“Dad! Why did Uncle Arthur cut my pocket money?” she cried, grabbing Joseph’s arm and shaking it so hard that his pen clattered to the desk. “Ever since Sophia left, Uncle Arthur cut my allowance from $100,000 to $50,000 a month! How am I supposed to survive like this?”
Her brows knitted tightly as she leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, tears streaming down her face. “Daddy, I need more money! I was so embarrassed at the bar a few days ago… I couldn’t even go to a party last night!”
Joseph tapped her arms gently, his voice calm. “Don’t worry. Your allowance will go back to the full amount as soon as we secure the shares from Sophia.”
Violet frowned, pulling away. “What does that have to do withher? She’s already left this house. Why should I still suffer?”
Joseph exhaled, steady and patient. “I had to tell Arthur that we can’t afford the manufacturing costs for our new projects. That’s why I asked him to deduct your allowance for now—it’s just temporary, to make our expenses look lower. You’ll get it back soon.”
Violet crossed her arms and pouted, rolling her eyes. “I don’t care! I need money for shopping. I am going to Brazil with my boyfriend this weekend!”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed sharply, his voice stern. “You have a boyfriend? What are you thinking? I told you, no relationships right now.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “Dad, don’t be so dramatic. He’s just temporary. I was bored. No one will find out.”
Joseph raised an eyebrow, voice firm. “If you’re bored, why not go see the man Sophia married?”
Violet blinked, offended by the very suggestion. “Why would I go to her house?”
“That man Sophia married… I’ve heard he’s richer than us,” Joseph said. “I also heard he has a terrible reputation—gambling, drinking, drugs, all sorts of things. Why don’t you get close to him? Make him your boyfriend, take as much money from him as you want. Once Sophia finds out he’s having an affair, she’ll definitely break down. Maybe then it’ll be easier for us to get her shares. Right now, she’s being difficult.”
Violet tapped her heels thoughtfully on the floor, her lips pursed as she considered the plan. After a moment, she brightened. “Alright. I’ll go to their house tomorrow."
“Good girl,” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips. Then, leaning closer with a conspiratorial whisper, he added,
“Don’t tell him you’ve had boyfriends before. Just say you’ve been single your whole life and that he’s the first man you’ll ever be with. Men have a thing for virgins.”
Violet nodded quickly, smirking.
***
After a long, exhausting day at the auctions, Sophia finally returned to her office. She sank into her chair, exhausted, letting out a tired sigh. Her phone vibrated on the desk, and she lazily brushed at it before noticing Magnus’s name flashing on the screen.
Surprised, she straightened, rubbed her eyes, and answered the call. “Hello?”
“My family wants to meet you,” came Magnus’s calm, commanding voice.
Sophia froze, confusion and fatigue washing over her. Her body ached, and she didn’t have the energy to move let alone face his family for the first time.
“Not today, Magnus… I’m…” she began weakly.
“Tomorrow,” he interrupted. “Be ready. You will go with me.”
Reluctantly, she exhaled and nodded. “Okay… tomorrow,” she said softly, then hung up. Her head fell onto her arms as she closed her eyes, the phone slipping from her fingers with a soft click.
On the other side of the city, Magnus placed his phone back on the table with a soft clutter. A small smile curved his lips as he leaned back in his chair.
Gregory, standing beside him with a file in hand, couldn’t resist teasing. “Aren’t you the one who just called your mother and said you’d bring your wife over?”
Magnus gave him a sidelong glance, ignoring the comment as he continued signing the papers meticulously.
Seeing Magnus remain silent, Gregory set the file down and leaned closer, waving a hand in exasperation.
“No, seriously—if you wanted to take her to meet your family, why didn’t you justsayso? Do you really have to act so prickly with everyone?”
Magnus’s eyes narrowed at the document Gregory was holding. His gaze shifted sharply to Gregory, a dangerous edge in his voice.
“You said something?” he asked, eyes narrowed. “You don’t want this contract? Fine. Give it back. I’ll give it to someone else.” He reached out, hand snapping toward the file.
