He rushed forward, extending a hand desperately to the taller man. "Mr. Hawthorne! What an honor to finally meet you in person. I've heard so much about your work with the Consortium. Truly inspiring!"
Hawthorne, the taller of the two Consortium representatives, didn't even glance at Reginald's hand. His icy gaze swept over the rotund man with barely concealed disdain, as if he were examining a particularly unpleasant stain on his polished leather shoes. "Reginald," he said, his voice clipped and dripping with condescension. "I hope you're not wasting our time. We have more important matters to attend to."
Reginald's hand dropped awkwardly to his side, and he laughed nervously. "Of course, of course! I wouldn't dream of wasting your time. I just wanted to discuss my plans for expanding my corporation into the Southern Region. With your guidance, of course."
