Fiona panicked for a split second but forced a smile to hide her embarrassment.
"I–I didn't mean to interrupt you, Mr. Clafford."
"But you still did," Daniel replied instantly, his tone cold and clipped.
He rested an arm on the chair's armrest and kept his posture calm. "Or perhaps," he continued, gaze never leaving her, "you're confident enough to speak on Miss Anna's behalf?"
Fiona's throat tightened when Daniel mocked her.
"Pfft" Anna almost burst into laughter but pressed her lips together, shoulders shaking.
Fiona's lips twitched while faking a trembling smile. "N-no… of course not."
Daniel's jaw tightened watching her. He had been holding back his anger ever since he witnessed Fiona digging her nails into Anna's arm. The image burned in his mind—infuriating, unacceptable.
He had controlled himself for Anna's sake… but hearing Fiona lie so casually only irked him more.
