For now, the immediate threat posed by Aelfric was neutralized. Her kick had been precise and powerful, aimed to cause significant swelling and nerve pressure around his waist. This injury would prevent him from engaging in combat for at least ten days, and he surely couldn’t exert his usual strength on the Sunrise. These maneuvers were her guarded secrets, unknown to anyone else. To the trainees of Doomsday Base, the chief instructor’s eccentricity was well-known, so Aelfric wouldn’t be suspicious of her intentions
After a brief silence, Marissa approached Aelfric, who was still on the ground, and quipped, “Aelfric, you’ve improved, but it’s still not enough. Keep practicing.”
“Understood,” Aelfric grumbled, his voice tinged with resentment, yet he dared not talk back. “Thank you for your guidance.”
“Rest well,” Marissa said with a smile, then turned and walked away. As she reached the gate of the branch, a sudden, enthusiastic shout stopped her
“Chief instructor!”
She turned, surprised to see Derek following her
As Marissa left, Marc and Terry were right on her heels, which surprised no one at the base. They were well-known as her devoted supporters. However, it was Derek’s first encounter with the chief instructor, and his decision to follow her raised some doubts. What was his intention?
While Marissa tried to puzzle it out, Derek hurried over to her, beaming as he presented an invitation card. “I’d be honored if you attended my engagement party tomorrow,” he said, his smile broadening. It was obvious that Derek was trying to ingratiate himself with Marissa. Many others tried to do the same, yet Derek’s approach seemed particularly opportunistic, given that he was Aelfric’s future brother-in-law, and Aelfric had recently suffered a defeat at Marissa’s hands
Marc scoffed at the gesture. “Derek, the chief instructor’s schedule is packed. She won’t have time for your party.”
Terry chimed in, “She prefers solitude and isn’t fond of such events. You might want to take your invitation back, Derek.”
Embarrassed by their reactions, Derek silently fumed at Marc and Terry. Yet, he continued to look hopefully at Marissa, seeking her agreement
Unbeknownst to Aelfric, Derek had planned this move to win over the chief instructor. Growing up as a frequent target for bullies, Derek had learned to side with the strongest. After seeing Marissa’s capabilities, he was convinced that his future should be aligned with hers. He couldn’t just rely on Aelfric, who had just been bested by her. If the chief instructor supported him, Derek wouldn’t need to kowtow to Aelfric. With such backing, he could free himself from Aelfric’s dominance in any future family squabbles
Marissa, having grown alongside Derek, saw right through his schemes. She had intended to attend his engagement party all along, so she seized the chance to play with him. To the amazement of all present, the chief instructor accepted the invitation with a warm smile, declaring, “Alright, I’ll be there.”
Marc and Terry were dumbfounded. It was the first occasion on which the chief instructor had agreed to participate in such a social event. Connor and Marissa were slated to attend the engagement party the next day. If the chief instructor were actually Marissa, she wouldn’t have needed an invitation from Derek. Did this confirm that Marissa wasn’t the chief instructor? Derek, caught up in his excitement, didn’t know what Marc and Terry were thinking. Overjoyed by the chief instructor’s agreement, he blurted out, “Thank you, chief instructor!”
Marissa threw Derek a fleeting glance before walking away. Marc and Terry hastened to catch up with her. Derek lingered at the doorway for a while, fantasizing about the chief instructor gracing his engagement party and the envy it would stir among the guests
Leaving Derek behind, Marissa ventured a bit ahead then turned to Marc and Terry, asking, “When are you two going to stop tailing me?” Caught off guard, Marc and Terry responded, “Where are you heading?”
“Do I need to report back to you?” Marissa inquired
“No, that’s not necessary. We just want to make sure there’s nothing you need from us.”
“Well,” Marissa responded nonchalantly. “Just keep up the good work and stay out of trouble. Don’t disappoint me.”
She then took a taxi and departed. Marc and Terry watched her taxi drive away, lingering until it was out of sight, before they made their way back to Daniels Manor. Upon reaching Daniels Manor, they were surprised to find Marissa, who had earlier claimed she had urgent matters to attend to without needing Connor’s accompaniment, lounging on the sofa and munching on a hamburger
Connor handed her a glass of water, advising, “Take it slow, so you won’t choke.”
Marissa ignored his caution, grabbing the water and continuing to eat voraciously, her mouth stuffed with food. Marc and Terry exchanged looks of astonishment. Marissa’s eating style was uncannily reminiscent of their chief instructor’s. A realization dawned on them, and in unison, they exclaimed, “Chief instructor!”
Marc’s and Terry’s voices made Marissa choke. “Ahem. Ahem…”
Connor quickly handed her a glass of water again and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath. Marissa took the glass, gulped down the water, and, after calming herself, looked at Marc and Terry. “What did you call me just now?”
Her question dampened the excitement on Marc’s and Terry’s faces, casting doubt on their assumptions. Connor glanced at them, then turned to Marissa. “Where have you been? You look famished.”
Marissa took a bite of the hamburger and replied nonchalantly, “I got into a fight.”
Terry muttered, “Our chief instructor fought someone tonight too. What a coincidence!”
Marissa shot him a disdainful glance. “You think only your chief instructor can fight?”
Terry was left speechless. Seeing her arrogant expression, Connor chuckled. “Who did you fight with?”
“Someone who crossed me,” Marissa replied
Raising an eyebrow, Connor realized she was withholding the truth, so he stopped pressing. “You said you didn’t need me tonight. Why are you here?”
Marissa popped the last bite of the hamburger into her mouth. “I just remembered I have to attend Derek’s engagement ceremony tomorrow. I need a good night’s sleep so I can be the most stunning one there.”
“Alright, I’ll make sure your wish comes true.” Connor laughed. “Go take a shower. I’ll join you soon.”
Marissa wasn’t used to sharing a room with him at the Daniels’ place, but it was nearly midnight, and she didn’t feel like moving. So she obediently took his advice. Finishing her water, she stood up and headed upstairs. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, or I’ll be suffering,” she reminded Connor with a playful tone
Domenic, Marc, and Terry blushed, wishing the couple would spare them the public display of affection. After Marissa ascended to the second floor, Connor asked lightly, “Have you seen your chief instructor?”
“Yes. She went to the Blebert branch of Doomsday Base in person,” Marc responded. Terry suddenly snorted. “She also laid Aelfric flat. He’s so badly injured that he won’t be back on his feet for at least two weeks.”
Connor raised an eyebrow. “What prompted her to hit Aelfric?”
“No reason. They were just practicing,” Terry replied
Connor lowered his gaze. “Why did you call Marissa ‘chief instructor’?”
“When Miss Nash was devouring her food, she was a dead ringer for our chief instructor,” Terry explained. “Mr. Daniels, don’t you find Miss Nash quite peculiar?” Marc asked. “She’s the renowned Dr. Riss. Doctors are always so dignified. How could she eat like that?”
“Well, that’s because she is also Black Snake,” Connor replied matter-of-factly
“Black Snake?” Domenic’s, Marc’s, and Terry’s eyes widened in unison
“Mr. Daniels, are you saying that Miss Nash is both Dr. Riss and Black Snake, that remarkable warrior?” Domenic sought confirmation
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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