The Scumbag's Guide To Heroism novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60: 60 | Spectacle, Darling

Grande Dame stood at our table, her perfect smile calculated for maximum camera effect. That smile had launched a thousand brand deals and convinced half of California she was worth her number fourteen ranking despite causing property damage in the millions.

"Guess I’ll have to introduce myself," she said, extending a manicured hand my way. "Since your girlfriend lacks basic manners."

I took her hand. Her grip was firm but perfectly calibrated not to hurt. Everything about Grande Dame was calibrated.

"Lukas Belmont," I said, watching her eyes widen slightly at my last name.

"Belmont? As in Vanguard and Reina Belmont?" Grande Dame released my hand, her violet eyes suddenly more attentive. "Their son?"

"The very same."

"I’d heard they had a child, but..." She glanced at Sloane, then back to me. "I didn’t know you were with the Fitzgeralds."

Sloane’s leg pressed against mine under the table. A warning.

"Diane took me in after they died," I explained.

Grande Dame’s smile shifted to something that approximated sympathy. "How generous of her. Though I suppose there was PR value in adopting a hero’s orphaned son."

Sloane nearly lunged across the table, but I caught her wrist.

"It wasn’t like that," I said firmly. "And I’d appreciate if you didn’t talk about my parents or Diane that way."

"Sensitive topic? My apologies." She didn’t sound sorry at all. "I just find it interesting that Diane Fitzgerald, who claims to value authenticity above all else, would—"

"Did you want something?" Sloane interrupted, her voice cold. "Or are you just here to ruin everyone’s day with your presence?"

Grande Dame laughed. "There’s that famous Fitzgerald charm. You know, your mother and I have history. Did she ever tell you?"

Sloane’s expression said she knew exactly what that history was.

"She auditioned for my agency two years ago," Grande Dame continued, addressing me now. "Wanted the Fitzgerald Media Group to handle my public image. I was on the rise, and she wanted a slice of that pie."

That didn’t sound right. Diane was selective about her clients, not desperate.

"That’s not how it happened," Sloane said through gritted teeth.

"No?" Grande Dame raised a perfect eyebrow. "Then how did it happen, sweetie?"

"You approached my mother," Sloane said. "Not the other way around. Your previous agency dropped you after that mall incident where you grew to full size and crashed through the food court because someone spilled coffee on your shoes."

Grande Dame’s smile froze.

"My mother declined to represent you," Sloane continued. "Said you weren’t what she was looking for in a client. Said you weren’t a real hero, just a walking liability with boobs."

Holy shit. I’d never seen Sloane go for the throat like that.

"Is that what she told you?" Grande Dame’s voice remained pleasant, but her eyes hardened. "Interesting narrative. Wrong, but interesting."

"Diane doesn’t lie," I said.

"Everyone lies, sweetie." Grande Dame’s attention returned to me, her smile warming again. "Though I’m more interested in you right now. An Aspect-user training for Halloran, dating the boss’s daughter... quite the little setup you’ve got."

〘 SIDE QUEST AVAILABLE: "SIZE MATTERS" 〙

〘 ERROR: TUTORIAL NOT COMPLETE - QUEST LOCKED 〙

Goddammit.

"It’s nice to meet you, Grande Dame," I said, trying to defuse the situation. "And yes, this is my girlfriend."

Sloane’s head whipped toward me, pink rushing to her cheeks. We hadn’t officially labeled anything yet. But I didn’t miss how her fingers intertwined with mine on the table.

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