章 59: 1.59 Vortex

"I thought you would be proud of me," Persie murmured.

Demetrius's surprise was evident in his gaze as he looked at Persie, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.

The unexpected murmuring of Persie's words caught him off guard, stirring a mixture of emotions within him.

As their eyes met, a wave of discomfort washed over Demetrius, causing his heart to flutter uneasily.

Persie's countenance bore a heavy weight of sadness and disappointment, and it pierced Demetrius's soul. With a sigh, he mustered the courage to respond.

"I am," Demetrius replied, his voice laced with sincerity. However, Persie seemed unconvinced, rejecting Demetrius's affirmation with a somber tone.

"Don't lie," Persie retorted, his gaze unwavering. "I know when you're happy, even when you don't smile, and you're clearly not. I thought you, of all people, would understand the significance of this project and that I was able to sign such a favorable contract."