I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 247: Life Goes On

"Jeez, those people!" Claudia storms into her office, huffing in irritation.

Her assistant, a young man named Anthony Bane, is already waiting inside with a cup of coffee in hand. Without a word, he smoothly exchanges the coffee for Claudia’s bag and laptop, placing her belongings neatly on her desk.

Anthony is a competent and capable man in his late twenties. Even though Claudia is noticeably younger than him, it has never bothered him to work under someone younger. Professionalism comes first.

He used to work at Monfort Industries as part of her father’s team. When it became obvious that Claudia’s workload had increased significantly, Linus personally assigned Anthony to assist her.

Anthony does not speak often. But when he does, his words carry weight. Claudia trusts him completely.

He does not know anything about magic.

He has been introduced to Rhaenas. And the only time Claudia has ever seen him blush was during his first meeting with Thea.

She cannot help but laugh softly as the memory resurfaces.

A twenty-nine-year-old man turning red like a fourteen-year-old boy.

"Anthony, make sure no one gets hurt," Claudia says while pulling up the live security feed of the building’s entrance. "Tell those Sentinels they are only to block people from breaking into our office. No excessive force. If anyone gets injured, we’ll get sued."

"Yes, Ms. Monfort," Anthony replies crisply. "I have already given them very clear and specific instructions."

Claudia nods, satisfied.

She turns toward the office door again. "I’m going to see Rhaenas—"

The phone rings.

She pauses for only a second before dismissing it.

"You answer it," she says as she reaches for the handle. "Tell the reporters the same thing we’ve been telling them all week. Rhaenas is not available for interviews."

Without waiting for a response, she exits the office and heads toward the elevators.

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Beep. Beep.

Beep. Beep.

Beep. Beep.

Alicia walks to the in-building intercom module mounted near her apartment door and presses the button.

"Yes?"

"Chief, it’s me. Chambers."

She blinks.

It takes her a second to place the name.

"Captain David Chambers?" she replies. "What do you want, Captain?"

The title feels foreign on her tongue. So does his name. Familiar, yet distant.

On the other side of the door, Captain Chambers shifts awkwardly. He scratches the back of his head even though she cannot see it.

"I just... wanted to check on you, Chief. See how you’re doing."

"I’m fine, Captain." Alicia’s voice is steady. Not harsh. Not welcoming either. "My memories are still fragmented. Nothing has changed. But I’m not as disoriented as before."

There is a pause.

"Chief, look." Chambers exhales softly before forcing himself to continue. "I know this sucks. I really do. But I need to file a report about your condition. The higher-ups require regular updates from me and from your doctor."

He hesitates.

"I don’t want to disturb your rest. I just... need to know what to tell them."

Alicia closes her eyes briefly.

She does not remember her time as Chief of Solarys DEU.

That gap is still there. Eight months of emptiness.

And the fact that she is now Chief means only one thing.

Alex is no longer holding that position.

Which means...

He really is dead.

The thought tightens around her ribs.

Being Chief is the last thing on her mind right now. She cannot even believe that she agreed to take that mantle after Alex died.

It feels wrong.

Like someone else made that decision in her place.

And she is simply living with the consequences.

"Captain..." she sighs softly. "Sure. I’ll buzz you in."

"Thank you, Chief!"

"I’m not your chief," she replies automatically, though the line goes dead before she finishes.

Alicia lowers her hand from the intercom and exhales.

The word still feels foreign. Chief.

It sits on her shoulders like a coat that does not belong to her.

She rubs her temple lightly.

"I might as well ask him about my time as his chief," she mutters to herself.

If she cannot remember, then she will reconstruct.

Piece by piece.

She walks back into her small living room and waits for Captain Chambers, arms folded loosely, mind already bracing for answers she is not sure she wants.

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"Oh wow! It smells really nice! Who’s cooking?" Claudia calls out the moment she steps into the apartment, lifting her nose dramatically as she inhales.

Warm spices fill the air. Coconut milk. Turmeric. Garlic. Something slightly sweet beneath it all.

"Hi, sis. You’re right on time," Liam says from the kitchen, grinning.

"Maeve is making her famous chicken curry. With steamed rice." He closes his eyes briefly and inhales again. "Yum."

"Oh? I love chicken curry!" Claudia’s eyes widen theatrically. "Can I stay for lunch too?"

Maeve glances over her shoulder from the kitchen, wooden spoon in hand. She smiles warmly. "Of course you can, Ms. Manager. Anything for you."

Claudia beams. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Maeve shakes her head gently. "Thank you for the offer, but I’m good. You go sit. I saw what happened on CCTV earlier. How can they treat you like that? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sis. You okay?" Liam adds, drifting dangerously close to the stove, sniffing again like an overgrown puppy.

"Liam," Julian says flatly, grabbing him by the collar and tugging him backward. "That’s disgusting. Go sit in the living room."

"Don’t disturb her," Julian continues, dragging him away despite mild resistance. "We don’t want anything jeopardizing our delicious lunch."

Liam protests weakly but allows himself to be hauled away, still craning his neck toward the pot as if the curry might escape without him.

Maeve chuckles softly and turns back to the stove, stirring carefully.

She missed cooking. She has been so busy with Rhaenas that she barely had time for it. Now that they are on a break, she needs something to fill her hands.

She goes back to cooking and knitting, two of her favorite hobbies.

She loves how the others enjoy her food. It gives her something steady. Something she can control.

She never thought she would miss doing something. She always believed she wanted a break.

Now that she has one, she does not know what to do with so much free time.

It also helps her keep her mind off things.

The apartment has had an odd vibe this past week. She cannot quite put her finger on it, but she knows it is not normal.