“That’s a massive amount, Sophia!” Emma said, placing her coffee cup down on the table. She leaned forward, staring at Sophia from across the table. “Why did you even sign something like that?”
Sophia muttered nonchalantly, “I don’t know. I just signed it.” She exhaled softly. “At the time, I was worried about Grandma. She wanted me to marry him because things were getting worse with my uncles. There was no guarantee they’d even leave me alive once Grandma is gone.”
Her voice darkened. “Didn’t you see how they already tried to kill me? Sending goons after me? I never thought they’d go that far—but they did.” Her fingers curled slightly. “I think Grandma understood them better than I ever did.”
“Bastards,” Emma muttered, her jaw tightening. “It wasn’t even their right. They stole everything your grandma built—everything she left to your mom—and quietly pocketed it all. And your dad is still blind to the way they’re playing him.”
Sophia’s voice stayed calm, almost distant. “I don’t care anymore. It’s been years. If Dad refuses to see the truth, I’m not going to keep forcing it on him.”
Emma frowned, worry surfacing as her brows knit together. “But… do you even have a hundred million dollars?”
Sophia sighed heavily. “I don’t. I guess I'll just sell the shares Grandma left for me. That should cover some of it.”
Emma’s anger flared. Fire burned in her eyes as she slammed her hand on the table.
“What an asshole,” she snapped. “Magnus fucking Graves designed that contract to benefit only himself—no matter the outcome. A real businessman through and through, isn’t he?” She scoffed. “No wonder everyone calls him a greedy tyrant.”
Emma leaned forward, eyes locked on Sophia’s with fierce determination. “And who even cares about being his wife?”
Her voice hardened. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. If it comes to it, I’ll use shares from our family business. We’ll pay him back—every cent—and get you out of that hellhole of a contract.”
Sophia flashed her a smile.
Emma let out a long breath and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she shook her head.
“You really married someone likethat?” she scoffed, exasperated. “What an asshole. You should’ve just married my brother. He’s such a nice gentleman—he would’ve been perfect for you. There’s no one like Elias.”
She snorted.
“Does Magnus Graves seriously think he’s God’s last man? Like the whole world wants his money or his body?”
She scoffed. “Let him die clutching his billions. Honestly, I don’t even think he’s capable of having a wife. If it weren’t for this contract marriage, that damn man would’ve grown old alone—single as a dog—trapped in his fucking mansion on a hill like Rapunzel.”
Sophia snorted, giggling hard at her words.
Emma grinned too.
At that moment, three well-dressed men walked into the restaurant.
Almost instantly, the women seated around the restaurant turned their heads, their gazes drifting toward the entrance. Sophia glanced up as well, curious—and her smile vanished.
Magnus. Harold. Gregory.
They were standing just a few tables away.
Sophia winced, disbelief and discomfort washing over her. She immediately lowered her head and leaned toward Emma. “Let’s go somewhere else,” she whispered urgently.
Emma blinked, confused by her sudden behavior. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Keep your voice down,” Sophia hissed, shrinking slightly in her seat.
Meanwhile, Harold—who had been scanning the restaurant impatiently for an empty table—was the first to spot them. His eyes landed on Sophia’s familiar figure, her head lowered as she whispered to Emma.
His eyes widened instantly.
He whipped his head toward the other two men and said urgently, “Hey—look! It’s my crush! She’s sitting right there!”
Gregory turned his head in the direction Harold was aggressively pointing and naturally, Magnus’s gaze followed.
