"No."
The rejection landed instantly. Brutally. Emily didn't even let her finish the sentence — cut it off at the knees with the swift, merciless efficiency exactly like someone who had been called boring for thirty straight minutes and had been keeping a detailed internal ledger of every single slight.
"There is absolutely no way I am lending you my things after what you did in the car."
She pointed accusingly toward Lydia, her single visible eye narrowing into a sharp little glare, cheeks puffed out in full feral pout. "And don't you dare help her either."
Lydia raised both hands at once. "I fear corporate retaliation."
"As you should."
Phei watched the entire exchange with open amusement, leaning against the Rolls-Royce with his arms folded.
The cold parted around him like an obedient tide. His amethyst eyes stayed bright with quiet delight as he watched the women he cared about tear into each other for his entertainment.
Then he exhaled softly.
