<h4>Chapter 106: La Hasanovi?</h4>


    Before Eleanor finished her breakfast, Cassandra received a reply from Teresa. The information La had provided was verified and confirmed. Along with the findings, Teresa had also sent ssified documents, including La Hasanovi?’s service record, her Interpol profile, and banking activity logs.


    La Hasanovi?, that was the swordswoman’s full name. Her file revealed an impressive military background. She had once held the rank of Captain in the Jaeger Corps, Denmark’s elite Special Operations Division. Her record was decorated with multiple medals andmendations, awarded for her role in joint operations alongside NATO and coalition special forces.


    During her active years, La was hailed as a rising star... a disciplined, daring operative known for her precision and calm under pressure. Her leadership in hostage rescues, urban infiltration missions, and cross-border intelligence-gathering operations earned her the trust ofmanding officers and respect from her peers.


    However, her brilliant career had ended abruptly.


    Her file was marked with a red tag: Dishonourably Discharged.


    The reason? The "unauthorized killing of 104 individuals"... a sanitized military euphemism. ording to Interpol, her actions were ressified as the targeted killing of civilians and political figures, allegedly driven by a personal vendetta.


    The gravity of her record was in stark contrast to her calm demeanour. As the hotel staff cleared the table, Cassandra quietly excused herself and called La to Eleanor’s room.


    Momentster, the door opened and La stepped in. She was dressed simply... her posture straight, her eyes clear, and her steps measured. She bowed her head politely. "Good morning."


    Eleanor gestured to the opposite sofa. "Please, have a seat."


    "Thank you." La took her seat, her hands folded calmly on herp.


    Eleanor didn’t waste time. "Why did you kill all those people?"


    There was no hesitation in La’s gaze. "My father died when I was a child. My mother passed away during my training years in the army. I was an only child, so our family home always felt empty. One of our neighbours... a kind couple looked after the house in my absence. They had a little boy. Mischievous, but bright. I was fond of him."


    She paused for a moment, a shadow passing over her expression.


    "After one of our joint operations abroad, I was granted a week’s leave. When I returned home, I found out the boy had gone missing three days earlier. The police had no leads, no suspects... nothing."


    Her voice hardened. "I couldn’t sit idly. Iunched my own search. I traced him... and found him dead. His body had already been harvested for organs. Stored in cargo, ready to be trafficked abroad. I discovered several other kidnapped children there, barely alive."


    Her jaw clenched. "I called the local police to rescue them. Then I lost control. I ughtered every person involved. I interrogated them before they died. The information they gave led me up the chain... through corrupt officials, traffickers, and finally to a high-ranking minister."


    Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. "I killed them all."


    Eleanor listened in silence, her expression unreadable.


    "I was thorough in execution, but in my rage, I overlooked the politics. Many of the people I killed had public support and a carefully manufactured clean image. The minister’s party turned public opinion against me. My own government needed a scapegoat. My dishonourable discharge was swift."


    La took a slow breath, steadying herself. "Despite everything, many of my formerrades understood. Some even helped me escape. Denmark no longer had a ce for me. I had no family left. I fled to Russia and joined Imperial Haven. It’s been over five years since."


    The room fell into heavy silence.


    Eleanor finally spoke, "You are currently protected by Imperial Haven. Why do you want to leave now?"


    La’s lips curled into a wry smile. "Because I’m tired of surviving. I want to start living. I don’t know your exact situation, but someone like you... with strong fighters at your side... must have influence. I thought maybe, just maybe, you could give me a new life."


    She added, "Always living under surveince in one ce is suffocating. I want freedom. A chance to contribute, to live openly... even if under a different name. I don’t mind working. I just don’t want to hide like a fugitive forever."


    Eleanor studied her for a long moment. "What exactly do you want from me?"


    La answered calmly, "A new identity. One that Interpol won’t question. In return, I offer my sword and my loyalty... but I won’t do anything that goes against my values. No assassinations. No underhanded political jobs. Just honest security work."


    Eleanor’s voice remained neutral. "I think you misunderstand. I am not running an organization like Imperial Haven. I’m a businesswoman. The people around me are my staff, my guards. Raphael thought you might be useful as part of my security team... that’s the only reason I called you here."


    La blinked. She had not expected that.


    "I can help you," Eleanor continued. "I can provide you with a clean identity, a secure job, and the ability to travel freely. But the pay will be standard corporate pay... not mercenary rates. You’ll be part of a formalpany structure."


    Without missing a beat, La replied, "I ept."


    "Very well," Eleanor said, giving her a nod. "Cassandra will take you to arrange the necessary documents."


    She turned to her assistant. "Call Teresa. Ask her to create a new name and legal identity for La. She will be working at our Trafford Command Center."


    "Yes, Boss." Cassandra bowed slightly and left the room with La following close behind.


    Once the room returned to silence, Eleanor sighed and picked up herptop. A flood of emails, reports, and performance reviews awaited her. She immersed herself in work.


    Time passed. Several hourster, Cassandra returned, this time with a message.


    "Boss, a man named Dimitry Petrov is here to see you."


    Eleanor nodded. "Bring him in."


    A momentter, Dimitry entered with a beautiful young woman beside him. Eleanor stood up to greet them.


    "Knight Petrov," she said with a smile. "It’s good to see you again."


    Dimitry gave a respectful bow. "Young Miss, I hope I’m not interrupting your morning."


    "Not at all," Eleanor replied. "In fact, I was expecting you. Please, make yourselffortable. Cassandra, bring another chair."


    There were only two sofas in the lounge area. Cassandra brought a chair from the dining table and ced it neatly by the coffee table.


    Dimitry remained standing and gestured toward the young woman beside him. "Let me introduce Miss Anastasiya Ivanova, the most beloved granddaughter of Lord Alexander Ivanov. She hase on his behalf to deliver a message... and a gift."


    Anastasiya stepped forward and extended her hand. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. My grandfather speaks highly of you."


    Eleanor shook her hand firmly. "The pleasure is mine. Please, sit."


    Eleanor noticed how Anastasiya took the sofa, while Dimitry sat in the chair. It subtly confirmed Anastasiya’s higher standing within the n.


    With a graceful motion, Anastasiya retrieved a jade bottle from her elegant handbag and extended it to Eleanor.


    "This," she said, "is the Moonpetal Flower, one of my grandfather’s treasured items. He wishes you to have it."


    Eleanor epted the bottle with both hands. She didn’t even nce inside, but said respectfully, "Please thank Lord Ivanov for his generosity. I must admit, I wasn’t prepared for this meeting and have no gift to return."


    Anastasiya smiled warmly. "Don’t worry. I insisted on meeting you while you were in our territory. My grandfather sees you as a role model... someone our younger generation can learn from."


    Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "I’m ttered by his words, though I’m not sure I’ve done anything so grand."


    She paused, then looked toward Cassandra. "Cassandra, return to your room. I will summon you when required."


    Cassandra gave a short nod and exited, closing the door quietly behind her.


    Once alone, Eleanor folded her hands on herp. "Now then... I believe you have something important to discuss with me. Please, go ahead."