Chapter 83: [83] Vanessa, Not Director
"Director, you sure that ain’t AI generated?"
Director Angelo blinked twice, her eyebrows rising toward her hairline. For a moment, she stared at him in silence, her hazel eyes widening slightly. Then something unexpected happened.
She laughed.
Not a polite chuckle or a sarcastic snort, but full-bodied, genuine laughter that had her leaning back in her chair, one hand pressed against her stomach. The sound filled the office, transforming her from intimidating authority figure to something much more human.
"Oh my god," she gasped between bursts of laughter. "That’s... that’s your defense? ’Must be AI’?" She wiped at the corner of her eye.
Xavier allowed himself a small smile. "Worth a shot."
"Bold strategy," she said, finally regaining her composure though her eyes still sparkled with amusement. "I respect the creativity, Valentine."
Director Angelo stood up and walked to a small bar tucked into the corner of her office. "Want something? Water? Coffee?" She pulled out a crystal flask from a drawer. "Something stronger?"
"It’s daytime," Xavier pointed out.
"Time is a social construct," she replied, pouring amber liquid into a glass. "And paperwork is eternal torture." She took a sip and leaned against the edge of her desk, much closer to Xavier now. "So. Six guys. You handled yourself pretty well for a D-rank."
Xavier shrugged. "They weren’t exactly trained fighters."