Claire glanced over, her lips curving in a half-smile. "Ms. Jarvis, you studied literature, didn't you? Even your toasts sound so refined. Honestly, it's fortunate that Mr. Bard is so talented—otherwise, he might not even get to enjoy a cup of tea from someone like you!"
Sylvia responded calmly, "But didn't Mr. Bard start it? Claire, are you talking about me, or about Mr. Bard?"
The others were momentarily stunned, and even Nash looked toward Sylvia in surprise. Her remark, while it put Claire on the spot, also risked offending Mr. Bard. This wasn't Sylvia's usual, diplomatic style.
Claire clearly hadn’t anticipated Sylvia’s directness. She forced an awkward laugh, "I'm just admiring the talent between you and Mr. Bard—it was just a joke, Ms. Jarvis, don’t take it too seriously. You're making my heart race!"
Sylvia replied, more seriously, "At your age, Claire, a racing heart might be a cardiovascular issue. It’s something you shouldn't ignore."
Claire was left speechless.
Someone as quick-witted as Claire had never lost a verbal exchange before. It took all her self-control not to get up and lash out.
She managed to squeeze out a smile anyway, "You really do have a way with jokes, Ms. Jarvis."
Sylvia smiled gently, "We're all friends here. No harm in a little banter."
"Of course," Claire ground out through clenched teeth.
With so many prominent people at the table, Claire couldn’t risk losing her composure. Avoiding further conversation with Sylvia, she turned instead to Gabriel, gracefully refocusing the discussion to introduce The Lane Group’s electronic security systems—though not without exaggerating their capabilities here and there.
When Claire finished, Gabriel finally responded, "That advanced, really?"
Claire quickly nodded. "The Lane Group has a strong track record!"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Thank you for the updates....
Thank you for the updates. Please continue uploading the regular updates...
This is so exciting to have all the updates. Thank you so much....
Updates please...
Gabriel would look at the camera footage and do his own investigation about what happened as well as nothing when Sylvia arrived and with whom she arrived....
Waiting eagerly for more updates...
Please send more updates....
Thank you for the updates....
Please upload more chapters......
Please send some updates. Thank you...