"Director Bennett." Serena's aura exploded in an instant, her gaze icy enough to freeze the air. "Right now, I've got the truth-and this gun. Let's change the rules. Anyone dares to move, you're dead. Sound fair?"
The cold barrel pressed right against his forehead, and Oscar Bennett froze up on the spot.
Even back when he was in the field facing elite special ops, he'd never seen someone with this kind of presence.
That stance, that killing intent... Serena wasn't just some ordinary woman.
Was she... military?
"Don't move! Nobody move!"
His subordinates all froze like statues.
Meanwhile, Cora's pale face twisted with fury. "Oscar! Don't let her scare you. She's not some big shot. She's just Evan's little sister-the one who got locked up six years ago! Grew up in an orphanage, escaped from prison! Just think-capturing her would earn you serious points!"
Hearing that, most of the fear in Oscar's heart vanished.
He sneered, eyes filled with scorn. "Hey sweetheart, you even know how to handle a gun? Careful you don't shoot yourself."
Serena raised an eyebrow.
Accidental discharge?
If Gavin Moore were here to hear someone questioning her marksmanship, that ice-cold face of his might actually crack a smile.
Her "Gun Queen" title wasn't for show-it was earned with real bodies on real battlefields.
Question her?
"Bang!"
The gunshot roared.
Blood sprayed like a red mist, spattering across Oscar's face.
His guy didn't even make a sound. Just dropped like a rock, a hole right between the eyes.
Serena calmly held the gun, casually blowing the smoke off the barrel as she spoke with a light chuckle, "Director Bennett, I gave your SIG SISP330 a little test. German engineering, huh? Doesn't misfire that easily. Chill out."
Oscar stood frozen, eyes wide. Whatever color had been in his face vanished completely. He couldn't even get a word out.
The three Bennett women screamed in terror.
Cora scrambled like her life depended on it, practically throwing herself behind Karen. No way she was letting that next bullet hit her.
Oscar, a man used to seeing blood, managed to pull himself together after a moment. His voice lowered, trying to sound reasonable. "Miss Douglas... let's just talk this through..."
But heavy, steady footsteps came from outside just then.
The door creaked open. In walked a tall figure, each step radiating command.
Oscar's eyes lit up like he'd just seen a lifeline and nearly shouted, "General Moore! You're here?!"
Gavin didn't even glance at him.
And when Cora saw Gavin, her expression shifted completely.
His military uniform fit like it was molded to his body-broad shoulders, narrow waist, sharp eyes, and that cold, commanding presence you couldn't fake.
She instantly forgot the grime on her face and the pain in her wrist, scrambling off the floor while forcing herself to sound pitiful: "You're General Gavin Moore, right? Great! This woman not only hurt me, she pointed a gun at my brother! That's assaulting an officer in broad daylight! General, you have to stand up for us Bennetts!"
As she spoke, she threw a smug glance at Serena, clearly convinced Gavin would take her side.
Gavin slowly raised his hand and pulled the gun from his waist.
Seeing that, Cora looked even more pleased with herself and lifted her chin at Serena. "Be smart and drop the gun! Beg now, and I might still put in a word-let the General spare your life..."
Before she could finish, Serena calmly lowered her weapon.
With Gavin here, she couldn't be bothered to deal with these clowns anymore.
Thinking Serena was giving up, Cora's smirk deepened. Just as she opened her mouth again-
Bang!
A shot exploded by her feet.
The bullet buried itself in the floor just a hair from her toes, wood shards slicing up against her leg-so sharp it made her jump.
"General Moore, you shot the wrong person!" she shrieked, stunned, staring at Gavin.
But Gavin had already walked up to Serena, his expression respectful: "Your Highness, I'm sorry for arriving late."
"Y-Your Highness?" Everyone in the room froze.
Karen and Nina Bennett dropped to the floor in shock, while Oscar Bennett stood rooted in place.
He'd spent years in the military-if anyone knew Gavin Moore's rank and power, it was him.
So young, yet already a general with real authority under his command.
If someone could make Gavin speak with that much respect and call them "Your Highness"...
A terrifying thought flashed through Oscar's mind, cold sweat soaking his back as he turned to look at Serena again. The contempt from earlier was now replaced with raw fear.
And Cora was still completely clueless, hopping on one foot and shouting, "Highness? You've gotta be kidding! General, don't let her fool you! She's a convict! She broke out before finishing her sentence!"
Smack!
A loud slap echoed.
Oscar swung his hand and slapped Cora hard across the face, his eyes filled with fury.
Totally clueless. Couldn't even read the damn room.
He still didn't know exactly who Serena was, but one thing was clear-letting Cora spout off like a maniac was a death sentence for all of them.
If she got herself killed, fine. But if she dragged the whole Bennett family down with her, that was it.
They couldn't even afford to piss off Gavin Moore, let alone someone the general would bow to.
Who the hell was Serena to have Gavin himself treating her like royalty?
If Cora kept running her mouth, she'd send the whole family straight to hell.
Cora was stunned by the slap, covering her cheek and crying, "Why'd you hit me, bro? I'm telling the truth!"
Gavin shot her a frosty look, disgust practically written on his face.
Unbelievable. Eyes wide open and still so blind.
They knew who he was... but had no clue about her.
Idiots. No wonder they were courting death.
Yeah, makes sense. Back in the day, Her Highness tore up the battlefield like a nightmare-took out enemy commanders from three kilometers away without even blinking. She literally ended the border war on her own. No wonder the enemy troops used to call her the "Scarlet Valkyrie."
These small-time thugs who bully people around Draco City? Not even qualified to stand at attention in front of her, let alone know who she is.
He raised his gun again, calm and steady as the barrel pointed right at Cora's forehead. He tilted his head, asking Serena, "Your Highness, someone this clueless... want me to take her out right now so she doesn't keep disgusting you?"
"No need." Serena's voice was calm, icy. "Didn't I just say? She's already headed for where she belongs."
She turned her gaze toward Karen and Nina Bennett, who were shaking like leaves. Her voice carried not a hint of warmth. "You two. Repeat exactly what I told you earlier."
The sisters were already scared stiff. Now they were just sobbing and huddled together, stammering in sync, "Apologize... apologize to Mr. Carter and beg for forgiveness... And we-we're all being sent to the co-ed prison... to serve a hundred inmates..."
Only then did Serena seem satisfied. She let the gun fall to the floor by Oscar Bennett's feet with a casual toss.
The thud it made on the ground echoed through the room, making Oscar flinch like he'd been zapped.
"Director Bennett," she said, her tone almost teasing, "What do you think of this method of law enforcement?"
Oscar nodded so hard and fast he nearly snapped his neck. His back was bent nearly in half. "Y-Yes! Of course! Absolutely yes!"
Then he whirled to yell at the three, "What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there-hurry up and apologize to Mr. Carter!"
Terrified, Karen and Nina dropped to their knees immediately and bowed their heads to Evan.
But Cora wouldn't budge. Chin up, teeth clenched, she refused to kneel. Seeing this, Oscar broke out in a cold sweat and shot a glare at his men.
Two officers rushed in, held Cora down, and slammed her head to the ground.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Only when the three of them had busted foreheads and bloodied faces did Serena finally speak, slow and lazy, "That's enough for now."
She put a finger to her lips and turned to the crying trio. With a soft smile she warned, "Shh. If you wake up my brother, forget prison-you'll be buried alive."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Oscar quickly barked out, "Don't just stand there, drag them out of here! Follow protocol!"
"Oscar! You can't do this to me! I'm your sister! I don't wanna go to prison!" Cora finally broke, struggling wildly as her screams echoed. Her nails dug deep gashes into the officers' arms.
"Serena is a liar! She's not some highness! Let me go!"
Oscar couldn't even look at her. Only when her cries faded down the hall and silence returned did he dare wipe the cold sweat off his face.
