?Chapter 278:


    Far too cramped to dodge properly, the stone still clipped him. Hard. Not his face, thankfully—but it struck the back of his skull with a sickening thud.


    Pain red instantly. His vision pulsed, and a dull, throbbing ache radiated through his head. He clenched his jaw to stifle a cry.


    Then, above him, Hailee’s voice floated over, curious and oblivious. “Elliana, why did you throw a rock?”


    Elliana gave a nonchnt shrug and brushed her hands clean as if she’d merely swatted a fly. “Oh, that bin was bothering me. Problem solved. Let’s go.”


    Elliana looped her arm through Hailee’s and steered her away, not once looking back.


    Inside the bin, Merlin seethed. So, Elliana had known. That throw wasn’t random. It was calcted. Precise. Payback. It was tant revenge. She’d held onto that petty grudge from earlier—when he’d badmouthed her to Cole—and now she’d found the perfect chance to strike back. That woman was dangerous. And vicious. Throwing such a boulder at his head? What was her goal—knock him out cold? Give him amnesia? If not for his reflexes—and his years of physical conditioning—she might’ve sent him straight to the ER.


    He waited until their footsteps faded into the distance before climbing out of the bin, scowling. His fingers found a lump the size of a golf ball on the back of his head. Elliana, that vengeful demoness!


    Dark curses tumbled from his lips as he walked back to the Royal Club, dignity in tatters. His belongings were still in the private room where he and Manley had been drinking earlier—and after what he’d just been through, he needed out of this ce.


    Inside the room, Manley was still sprawled out, drink in one hand and game console in the other. He barely looked up as Merlin entered. “Took you long enough. Did the restroom swallow you?”


    Then, Merlin nced up properly and blinked. “Wait a second.” He squinted. “Did you fall into a trash can?”


    Merlin didn’t respond. His jaw was set, his eyes dark, and he moved with a kind of stormy silence as he collected his things.


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    That only fueled Manley’s curiosity. He hopped up and trailed Merlin like a shadow. “Okay, hold on—what happened to you? Whoa! Is that a bump? Dude! Did you get into a fight?”


    He leaned closer, inspecting Merlin like a detective. “Wait… Who’d be dumb enough to pick a fight with you? No one in Ublento’s got a death wish. Unless—did you run into some foreign assassin?”


    Merlin’s patience finally snapped. “Will you shut up already?”


    Manley reeled back, hands raised. “Whoa, chill! I’m just worried about you!”


    Merlin shot Manley a death re, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stalked toward the door.


    “Where are you even going?” Manley called after him, still baffled.


    Merlin’s face darkened with every step he took. His pace was sharp, and the air around him felt like ice. Without slowing down, he threw a response over his shoulder. “I’ve had it. Someone’s about to pay miserably.”


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