At that moment, just as Cora was about to rise from her seat, Lovi quickly raised his hand halfway into the air, a gesture of surrender and plea all at once. His voice came out in a nervous chuckle, laced with urgency, "Cora, it hasn't gotten to that yet. Please, don't leave."
He sat forward slightly, suddenly dropping the slick, cocky attitude he usually carried like a badge. Now, his tone had shifted, it was calmer, almost serious, like someone who just realized they were walking too close to the edge.
"I understand you're angry, and you have every right to be. But I called you here for something real, something that could benefit you," he said, trying to hold her gaze as she glared back at him.
However Cora didn't flinch. Her expression remained cold, unimpressed. "Then start talking," she snapped. "I'm not here for your games. You've already wasted enough of my time."
