Chapter 56
Back in his quarters, Julius shed his black cloak and sat on the bed. Be rolled up his sleeve, revealing a scratch that could’ve been a lot worse–a near miss from the last throw. If he’d blinked, it would’ve been game over.
The scent and that voer–so familiar–had him wondering. Was it her!!
His brow furrowed as be tended to his scratch and changed clothes, making sure to be back in his wheelchair before the others got back. He wheeled himself into place, his mind a whirlwind of questions.
As the sun cast its first rays over the ocean, the cruise ship’s grand hall on the second deck came to life with the start of the auction at 8 am. The hosi, a woman with a voice that carried well, began the event, her words painting pictures of the rare treasures up for grabs.
Hugo scanned the crowd and found his sister Quiana tucked away in a quiet spot. Slipping up beside her, he whispered, “Hey, sis, did you hear! They’re selling a red fox today!
Quiana’s response was as sharp as a knife. “We’re not made of money”
Hugo was about to explain further, but she cut him off with a look that said it all. “I wasn’t even
But then, a playful voice broke through on his carpiece. “Hugo,” Edith said, “what if you hang out with me for a couple of days? I’ll cover the cost of
the fox.”
“Not happening,” Hugo replied, not even needing a moment to think
He quickly changed the subject, remembering something crucial. “Quiana, I saw Julius and 1
d his crew on b
crew on board last night”
With a firm tug on her hat, Quiana’s tone turned serious. “Keep your eyes open, she advised, then turned on her heel and disappeared through a side entrance, making her way to the third deck without another glance back.
Quiana was stopped short by a pair of bodyguards before she could even reach the hallway, “Whoa, hold it right there,” one of them said, stepping in her way.
“I can only block their signals for five minutes, Edith said urgently in her carpiece. “Make it counc
“More than enough time” Quiana replied, a flick of her wrist sending a nearly invisible silver needle flying. The two burly guards dropped like stones, drawing the attention of their colleagues who rushed over
Her eyes sparked with a fierce glint as Quiana moved through the corridor with lightning speed. By the time she passed, no one was left on their feet; a trail of guards littered the floor, along with a few guns that had been discarded.
The remaining guards‘ faces paled with fear as they stumbled backward. “We need to one started to say, but his words were cut off as a sudden, chilling sensation hit the back of their necks, and they too collapsed
was a figure cloaked in black, radiating an eerie presence.
Standing over them was a piz
Quiana’s gaze sharpened as she recognized the figure. “You again!” she said, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.
The figure’s mechanical voice responded, “Perhaps we should consider working together?”
“I don’t work with the likes of you Quiana scoffed, a silver needle glinting menacingly on her fingertip.
Julius finally recognized Quiana he seemed unfazed by her insult. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, showed a hint of intrigue. “Seems like we’re headed for a showdown,” he said with a casual shrug
Quiana didn’t waste any time, her moves sharp and calculated. The mysterious figure met her attacks with a series of defensive maneuvers, never once striking back.
Upstairs, the auction was in full swing, a mix of high tension and excitement, completely unaware of the intense exchange happening just below.
The surveillance guy’s eyes bugged out when he saw two black spots on his screens. Panic flashed across his face as he tried to buzz the third–floor gard, but all he got was dead air.
No time to hesitate–be hit the panic button, his voice echoing with aların: “We’ve got a security breach on three! The cameras are out, and we’ve Pan intrudert
A garbled voice came through the walkie–talkie from the ground floor, and Edith was all business. Tick–tock, you’ve got sixty seconds to clear out.”
308 PM c d
Chapter 56
Quiana stepped back, her eyes blazing with a fierce glint. “See you around,” she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt that she wasn’t done with this fight
shrugged. “Come on,” he replied, calm as can br
The mywerious figure just shrugged
The boss dashed down to find the guards sprawled out, his heart in his throat. But when he saw they were just knocked out, not worse, and the warehouse door was still intact, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Quiana’s room was tense as she let out a curse, her hand sending five silver needles flying with a swift motion. They hit the wall with a quiet thud. each one sinking in deep.
Hugo was on edge, hardly daring to breathe, as if any sudden move might provoke her further.
A teasing laugh came through the earpiece, Edith seemingly unfazed by the situation. “Never been one step behind before, have you?”
Quiana was fuming. Some unknown guy had thrown a wrench into her plans, and she hadn’t even gotten a good look at him. After a long and intense tussle, she was still in the dark about his identity.
Her eyes flashed with a fierce promise. I get my hands on him sooner or later”
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