Chapter 6 Characterless
Sophia lifted the glass of milk, taking a slow sip as Emma’s voice carried through the phone on the table, set on loudspeaker.
“Why don’t you come out and meet me today?” Emma whined. “Let’s go out and have fun the whole night. It’s been so long since we spent a full day together!”
“I have work today. I really can’t,” Sophia said, reaching for the diced fruit.
Emma let out a disappointed sigh, then switched to a teasing tone. “How’s married life? Are you at least enjoying your new husband when you’re not buried in work?”
Sophia froze mid-sip. “Emma!” she hissed.
“What?” Emma laughed. “I’m pretty sure by now you’ve had a good taste of his body. Everyone knows Magnus is unreal. Have youseenhim? That man is gorgeous even with clothes on! You’re living under the same roof—don’t tell me you haven’t tried yet. What a waste of such an exotic delicacy."
Sophia rolled her eyes, set the glass down, and leaned back in the dining chair. “Did you forget I’m with him for just three months?”
“Exactly!” Emma shot back immediately. “You only have three months to enjoy that kind of body. Once you leave, what then? This is the best time. Take advantage while you can.”
“So this is what you talk about when I’m not around?”
The deep voice startled Sophia, making her jerk so hard she nearly fell from the chair.
Her head snapped around.
Magnus stood behind her, dressed in a dark, perfectly tailored suit. The jacket sat neatly on his broad frame, his white shirt crisp beneath it. His hair was combed back, sharp and tidy, matching the intense, penetrating look in his eyes as he stared down at her.
Sophia’s face flushed crimson in an instant. ‘He heard everything?!’
Panicking, she fumbled for her phone, snatched it off the table, and stabbed at the red button. The screen went blank as the call ended, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
“It’s just a misunderstanding,” she laughed nervously, jumping to her feet as the chair scraped harshly against the floor. Her hands fluttered as she spoke. “It was just Emma. I was talking about someone else. It really is a misunderstanding.”
Ignoring her rambling explanation entirely, he took a seat at the dining table. Calm. Unhurried. He poured coffee for himself, the liquid filling the cup with a soft sound before he brought it to his lips.
“Miss King,” he said casually, “you broke our contract.”
He took the first sip, eyes lowered, posture relaxed. A smug thought surfaced immediately. ‘She keeps saying she’ll leave after three months, yet she’s already telling people she’s my wife.’
Magnus set the cup down slowly, the porcelain clicking softly against the table. His gaze lifted, sharp and unreadable as it settled on her flushed face. ‘And she expects me to believe she’ll actually walk away? Is that how it works—telling everyone she belongs to me while pretending she plans to leave?’
He leaned back slightly, fingers tapping once against the cup, certainty settling deep in his chest.
‘I was right. She never intended to break this marriage. It was all a façade just to marry me. Of course—how could she ever even think of leaving one of the richest families in the entire country?’
Sophia slowly sat back down, forcing a smile onto her face as she spoke, her voice softer now, hesitant. “I really didn’t tell anyone else about our contract. It’s just Emma. She’s my best friend, that’s why she knows.”
Her fingers clenched in her lap as despair washed over her.
‘I should’ve thought this through before signing that damn contract. I was in such a rush to get married that I didn’t even negotiate the terms. Now it’s coming back to bite me. How am I supposed to pay a hundred million dollars just for breaking one rule?’
Magnus lifted his eyes to her and spoke in a casually disdainful, taunting tone. “Nowadays, even luxury auctioneers don’t seem to understand the importance of discretion.”
A frown immediately appeared on Sophia’s face. She straightened, offense flashing in her eyes.
“Mr. Graves, why are you attacking my profession?” she snapped. “My work relies on confidentiality. Don’t insult it.” Her face darkened, clearly displeased.
Magnus set his coffee cup down with a soft clink and finally looked at her.
“Oh? You still remember that your profession requires confidentiality?”
