Jonah faltered for a fraction of a second, but his smirk quickly returned, his confidence unshaken.
"I'm not here to reminisce and certainly not for you," I continued. My voice was steady, each word cutting through the growing murmurs of the crowd. "I'm here on official business, invited personally by Mr. Stone. You should think carefully before speaking further."
For a brief moment, a flicker of doubt crossed Jonah's face. But before he could respond, Violet broke into a fit of shrill laughter, her voice ringing out like nails against glass.
"Mr. Stone invited you?" she sneered, clutching Jonah's arm as if drawing strength from his presence. "Oh, please! If you're going to lie, at least try to make it believable."
She tilted her head, her carefully styled hair catching the light as she regarded me with a look of mock pity. "Do you even know who's attending this banquet? These are all renowned entrepreneurs, people with real influence. So, tell us, which company are you the head of? Or"—she paused dramatically, her voice dripping with sarcasm—"have you latched onto some big shot over the past five years? Whose companion are you tonight?"
The crowd, emboldened by her audacity, joined in.