Before she could speak, Richard barked loudly, "Why haven't you returned to Riverburg?"

"Why are you asking? I won't be going back to Riverburg anytime soon. State the purpose of your call, or I'll hang up."

Richard was furious at Ivy's attitude. Previously, he would have taught her a lesson for speaking to him this way, but now he needed something from her, so he forced himself to suppress his anger.

Through gritted teeth, he asked, "What do you want?"

"That ...