Chapter 436

Lydia arched an eyebrow.
Northruler Theodore? As in, Theodore of the Azure Alliance? One of their top four leaders? They must really think she’s something, sending the boss himself.
She let out a snort of amusement. “Are you all out of your minds? I told your people last time, loud and clear. Stop coming after me. I’m not joining you.”
Theodore just grinned, his confidence almost cocky. “What’s so bad about joining us? From what I hear, the Terra Syndicate is still out there, still looking for you. But if you were with us, you’d have the whole Azure Alliance behind you. If they so much as lay a finger on you, we’ll pay them back ten times over. We’ll run them to the ground, every last one. Doesn’t that sound tempting?”
Lydia raised her brows, unimpressed. “Yeah? That good, huh? So, what do you want from me in exchange?”
Joining a mercenary alliance wasn’t some casual commitment. Once you were in, that was it. The only way out was death. As long as you were breathing, you had to follow their orders. Lydia had always been free. She hated being tied down by rules.
“We want you for what you’re best at. You’re the legendary hacker L. Just do what you do best. And don’t worry, if you’re not into the fighting and killing, we’re not going to force you.”
The truth was, having hacker L on their side would be a game changer. They’d be unstoppable. And it wasn’t just the hacking. Her combat skills were off the charts. Even Theodore’s best guys couldn’t keep up with her.
Lydia’s eyes went icy. “Forget it. I’ll handle the Terra Syndicate myself. I don’t need your help, and I’m never joining you.”
Theodore’s voice turned cold. “Are you really sure you want to go up against the Azure Alliance?” His patience was running thin. If L wouldn’t play nice, he wouldn’t mind using force, even if she was a woman.
“You’re the ones who keep pushing me!” Lydia shot back. “We could have minded our own business, but you keep crossing the line. So don’t blame me for how this ends.”
Theodore just clucked his tongue, looking her up and down. “L, you really do live up to your name. Fiery. I like it. If you don’t want to join us, fine. I’m still short a girlfriend. Your choice. One or the other.” He looked her right in the eye and added, “Don’t test my patience. If you have me as your boyfriend, you’re basically hitting the jackpot.”
He grinned, eyes wild, like he was barely holding in his insanity.
From the shadows, Connor stepped forward, putting himself right in front of Lydia.
His voice was icy as he stared Theodore down. “She’s my fiancée.”
Theodore had figured Lydia wasn’t alone, but he hadn’t bothered to care. When Connor stepped into the light, the look on Theodore’s face shattered. He Tooked so shocked, so frown, it was was like his whole face
might fall apart.
“You wanted a fight, didn’t you?” Connor’s voice was low, his whole presence dark and dangerous as if he might just kick Theodore off the face of the earth. “Fight me. If you lose, you walk away.”
“You
“What, you scared? Or just afraid you’ll lose?”
Theodore squared his shoulders. “Me? Please. I’m not scared of anything. Let’s do this.” The source of thɪs content is.net
Lydia, still worried about Connor’s eyes, reached out and grabbed his arm. “Let me handle it. I can take care of myself.”
Connor looked at her, softening. “Let me do it.”
He wasn’t about to let anyone else protect his fiancée.
Theodore watched Connor stretch and crack his knuckles, then tossed his sniper rifle to one of his men.
“Everyone stay put. No matter who wins, nobody interferes. I don’t want it said we ganged up on him.”
His men answered as one. “Yes, sir!”
Once both men finished warming up, they stood across from each other, eyes locked and sharp as blades. The air was thick with tension, every breath heavy, like the slightest spark could set off a powder Keg