Magnus’s dark expression slowly shifted into a faint, dangerous smirk. He rose to his feet, pointing his pen at Harold.
“Fine. Don’t regret it.”
With that, he turned and walked out of the office.
Timothy shot Harold a knowing, almost pitying glance before quickly following Magnus out.
Left behind, Gregory patted Harold’s shoulder and sighed, shaking his head in disbelief, barely holding back laughter. “I’ve never seen a man make a bet over a woman without realizing he’s wagering against the one who already has the claim.”
Harold turned sharply toward him.
“Huh?” he demanded, confusion and irritation mixing on his face as he roughly slapped Gregory’s hand off his shoulder.
Gregory burst out laughing, the restraint he’d been clinging to finally snapping.
***
It was late at night when Magnus finally finished work.
After wrapping up the last meeting earlier than expected, Timothy was surprised when Magnus asked to head home early for the first time in his entire career.
As the car slowed at a traffic light, Timothy’s gaze drifted toward the building across the street. His brows knitted, eyes narrowing as he took a closer look.
He pointed out the window. “Mr. Graves… isn’t that Mrs. Graves?”
Magnus’s gaze immediately followed the direction Gregory was pointing. His eyes locked onto Sophia at once.
She was standing near the gates of an auction hall, half-turned toward the road as she spoke to a woman, her voice carrying faintly across the street.
“Yeah, it’s not working. I don’t know how to fix it,” she said, frustration edging her tone. “I have an auction tomorrow, and every second counts during these events. It’s a Rolex, so getting it repaired will take time.”
A faint crease formed between her brows as she spoke. She kept patting her wrist, tapping the glass of the watch again and again, shaking her hand as if that might somehow make it work. But the watch remained stubbornly still.
The woman standing in front of her leaned closer, trying to help. She shifted the watch back and forth, adjusting it carefully, but the watch stayed dead.
Magnus watched the scene unfold, his brows knitting into a deep frown. “Why is she still wearing that? That watch is at least ten years old.” His jaw tightened. “When did my house not have enough watches for her to just take one for herself?”
The displeasure on his face was unmistakable as he continued staring at her from across the street. The more he watched her struggle, the more irritation coiled in his chest.
He turned sharply toward Timothy, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. “Order a new watch for her tomorrow. The most expensive one you can find.”
“Yes, Mr. Graves,” Timothy replied immediately.
As he nodded, Timothy pressed his lips together, holding back a knowing smile. ‘Mr. Graves is definitely falling for Mrs. Graves. It won’t be long before they are together for real.’
He glanced at Magnus again. “Sir, the light’s about to turn green. Should I drive?”
“No,” Magnus said without hesitation. “Pull to the side.”
Timothy followed the order, steering the car toward the curb not far from where Sophia was standing.
Magnus’s eyes never left her.
She was still fiddling with the watch when another girl rushed out of the hall. She looked younger than Sophia, her steps quick and slightly breathless.
“I’ve asked one of the security guards to help take it to the store to get it repaired,” the girl said hopefully. “With our connections, it might be possible. Let’s hope for the best.”
Sophia’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile.
