Magnus turned to leave again.
“Mr. Graves,” Timothy called suddenly.
Magnus stopped without turning around.
Timothy rushed up to him. “I forgot to tell you—I received a call a few minutes ago from Miss Thompson.”
Magnus finally turned back, a crease forming on his forehead. It took him a moment to process it.
“…Celia?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Miss Celia Thompson,” Timothy confirmed. “She said she’s returned from Greece and wants to see you.”
***
The private dining room at the Springs Season Hotel was filled with silence when Magnus arrived.
Celia was sitting alone at a table in the center of the room. The moment she spotted Magnus at the door, her face lit up. She rose to her feet immediately, a bright, excited smile spreading across her lips.
“Magnus!” she exclaimed, standing up quickly. “It’s so good to finally see you. You actually came.”
She pushed her chair back and hurried toward him, arms already opening wide as she moved closer, hands lifting toward his neck, clearly intending to hug him.
Magnus raised his hand between them.
A handshake.
Celia froze mid-step.
Her gaze dropped to his hand, then lifted slowly to his face. Confusion flickered across her expression—followed quickly by displeasure.
She forced an awkward smile, clearly unprepared for the rejection. Slowly, she lowered her arms and extended her hand instead.
Magnus barely touched it.
The moment their hands met, he withdrew, already turning away. Without sparing her a second glance, he walked past her and took a seat at the table.
Celia stood frozen for a brief second, the smile on her lips stiffening.
She swallowed hard, forcing the sting of disappointment down her throat. By the time she moved, her expression was already carefully rearranged—pleasant, composed, unbothered. Pulling out the chair beside Magnus, she sat down gracefully, smoothing her dress as if nothing had happened.
She tilted her head slightly, sneaking another look at him.
He hadn’t changed.
If anything, he was more handsome than he had been in college. The boyish charm was long gone, replaced by sharp masculinity and an intimidating presence. The man sitting beside hermatched the photographs she’d secretly received from friends—powerful, commanding, irresistible.
Her gaze lingered for half a second longer than necessary before she caught herself and straightened.
Magnus didn’t look at her.
“It’s so good to see you after college,” Celia said brightly, breaking the silence. “I moved to Greece for a while. Beautiful place, but honestly, I missed Manhattan terribly.” She chuckled lightly. “My family and friends are still here. Some even visited me there—but you never—”
Magnus turned his chair.
When his eyes finally met hers, the warmth she expected wasn’t there.
“Didn’t you want to talk about business?” he interrupted evenly. “About the black diamond mines your family owns?”
