Chapter 4 Bastien was way faster than Narissa'd expected . She leaned back , her mind spinning . Looked like she was about to crash right into Bastien , ready or not . Here was the thing : that dude had no idea the woman he'd sworn to hunt down was on Rothialand's payroll , same as him . He was the big shot in the spotlight ; she was the ghost in the shadows . She wasn't just Agent Fox , the slickest thief alive . She was also Codename 001 , the Military Intelligence Office's top dog , locked down at 5S - level secrecy . Nobody outside her tight crew had ever seen her face - not even the higher - ups . Her identity was a national secret , sealed tighter than a drum . No surprise Bastien didn't know who he was dealing with . Narissa smirked , licking her lips like a fox sizing up its prey . If this was how it was gonna go , she'd play his little game . She couldn't wait to see the look on that cold - as - ice jerk's face when he realized who she was . Ping ! Another message from Octopus popped up . 008 : [ Hey , Boss , heads - up . The Harlow family ? Rothialand's oldest , sketchiest clan . They're way above the Evertons ' league . Word is , they owe Dario a favor . I'm worried your " family reunion " might put you right in Bastien's crosshairs . ] ***** At night , dinnertime rolled around . After chilling in her room all afternoon , Narissa was called downstairs by her parents . The Evertons were old - school , high - society folks with strict rules . If they weren't out of town , they parked their butt at the big dining table for meals . Dario's rule , no exceptions . At the table , Amanda flashed Narissa a warm smile . " Here , hon , I know you used to love steak as a kid . Hope you're still into it . I made this myself - dig in ! " She plopped a juicy chunk into Narissa's plate , eyes sparkling . " Your mom's been busting her chops in the kitchen all day , " Hector said with a grin . " Craving anything else ? Just say it , and I'll have the chef hook it up . " Thud ! Dario slammed his fork down , still pissed . But for some reason , he didn't rip into Narissa this time . She blinked , catching the vibe . Her parents must've talked him down . 1/3 12.0 Tue , Aug X - Chapter 4 Sure enough , Hector cleared his throat . " So , Narissa , we hashed it out with your grandpa . " Three days from now , we're throwing you a big welcome - back party . " Amanda grabbed Narissa's hand , voice soft but excited . " You're an Everton heiress , sweetie . All Sinney City's big shots will be there . " Great chance to mingle and make a name for yourself ." " We're gonna make it official , " Hector added . " Press , guests , the works . Everyone's gonna know the Everton family's second daughter is back . " Narissa gave a quick nod . She wasn't thrilled about some ritzy gala , but if it made her folks happy , she'd roll with it . " She's got no clue how to act at a thing like that . You sure she won't make us look like fools ? " Dario muttered . Amanda jumped in . " Dario , chill . We've got this . Starting tomorrow , Narissa's training at Regality Academy . " They'll get her up to speed . No way she's embarrassing the family . " Regality Academy . The capital's elite training ground , churning out polished socialites and badasses alike . It wasn't just etiquette and piano lessons - they taught real skills : fighting , shooting , even medical training . Graduate from there , and you could probably escape a kidnapping with a hairpin . Cressida was one of their star students , after all . " Hmph . Good luck with that , " Dario scoffed , clearly not sold . Cressida rolled her eyes , looking annoyed as hell . Amanda and Hector shared a helpless glance . Amanda turned to Narissa , her tone soft . " Don't worry , hon . Regality's teachers are great , and it's a chill vibe . Never thrown a punch or shot a gun ? No biggie - they'll start you from scratch . You'll pick it up in no time . " Dinner went by without a hitch . Afterward , Narissa dragged herself upstairs . The trip back from Orsin City's Waylen Auction House had been rough , and with Bastien possibly on her tail , she hadn't slept a wink . All she wanted was to crash hard . But as she opened her door , she sensed someone behind her . Narissa's instincts flared . Her eyes narrowed , a dangerous glint flashing . Then she saw it was just Cressida who'd followed her up . Before Narissa could step inside , Cressida slapped a hand on the 2/3 12:02 Tue , Aug 19 D X +15 Chapter 4 doorframe , blocking her . " I saw it ! " Cressida's eyes burned with accusation . " Don't play dumb with me ! " Narissa raised an eyebrow . " Saw what ? " " Some sketchy gossip site , " Cressida hissed . " You were all over some sleazy rich dude , waltzing into a hotel . The comments tore you apart - called you his side chick , a gold - digger who'll do anything for cash ! " " You …. " Cressida's voice shook . " You're out here selling yourself ! Probably carrying who - knows - what . It's gross ! " I'm not claiming you as my sister . So , what's your excuse ? " Narissa's edge softened as it clicked . ' Rich dude ? Gossip site ? Oh , yeah . It clicked . Last year , she'd had a rushed hit job . No time for a disguise , so she'd used her real face to lure that sleazy tycoon into a hotel . Job done . Clean kill . Someone must've snapped a pic . And , of course , Cressida saw it online . So that was why her never - met - before sister had it out for her . Narissa crossed her arms , smirking . Cressida's lips tightened , her glare fierce . " You're not even gonna deny it ? " Narissa wasn't about to spill her secrets . Her real job was too risky to reveal - one slip could put her family in danger . So she just shrugged , her tone cool and unbothered . " Yeah , you got me . So what ? " Cressida's face went red . ' So what ? Is this girl for real ? No shame at all ? ' " What ?! " Cressida snapped , fuming . She'd never met anyone so brazen - acting like being a mistress or some shady sidepiece was no big deal . Cressida was done . She couldn't believe this was the sister their parents had spent years searching for . She pointed at Narissa , her voice venomou