"Anything that adds to my wallet is only a pinch of salt, considering I barely spend my money anyway..."
Vera looked at Elder Ivanhoe with her usual dull eyes.
Her expression remained as blank as ever, making it impossible to tell whether she was serious or joking.
Then...
"I don't actually care."
She lightly raised both hands.
"In fact..."
She turned toward Ezra.
"I can give you the money if you want it, Ezra."
She deliberately dragged out the last part of his name in a teasing tone.
Several craftsmen nearby quietly looked toward the two of them.
Ezra met her gaze without changing his expression.
"I'll gladly take it."
He replied in his usual flat voice.
"Like you said...It's still a positive plus."
His blank black eyes calmly met hers.
Silence filled their space with neither of them looking away.
The two simply stared at each other without speaking another word.
Gradually...
The atmosphere inside the Research and Development Facility became strangely awkward.
