Of the three, Nora Lowell was clearly the one in charge.

But the two men behind her, holding Leanne Walsh, were not weak either.

One was the driver from the first time she saw Shawn Monroe outside the city. Paige still remembered the reek of blood that clung to him. The other was Jayden Yeats.

Seeing this lineup, Paige Summers knew today’s plan was over.

As for Nora Lowell’s spiel about how they were on an official mission from Shawn Monroe to rescue Leanne Walsh, who was supposedly the Young City Lord’s capable subordinate... Paige just wanted to spit.

’Why are these people so obsessed with keeping up appearances?’

’It was true that Leanne Walsh had been one of Shawn Monroe’s subordinates in her past life. Though I don’t know why things are different now, this rescue is clearly a spur-of-the-moment decision! Otherwise, the people she had with her for the duel wouldn’t have been so useless!’

’However, this "spur-of-the-moment decision" seemed to be more than it appeared.’

’There had to be a catch for Shawn Monroe to be so willing to protect Leanne Walsh!’

Paige tuned out Nora Lowell’s official spiel until it finally ended. She looked over at the Perry parents; their faces were ashen. It was clear they believed their revenge was now impossible. They might have the courage to oppose the Young City Lord, but they lacked the power. If they were to press the attack now, they would only be throwing their own lives away.

She sighed inwardly. ’I wanted them to get their revenge with their own hands, but now I’ll have to find another way myself.’

"Let’s go."

She gave Levi Young a meaningful look, and they prepared to leave.

But Nora Lowell suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

Paige, who had only taken a few steps, turned back. She saw Nora’s gaze land on her ear and smiled. "I’ve already handed her over. What more do you want? Heh, the Young City Lord’s people are certainly impressive. You even interrupt a private duel, which everyone knows is off-limits. What’s next? Are you going to silence us for good?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Nora Lowell gritted her teeth. "Stop your nonsense! I’m asking you about that earring you’re wearing."

Paige reached up and touched her earlobe, her fingertip brushing against the warm Mutton Fat Jade. Feigning surprise, she raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Don’t tell me it’s not enough for you to snatch the real thing, now you’re after the fakes, too?"

"A fake?" Nora Lowell wavered. Come to think of it, the color and luster really weren’t the same as the pair from the other day, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Paige thought, ’Her coveting this is going to be a constant problem. I might as well make her give up on it for good.’

"What, you don’t believe me? Want me to take it off so you can have a look?"

With that, she made a show of removing it. ’It’s no big deal,’ she thought. ’Even though I can’t open the earring’s pocket dimension, it’s already half-fused with the Jade Pendant Mark. Anyone else who got it would just assume it was an ordinary accessory.’

Seeing how nonchalant Paige was, Nora Lowell’s suspicion indeed faded. She refused curtly, "No need. The one thing I hate most is fakes!"

Paige snorted, then turned and calmly walked away with Levi Young and the Perry parents, who followed with their heads bowed in silence.

But just before she left, she gave Leanne Walsh one last, deep look.

’You got lucky this time. You actually escaped!’

’I swear, there won’t be a next time!’

’After all the disgusting things you’ve plotted, I’d be letting myself down in this new life if I didn’t kill you!’

The chill in her eyes was colder than it had ever been before.

Ace and Jayden Yeats exchanged a glance, then both looked at Leanne Walsh. A single thought surfaced in both their minds: that woman wasn’t long for this world.

But that was none of their business.

The Young City Lord had saved her only for the information she’d provided. Once they secured the batch of supplies she’d mentioned, whether she lived or died would be up to her own abilities.

Once they reached the Lower District, Paige Summers quickly parted ways with the Perry parents.

She didn’t offer many words of comfort. With Leanne Walsh still alive, anything she said would be meaningless.

On the way back to her place, Levi Young looked dejected. "Sorry," he said. "I wasn’t much help."

Paige slapped him on the shoulder. "What are you talking about! If it weren’t for you, Leanne Walsh would have discovered Hugo Perry’s parents long ago. How would I have ever tricked her into telling the truth and clearing my name?"

That seemed to cheer him up a little, but Levi Young was still gloomy. "Actually, when those three showed up, I thought about poisoning her..."

"Oh?" ’I didn’t sense any poison. Has his Poison-making Skill leveled up again?’

Levi Young quickly shook his head. "I never got the chance. That ice-cold guy... I barely even twitched my fingers and he was already staring me down. He’s incredibly alert, a really tough opponent. If you ever have to face him, you have to be careful."

’Jayden Yeats, huh? He really is impressive.’

Paige Summers nodded, feeling a pang of regret. Back when she’d left the city with the Lucky Hunters, she had actually thought highly of the man and considered trying to befriend him. A pity he belonged to Shawn Monroe.