His logic was solid and persuasive.
Rosalynn cast her eyes down at their interlocked fingers, her Lips parting in a slight purse.
His wife?
It should be his ex-wife!
Ballardâs expression soured as he watched the striking pair, a combination of handsome and beautiful, his irritation palpable.
âMr.
Hughes, if she is indeed your wife, are you aware of her secret meetings with another man at midnight? During the earthquake, one man held her so tightly in his embrace that she emerged without a scratch while he perished.
Itâs clear he cherished her deeply! Mr.
Hughes, it appears youâve been made a fool, havenât you?â
Ballardâs face twisted into a semblance of a smirk.
Rosalynnâs heart sank at the thought of Barlowâs demise.
Brianâs grip tightened imperceptibly, his presence once more becoming forebodingly cold.
She surmised Ballardâs remarks must have touched a nerve with Brian.
With a mocking snicker, Rosalynn struggled to slip her fingers from his grasp, to no avail.
âMr.
Morgan, I would tread carefully with your accusations! On the day of the earthquake, my wife was abducted, which is why she was present there.
I was overseas, unable to rescue her myself, so I sent my brother in my stead.
Is there an issue with that? Are you entitled to slander my wifeâs reputation in this manner?â
Brianâs demeanor was frosty, his scan of the room icy.
âLet this be a warning.
Any slander against my wife will not be tolerated by me!â
His tone was chilling, laden with an unspoken threat.
The onlookers exchanged wary glances, none eager to incite his wrath further.
Rosalynn bit her lip, taken aback by Brianâs vehement defense of her and Barlow.
She questioned whether there was hesitance in his vindication.
Ballard seethed, witnessing Brian deftly counter the situation with mere words, his resentment resurfacing.
âBrian Hughes, spare us the arguments! This bid conference was rigged from the start! Itâs a blatant injustice! Everyone, open your eyes.
We are mere pawns for the Hughes Group!â
Brianâs lips twisted into a scornful sneer.
âDo you presume the Morgan Group is on its deathbed?â
His words hung in the air, a veiled threat to the Morgan Group.