Sophia’s brows furrowed slightly.
‘Where did Timothy go? Did he already leave the job?’
The thought crossed her mind briefly before she nodded. “Sure.”
She walked with him toward his car. Brent quickly moved to open the rear door for them. Sophia slid into the back seat from one side, smoothing her dress as she settled in. Magnus entered from the other side, his shoulder almost brushing hers as he sat down.
The door shut with a soft thud.
Brent got into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and the car pulled away smoothly from the entrance.
Once they settled into the car, Magnus reached to the side compartment where a tablet had been placed neatly in its holder. He unlocked it and scrolled briefly, his face calm and focused.
“These are the items for today,” he said, his voice calm and measured. He handed the tablet to Sophia, their fingers almost brushing. “I need you to memorize their details.”
Sophia accepted it without a word. She crossed one leg over the other and began scrolling through the list carefully, her eyessharp and professional. The car moved steadily through the city, sunlight flashing through the windows.
As she studied the items, she started asking questions.
“What is the exact carat of Lot Seven?”
“Is the cut oval brilliant or modified cushion?”
“The origin of this one — South Africa or Russia?”
“And the color grading? Is it Fancy Intense or Vivid?”
Her tone was professional, sharp, completely focused. She didn’t look at him much—her attention stayed on the screen.
Magnus listened to every question with quiet patience, answering each one in a calm, measured tone.
As she continued, he found himself watching her instead of the road ahead.
The way her brows slightly knitted when she concentrated. The way her finger paused on the screen before she asked something technical. The quiet seriousness in her expression.
When she finally fell silent, still scanning the last few details, a small smile appeared on his face.
“Do you have any other questions?” he asked politely.
Sophia shook her head slightly, eyes still on the screen. “It’s fine. Thank you.”
Her voice was neutral.
But inside, her thoughts were anything but calm.
‘What is wrong with him? Since when does he speak like this? So polite. So gentle?’
She swallowed lightly, forcing herself to focus back on the list.
As silence filled the car again, Magnus cleared his throat softly. He extended his hand toward her.
“I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. I’m Magnus Graves.”
Sophia lifted her gaze from the tablet to his outstretched hand. Then she looked up at his face.
Her expression didn’t change.
She didn’t take his hand.
