When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31 Flying the Drone

The moment her fingers struck the final key, the drone lifted into the sky, refrigeration box secured, cutting swiftly northward.

“Quick! The drone’s airborne–get a live feed on it!”

A ripple of excitement spread among the gathered media.

Anneliese finally raised her head, gesturing toward the monitor as she spoke to Jonathan.

“It still passes near the slums, but I trimmed the route to save four minutes. From this side, it only skirts the eastern edge–fewer power lines, fewer hazards. If you’ll trust me, I’ll monitor the feed in real time, adjust the height as needed, and guide it clear.”

Zion rubbed the bridge of his nose, hiding a smirk.

Bold woman. Whether the boss approves or not, she launched it anyway. Confidence… or reckless youth?

But the next instant overturned his doubt.

“Good.”

Jonathan’s lips curved faintly as his gaze met hers. Clear eyes, steady voice–she wasn’t guessing. She had already committed, sure of herself.

What he didn’t realize was that two lives depended on her gamble. Her confidence was not arrogance, but urgency.

Still, when Jonathan accepted it so simply, Anneliese felt her pulse stutter, as though she had misjudged the man. Heat crept into her cheeks under that sharp, unwavering stare.

“Mr. Fullbuster, the press wants a few words from you and Ms. Claude…” Zion cut across, breaking the charged silence.

Anneliese blinked, snapped back to herself, and lowered her gaze quickly.

“I’ll have to decline. I need to track the drone’s course.”

Interview me? I’m not the one they care about, she thought.

Jonathan’s attention lingered on the pink glow of her ears. After a beat, he turned toward his aide. “Get her an umbrella.”

Without another glance, he strode toward the waiting cameras.

Zion followed at a slower pace, shaking his head. Five years at his side, and I’ve only just realized… He can be rather hypocritical.

Even while answering the media’s questions, Jonathan’s eyes slid toward Anneliese, still bent earnestly over her screen.

She blinked. Should I have let him enter first? But I’m not his employee… and after today, we’re even. No guilt here.

Zion froze under Jonathan’s gaze–one that wordlessly conveyed, I saw that.

Jonathan entered next, followed by Zion, who pressed for the ground floor before moving subtly behind Jonathan.

The elevator hummed into motion. Silence pressed between its walls.

Anneliese scrolled through her phone, face calm. Jonathan stood tall, hands at his sides, eyes straight ahead.

The weight of restraint fell on Zion.

They’re quiet because of me… if I leave it like this, it’s awkward.

And so, he cleared his throat. “Ms. Claude, your skills are remarkable. Did you major in drones?”

Talking about someone’s passion was always a safe way to break the tension.

Anneliese glanced up, her eyes bright with an easy smile. “I studied aircraft manufacturing at university.”

“No wonder. That’s not common–and even rarer for women. Actually, our academy has an eVTOL design institute. Prof. Clocke is considered a leading figure in the field. Have you heard of him?”