Chapter 17 They Take Him In

The dining place settled back into silence. Audrey gave Otto an apologetic look. "Sorry, Otto. That must've been awkward." Otto's smile was calm and unbothered. "It's fine. When you work with smart people, there's always some fool trying to make trouble. I'm used to it. "But since you're being so sincere, I'll take the chance to make a little request." Audrey blurted out, "What kind of request?" Otto leaned forward, meeting her gaze with steady seriousness. "I told you before that I'd only agree to join your Deep Diver Project if you came with me to Denstove for the robotics competition. "But now you've practically built the whole thing on your own. Looks like I've lost my leverage. So I'm asking again. Will you come with me to the competition?" Audrey had thought he was about to say something weighty. She answered at once. "Come on, Otto. I only pulled that project off because you inspired me. I gave you my word, and I'm keeping it." Otto smiled, offering no reply. Dinner wra