Before I could relish the moment, the secretary beside Clyde stood up, her voice dripping with contempt.
"Azalea, are you daydreaming?"
"You're just a housewife, thinking you can compete with Mancini Group? How ridiculous."
I shook my head, my gaze fixed on her with quiet composure.
"It might be hard to believe now, but it's the truth."
"If you don't trust me, feel free to let your President Mancini try."
Everleigh raised an eyebrow, scoffing in disbelief.
"Fine. Let's see. It's impressive how people with no sense of their own limits still have the gall to act so high and mighty in front of me."
I wasn't bothered by her words. Instead, I stood my ground, calm and unshaken.
"Sorry, but I'm not like you. I, Azalea, never rely on a man's money."
As soon as the words left my lips, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
"Anyone can talk big. If she's so capable, why settle for being a housewife?"
"Exactly! President Mancini's a billionaire, a rising star. Who does she think she is?"
"She's just a clown, trying to make herself the center of attention. Why even waste time with her?"
I stood, my eyes scanning the room, every whisper falling silent in my wake.