Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

It took over an hour of straight discussion before everything was fully settled.

The agreement also covered many miscellaneous details, such as Paige Summers needing to periodically visit and demonstrate some Artifact Making techniques to the Mercer Family’s younger generation... Paige readily agreed to all of this.

’If someone could truly take what she taught and far surpass her, wouldn’t that be the most effective motivation for her as well?’

Finally, Blake Morrison said happily, "Then it’s settled. I’ll have the contract sent over to you later."

Paige Summers nodded. A contract would make everything official and provide proper assurance.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m going to check on my friend."

"Alright, I’ll take you there now." He had just stepped out and ordered a disciple to find Zachary Mercer, so he figured there shouldn’t be any major issues.

Unexpectedly, just as the two of them walked a short distance from The Mercer Workshop, they saw Marcus Monroe heading their way. A Mercer disciple was with him, but it wasn’t Zephyr Mercer.

As he got closer, Paige Summers could clearly see a fresh bruise on the corner of Marcus Monroe’s mouth, but other than that, he seemed fine.

Marcus Monroe smiled at her, not mentioning what had just happened. "All done? Let’s go then."

With that, he gave Blake Morrison a polite nod.

Watching the two of them leave side-by-side, Blake Morrison paused and asked the disciple next to him, "Where’s Finn?"

The disciple stammered, "He’s... not feeling well..."

Blake Morrison froze. ’Is that Marcus Monroe really that skilled? Did he injure Finn?’ He quickly pressed, "He’s injured? Is it serious?"

"Well, it’s not a big deal, it’s just... his face... uh..."

Blake Morrison slapped a hand to his forehead and sighed. ’What a foolish boy!’

’But that guy, Monroe, must have known Finn is proud. He must have aimed for his face on purpose! Just to make sure he’d be too embarrassed to show his face in front of Paige Summers again!’

Then, another thought occurred to him, and he asked, "Were you there when they fought?"

The disciple shook his head. "I was there at the beginning, but then they said something to each other, and our senior brother told us to leave."

Blake Morrison stroked his chin. ’No matter what, to be able to beat up Finn’s face so badly he can’t show it in public... I have to admit, that guy’s got some real skill!’

He mulled it over for a moment, then turned and went to find Zachary Mercer.

Meanwhile, Paige Summers waited until they were in the car before asking Marcus Monroe, "Where else are you hurt?"

"Nowhere. It’s nothing."

After studying him to make sure he wasn’t just putting on a brave face, Paige Summers finally relaxed, her tone becoming much lighter. "So, what did you think? Fighting a descendant of the renowned Mercer Family."

Marcus Monroe smiled. "The Mercer Family really lives up to its reputation. No wonder they hold such a high status in Central City."

Paige Summers blinked. "Don’t tell me you lost?"

"I didn’t lose, but... I didn’t exactly win either." His arm and the area under his left ribs ached dully. Nothing was broken, but they were definitely injured. To Marcus Monroe, though, as long as it wasn’t life-threatening, it was nothing. ’As for that Mercer kid, his face is a real masterpiece now!’

’Just because I don’t care about him doesn’t mean he can just treat Paige Summers like she’s his property.’

’He needed to be taught a lesson!’

’The injuries won’t disfigure him, but they won’t heal in just a few days. Now, he probably won’t be showing up for a good while.’

At this thought, his mood improved so much he almost forgot about his own injuries.

However, the fight had also made him realize a few things. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Superpower Users couldn’t always have the upper hand. Zephyr Mercer’s skills weren’t bad—in fact, they were quite good, or he wouldn’t have been able to injure him. But he lost because he had too little experience. Compared to someone like himself, who had clawed his way through life-and-death situations, it was the difference between a child and an adult.

But the one who concerned him most wasn’t Zephyr Mercer, but the middle-aged man who had come to the training ground, glanced over, and then left!

If he wasn’t mistaken, that must have been the current Mercer Family Head, Zachary Mercer.

The man was utterly unfathomable.

He and Zephyr Mercer emanated a similar aura, but their presence was worlds apart.

The moment Zachary Mercer’s gaze swept over him, he immediately felt a sense of threat and danger!

’As expected, a man who could become the Family Head was on a completely different level than those kids.’

’Most of the Mercers don’t have superpowers. I wonder if it’s related to the Ancient Martial Arts they practice.’

’If that’s the case, then I guess heaven really is fair.’

’If beings like them also had superpowers, they could probably dominate all of Astoria if they wanted to!’

While Marcus Monroe was lost in thought, Paige Summers noticed the slight way his body tensed up as he drove. She frowned and said immediately, "Pull over. I’ll drive!"

Marcus Monroe snapped out of his reverie, rubbed his nose, and switched seats without a word.

After they returned to their residence, Paige Summers tossed him a tube of ointment, and he went back to his room, secretly pleased.

Blake Morrison was a man of action. He had the contract delivered the very next afternoon.

Paige Summers didn’t hide it from Marcus Monroe. After looking it over, she signed her name and pressed her thumbprint on it.

As Blake Morrison was leaving, he pulled her aside and asked, "Don’t mind me for prying, but... are you really refusing to acknowledge your mother?"

Paige Summers was taken aback for a moment. Then she realized the Mercer and Lowell families must have a good relationship, so it wasn’t strange for him to ask. ’Still, to be honest, Blake Morrison doesn’t seem like the gossipy type. There must be another reason.’

Just as she suspected, he paused for a moment before saying with some difficulty, "The Mercer and Lowell families interact frequently. Even though you haven’t returned to the Lowell Family, the Old Master of the Lowell Family did mention before that you are his granddaughter. The Mercer Family is aware of this. So, it’s difficult for us to hide our cooperation with you."

Paige Summers shook her head. "Do as you see fit. I don’t care about that. You only need to know one thing: I am me, and the Lowell Family is the Lowell Family. I won’t disrupt the Lowell Family’s current situation, but they can’t influence my decisions either."

Based on her previous refusal to visit the Mercer Family, Blake Morrison had already guessed that her relationship with the Lowell Family wasn’t what they had hoped for. Moreover, he had later learned a little about what happened with the Summers Family back then, and Wendy Lowell’s actions might not have been entirely proper. It was understandable that Paige Summers refused to acknowledge a mother she had never even met since birth.

So he simply nodded. "I understand. However, if someone from their side comes to you, I hope you can handle it calmly. Even if you don’t become family, you don’t have to become enemies."

His words showed genuine concern for her, and Paige Summers smiled and agreed.

Back in her room, it occurred to her that Wendy Lowell really hadn’t shown up recently. ’I wonder if she’s given up.’

Paige Summers didn’t know that Wendy Lowell hadn’t given up. She had just decided to stop being so pushy, lest she worsen Paige’s impression of her. On the other hand, she had found a temporary substitute to occupy her thoughts.

The person had been brought back to The Reid Estate by Sheldon Reid. He had privately said she was just a new subordinate, brought over to keep Wendy company because he was worried she was still upset over the matter with Paige Summers.

She was a bright and beautiful girl, about the same age as Paige Summers. Dressed in a military uniform, she had a striking, heroic air about her.

Wendy Lowell felt an affinity for her the moment they met.

When she was young, she had also wanted to join the military, but unfortunately, her physique hadn’t been up to par.

Seeing this girl was like seeing her younger self. At the same time, she couldn’t help but think how outstanding her own Paige would look in that uniform!

But she had to admit, this girl’s temperament was much better than Paige Summers’s.

Paige Summers had always been polite but distant with her, whereas this girl was considerate and understanding. She would chat with her about this and that as soon as she returned from Military Command, which did indeed lift her spirits.

What’s more, the girl even shared her surname. Her name was Nora Lowell!