Director Silas Kaelen and the crew members stood awkwardly to the side, their expressions strained.
The tension in the room was palpable.
Director Kaelen, in particular, had tried several times to bring up the documents.
But watching the intensely intimate atmosphere that seemed to lock everyone else out, he couldn't find a single opening to speak.
Given the fiery tension between the two, it was painfully clear they shouldn't be lingering there any longer.
The crew members exchanged anxious glances, silently begging each other for an excuse to bolt.
Finally, Director Kaelen bit the bullet and spoke up. "Mr. Sovereign, we have fully explained the original testing data on Aria Wynn that you requested."
"The document lockbox has not been tampered with. All the data inside remains in
its original, untouched state. You are free to inspect it at your convenience."
Nicholas didn't even lift an eyelid, simply giving a indifferent hum of acknowledgment.
Director Kaelen pressed on, "Since Ms. Panacea has returned, we won't disturb the two of you any further."
He shot a pointed look at the staff behind him.
They immediately prepared to shuffle out of the suite.
"Hold on."
The man's lazy, aloof voice suddenly cut through the air.
Director Kaelen froze, immediately turning back with deep respect. "Do you require anything else, Mr. Sovereign?"
Nicholas kept his arm securely around Serena, his posture utterly unchanged.
However, his predatory gaze which had just been filled with amusement-turned ice-cold the moment it landed on the director.
"What about my earlier inquiry regarding the Sentient Cargo in the hold? What did you find?"
Director Kaelen's face visibly stiffened.
Of course. They still couldn't avoid this subject.
He chose his words with extreme caution. "Mr. Sovereign, the crew has conducted a comprehensive. sweep. There are no Living Assets registered tonight beyond the official catalog."
"We have yet to uncover any special cargo allegedly more valuable than tonight's finale piece."
"I can only conclude that the whispers outside are nothing more than maliciously spread rumors."
"Rumors?" Nicholas arched an eyebrow, repeating the word lazily. His tone gave away absolutely nothing.
But Director Kaelen inexplicably felt the temperature in the room plummet.
Nicholas scoffed. His voice was tired, yet it exuded a suffocating pressure. "The entire vessel has been flipped upside down, and you stand there and tell me it's just rumor?"
He looked up, his gaze frigid. "Are you playing me for a fool?"
"No... absolutely not!" Cold sweat trickled down Director Kaelen's forehead. "How
could we ever dare to deceive you, Mr. Sovereign? We are genuinely... genuinely..."
Seeing the murderous look in
Nicholas's eyes, he gulped and
ve!
quickly backpedaled. "We are continuing the investigation! Please give us a little more time, Mr. Sovereign. We will get to the bottom of this!"
Nicholas gave another soft scoff.
The sound was enough to make the director bow so low he practically folded in half.
Just as he felt he might collapse under the sheer weight of the tension, Nicholas coldly withdrew his gaze. "Give me a satisfactory answer before the auction ends." Director Kaelen nodded frantically. "Yes, sir!"
Without daring to linger another second, he quickly ushered his staff out of the room.
The heavy door clicked shut.
Leaving just the two of them in the suite.
However, neither of them spoke immediately.
They both knew that this suite was far from secure.
Even with the crew gone, hidden listening devices and unseen eyes in the shadows
would still be zeroed in on their every move.