Chapter 81
Zina sat back in the passenger seat, eyes half–closed, yet Iris’s strangely familiar face kept flashing through her mind.
She believed she had seen her somewhere, but the answer danced just beyond her grasp.
An hour later, they reached an abandoned school–like building, standing alone in the empty wasteland and completely out of place.
Their luxury car clashed violently with the surroundings, like two disjointed layers in a photoshopped image.
Zina stepped out of the car, her eyes alight as she gazed at the place she hadn’t visited in ages. A profound sense of belonging surged through her.
That’s more like it, she thought.
This was her turf–she was the queen here.
When she stepped through the gates, a chilling surge hit her.
“Who goes there?”
A figure lunged at her. Instinctively, she lashed out with a kick, sending the assailant sprawling.
“Take a good look at who I am,” she said coolly.
Her delicate features came into view as she calmly smoothed her slightly disheveled hair and arched an eyebrow.
A flash of lethal intent flickered in her usually aloof eyes. The intruder froze, face etched with utter astonishment.
“B–Boss! Boss, you’re finally back!”
The man’s eyes darted around with astonishment.
Then, as if injected with a shot of adrenaline, he bolted into the Base, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Everyone, get out here! Stop training! Boss is back!”
In an instant, the entire Base erupted into commotion.
Before Zina could step out of the courtyard, the training ground was already swarming with people. Pairs of eyes–some familiar, some entirely new–were all fixed on her, unblinking.
She pressed a hand to her chest and felt her long–dormant heart seemed to beat once more.
“It’s been a long time, everyone,” she said.
These simple words had echoed in her mind for five long years.
And today–finally–they escaped her lips.
All the scenes from prison, the grievances and hardships she endured after her release–all of it melted away, as if none of it had ever happened.
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Chapter 81
In her mind, only the here and now remained: the faces before her and their distinct, familiar voices.
The subordinate rushed over, exclaiming, “Boss! We miss you s
so much!”
A tall, burly figure charged over, which made Zina almost lose her balance. It was Mateo.
Chris swiftly steadied Zina and sighed. “Seriously, can’t you be more careful? You almost knocked Boss over! If people acted like you, she’d be worn out in no time.”
Zina twitched her lips, thinking the last sentence was unwanted.
Taking a deep breath, she waved her hand to calm everyone down before speaking. “Alright, everyone, settle down.” The moment her voice faded, the crowd instantly hushed. She continued, “This time, I’ll be staying at the Base for quite a while. Wait for my orders regarding any arrangements. For now, resume your training”
With that, the uniformed instructors stepped forward, gathering their respective trainees and leading them away.
The bustling courtyard emptied in an instant.
Only Mateo remained, unable to take his eyes off Zina. He seemed afraid she might vanish without a trace again, just like
last time.
“Boss, please don’t leave us behind again,” he deplored.
Though he’d long mastered emotional restraint, his true feelings spilled out now.
“Boss, we’ve missed you so much.”
“I know,” Zina said, patting Mateo’s shoulder. As he’d been with her from the very beginning, her usually composed heart was stirred by the emotion of this long–awaited reunion.
“Let’s move inside. I’ve got more business to handle.”
Mateo hurried ahead to lead the way, humming softly, his steps brisk.
