Jude's entire body stiffened, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
The sting of Sofia's slap burned against his cheek, the sharp crack still ringing in his ears.
For a moment, the room felt distant, the murmurs around him nothing more than a dull hum.
Nobody—nobody—had ever dared to lay a hand on him like that.
His pride, his ego, everything inside him boiled with fury.
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he forced himself to look at her.
Sofia stood there, completely unfazed, her expression unreadable. There was no hesitation, no flicker of fear in her eyes.
Jude's nostrils flared.
No matter who she was, no matter what influence she held, she ought to be beneath his boss.
She should have known her place.
Jude's face burned, not just from the slap but from the humiliation that followed. His pride was shattered, and the murmurs around him only fueled his rage.
