August is Coming

Kieran looked at Alexandria with unspoken praise while burying the aversion he felt bubbling in the depths of his mind. Not that he bore any grudge against the young woman; merely the methods of the elite and wealthy rubbed him the wrong way. 

Alexandria's apt usage of those methods was worthy of praise because it put him in a position where declining would seem crazy and accepting would seem utterly desperate.

Except he was desperate, and Alexandria confirming the Summit Project's moderate to scant distribution of higher-grade X-hancers ignited more embers of urgency and desperation in his mind. 

The offer on the table was too good, and that's why his thoughts traveled down a path laden with envy and sourness.

'It must be nice to come from lavish beginnings.'

Kieran sighed internally.