Chapter 80

Nash let out a sigh, lingering fear clinging to him. The assassin disguised as Mr. Lee was Deagol, a top assassin from Yerusia. Six years prior, Deagol's ranking on the Killer Leaderboard had been just below his own. It had been a showdown between elite assassins; neither would prolong the fight. Every strike was lethal.

After recovering, Nash rose and retrieved his bag from behind the sofa, searching for needle and thread to mend his wounds. Halfway through suturing, the doorbell rang. The footsteps weren't Hera's; he recognized them as a woman's. It was Lauren, standing quietly outside. This was her first visit to Hera's apartment. Learning Nash was staying with Hera, she'd come directly to confirm something: was he the "Nashy" Olivia and Theo had mentioned, the Smiling Grim Reaper who'd displayed extraordinary abilities at Mr. Lee's banquet?

In loose pajamas and disheveled hair, Nash opened the door. Seeing Lauren, he appeared nervous. "L-Lauren... What brings you here?"

Lauren asked with concern, "I came to ask about your injury... Are you okay?"

"Injury? What injury?" Nash replied, bewildered, though already wondering if Lauren suspected something.

Lauren fixed her gaze on him. "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 stammered.

Lauren stepped inside, smiling. "Hera and Harri aren't here. I won't tell them."

"But... I really don't understand what you're saying, Lauren!" Nash protested, feeling helpless.

"Leaving the Lees', I heard Theo call the Smiling Grim Reaper 'Nashy'! Olivia, bringing the contract to our house, asked if Kai had a middle name starting with 'N'! So, the person Olivia sought is 'Nashy,' Theo's 'Nashy'—you... the Smiling Grim Reaper!"

Lauren sat on the sofa, looking around before smiling again. "You hid your clothes quickly."

Nash's mouth twitched. "Lauren, I still don't understand what you're talking about!"

He'd thought his disguise sufficient, yet Olivia and Theo had exposed him. Still, it didn't matter; as long as he denied it, Lauren would remain confused.

She stood, staring at his abdomen, squinting. "Take off your shirt..." Since he refused to confess, this was her last resort. How else would he explain the wound?

Nash took two quick steps back. "Lauren... This, uh..."

She retorted impatiently, "I only asked you to take off your shirt, not your pants!"

Nash blushed and stammered, "Is... Is this appropriate?"

She smirked. "Are you trying to refuse because you were severely injured saving Mr. Lee? Don't want me to see...?"

Nash sighed deeply.

Lauren, thinking he'd agreed, smiled. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret..."

But before she finished, she stopped abruptly. Nash had already lifted his shirt, revealing tanned skin and a well-defined six-pack. The expected wound was absent.

Lauren stared in disbelief. Shouldn't he have an abdominal injury? Even with extraordinary medical skills and rapid recovery, shouldn't there be some scar?