(Since there are a lot of characters' perspectives in this chapter, it will be told in third-person perspective)
Ricardo sat stiffly, blinking once in disbelief at the man beside him. Stephen's offhand comment had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
'I wonder what bonded omegas taste like.'
Ricardo resisted the urge to grimace. Did this man only operate on impulse and lust? Bonded omegas usually gave off a strong aversion signal to others; most didn't even try. But Stephen looked positively thrilled by the idea, like it was some forbidden thrill to be hunted. Ricardo felt sick.
Despite the disgust crawling under his skin, he forced his expression into something unreadable. He didn't give a damn about Tony personally, but the man was Robbie's bonded mate. That made him Robbie's weakness and worse, a potential vulnerability. The last thing Ricardo needed was his son being dragged into conflict with Stephen. He cleared his throat deliberately.
"Allow me to remind you," Ricardo said in a cold, flat tone, "he is bonded to my son."
Stephen turned toward him, unconcerned. "All the more reason," he murmured, his voice oily with suggestion. "Had you dealt with that omega properly, I wouldn't need to step in."
Ricardo gave a humorless chuckle. "You think I didn't try?"
"By legal means?" Stephen scoffed. "You still have faith in the system?"
"It's the most efficient way to keep Robbie from retaliating with the same," Ricardo said, cool and calculated.
Stephen clicked his tongue. "Spending a fortune on a whore... and here I thought you were a businessman."
"At least I don't invest in walking liabilities," Ricardo said flatly. "Risky assets, high overheads, and rotten returns. I prefer investments that don't scream scandal."
They stared each other down, unblinking, both well aware of the lines they were toeing. Stephen's eyes glittered, sharp and cold, as he finally looked away, his lips curling.
"You haven't lost your teeth after all," he muttered. "Well then, you should know your son brought this on himself and his personal plaything. I'm just returning the favor."
With that, he stepped out of the car and strode toward the entrance of the resort. Ricardo followed moments later, his jaw clenched.
Whore? Says the man who's slept with half his staff. Hypocrisy wasn't even subtle anymore.
Inside, the associates greeted them politely and led them through the polished guest corridor toward the reception, where Tony and Diana were already waiting. Ricardo's gaze landed instantly on the omega, his face unmoving.
So this was the cause of all this uproar.
He looked… utterly ordinary. Nothing about him screamed special. Ricardo's eyes swept him up and down: slight build, long brown hair pulled back, pale skin, unimposing stance. There was no confidence, no allure, and no presence. The only notable feature was his eyes, bright, almond-shaped, and arresting in color, but otherwise, nothing to justify Robbie's defiance.
Ricardo's lips pressed thin. He could only assume the bond was strong.
Stephen, on the other hand, was studying Tony with a far more invasive interest. He made no effort to hide the way his eyes moved: calculating and hungry. It didn't make sense to him. Sarah was young, beautiful, well-bred, and desirable in every sense. And Robbie had chosen this?
Tony led the way ahead of them through the softly lit corridor. Stephen's eyes traced the curve of his back and down to his hips with predatory amusement. So far, all the omegas he'd bedded had willingly fallen into his lap. This one was bonded; off-limits. That only made him more appealing. There was something satisfying in imagining the untouchable broken in.
He smirked to himself, lips twitching as his eyes dropped again to Tony's ass.
Tony suddenly shivered. His skin crawled with a discomfort he couldn't place. The Chairman's glare was one thing, but this felt… different. He shook it off as paranoia, focusing on presenting himself professionally. He couldn't afford one misstep tonight.
They arrived at the event hall. Tony gestured respectfully to their assigned table: one of the standing cocktail types reserved for VIPs. He was about to offer to bring their drinks when, without warning, Ricardo subtly stuck out his foot. Tony nearly went down, only just catching himself before he hit the ground. He bowed his head quickly, murmured an apology, and turned away.
"Childish," Stephen snorted under his breath.
"To be fair," Ricardo muttered, "he made me stumble first."
Stephen chuckled lowly, amused by the petty theatrics. Ricardo didn't respond.
Tony returned a moment later, but this time, a young server was carrying the drinks instead. Ricardo's jaw tightened. That little trick had been ruined. He had been counting on making Tony trip with a tray in hand, creating a scene, a stain on the omega's perfect little performance. Instead, the boy slipped away again.
Stephen, on the other hand, decided to take his own turn.
Tony had just turned, preparing to check the next guest table, when Stephen slid his foot out with surgical precision. The hall was crowded now: lights dim and music swelling. The timing was perfect. Tony, caught off guard, stumbled hard, right into Stephen.
He collided with the older man's chest, his face pressed into his shoulder. His hands landed awkwardly on Stephen's suit as he tried to regain his footing.
But Stephen didn't let him go.
Instead, one of his hands slid to Tony's waist, holding him firmly in place, while the other... moved brazenly down his back, over his hips.
Tony froze.