At that moment, Lovi leaned back slowly in his seat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It wasn't the arrogant kind of smile it was more like the smile of someone who was trying to keep his cool under pressure. He raised both of his hands slightly in a calming gesture, his voice calm but with a noticeable edge of seriousness.
"Come on now," he said. "Let's not escalate this. It hasn't gotten to the point where we start treating each other like enemies. Not yet."
His words caused a brief silence between them. Cora's eyes remained sharp, unwavering, but Melissa's jaw clenched, still visibly furious. Lovie looked at both of them before continuing.
"I'm a genuine person," he said, more softly this time. "I'm not trying to rip anybody off. I never intended to. Look, I let go of the payment we initially agreed upon. I walked away from that money, not because I don't need it, but because I realized something, money alone can't save me right now."
