Her fingers tightened instinctively around her father's arm. It was the only thing preventing him from throwing a punch straight at Nick's face. Rage burned fiercely inside the distinguished patriarch, yet Phoebe refused to let him risk his reputation by getting into a public altercation at the entrance of her company—a scandal that would undoubtedly dominate the headlines within hours.
"So..." Nick sneered bitterly. "You've found yourself a new protector now?"
"Nick!" Phoebe cut him off sharply, her breathing growing uneven as she struggled to keep the situation from spiraling further. "I have no intention of arguing with you this morning, and I won't tolerate you making baseless accusations about me."
"Oh, but the facts are right in front of me, aren't they?" Nick shot back. "You arrived here with this older man... and according to what I've heard, you were also seen with Ra—"
