can’t hit the drop.
[I’m in Rothialand, posing as the Everton’s lost kid. Don’t ask. Send someone to grab the goods. And get Intel to erase my current ID, stat.]
Sent. Three seconds later, a reply lit up.
008: [Damn, boss, you’re a beast! Got it!]
Narissa smirked, ready to bounce. But then-
Her eyes widened as Octopus’s next message popped up, hitting her like a gut punch.
008: [Bad news, boss. Too late to wipe your tracks. Dark web’s buzzing- Bastien’s in Rothialand, hot on your trail. Guy’s here, and he’s coming for you.]
