Chapter 497

"Ah, I understand. Is it about those distractions?"

"No," her voice was flat and cold. "It's not about what happened after the border."

The receiver was silent for a moment; Sofia looked down at the steel plates beneath her feet. She had been a bit cruel to her assistant.

"I... am very glad to hear that, Sofia." Vaux's tone held no gloom at all. "By the way, your prescription has arrived."

"Thank you, Vaux, I really appreciate it."

Sofia bit her lip and managed a faint smile. "Uh, I've been thinking about something, and I'd like to hear your opinion."

"Go ahead! Half the reason you pay me is for this, anyway."

Sofia smiled sincerely, but not even half a second later, she put that indifferent mask back on.

"How about I stop conducting interviews in person after this? I have people I trust; they can complete these tasks very well."

"I can return to Site-81 to handle... administrative functions, for the time being."

"I think that's for the best. Looking forward to seeing you again." Vaux answered almost immediately.

"Me too."

She took the phone away from her ear, preparing to end the call.

But she heard Vaux's voice still ringing on the other end, and the phone returned to its original position.

"—Be careful at Site-17."

"I've heard that after Moose left, there was strong friction among their high-level staff, and they also have a bit of... a sense of honor, I guess you'd call it."

"Understood," she replied. "We'll talk later."

It was very quiet inside the helicopter; she placed the phone on her lap.

And she didn't want to look at the scenery anymore.