She turned and walked back toward the hall.
Arthur froze, disbelief and fury twisting his features. Then, in a sudden fit of drama, he collapsed to the ground, shouting, “How can you be my daughter and refuse to help me? How could I raise such an ungrateful daughter?”
People around them began to whisper and stare.
“I’ll kill myself if you don’t agree!” Arthur growled furiously, pulling a pen from his pocket, ripping off the cap, and pressing the tip against his neck threateningly. “I swear I’ll do it!”
People around them began to look over, their eyes shifting toward the scene.
Sophia halted mid-step and turned around, only to see Arthur sitting on the ground as he cried, “You’re my daughter! How can you humiliate me like this? Isn’t it just some shares? Are you really going to destroy our relationship over money?”
“Yes, I am,” Sophia said coldly.
Without another glance, she turned around again and headed back inside.
Arthur scrambled to his feet, lunging forward, his hand shooting out as he tried to grab her arm.
Before he could reach her, a woman stepped in between them, cutting off his path effortlessly.
She was very beautiful—striking in a way that made people pause without realizing why. Her face was small and softly rounded, yet undeniably pretty, her delicate features carrying a quiet charm. Waist-length hair flowed down her back, framing big, piercing eyes that shimmered with calm intensity.
She looked young, likely in her mid-twenties, but there was nothing fragile about her. An air of composure and authority surrounded her as she lifted her gaze and met Arthur’s head-on, her eyes locking onto his without the slightest flicker of hesitation. “Mr. King, you're causing a disturbance.”
Arthur bristled. “Emma, this is a family matter.”
Emma didn’t move. “This is a professional venue. If you refuse to leave, I’ll have security escort you out.”
Joseph and Curtis immediately strode forward, their faces dark with anger as they glared at her.
“Who are you to interfere between my brother and Sophia?” Curtis snapped. “Get out of the way. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Yes,” Arthur added quickly, stepping forward to back his brothers. “I’m talking to my daughter! Stop interfering!”
Emma stared at him calmly.
She then turned toward the security guards stationed outside the building. “Please escort them out. We don’t want our guests disturbed.”
“Yes, Ms. Creed,” the guards replied in unison.
They moved swiftly, each grabbing one of the men firmly by the arms. Despite their struggles and protests, the guards’ gripswere tight, and they hauled the three men down the steps and out of the premises.
Sophia’s eyes followed every step as the three men struggled, their protests fading as they were firmly dragged away. Her chest heaved with restrained fury, and without a word, she spun on her heel and stormed back into the Centurion Hall.
Emma’s usual coldness melted into concern as she watched her. She fell into step behind Sophia, taking in the tension etched across her face. Pulling a glass of water from a nearby tray, she extended it toward her. “Here,” she said softly, handing it over as she continued to shadow Sophia’s brisk pace.
Startled, Sophia finally looked up.
“Emma…” she breathed, her voice breaking slightly as relief washed over her. Her shoulders sagged.
She took the glass and drank deeply before glancing back at her best friend. “What a fortune I have,” Sophia snickered weakly, “to make the only daughter of the Creeds bring me water like a waiter.”
“If you marry me, I’ll bring you breakfast in bed, lunch in bed, and dinner in bed too, my love,” Emma said smoothly, winking.
Sophia chuckled.
She placed the glass on a nearby table and stepped forward, wrapping Emma in a tight hug.
Pulling back, Sophia looked into her eyes, guilt flickering across her face. “I’m sorry this happened today—especially when it was such an important auction for your family.”
