Chapter 80
Nash let out a quiet sigh, his nerves still rattled from the encounter.
The assassin disguised as Mr. Lee had been none other than Deagol, a top assassin from Yerusia.
Six years ago, Deagol had been just below Nash on the Killer Leaderboard. It had been a showdown between two of the deadliest assassins, and despite their immense strength, neither had sought to prolong the fight. Each strike had been a calculated, lethal blow.
After a moment of silent reflection, Nash forced himself to stand and walked over to the sofa where his bag was. He fished around for a needle and thread to stitch up the wound on his abdomen.
Just as he was halfway through the suturing process, the doorbell rang.
From the sound of the footsteps, Nash could tell it wasn’t Hera, but the visitor was a woman.
He opened the door, a little startled to see Lauren standing there. This was her first time visiting Hera’s apartment, and it was clear she had come with a purpose.
Lauren had learned that Nash was staying here and had come directly to confirm something: whether Nash was the ‘Nashy’ that Olivia and Theo had spoken of, the Smiling Grim Reaper who had displayed his extraordinary abilities at Mr. Lee’s banquet.
Nash, still in loose pajamas and with messy hair, greeted her with a hint of nervousness.
“L-Lauren… What brings you here?”
Lauren, ever so composed, asked with a note of concern, “I came to ask about your injury… Are you okay?”
“Injury? What injury?” Nash responded, his confusion feigned as he tried to play it off.
Despite his attempt to remain calm, a part of him wondered if Lauren had figured it all out.
Lauren’s eyes fixed on him with an intense focus. “You’re the one who wore the smiling mask at Mr. Lee’s banquet, right?”
“Mr. Lee’s banquet? What are you talking about? What smiling mask? I… I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Nash responded weakly, trying to maintain the facade.
Lauren stepped inside, her expression calm but her smile teasing. “Hera and Harri aren’t here. I won’t tell them anything.”
But Nash, still feigning innocence, protested, “But… I really don’t understand what you’re saying, Lauren!”
“When I left the Lees’ place, I heard Theo refer to the Smiling Grim Reaper as ‘Nashy’! And when Olivia brought the contract to our house, she asked if Kai had a middle name that started with the letter N. So, the person Olivia was looking for is the ‘Nashy’ Theo mentioned, which means… it’s you. You’re the Smiling Grim Reaper.”
Lauren finally took a seat on the sofa, casting a playful glance around the room. “You hid your clothes so quickly?”
Nash’s mouth twitched in embarrassment. “Lauren, I still don’t understand what you’re talking about!”
Though he had done his best to disguise himself, it seemed Olivia and Theo had exposed him despite his efforts. But Nash knew that as long as he didn’t admit it, Lauren would be left in confusion.
Lauren wasn’t ready to drop it so easily, though. She stood up, her gaze fixed on his abdomen. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Take off your shirt…”
Nash instinctively took two steps back, stammering, “Lauren… This, uh…”
She raised an eyebrow impatiently. “I only asked you to take off your shirt, not your pants!”
Nash flushed bright red. “Is… Is this appropriate?”
She smirked, sensing his hesitation. “Are you trying to refuse because you were severely injured while saving Mr. Lee? You don’t want me to see…”
Nash sighed, deeply. He knew it was pointless to keep pretending, but he wasn’t ready to admit everything just yet.
Lauren thought she had broken through his defenses, smiling as she reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret…”
However, before she could finish her sentence, she froze.
Nash had already lifted his shirt, revealing his tanned skin and sculpted six-pack abs. But to Lauren’s surprise, the wound she had expected to see was completely absent.
Lauren stared at Nash in disbelief.
Wasn’t he supposed to have an abdominal injury?
Even if his medical skills were extraordinary and his recovery fast, there should still be a scar, something.
Nash’s expression remained calm, though his heart raced. He knew Lauren would be puzzled, but how long could he keep up the act?