Emma waved it off dismissively. “This auction isn’t that important. Do you really think I care about such little money?I’m rich, don’t you know?” she said smugly. “Even if you ruined ten auctions like this, it wouldn’t move a single coin in my pocket.”
Sophia grinned, shaking her head.
Emma studied her for a moment, then her expression softened. “So… what happened with your dad this time? What’s the new drama?”
Sophia took Emma’s hand and led her toward the private office. “Come. I’ll tell you everything.”
Once inside, Sophia reached up to her ears, delicately unfastening her earrings one by one. “Those shares that Grandma left me? Dad wants me to transfer it to him so that Joseph and Curtis canexpand the business.”
“As if!” Emma snapped instantly. “What have they done in the last ten years that they’ll suddenly do differently now? They’ve dragged the company to the brink of collapse multiple times. And they think your thirty percent will magically save it?”
“Apparently,” Sophia sighed. “And my dad keeps saying that since Joseph and Curtis think it’s necessary, I should just agree.”
“I really don’t understand how your dad doesn’t see they’re leeching off him,” Emma said bitterly. “He works himself to exhaustion every day, yet he’s always short on money because it all goes straight into your uncles’ pockets.”
“Whatever,” Sophia muttered as she set the earrings carefully on the nearby table. Placing her hands on her waist, she turned fully toward Emma. “I don’t care anymore. I’m done trying to be a good daughter. I’ve tried to make him understand for years. Grandma’s gone now. I don’t have any reason to stay entangled with them.”
“Yes, let’s not talk about it anymore,” Emma said firmly. “It’s such a headache.”
Then she suddenly stepped closer, her lips curling into a mischievous grin as she leaned in.
“So,” she teased, “how was your first night with your new husband?”
Sophia rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. “I told you—it’s nothing like that. We’re just a contract couple. There’s nothing between us.”
She shrugged. “We just… slept.”
Emma’s mouth dropped in shock. “What? He’s not at all attracted to your beauty? What is he? Gay?”
Sophia snickered, walking toward the clothing rack to grab a set of casual clothes. “Emma, I’m not that beautiful, and not every man on this planet is going to fall for my so-called beauty.”
Emma immediately followed her, flaring. “Anyone who says you’re not beautiful is blind! You are the most beautiful woman on this planet!”
Sophia laughed, shoulders shaking, as Emma continued, growing more animated.
“Literally, men would die to sleep with someone like you!” Emma waved her hands for emphasis. “And once they get to know you… it’s over for them! They’d never be able to have a relationship with any other woman!”
She leaned in, eyes wide, voice rising. “You’re smart, drop-dead gorgeous, with long hair, pretty eyes, a voice like a goddamn angel—and confidence to match! And that walk—those six-inch heels? You strut like a Victoria’s Secret model!”
Emma spun around dramatically, pointing toward the hall. “People literally gasp when you enter a room—or step up on stage during these auctions! Even women! What kind of lunaticwouldn’twant a woman like you?!”
Sophia had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing at Emma’s dramatic rant.
She picked up her clothes and turned toward Emma. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but this is what happened: we slept in the same bed, but he was on the other side. Although, apart from being kind of arrogant, Magnus seems… like a good man.”
“To hell with the ‘goodness’ of that man!” Emma rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up. “What’s the use of being a good man when he’s that handsome—and there’s a woman likeyouright in front of him—and he doesn’t even take his shot?!”
She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “I swear, half the men out there don’t dare approach you, just because you’re way too stunning for them to even imagine being with you!”
Sophia took a deep breath. Then she placed both hands on Emma’s shoulders and met her gaze. “Emma… tell me one thing, truthfully.”
Emma arched her brows in question.
“You’re in love with me, aren’t you?” Sophia asked.
Emma tilted her head at once and grinned. “Yes.”
Before Sophia could react, Emma lunged at her playfully, wrapping an arm around her waist and yanking her close. “Let’s have sex right now!”
