Chapter 383: I Know It's You
While a fight was breaking out upstairs, a battle was also occurring downstairs—though that one was a completely one-sided affair.
Upstairs
Felicia was, after all, the Black Cat. Her movements were incredibly agile. No matter how fast Misty's reflexes were, Felicia eventually found an opening.
Thud!
Felicia pinned Misty against the desk once more, their two sets of impressive "peaks" pressing against each other. "This time, I'm going to give you a real thrashing..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Felicia slowly stood up and raised both hands. "Easy there. We're on the same side, don't shoot."
While Felicia had been talking, Misty had reached under the desk and pulled out a double-barreled shotgun. The cold muzzle was currently pressed against Felicia's lower back. Even without looking, Felicia knew exactly what it was.
"So, who loses now?" Misty asked, amused.
This room was her territory. Because of her father, Hugh, Misty had developed a particular fondness for shotguns. She had weapons stashed under the desk, under the bed, in the closet, and even under her pillow.
"I lose, I lose," Felicia said quickly. A loss was just a loss—it was better than losing her life. More importantly, she thought Misty didn't know her identity and might actually pull the trigger. Or rather, if Misty did know she was Felicia, she definitely would have pulled the trigger.
"Felicia, why did you decide to become the Black Cat?" Misty decided to stop playing games and called her out by name.
"You!" Felicia's heart skipped a beat. How did Misty know? She hadn't slipped up once. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, hoping Misty was just bluffing.
Misty didn't say a word. She simply turned the computer monitor toward Felicia.
A minute passed in silence.
"Fine, I'm Felicia." Felicia gracefully pulled off her mask, revealing her face. She couldn't believe Misty had uncovered her secret in just a single day. "How did you even track me down?" she asked, sitting on the bed with a weary sigh. She felt completely defeated. Not only was her secret out, but she was a thief caught by a classmate.
Misty explained the process of her investigation.
"Just let the world end already, I'm tired," Felicia groaned, falling back onto Misty's bed and staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Relax, I won't tell anyone." Misty stashed the shotgun back under the desk and sat down next to Felicia.
"Really?" Felicia was skeptical. She had assumed Misty would turn her in to get her out of the picture. That way, Misty could have Silas all to herself.
"Eliminating you that way would be too boring," Misty whispered, leaning down close to Felicia's ear.
Feeling the warm breath against her ear, Felicia's body went soft, and her face flushed crimson. Her ears were extremely sensitive—much like a cat's.
"So what are you going to do?" Felicia asked, trying to sound composed.
"Take a guess?" Misty stood up playfully and winked.
Felicia turned her head away. Whatever, just watch out for the counter-kill. "Why do you steal things, anyway?" Misty asked, changing the subject.
"Sigh~ I have to. It's the fastest way to make money," Felicia stood up, sounding helpless. What was the point of having these skills if she didn't use them? Working a normal job? Don't be ridiculous—that doesn't pay for luxury.
She wasn't interested in being a superhero unless there was money in it. But most importantly, she had a natural obsession with shiny things. Like a dragon with a hoard, she wanted to swallow them up and keep them forever.
"But you know what happened to your father," Misty noted. Walter Hardy, the Great Cat Burglar, was a legend who could steal anything. But he met his end in prison.
" I know. But I want to carry on his legacy," Felicia said, clutching her chest. "It's the only way I feel like he's still alive."
"I can't claim to understand how you feel, since I haven't gone through it," Misty said seriously. "But as a classmate and a... friend, I hope you stop. If you get caught, the consequences will be life-altering."
"Friend..." Felicia hadn't expected Misty to see her as a friend rather than just an enemy. "Thanks," she smiled. "But I'm still going. I'll just make it 'robbing the rich to help the poor' from now on!"
"Hmph~" Misty couldn't help but laugh. "That's still stealing."
"No, no, it's different. The meaning is completely different," Felicia insisted, looking Misty in the eye.
"Oh? Is that so?" Misty looked at her rival. She seemed a bit silly, but actually quite cute. Misty burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" Felicia thought Misty was mocking her "Robin Hood" philosophy.
"Nothing. I just think you're pretty cute," Misty chuckled, propping her chin on her hand.
"Cute?" Felicia touched her own cheek, then pointed at herself indignantly. "I'm hot!"
"Fine, you're a hot girl," Misty teased.
"By the way, Misty, is your family really rich?" Felicia asked, finally noticing the room's decor. She had been too busy fighting to notice earlier.
"Not really, just average," Misty said. She didn't feel rich. To her, "rich" meant being on the level of the Osborn.
"Really? Because this stuff looks expensive," Felicia said, picking up a broken cup she had knocked over.
"It's just a fine cup from Fidali. About a thousand dollars. Quite cheap," Misty said, looking at the shards.
"How much?! A thousand dollars?!" Felicia was stunned. Average? A thousand dollars for a single cup?! If it wasn't broken, she might have been tempted to steal it. Was it encrusted with diamonds? She examined the pieces, but it looked just like any other cup.
"Do you like it?" Misty saw Felicia examining the shards and thought she admired the style. She pulled a fresh cup from a drawer and handed it to her. "Since you like it, it's yours."
"Really?! Thanks!" Felicia tossed the shards and took the new cup happily. She wasn't about to turn down a thousand-dollar gift. Misty watched her, bewildered. It was just a cup; why was she so excited?
"If you really like them..." Misty walked over to a cabinet and slid the side open. "Take a few more."
The cabinet was filled with exquisite cups, each one shimmering under the lights.
"So many..." Felicia swallowed hard. Misty was definitely rich. She didn't hesitate; she started picking out every design she liked. She only stopped when she literally couldn't carry any more.
"It's getting late. I should head back to sleep," Felicia said, gesturing toward the window.
"Mm. Goodnight," Misty waved.
Felicia hopped onto the windowsill, crouching there as she turned back. "It was nice meeting you, Misty."
"You too, Felicia," Misty smiled.
Felicia leaped into the night. Misty ran to the window, watching her silhouette fade into the darkness. "Swinging between buildings with a grappling hook?" Misty thought to herself. Now that looked like fun.
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