Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Yes, we saw her come out with our own eyes, and she was with Mr. Jacob and Miss Carly."

"Just the three of them?" Brandon leaned in, asking intently.

The bodyguard nodded.

Brandon's lips curled into a sly smile. It seemed destiny was playing right into his hands.

"You, gather a few men and take care of Flora. Remember, leave no trace behind. We can't have the Enforcement Division catching wind of this."

"Understood."

...

In Martial World, entertainment options were scarce, and the streets didn't offer much in the way of novelty. Vendors lined the sidewalks, selling a variety of goods, with different kinds of pills being the most common. Flora picked up two bottles, planning to take them back for some research.

"Flora, you know about medicine?" Carly asked, then smacked her forehead. "Oh, I forgot, you're a med student! Let's show you the Medical Hall!" "Medical Hall?"

"It's the biggest hub for doctors around here," Jacob said excitedly. "Every doctor in Martial World dreams of joining the Medical Hall! My idol Tara is the deputy head there. She's the person I admire the most!" Talking about Tara, Jacob and Carly's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Is her last name Mo?"

Flora picked up on a key detail; her mom's last name was also Mo.

"Are there many families with the last name Mo in Martial World?"

Jacob was puzzled by Flora's question, but he answered anyway, "In Martial World, Mo is a pretty common surname, so yeah, there are quite a few."

Flora rubbed her temples, realizing that tracking down her mom might be a challenge.

Jacob and Carly were keen to take Flora to the Medical Hall, but on their way, Carly's phone rang.

"What? My dad's coming back soon?" Carly exclaimed, looking startled. "Alright, got it."

After hanging up, Carly turned to Flora with a worried expression. "Flora, we can't go to the Medical Hall now; we've got to head back ASAP."novelbin

The butler had only allowed them to take Flora around the Gilbert family estate, not outside. Joey had warned them not to take Flora out casually. They had to get Flora back before he returned to the Gilbert family. Flora shrugged; it didn't really matter to her whether they kept exploring or headed back.

The three of them made their way back to the Gilbert family estate.

Jacob and Carly were anxious about Joey beating them back, so they picked up the pace, wishing they could just fly there. But knowing Flora wasn't familiar with ancient martial arts, they slowed down to walk with her. As they passed through a narrow alley, Jacob and Carly hurried ahead, but Flora stopped, her eyes sharp and alert.

"Flora?" Jacob and Carly turned back, confused as to why she had paused.

"There's someone," Flora said quietly.

Someone?!

Jacob and Carly froze, not quite processing it, when a loud laugh echoed around them: "Haha, didn't expect this newcomer to Martial World, a global champion, to actually have some skills, picking up on our presence!" Jacob and Carly's faces changed, switching to a defensive stance. Flora was impressive; without her, they'd have been caught off guard.

A strong gust swept through, and several figures descended from above.

Five men, probably in their thirties or forties, exuded an intimidating aura, clearly seasoned fighters.

"Who are you?" Jacob demanded. "We're from the Gilbert family, think twice before you act."

"The Gilbert family? That's nothing. Flora's offended our master; she's got no path but death! As for you two... the leader sneered, "Today, you'll keep Flora company on her way to hell!" en

"You're from the Schuler family?" Carly realized instantly.

Flora had only just entered Martial World and hadn't had the chance to make many acquaintances. The only enemies she had made were with the Schuler family.

Flora had crippled Lillian's hand and caused the Schuler family head and Zavier to be tortured almost to death in the Enforcement Division.

"Smart girl, but it's too late!" the man laughed loudly. "Today, all of you will die."

"If you dare lay a finger on us, the Gilbert family will hunt you down! And the FUND won't let you off either!"

Mentioning the FUND made the five hesitate, but they quickly shook it off.

What was there to fear?

They had chosen a secluded spot; the FUND wouldn't find out. Besides, dead people can't report anything.

As long as Flora and her friends were out of the picture, no one could touch them.

Seeing their lack of fear, Jacob and Carly tried to keep a brave front, but inside, they were sweating bullets. They were no match for these guys.

And clearly, these men had murder on their minds!

"Flora," Carly whispered, "when the fight starts, you run. Head straight for a hundred meters, then take a left to reach the Gilbert family; go get help."

Her voice was low, but it was impossible to hide it from their five adversaries, who burst out laughing, mocking Carly's futile hope.

They'd already reached this point; was it not too late for her to think of escaping?

Flora didn't say anything but gave the five men a thoughtful look and suddenly asked, "There aren't any cameras in Martial World, are there?"

Jacob and Carly were nearly frantic; why was Flora talking about this at such a critical moment?

In Martial World, most people were lost in their training. Surveillance was rare, mostly limited to the FUND's oversight team.

Flora saw their nods and chuckled softly.

Hmm.

This Martial World was really starting to appeal to her.

No surveillance was perfect.

Duels, ambushes, sneaking around-she could do it all silently, without anyone catching on.

"Enough with the chit-chat, let's wrap this up quickly!" The five men were growing restless.

Jacob Carly's palms were damp with anxiety, but Flora gave them a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "Step aside, I've got this."

"Flora, we know you're tough, but these guys are not your average opponents!"

These men were top-tier in Martial World, and Flora's skirmishes with them were just minor scuffles. How could she possibly hope to stand against this group?