"You have no authority over me here. No one does and least of all you." Lex had yet to truly explore that sentiment but he'd had a moment of total shock when he had realized it earlier that morning. No one...not his father or his father's reputation. He could truly play this his way. And at the moment, that way was taking care of Anatoly. "And I'm not leaving him."

And frankly, he'd had enough of this woman standing between them. He easily side stepped her and moved to kneel down by the Russian's chair. He put his hands over Anatoly and said softly in Russian, "Tolya...I'm sorry. We can leave if this is upsetting you too much..." Despite the tension in the room, he completely ignored Florence behind him, his attention fully on Anatoly.