Serena's eyes gleamed at the mention of more money, as if she was finally
somewhat satisfied. She nodded. "That's more like it."
Jerrick spoke up, his tone flat. "Madam Panacea, since your inspection is complete, it's time to leave."
Serena looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Trying to rush me out, Mr. Fenris?"
Jerrick kept his face entirely blank. "Protocol dictates you cannot remain here."
Serena laughed shortly. "Always with the protocols."
She couldn't be bothered to drag out their fake rivalry any longer. She grabbed her case and started strolling toward the exit.
As she passed Jerrick, she leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper only he could catch. "Gatekeeper Hound, did you see what you wanted to see?"
Jerrick's slate-blue eyes didn't even flicker. "You concern yourself with too much, Madam."
Serena's lips curved into a smirk. "Oh~ I'll take that as a yes."
Jerrick looked down at her.
They were standing incredibly close.
Close enough that he could distinctly catch the faint, sharp scent of medicinal herbs clinging to her skin.
Beneath the bitterness of the chemicals, there was something else... something strangely familiar.
That bizarre sense of deja vu washed over Jerrick again.
He stared at her pale, somber face-a face that was beautiful yet incredibly dangerous and his brow twitched imperceptibly.
Something was wrong.
There was something fundamentally wrong about this woman.
But before he could analyze it further, Serena stepped back. She shot him a lazy, provocative glance, a smirk dancing on her lips. "Alright, walk me back. I have beauty sleep to catch up on."
Jerrick nodded, stepping aside to let her pass.
Just as they were about to leave...
Director Kaelen's communication terminal chimed loudly.
He checked the incoming message, the color instantly draining from his face. He whipped around. "Madam Panacea, wait. I'm afraid you won't be going back to sleep."
Serena's eyes turned frosty, her profound irritation on full display. "Now what?"
Director Kaelen swallowed hard,
intimidated by her glare. "The
Sterling Sovereign's priority preview it's been pushed up The executives require you to make immediate preparations."
"In one hour, you will accompany The Sterling Sovereign as the Specialized Medical Consultant for the Living Asset showcase .net>
Serena's brow arched slightly.
The Sterling Sovereign...
The absolute most powerful buyer currently aboard Project Zero-Transit.
From The Panacea's perspective, this guy had to be obscenely loaded.
But when Jerrick heard the name, his slate-blue eyes instantly darkened. She was going to the preview.
Which meant she was about to get closer to the Living Assets than ever before.
Serena, however, simply smiled dismissively. "Sure. Tell him to wait. I'm taking a nap first."
Director Kaelen almost had a heart attack. "Madam Panacea, this buyer is a man of extreme status-"
"Then he can wait with extreme status," Serena cut him off nonchalantly.
Director Kaelen was rendered completely speechless.
This Sacred Oracle truly feared no one.
Jerrick watched her, his voice cold as he issued a warning. "The Steding Sovereign is the highest-tier VIP on this vessel got a deckhand Offending him will end poorly for you."
Serena tilted her head, giving him a dark smile. "Is Mr. Fenris worried about me?"
Jerrick remained deadpan. "I'm warning you not to increase my workload by getting yourself killed."
Serena chuckled lightly. "Relax. I'm a very reasonable person."
"Overtime is fine..." She turned to Director Kaelen, flashing a blinding, predatory
smile. "As long as the price is right."
Director Kaelen wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
He knew it.
He knew it!
She was exploiting every single micro-inconvenience to bleed the ship dry.
Yes, the organization was wealthy, but they weren't her personal ATM!