"Do I even have the right to choose or think this through, ma'am?" Felix shot back.

In a flash, Zaria disappeared and reappeared right in front of Felix, her hand gripping his throat.

"'Ma'am'? Do I look old to you? I already took off my veil. Have you ever seen a 'ma'am' as young and beautiful as me?"

Seriously? That was what she was mad about?

Felix coughed a few times, immediately switching to flattery. "It's just a figure of speech! Really! You're so gorgeous that no one would ever call you that. If a kid who just learned how to talk saw you, they'd definitely call you 'miss,' instead of something old like 'lady.'"

That line clearly worked, as Zaria seemed to enjoy the compliment.

"Now that's more like it. Anyway, if anything comes up, I'll be back for you."

With that, she vanished again.

Felix finally let out a long sigh. No matter what, he'd made it through this round. As for the formula she wanted, he honestly didn't care. No matter how valuable it was, survival came fi