“Come on, Evelyn,” Cordelia says, waving dismissively while feigning innocence.

“I'm only saying we should be consistent. Respect requires some of us to put in more effort and not take shortcuts.” She gave Alan a thoughtful glance, as he observes the conversation with a slight smirk of satisfaction.

Silently, Ashby watches as well, his face unreadable, but his silence is almost acquiescence.

Louisa takes a deep breath, lifts her chin, and looks directly into Cordelia's eyes. "I won't respond in a way that would degrade your implication, Cordelia.

“If you're worried about professionalism, you might want to concentrate on your own. It is hardly the conduct of a professional who...