Scarred Hearts — A Girls' Love Tale - Chapter 54

The computer screen displayed the mission target. Sniper whistled playfully, reaching out to tap the photo of a woman in a family portrait. “She looks really nice.”

Shadow Killer gave Sniper a side glance. He awkwardly pulled back his hand. Although Shadow Killer admitted the woman in the photo was indeed elegant, to him she was just a target. No matter how perfect she looked, once dead, she would just be that—dead. Shadow Killer sneered inwardly.

“This time, someone spent a lot of money,” Quick Hands said, crossing his arms and focusing intently on the screen. “It’s not just about killing someone to solve this problem.”

“I know.” Shadow Killer tidied up the documents on the table and handed out copies to everyone involved in the operation. “Here’s some basic info from the employer. Get familiar with it as soon as possible.” Then he stood up and said, “I’m going to meet the boss and wait for the orders.”

“How’s it looking?” Quick Hands came closer to ask.

“I’m in charge of infiltration,” Shadow Killer replied briefly. “The target is a medical family. The employer wants a certain drug formula, so we need to steal it. But their security is too tight. Just breaking in won’t work — we probably don’t even know where they hide it.”

Shadow Killer added, “Killing the family wouldn’t be hard. The tricky part is finding where they keep the formula.”

“So this mission is all on you?” Quick Hands laughed mischievously. “Perfect, I can take a break and maybe hit the beach to check out some handsome guys.”

Shadow Killer laughed and threw the thick stack of papers on his hand at Quick Hands’ head. “Look at you, so pretty. You all have work to do. Once I get the goods, the employer said that family won’t exist anymore.”

“Pfft…” Quick Hands dragged out the word. “Just some cleanup work. I’ll go notify Sniper and the others.”

“Go ahead.” Shadow Killer didn’t look up, sitting at the desk lost in thought. Then suddenly he called out, “Wait, you all have to help me act out a scene.”

Seven or eight people gathered around. Sniper tapped Shadow Killer’s head with just the right amount of force. Shadow Killer looked up in frustration, while Sniper smiled victoriously. “Childish,” Shadow Killer muttered.

“Childish?” Quick Hands caught the words and repeated them loudly. “Aren’t you the youngest among us? Nineteen, maybe eighteen?”

“Nineteen,” Shadow Killer shot Quick Hands a sharp glance. “I’m childish if I want to be, as long as I’m not worse than you at killing. Enough—let’s get to business.”

“What scene are we acting out?” Quick Hands interrupted again.

“Hero saves the beauty.” Shadow Killer shrugged. “I’m not a man, not a hero. But no matter what, that kind of scene is useful. Plus, I heard the eldest daughter of the Yi family is a lesbian and single. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be my turn.”

“I remember you never used your body as bait,” Quick Hands teased, looping one arm around Shadow Killer’s neck and rubbing circles slowly on her back with his other hand. “So many things could be solved just by sleeping together. Why do you always have to go around in circles?”

The group laughed at this. Shadow Killer said nothing—fine, let them tease her a bit. Quick Hands wasn’t done: “I used to think you were rooted in traditional values, refusing to try adult pleasures. Now I wonder if you’re a lesbian since you won’t touch men but agreed to seduce a woman this time.” Half-joking, half-serious.

“So what if I am or not?” Shadow Killer rubbed her forehead and coldly shrugged off Quick Hands’ restless hands. “It’s just a target. I’m not going to mix feelings into this.”

The doctor was sitting in a car reading. The ride was smooth on the road. Feeling tired, she put the book aside and closed her eyes for a bit of rest.

But before long, the car shook violently, followed by loud shouting and gunfire. The Yi family ran a private hospital, involved with both legal and illegal dealings, so their guards immediately fired back.

The doctor felt uneasy and urged the driver to leave quickly, afraid of staying in such a remote place too long.

The driver started the car but it wouldn’t move. “Miss, the tires were just blown out.”

The doctor cursed softly. With no choice, she pulled out a handgun kept for protection, got out, and hid behind the car as the gunfire roared nearby.

She dodged flying bullets. Her bodyguards tried to shield her and retreat, but they were shot one by one.

The enemy was skilled. The doctor realized this clearly, but dying here would be too bitter.

They reached an alley and paused for a breath. Suddenly, a bullet hit one guard in the forehead, dropping him instantly.

The enemy was highly trained. The doctor had no doubt. But if they truly wanted to kill her, the last bullet would have been enough.

She felt the enemy didn’t intend to kill her outright. The Yi family had many grudges over the years, and she couldn’t guess who was behind this attack.

Still, escaping was the priority. She fled blindly, hoping to reach a crowded place where the enemy wouldn’t dare attack openly. But she had been rushing, and her ankle twisted badly while wearing high heels.

She took off her shoes. The gun was almost out of bullets — she had used most of them on enemies during retreat. Her shooting was decent, but not enough to turn the tide alone.

She wandered, lost and exhausted, seeing no one around. Her instincts told her the enemy wasn’t out to kill her immediately, but the situation was still dangerous. If caught, nothing good would come of it.

“Quick Hands.” Sniper put down his gun and whistled lightly. Several bodies lay at his feet—clearly the doctor’s guards. “I see the target has moved along the planned route.”

Quick Hands leaned against a wall, lazily soaking up the sun. “We’ll go after them later. Let them ‘talk things out’ first.” Everyone laughed heartily. Despite losses in the firefight, their mood wasn’t affected—no sadness, no regret.

Only Sniper showed rare tension, nervously touching his gun. Quick Hands teased, “What, feeling sorry now?”

Sniper scratched his head, nodding, then shaking it quickly. “Not really. I’m just afraid I might miss my shot…”

“With your skills? No way,” Quick Hands sized him up. “Someone’s got a guilty conscience but won’t admit it.” The group laughed again. Quick Hands patted Sniper’s shoulder seriously. “Don’t worry. After this mission, we’ll have a long break. It won’t mess up your dating plans.”

Quick Hands checked his watch, then signaled the group to spread out and move forward with unspoken understanding.

The doctor arrived at a fork in the road. She was already lost, so she picked a path by feel. Suddenly, she bumped into someone. The person almost stumbled.

The doctor hesitated. Her whereabouts were exposed. If the pursuers caught up, she’d be in trouble. She instinctively moved her hand to her gun, ready to kill.

The stranger steadied herself and kept apologizing, then asked, “Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

The doctor relaxed a bit, loosening her grip on the gun. The stranger then noticed bl00d stains on the doctor—though it wasn’t the doctor’s, it looked scary enough.

“Are you okay? Do you need help? Want to go to the hospital?” The stranger asked worriedly.

The doctor looked at her. The stranger was a young girl with messy, oily hair and dirty clothes that seemed unwashed for a long time, smelling sour. Her face was mostly hidden by her hair, making it hard to tell much.

The doctor’s heart stirred. She pulled out some cash and pressed it into the girl’s hand. “Do you know a place to hide? Please tell me. If anyone comes, don’t say you saw me.”

The girl jumped, quickly pulling her hand back and shaking it. The doctor pressed the money harder. The girl hesitated and stammered, “I can’t take it.”

“I’m being chased by enemies,” the doctor explained weakly, unsure if the girl understood. “I’m begging you to help me.”

The girl blinked, seeming slow to respond, standing there dumbly. The doctor grew anxious but didn’t get angry. After a while, the girl seemed to realize and took the doctor’s hand.

The doctor frowned slightly but ignored the dirt on the girl’s hands and followed her. The girl led her down a corner to a dead-end alley where a makeshift shelter leaned against the wall—just some rusted iron sheets propped up.

The girl was surrounded by piles of trash and garbage. She opened an old wardrobe and looked at the doctor.

The doctor understood. Despite the terrible conditions, she held her breath and hid inside. The clutter made the wardrobe inconspicuous.