Richard's nose flared as his teeth gritted in anger. "What?!"
Must she always rub it in that someone like him, who was once at the apex of wealth in Rovencia, had to condescend so low as to beg for crumbs from the woman he hated the most?
Seemingly oblivious of the impact of her words, Shantel signaled the waiter and placed her orders without hesitation, before turning back to Richard. "I said, that's the point because If you had taken a moment to think instead of having a meltdown over public perception, you'd have realized why we're here."
Richard's patience was running dangerously thin. "Enlighten me, then."
As she rested her chin on one hand, her eyes glinted with amusement. "We need to lure the person behind your company's crisis out of hiding.
He froze and Shantel smiled, then continued. "And what better way to do that than by making them think you're distracted?"
A scowl appeared on Richard's handsome face as he carefully processed her words. "Distracted?"
