Chapter 1186:

Continuing unabated, Elyse said, “You were on the brink of attacking me just now, weren’t you? Your reflection in the water gave you away—knife in hand and a lethal glare. It’s fortunate that I can read situations like these instantly.”

Amanda’s eyebrow quirked. “And what if I was? I was indeed plotting your end. What’s your move? Your words carry no weight.”

As Amanda’s last taunt settled, Elyse effortlessly raised her gun, aiming it squarely at her.

A crack appeared in Amanda’s composed facade as she cried out, “What are you playing at? Are you really prepared to pull that trigger? Do you truly have the courage?”

Elyse responded with unwavering calm, “The presence of enemy mercenaries indicates we’re on the outskirts of Jayden’s territory, where laws rarely apply. You wouldn’t have dared to threaten me under normal circumstances. Thus, disposing of you here might just solve a few of my problems quite neatly.”

Amanda hadn’t seen it coming—Elyse’s unexpected cleverness. Her face drained of color, and she was momentarily speechless.

Elyse’s finger twitched on the trigger, convincing Amanda a shot was imminent. In her terror, Amanda whirled to flee, but her foot caught on a slick patch of moss, sending her sprawling.

Amanda lay sprawled, motionless. Frowning, Elyse stowed her gun and strode over, only to discover Amanda had knocked herself unconscious. Exasperated, she nudged Amanda’s leg with her boot.

“Really? A mercenary who knocks herself out by falling? If all mercenaries were like you, they might as well hang up their hats and get real jobs.”

Elyse’s intent had only been to instill fear, not to cause harm. She pulled out the flare Jayden had provided and sent it arcing into the heavens. Before long, Jayden and his team arrived.

Confronted with a dead adversary, an unconscious Amanda, and Elyse casually rinsing clothes, Jayden’s face curled in confusion. “Can someone explain what unfolded here?”

“Amanda lost her nerve, took a spill, and blacked out,” Elyse remarked calmly.

She handed the gun back to Jayden. “I had to use one of your bullets—sorry about that.”

Jayden took the gun, glancing at the dead man, and inquired, “Was this your doing?”

Elyse nodded, her voice tinged with unexpected pride. “Surprisingly, my aim was true. Louise would have been proud—I nailed him with one bullet.”

Jayden raised an eyebrow, disbelief flickering in his gaze. “Louise taught you all that?”

Elyse wrung out the clothes, standing with casual defiance. “Of course. She claims I have a knack for it, and if I ever get tired of the violin, I might just take it up as a career.”

Jayden was briefly speechless. Finally, he said, “You’re good at the violin. Let others handle this sort of thing.”

Elyse glanced at Amanda, who was being half-carried away.

“Looks like Amanda might’ve hit her head.”

Jayden watched Amanda and shrugged. “If she’s hurt, all the better. Makes it easier to get her out of here.”

Elyse didn’t buy his excuse. If he could have gotten rid of Amanda, he would have done it long ago—why was she still lingering?