Arthur could read the disgust on Jessica's face.
It was visible in the tension around her mouth, in the way her eyes lingered on the unconscious child, and in the barely restrained anger beneath her stillness.
Then she looked at him.
At Albert Valentino.
Her expression hardened.
For a moment, Arthur thought she might cross the room and tear the supposed inventor apart.
He would not have blamed her.
But Jessica did not move. Her hand remained clenched at her side.
Whatever kept her beside Veldrova held her in place.
Arthur studied her for another heartbeat.
'What have you gotten yourself into?'
A hand settled on his head.
Again.
Arthur's attention snapped back to the present.
Veldrova stood before him, smiling as though the meeting had become an unexpectedly pleasant diversion.
"Tiny human, I am more than impressed."
He patted Arthur's borrowed brown hair.
Arthur remained still.
