"If it weren’t for the Female Master intervening when she did," Dax snapped coldly, his words striking like a blade, "you would already be kneeling before the Beast God—head bowed, waiting to be judged."
There was no warmth in his voice, no trace of rcy. Only blunt, unfiltered disdain.
"You can barely keep yourself alive," he continued, eyes narrowing as they raked over Sylas with cutting precision. "So tell —how, exactly, do you think you’re fit to protect the Female Master in that condition?"
Each word landed sharp and rciless, leaving no room to dodge or soften the blow. Sylas Ruan felt his face burn as if he’d been slapped. Heat rushed to his ears, his pulse pounding loudly in his head, while embarrassnt and frustration twisted together in his chest until it beca hard to breathe.
"I—I never intended for things to spiral like this," Sylas stamred, his carefully maintained composure fracturing under the pressure. His voice wavered despite his efforts to steady it. "It wasn’t planned. None of it was. It was an accident."
Dax didn’t even pretend to entertain the explanation. With a dismissive flick of his hand, he brushed the excuse aside as though it were nothing more than dust clinging to his sleeve.
"Accidents happen," he said flatly. "Once. Twice." His gaze hardened. "A hundred tis, even—and the universe still won’t care."
He took a step forward, the air between them tightening.
"But the Female Master cannot afford even a single mistake," Dax continued, his tone absolute. "Not one. Not when her life is on the line."
The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating, pressing down on Sylas’s shoulders. He opened his mouth, searching desperately for sothing—anything—that might justify his actions. Then he closed it again. Every defense he could think of rang hollow, collapsing before it ever reached his tongue.
Watching Sylas falter, Dax’s patience finally snapped. His expression darkened, the last of his tolerance burning away, and it was clear the reprimand was far from over.
"So," Dax pressed, his tone sharpening, "are you retracting that statent or not? The Female Master is furious right now. I’ve already gone out of my way to say good things about you, to cool her temper and convince her to let handle this quietly."
His eyes darkened. "But if you refuse... next ti, it won’t be delivering the ssage. It’ll be Jasper."
Sylas stiffened instantly.
"You know how Jasper operates," Dax continued, voice dropping into sothing icy and dangerous. "He’s not known for rcy. Compared to him, I’m practically generous."
"Fine!" Sylas blurted out, panic overriding pride. "I’ll retract it—right now!"
He summoned Adam without hesitation. "Delete the original statent imdiately," Sylas ordered. "Post a new one admitting our mistake. Publicly apologize to the female nad Mindy Lane. Push her na onto multiple trending lists, and arrange for her transfer to the Central District as soon as possible."
Adam froze, shock flickering across his features. Is Mr. Ruan truly siding against his own chosen female? he wondered. A public apology? Boosting her visibility across the light-brain? It was political self-sabotage.
But one look at Sylas’s dark, unyielding expression erased any thought of questioning him. Adam bowed his head and complied.
Within minutes, the old statent vanished. The apology went live. Mindy Lane’s na exploded across the network, climbing rapidly through the trending rankings.
Once everything was complete, Adam returned. "Mr. Ruan," he said respectfully, "it’s done."
"Good," Sylas replied, waving him away. "You may go."
After the door slid shut, Sylas turned back to Dax. "Everything’s handled—exactly as you asked."
"That’s what I like to hear," Dax said brightly. He grinned and casually slung an arm around Sylas’s shoulders, all friendliness now. "See? I always knew you were the reliable type."
As he spoke, he opened his light-brain and forwarded a detailed expense list.
"Oh, by the way," Dax added, his tone suddenly businesslike, "cleaning up your ss wasn’t cheap. Don’t you think a good friend deserves so reimbursent?"
Sylas scanned the numbers—and nearly choked.
Ten billion star coins.
For a split second, disbelief flashed across his face. Did he buy trending posts... or a battleship? Still, for Rory’s sake, Sylas said nothing. He transferred the full amount without protest.
Dax had been with Rory the longest. If anyone understood her moods, her limits, her patience—it was him. If Sylas wanted even a chance at forgiveness, he needed Dax’s goodwill.
Once the transfer confird, Sylas hesitated before asking, "Hey... I want to see Rory. Can you help arrange a eting?"
Dax’s grin widened as he admired the notification of incoming funds. "Of course," he said smoothly. "We’re practically family."
He patted Sylas’s shoulder reassuringly. "I’ll talk to her first—calm the Female Master down. When the timing’s right, I’ll set sothing up. But listen carefully," he added, lowering his voice. "Wait for my signal. Don’t approach her on your own. If she’s still angry and you show up unannounced, you’ll only make things worse."
Sylas nodded solemnly. "Understood. I’ll wait."
People often whispered that the Blood Moon Fox was cunning by nature, but Sylas sincerely believed Dax was an upright, trustworthy man.
The mont Dax stepped outside, however, his expression shifted. Without hesitation, he forwarded the ten billion star coins straight to Rory—and let out a quiet chuckle.
He still thinks he’ll see the Female Master, Dax mused. What a drear.
anwhile, far away along a starrail, Rory stood gazing into the endless sprawl of space when her light-brain chid softly.
A transfer notification.
Ten billion star coins—from Dax.
She blinked. Has that fox finally grown a conscience?
’Rory: Why the sudden transfer?’
’Dax: Female Master, it’s from Sylas Ruan. He realized how badly he ssed up and how close his foolishness ca to putting you in danger.’
’Dax: Please accept it. He’ll feel better knowing you did.’
’Dax: He’s also too ashad to face you again—and promises he’ll never appear before you anymore.’
Rory read the ssages in silence, then calmly accepted the credits.
Turning to Jasper at her side, she said evenly, "Sylas Ruan is still as efficient as ever."
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