Chapter 51: Bomb Collar
Relieved to have some extra help for the manual labor, Zack headed inside the Mansion. He went straight to the basement, where he removed his armor with the help of a mechanical arm. Despite the suit's air circulation system, sweat clung to his clothes after the intense combat.
"I need a shower," Zack muttered with a smirk, wrinkling his nose slightly before heading upstairs.
On the main floor, Zack spotted a familiar figure sprawled on the couch—Sarah, still unconscious. Annie was nearby, watching her with wide, curious eyes, her childlike fascination apparent. On another sofa, Sophia eyed Zack with an expression that was hard to read as he stepped off the elevator.
"Why did you bring her back?" Sophia asked, her tone holding a mix of disbelief and something that might have been jealousy.
"Huh?" Zack looked genuinely confused. He hadn't intended to bring Sarah back—he'd planned to send her to the steel plant. But with everything going on, she'd slipped his mind.
"Guess it's fine," he shrugged, muttering to himself. "We've got enough room anyway."
Sophia murmured something under her breath, but Zack cut her off. "Sophia, why don't you head upstairs and get some rest?"
She looked away, a little indignant, but allowed Annie to help her to the elevator. As they disappeared, Zack turned his attention back to Sarah, still unconscious on the couch.
"Ego, you know what I'm thinking, right?" Zack asked, a sly grin on his face.