Chapter 232: The Disturbance
Malcolm, ever the embodiment of tranquility, had honed his skill of masking his emotions to perfection. Observers saw Malcolm and Reese standing in close proximity, one utterly absorbed by the robot, the other casting longing glances at their partner. Sensing the intimate atmosphere, the crowd wisely dispersed, leaving the duo within their private sphere of space.Reese was captivated by the robot when she abruptly felt a lean, rough hand gently cover her eyes, a faint whiff of tobacco hanging in the air. Malcolm's voice, slightly muffled, came from behind her, "Reese, I'm jealous." He encircled her waist with one arm, his other hand still over her eyes, his chin resting on her shoulder. He pretended to be oblivious, a stark contrast from his usual composed demeanor, "You've been staring at that robot for so long, I should've never let you look at it."Reese, slightly taken aback by the sudden intimacy, replied, "I just got carried away, the robot is fascinating." No matter how swiftly she responded, Reese could never match Malcolm's pace in these moments.However, it was only during these flirtatious exchanges that Reese revealed a different facet of her personality.And so, she found herself encased in a man's assertive embrace, his warm breath caressing the nape of her neck and ears, his lips delicately grazing her blush-red earlobe. "Back off, you're making me uncomfortable," Reese protested, her discomfort evident as she sought to escape the intense proximity, turning to face Malcolm directly.Perhaps intentionally, as Reese turned, Malcolm tightened his hold around her waist, drawing her closer, their bodies nearly touching through the thin fabric of their clothes. Reese found herself locked in Malcolm's teasing and suggestive gaze. She had hoped that the electric tension might dissipate when they faced each other, but it only seemed to intensify."Let me go, we're in public!" Reese objected, clearly distressed. Malcolm, however, merely chuckled softly. "What's so funny?" Reese retorted, her flushed ears betraying her internal turmoil. After a brief pause, Malcolm replied with a playful grin, "What you mean is, not here, not now, but once we're home, all bets are off, right?"Reese's eyes widened in disbelief. Her mental 'no shame' filter for Malcolm had just thickened considerably—she knew he was audacious, but he kept pushing the boundaries! "Don't worry, Reese, we'll head home soon," Malcolm teased, his laughter suggesting, 'I know you're interested in me. No rush, once we're home, anything goes.'Speechless, Reese had resigned herself to the futility of arguing with a man so unabashed. Malcolm watched her flustered reactions with great amusement, thoroughly pleased with himself. Their embrace was unmistakably intimate; from afar, the petite woman was enveloped in the arms of the towering man, whose grip seemed insatiable, her ears flushed red.A hint of romance lingered in the air.
…
"Apologies for the interruption, Mr. Flynn!" Justin had been itching to approach, yet the intimate aura surrounding Mr. Flynn and his companion had been a formidable barrier. The situation was uncomfortable, yet remaining distant felt equally as unsettling.Taking a deep breath, he mentally prepared himself. If this is my downfall, then let it be, he thought, I simply must intervene.At the sound of Justin's voice, Reese immediately snapped out of her conversation, gently pushing Malcolm aside.Malcolm turned to Justin, his icy glare as the bitter winter wind. His flushed face screamed a silent warning - this better be an emergency, or you're done for!Undeterred by the cold reception, Justin boldly announced, "Mr. Flynn, there's a disturbance. Maxwell from Atlanta HarmonyTech Solutions is causing quite the scene."Reese, ever the picture of calm, suggested, "Let's go see what's happening."And so, they ventured towards the uproar.Amidst the throng of people, a tall, thin man with gold-rimmed glasses was audibly criticizing the project. "This robot is a sham, all flash and no substance. I've heard that it's not worth the cost, just a bloated scheme. It might look impressive but serves no practical purpose," Maxwell proclaimed, champagne in hand, his dismissive tone aimed squarely at the robotics project.The spectators, all influential figures in Atlanta, had gathered to assess the project. If it lived up to the hype, it would have been a game-changer, opening up new possibilities in the industry.Initially, most attendees had arrived with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, Maxwell's harsh criticism was hard to overlook, especially given HarmonyTech's recent rise as a formidable contender in the competitive tech arena. Their products had captivated the younger generation, proving that Maxwell was not to be underestimated.His words echoed through the crowd, igniting hushed conversations."Where did you hear such information, Mr. Maxwell? Would you care to share your insights with Malcolm?" Malcolm's voice sliced through the murmuring crowd, which parted to make way for him and Reese.Malcolm stepped forward, Reese's hand in his."Mr. Flynn, what a diversion! Shouldn't you be focusing on your lady at this hour?" Maxwell chuckled.A collective gasp filled the room. Maxwell's comment was a thinly veiled critique of Malcolm and Reese's recent public display of affection. However, Malcolm was not to be belittled by the likes of Maxwell."Mr. Maxwell seems to be chasing shadows," Malcolm retorted with a calmness that belied the underlying tension. He elegantly plucked a champagne flute from a nearby table, taking a leisurely sip. "HarmonyTech has had its moments in the sun, but when compared to Flynn Industries, they were merely a David to our Goliath."Only a bold player like Maxwell would dare to challenge such a claim.Unfazed, Maxwell scrutinized the enigmatic man before him. His gaze lingered on Reese for a moment, revealing a glimmer of awe.Reese could feel Maxwell's gaze slither over her like an unwelcome serpent, leaving her skin crawling."So, Flynn's not going public with this?" Maxwell asked, his eyes locked on Malcolm."When it comes to Flynn Industries, it's none of Mr. Maxwell's concern," Tartt interjected, his disdain palpable. He had noticed Maxwell's lecherous ogling of Reese. "Were you bitter about missing out on this juicy deal? Acting like the fox who couldn't reach the grapes?"Maxwell's smile remained warm, as if he hadn't noticed the insult. "No offense taken, I assure you. I was merely seeking some clarity—nothing more. Clear the air now and then we could collaborate better later, right?"Reese, weary from the verbal sparring yet maintaining her composure, finally chimed in: "If Mr. Maxwell insists on casting doubt...”
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