Sophia’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t even form words.Unbelievable…The man was completely outrageous!
Across the table, Harold’s face twisted in horror. His eyes darted between Magnus and Sophia, then back to Magnus again.
“She’s the girl you married… just a few days ago?” Harold finally stammered.
When Magnus didn’t answer immediately, Harold’s gaze bounced to Gregory and back to Sophia, repeatingincredulously, “You… you married her? She’syourwife?” as if saying it aloud could somehow change reality.
Magnus finally turned to Harold, giving him a slow, exasperated look.
“Yes,” he said sharply, his voice tight with irritation.
Harold’s breath caught in his throat. His face flushed red, a mix of embarrassment and rage. ‘Why does this keep happening to me? Three times in a row… I liked three women, and all of them turned out to be my cousins’ wives? What kind of sick, twisted fate is this?!’
He sank down into the chair beside Emma, burying his face in his hands. He didn’t dare even glance at Sophia again. “I’m cursed. That’s it. Officially cursed,” he whispered, devastated. “I… I should just move to a monastery. Or Mars.”
Meanwhile, Emma’s eyes were fixed on him, sharp and piercing, a flicker of recognition hidden in their depths—but he didn’t notice a thing.
Gregory, standing casually next to Harold, leaned in with a sly smirk. “You’re Magnus’s cousin, Harold. How can you fall for your cousin’s wife? And you havea crushon her? What’s wrong with your character?”
Harold spun to glare at Gregory, his face burning crimson. “What thefuck?” he barked. “Don’t call me characterless! I didn’t know she was Magnus’s wife!”
Turning toward Magnus defensively, he added, “I was just being nice to her, nothing else. I don’t have a crush on her. It was just a misunderstanding.”
Gregory burst out laughing.
“Really? I don’t think that’s what you were saying a few days ago at the club! Weren’t you talking about her non-stop? Calling her your future girlfriend all week?”
Harold’s embarrassment exploded into fury. He shot up from his seat, fists clenched, but Gregory pressed down firmly on his shoulders, forcing him back into the chair.
“Shut up!” Harold barked, punching Gregory’s arm and glaring with pure frustration. “Shut up!”
Gregory slapped Harold sharply on the shoulders, making him jerk forward and nearly stumble.
“I told you I’ve never seen a man make a bet over a woman without realizing you're wagering against the one who already has the claim.” Gregory laughed harder. “Now look at you!”
Harold huffed, glaring with a mix of anger and humiliation.
Magnus’s expression remained cold and stern. His eyes stayed fixed on Harold as he said casually, “Let’s have a swimming race today. What are you doing tonight?”
slightly pathetic:
Harold’s face, flushed with embarrassment and anger just moments ago, drained of color in an instant.
“The last time I had a swimming match with you—the day after we were at Luxe,” he shouted, panic creeping into his voice, “you nearly shattered every bone in my body!”
He clutched his shoulder instinctively. “I’mstillrecovering from that strain! I spent three whole days flat on my bed!”
His voice cracked as he finished, half-indignant, half-accusing. “You don’t race, Magnus. You punish people like a merciless demon.”
He whined, horrified, angry, and almost in tears, looking like he might collapse right there.
Sophia, seeing his pitiful expression, couldn’t help herself. She burst into laughter, her body shaking as she giggled uncontrollably. Her eyes, sparkling with amusement, flicked toward Magnus—but that’s when she realized he was staring directly at her.
There was no hint of amusement in his expression. Only intensity. Sophia’s laughter slowed, softened, and then faded into a shy smile as she quickly turned her head away, cheeks warming under his gaze.
***
At the Knight mansion, Violet King stormed into Joseph’s study, her skirt flaring as she marched up to his chair.
