The five DM elders had lost all their swagger. Heads down, they trudged after Charlotte, looking like a bunch of scolded schoolboys.
Jacob tried to break the silence. “Chief Patriarch, where’d you learn those moves?”
Carrol, Sam, and Herman couldn’t get over her marksmanship. “Chief Patriarch, how long have you been practicing with a gun? You’re crazy accurate!”
Bolton edged up next to Charlotte, shoulders hunched. “Nine, your hacking is insane. Maybe you could show me a few tricks sometime?”
Charlotte glanced over her shoulder, clearly annoyed. “Stop following me.”
She was in a foul mood. Anthony was ignoring her calls and messages.
Bolton, still trying to keep up, gave her a thumbs-up. “Nine, have you heard of N? She’s my idol, the best hacker out there. But honestly, I think you might be just as good. You two should have a showdown someday!”
To Bolton, no one could top N, not even Nine.
“Nine, are you even listening to me?”
Charlotte stopped short and shot Bolton a cold, expressionless look.
He yelped. Next thing everyone knew, Bolton was on the ground, groaning in pain.
As Charlotte walked away, the remaining patriarchs exchanged nervous glances and stopped where they were. Clearly, Nine was in a bad mood.
Forget it. They weren’t about to push their luck. They didn’t stand a chance against her anyway.
***
In the observation room, Newell swirled his wine and watched Charlotte storm off. His brow furrowed.
Was she really in that much of a rush to get back to him?
“How are things on the Isle of Veil?”
He was obviously asking about Anthony.
Cedric stiffened for a second, then quickly composed himself. “Anthony offered ten million, but Rena still won’t part with the bracelet.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns