Did Xifeng believe that her initial offer would be enticing enough where Angel Dust would just accept it right off the bat? No, of course not. She knew that the spider sinner was far more intelligent than that, for one. And, for another, she was keenly aware of how cautious this sort of profession made someone be. It was why she wasn't at all offended that he didn't take her up on it right then and there. That, and the look on his face said everything that he wasn't at the moment.
She was silent while he went on in detail about how much he was worth to Valentino, like an expensive fur coat or a new car. There wasn't anything mentioned about his worth as a person—merely just what he could offer others to please them. It was becoming increasingly difficult to hide behind her nigh unbreakable neutral expression just how much she sympathized with Angel Dust's situation here and why she wanted to try to better it however possible.
A few moments of silence filled the room while she deliberated with herself mentally so as to believe that she would be saying the right thing to him here to break through the hold that Valentino had over him. A deep sigh could be heard while she adjusted her position in her seat with her scarlet hues locking on to Angel's rosy ones.
❝Do you truly believe that you're nothing but property at the end of the day? Are you like a house that one puts up for sale when they want to move on, or a car that can be sold to someone else?❞
Her questions, sharp as a blade, were not only intended to feel like they were slicing someone open, but also were weighed down with tons of lead. The small fractures in Angel's usual features were definitely noticed by her, but she chose to not comment on them. Was she getting through to him? A part of her wanted to believe she was, however she knew better than to assume things right off the bat without any kind of evidence in front of her.
❝Allow me to go one step further with this, Angel. How many times has Valentino promised that he'll treat you better the next time? Or, how about the times where he's told you that never hurt you again, only to do so in a fit of anger later on?❞
There was a brief moment or two of silence so as to allow for the impact of her questions to fully settle in. Her gaze never wandered from Angel's own, either, with her expression remaining rather neutral so that he couldn't discern what her true intentions were with this. Yet, with the way her questions were worded, it didn't seem like she had any malicious intentions here.
Though, given her reputation, one wouldn't be at fault for thinking otherwise.
❝I want you to know that I'm not saying all of this just to pull at your strings or anything. I know that bastards like Valentino never change, no matter how much they promise otherwise. They know what to say, what to do, among so many other tactics to manipulate someone into staying with them, despite all of the abuse that they've put them through.❞ After all, it was something that she was extremely familiar with, what with knowing how to manipulate others herself. Even so, those methods were ones that she abhorred using and always looked down at others when they utilized them.
Finally, a shift in her expression was seen when she closed her eyes for a moment and let out a deep sigh. The air in the room was certainly thick and the mood felt... not quite somber, but stressful, if she had to say anything about it. ❝I fully expect Valentino to put up a hell of a fight for you, Angel. So, if it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he'll get. Though, I hope he knows that I'll fight just as hard, if not harder, when Alastor and I were toppling overlords left and right.❞
As she said that, there was a rather determined look in her eyes, much like the uncontrollable wildfire that burned deeply within her very being.
❝That, and you could tell Charlie about this, but let me ask you this: when was the last time someone genuinely gave a damn about your situation and wanted to do something to improve it, even in a place as desolate as Hell itself?❞
