Chapter 31
Chapter 31:
Brinley inclined her head with a courteous nod and shifted subtly out of his reach. “You’re flattering me, Mr. Scott. VantagePath Realty thrives because of the team behind it p>
“What team can measure up to a dependable man?” he pressed, leaning closer until his pudgy fingers nearly brushed her arm. “If you were with me, you wouldn’t have to work so hard p>
Lowering his voice, he added in a hushed murmur, “I can give you more than your sugar daddy ever could p>
The hum of conversation around them seemed to dim. A few onlookers turned openly curious stares in their direction.
Brinley’s expression cooled, her lips curving into a smile as brittle as glass.
Staring at his oily face, she couldn’t help recalling the ridiculous gossip that once painted her as some young woman climbing into an old man’s bed. The thought alone made her want to laugh.
“I’m afraid you’ve mistaken me,” Brinley replied coolly, her words cutting deep. “A woman of my league is nowhere within your reach p>
Rogelio barked out a laugh, as if she had just entertained him. “Ha! Everything has a price, Ms. Shaw. Just name it p>
T𝘩𝖾 𝘣𝘦𝗌𝘵 𝗋𝘦𝗏𝗶ewѕ 𝗈𝗇
His hand lifted, thick fingers reaching to pinch her chin.
“Stay by my side, and the entire Scott Group could be yours p>
A brutal smack shattered the air, silencing the hall in an instant.
Brinley’s palm hovered mid-swing, her fingers tingling from the impact. Rogelio clutched his burning cheek, shock flashing in his eyes before twisting into rage.
“You dared to slap me p>
“What’s wrong with that?” Brinley shook out her stinging hand, her gaze slicing through him like steel. “Look at you—pathetic, oily, and shameless p>
Rogelio’s face contorted as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to strike back—until someone abruptly stepped between them.
Colin blocked Rogelio’s path. Though he clearly didn’t want to cross him, he still stood up for Brinley. “Mr. Scott, laying hands on a woman hardly suits a gentleman p>
Recognition flickered across Rogelio’s face, then dissolved into a sneer. “Mr. Palmer? I didn’t expect you to play the hero p>
His eyes raked over Colin with contempt. “With Palmer Group’s stock in freefall, you still have the nerve to meddle in other people’s business? You’d better worry about your own crumbling empire first p>
The moment the words landed, Colin’s face flushed crimson, his fists balling so tightly his knuckles turned white.
A sharp retort hovered on his tongue, but the memory of Palmer Group’s precarious state swallowed it, leaving only frustration burning in his chest.
Rogelio, seizing on Colin’s hesitation, turned his wrath on Brinley. “And you. Don’t fool yourself into thinking a pretty face makes you exceptional. At the end of the day, you’re just a woman. What could you possibly accomplish, you pathetic whore p>
Brinley’s glare turned lethal. “Say that again. I dare you p>
Before the insult could leave his mouth, Brinley’s leg snapped out, striking the back of his knee.
Rogelio crumpled with a startled cry, collapsing onto the polished floor. In one swift motion, she seized his tie and yanked him down further, pressing his cheek to the floor with unflinching force.
Her voice dropped, edged with deadly certainty. “I’ll make sure you learn what respect really means p>