He snorts humorlessly at that. "Oh yeah? And what else did he tell you?" His tone is now more mocking than anything else. "That I'm an ass? A jerk? Incompetent, perhaps?" He takes another sip from his glass, watching for your reaction as he speaks.

It seems like he's enjoying this little game they're playing, pushing your buttons to see how far he can go before you snap back at him. But there's something else there too;

"Oh really?" He tilts his head slightly to the side, his expression unreadable. "And what do you think of me so far?" There's a challenge in his voice, as if he's daring you to speak your mind.