I suppressed my anger and met her gaze, my voice icy as I said in turn, "Holly, are you really looking for death? Or have you conveniently forgotten that I’m allergic to alcohol?"
Holly scoffed, tilting her head at me with a mocking grin.
"It’s just a few glasses. It won’t kill you."
"Anyway, the champagne is right here. It’s up to you whether you drink it or not."
Her arrogance made me laugh. Even James’ father wouldn’t dare speak to me like this. And yet, here was Holly. She was nothing but a mere secretary who acted as if she held all the power.
It only made me more curious about the person backing her.
"Miss Green, I don’t see the point in wasting my breath on you," I said coldly.
"Tell your boss to come out. What’s the use of hiding in the shadows?"
"Or is he too much of a coward to face me?"
As soon as the words left my lips, the door swung open.
A woman, about my age, strolled in.
"Miss Hawking, it seems you’re not as stupid as everyone says."
"Regina King?!" Holly gasped.
The entire room fell silent.
The once-arrogant business elites scrambled to their feet, bowing their heads in respect to the young heiress that were well-known from Los Angeles.
"Ah, I see," was my response.
After that, I said, "So, you’re the one behind Miss Green’s little display."
Regina King slid into the seat across from me. Her posture was poised. That woman looked very self-assured.
"You guessed right," she said smoothly.
"I am indeed Holly’s boss."
"My name is Regina King, but you may call me Miss King like everyone else does."
"If the Woods Family wants to expand into Los Angeles, they’ll need my support."
Her voice carried an air of arrogance, though it was more refined than Holly’s.
I barely spared her a glance before looking away.
"Miss King, I assume you’re here because of my husband."
Regina nodded, giving me a look of mock sympathy.
"Miss Hawking, from what I understand, you've been married into the Woods Family for three years. Yet you probably haven’t even held James’s hand," she said, sighing dramatically.
"What a shame."
Then, the corners of her lips curved into a smirk.
"But after today, your husband will belong to the King family."
I expected to feel something. Anger, betrayal, or resentment. Instead, I only felt relief.
I let out a soft laugh.
"So, that’s what this is about."
"Now I understand."
I leaned back in my chair, utterly indifferent.