The Psychotic Girl’s Revenge

The long stone steps were engulfed in flames, and Nick, disheveled and dazed, stood on the steps holding a woman who was covered in blood. Her head was tilted back, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, and her hands were still dripping with blood. She had no more signs of life.

“How did Angie die?” Paige asked calmly.

Enrico glanced at her, then looked at Nick, who stood there with a blank expression. Nick said numbly, “She was discovered and I went to help her. I advised her to retreat, but she insisted on completing the assassination mission. The location was compromised and unsuitable, but she insisted on returning because there was no time to find another sniper position. On our way back, we were ambushed. She took three bullets for me and died on the spot.”

“……”

The assassination mission had been assigned to Angie by her.

Even in death, Angie had been focused on completing her task.

Paige listened silently, then nodded. “I understand. Handle the body and arrange for cremation.”

“……”

Paige’s calm demeanor was surprising to everyone.

Enrico frowned. Sometimes too much calmness was not a good sign. When Susan had died, she had been just as calm, and then she almost ended up in the hospital after eating a cold dessert.

“Specific casualties?” Paige asked.

Carrie glanced at Nick. As the manager, he should have been the one to speak, but since Angie’s incident, Nick had become extremely despondent, merely going through the motions.

Seeing this, Carrie spoke softly, “Temple in Heaven had 26 minor injuries, 12 serious injuries, and 7 deaths.”

Carrie paused, her eyes moistening again.

These were not just cold numbers, but her comrades who had fallen one by one beside her, sacrificing themselves to save others.

“Send me the list of the deceased,” Paige said.

“Are you okay, Paige?” Carrie asked worriedly, thinking it might be better to cry out her sorrow.

But it seemed that fate offered no respite. The door to the ICU swung open, and several people in white coats emerged. Leading them was Dr. Clinton, who removed his mask and looked at the group in the corridor. He was momentarily stunned before bowing respectfully. “Mr. Gustin, Miss.”

Once Paige’s condition had stabilized, Dr. Clinton’s team took over the ICU.

Paige looked up at him, her head bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Dr. Clinton.”

“Miss, you’re too polite. It’s my duty,” Dr. Clinton said, clearly unsettled by Paige’s demeanor. He hesitated before continuing, “Miss, would you like to see Miss Mira?”

“……”

Paige’s lashes fluttered, and her hand resting on her lap tightened.

Dr. Clinton knew that in such circumstances, no amount of delicate phrasing would help, so he continued straightforwardly. “Her gunshot wounds are severe. She’s been holding on just to see you; she hasn’t passed away yet.”

“Impossible!” Carrie cried out in denial, “I dragged her up! I pulled her out of the river!”

“……”

Dr. Clinton looked at her with pity. Saving her from the river did not guarantee survival.

……

Mira was moved from the ICU.

In the all-white room, sunlight streamed in through the window. The pale girl lay quietly on the bed, her beautiful eyes open, looking full of spirit and free of any sign of illness.

She tried to speak through her oxygen mask but struggled, causing the monitor beside her to show erratic numbers.

Paige sat by her bedside, watching her calmly, then reached out to remove the oxygen mask.

Mira smiled, and her breathing seemed to ease.

The numbers on the monitor stabilized.

“Did I do well, Paige?” Mira asked first, seeking praise.

“Of course.” Paige was affected by Mira’s smile and also smiled, nodding as she gently stroked Mira’s face.

The sunlight fell on their similarly pale faces, and even the blanket lost its warmth.

Mira was happy to hear this. “Bobby and Rey said I was a girl and shouldn’t go. Did I cause any trouble, Paige?”

“No,” Paige replied with a smile, her voice slightly hoarse. “All the children in the river are fine; they’re all alive.”

“Then tell those two men that I’m also Paige’s right-hand and that I’ve contributed to Temple in Heaven,” Mira said. “After this, I believe no one will underestimate Paige’s abilities. Rebuilding the slum will go smoothly.”

“Alright.” Paige affectionately agreed.

Even though she didn’t know where to find Rey and Bobby to tell them.

She looked at Mira, still smiling, and Mira smiled back before suddenly saying, “Paige, I don’t regret it.”

“……”

Paige’s smile faltered.

“Back in school, when I was cornered in the bathroom and forced to draw design drafts, I refused, and they used toilet water on me. You came by and taught them a lesson. You were so impressive.”

Mira lay there, her cheek against Paige’s hand, reminiscing about that past, tears spilling from her eyes as she smiled. “Later, when you started Peak Club, I joined without a second thought. I was thrilled to be accepted.”

“……”

Paige remembered this incident but didn’t recall that the messy girl in the bathroom had been Mira.

“You once said we should repay you. I’ve been waiting, but all these years, you’ve been protecting us with your life while we haven’t been able to help you at all.” Mira smiled. “Now, I’m finally of some use, right?”

“You’ve always been great. I regret it, but you don’t,” Paige said, wiping the tears from her face softly.

“Don’t say that.” Mira’s voice was very soft, almost like a plea. “You can’t regret it, and you can’t give up. Otherwise, everyone will be disappointed.”

“……”

Paige listened, unsure of what to say.

“Paige, I drew the designs for Temple in Heaven’s building. I wanted to oversee the completion, but now I can’t. Will you take over, please?” Mira looked at her with a request.

Paige understood what Mira meant: to continue moving forward, to keep going on this path with these people.

No regrets, no retreat.

Paige sat there, looking at her for a long time before nodding and smiling. “Okay, I’ll do whatever Mira says.”

“Thank you, Paige.”

Mira smiled even more, but her eyes soon showed fatigue. “Paige, I’m a bit tired.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“……”

Paige’s hand tremblingly brushed away her tears, forcing herself to suppress the metallic taste in her throat, and smiled. “Then sleep. You’ll be less tired when you’re asleep.”

And it won’t hurt anymore.

It won’t hurt ever again.

“Mm.” Mira obediently closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

The numbers on the monitor steadily decreased, and Mira slept peacefully, never uttering a sound of pain.

Outside, Carrie sat against the wall, tears flowing silently, while Nick’s face had turned an ashen gray.

Enrico leaned against the wall on the other side of the door, his handsome face set in a stern expression. After a while, there was movement inside.

Paige pressed the button on her wheelchair and wheeled out, her face even more pale. She looked ahead calmly and said, “The number of deaths in Temple in Heaven has risen to 8.”

“……”

Enrico looked down at her, his brow furrowed.

Carrie cried out loud.

“Nick, Carrie, find a funeral home and arrange for the fallen Temple in Heaven members to have a proper funeral,” Paige instructed. “Also, contact their families and arrange for compensation.”