TQV 30

Chapter 30

Emily held her breath as she observed the standoff between Killian and Laminis.

Laminis now had his gun pointed directly at Killian. It was obvious he had never properly handled a gun before—his grip was as sloppy as his character.

Emily quietly reached into her bag. The cold touch of the revolver made her heart pound violently.

Should I step in or not? Would I just become a burden to my husband, or…

Slowly, Emily drew the revolver from her bag. Her father had taught her how to use it for self-defense in her teenage years, but she had never actually fired at a person before.

She recalled that memory with her father.

“Learn to shoot?” she had asked.

“Emily, you’re focused and athletic. You’ll do well,” he had encouraged.

“I don’t like it. Guns are scary.”

Usually, her father never forced her into things she disliked, but that time, he had been firm.

“The world is changing fast. You need to know how to protect yourself.”

“But I can’t even use magic.”

“Your instincts are already strong. Don’t you trust your father?”

“…Okay.”

That was why she learned to shoot.

Now, Emily narrowed her eyes slightly, calculating the distance to her target.

I think I can do this. Just follow what Dad taught me.

With a deep breath, she gripped the gun in her right hand and extended her arm. She pressed her cheek to her shoulder and wrapped her left hand around the grip.

Fortunately, Laminis was so focused on Killian that he hadn’t even noticed her.

Don’t shake, Emily.

She centered herself with mental focus, aligning her eyes, the front sight, and the rear sight into one straight line. When the line was perfect, she placed the target just above the front sight.

Being far less strong than a man, Emily didn’t pull the trigger all at once. If the muzzle wavered, it would all be over.

She had only one shot.

She half-pulled the trigger, then carefully exhaled, making sure her arms stayed steady. A thin stream of magic energy began to gather at the tip of the gun.

“Alright,” she whispered, too softly for anyone to hear.

Then Emily fired her best shot.

BANG!

The magic bullet struck a small hanging lamp on the ceiling, sending it crashing down onto Laminis’ arm.

Laminis screamed in agony as glass shards embedded into his flesh, and the pain on his face was so intense that the nearby onlookers winced as if they had felt it too.

With the loud scream, the clatter of falling tables and chairs, the restaurant descended into chaos. Giovanni used the moment to rush in and twist Laminis’ arm, swiftly subduing him.

“AAARGH!”

As the arm was twisted, shards pierced even deeper into his flesh.

Laminis’ attempt to assassinate Killian had failed.

Killian turned to Emily with a stunned expression. Right now, the fact that Giovanni had captured the enemy was secondary to him.

He was still reeling from Emily’s daring, perfect shot and incredible judgment.

Killian wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and shower her with kisses.

“I did well, didn’t I?” Emily asked with a bright wink, completely unaware of what was going on inside Killian’s head.

Later, Knox and Chambers arrived to manage the situation.

“Reporters, you can write your articles, but you know we’re the victims here, right?”

The reporters reluctantly nodded at Knox’s warning.

“And if you twist the facts, we’ll informally object.”

“In-informally?” one of them stammered.

“Yeah.”

Knox answered casually, spinning a knife in his hand.

“Informally. You’re smart people—you get what I mean.”

“Y-yes! Don’t worry!”

“Anyone can see this was Laminis’ fault!”

“Uh, but…”

One of the reporters hesitantly raised a hand.

“What is it? Speak.”

“Can we include Madam Starr’s actions in the article?”

“That’s not for me to decide…”

“We got some great shots. It’ll definitely boost the family’s reputation.”

“Really? Then I guess it’s a good thing. Fine.”

With that green light, the reporters packed up and rushed out. Meanwhile, Chambers was speaking to the restaurant owner.

“Technically, who should compensate you for the damage?”

“Th-the Giuliano family.”

“Right. But can you really go there and demand money?”

The owner shook his head, looking like he was about to cry.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation. That’s why we want to help.”

“…How?”

“We’ll cover all damages. In return, we just ask one thing.”

The owner’s eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned in to listen.

“We’ll be watching over your restaurant from now on.”

“Ah…”

Even this peaceful neighborhood had been caught in mafia violence. The owner realized it might be better to pay a small monthly fee and have the Starr family backing him.

“Understood.”

And just like that, a new contract was formed. Meanwhile, Laminis, who had been shot, was now completely restrained.

“Get a fake mental health certificate under his name.”

“Yes, sir.”

Giovanni tossed Laminis unceremoniously into a carriage.

Dr. Payne, affiliated with the Starr organization, was known for forging psychiatric diagnoses and locking away nuisances in mental hospitals.

Laminis, now committed, would never be released.

Once everything was settled, Killian returned inside the restaurant. Emily was sitting calmly, drinking water a waiter had given her.

Killian had a million questions to ask her, a thousand things he wanted to say, but he held himself back. Her safety came first.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Just then, as she set the glass down, Emily winced and grabbed her shoulder.

“Emily.”

Startled, Killian instinctively placed his hand on her shoulder. The moment their hands touched, both of them froze.

“It’s nothing. I think my muscles tensed up from shooting earlier.”

She awkwardly removed his hand, but just mentioning the gun brought the whole scene back to Killian, making his head spin again.

“That was dangerous.”

“I know. That’s why I have a favor to ask.”

Emily met his gaze and spoke cautiously.

Giuliano Family Headquarters

Nigel knocked on the door to the boss’s office with a heavy heart.

“Come in.”

The boss of the Giuliano family was heating water over an alcohol lamp.

Inside the office, fancy liquor bottles and luxury watches lined the shelves. A popular folding screen from the Eastern Empire adorned one wall.

The objects throughout the room spoke of his refined tastes and indulgent lifestyle.

As the water began to boil and steam rose, he warmed a cup and asked,

“How did it go?”

“Well… the plan failed.”

“Ah.” The boss didn’t seem all that surprised and returned his focus to heating the cup.

Nigel grew even more anxious at his boss’s calm demeanor. He rubbed his neck and continued his report on Laminis.

“He couldn’t lure the lady out, and worse, he apparently tried to kill their underboss.”

“Wow, I didn’t think he was that stupid… What a disappointment.”

The boss placed the now-warm cup on the table and capped the lamp.

“Bring me some cognac from the cabinet.”

“Which one?”

“Any Hennessy will do.”

As Nigel poured the drink, the boss asked,

“With all that fuss, I’d expect Killian to kill him. He didn’t?”

“The first time, he was going to, but the lady stopped him…”

The boss interrupted.

“Killian listens to his wife that much?”

“He seemed to care about her a lot.”

“Really?”

The boss found that more interesting than the failed operation itself.

“Sounds like they’ve grown quite close since I last saw them. Go on.”

He swirled the liquid in his glass.

“Yes. During the second encounter, the lady showed remarkable wit.”

Nigel gave a detailed account of the incident. When he finished, the boss burst into laughter.

“Now that’s entertaining.”

He savored the aroma for a moment, then took a sip of the cognac, letting it linger on his tongue before finally swallowing.

“Alright, you can go now. I’m going to enjoy this drink.”

Just as Nigel reached for the doorknob, he hesitated and asked,

“What about Laminis?”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s been committed to a mental hospital.”

The boss shrugged.

“Let him rot there. Might as well be useful as compost.”

And just like that, Laminis was discarded by the Giuliano family as well.