Ray opened his mouth to protest, but Esme wasn't done. "And you, Mr. Scientist," she snapped, turning to Jay, "do you have any idea how much it costs to fix your lab every time you burn it down? Because I sure do. I'm the one who ends up scrubbing the floors and replacing the equipment. So, tell me, how does the money for this diamond ring, which is practically a drop in the ocean, even register as a crisis?"
Jay shifted uncomfortably, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks as he struggled to find a comeback. Esme wasn't finished with him yet.
"And you, Mr. Kai," she continued, her voice rising with each word, "do you have any clue how much it costs every time you lose your temper and break a client's arm? Who do you think has to settle those disputes? Spoiler alert: it's always me!"
Kai squirmed in his seat, the weight of her words settling heavily on him. He opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it, recognizing the truth in her statement.
