Both women's reactions made Sebastian realize instantly that they had twisted his words into something else entirely. He lifted his palms slightly, as though calming two startled animals.
"It's simple," he said, tone patient, deliberate. "Right now, Cassie needs partnership to push her business plans forward. She needs connections. Influence. Structural power."
Scarlet arched a brow, cool and skeptical. "And you think Drake would help her without trying to get into her pants?"
Sebastian exhaled, long-suffering. "Gorgeous, men are attracted to women like bees to nectar. But Drake, there's no record of him forcing anyone. He doesn't need to. He already has the charm. And besides, he and Franklin are not on good terms."
Scarlet's refusal was on the tip of her tongue, but the mom
