She turned to walk away, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
“No.” Magnus’s voice cut through the air sharply.
Sophia paused mid-step and turned back.
Magnus shifted his gaze from her to Isabel, his jaw tightening. The vein on his temple became visible as his expression darkened.
“What is wrong with you?” he demanded coldly. “I am the one who personally invited Sylvia to host the auction. What kind of language are you using toward someone I personally hired?”
Isabel froze.
Magnus took a step forward, his presence heavy and intimidating.
“Sylvia is important for today’s auction,” he continued, his voice low but furious. “Apologize to her. Right now.”
Isabel looked as if someone had grabbed her voice and ripped it out of her throat. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She stared at him in disbelief.
“But I told you— this woman is often—”
“I said,” Magnus growled again, his eyes blazing, “apologize!”
The anger on his face was clear and frightening. His tone left no room for argument.
Isabel swallowed the words stuck in her throat. Her nails dug into her palm as she turned stiffly toward Sophia.
“Sorry,” she forced out in a tight, angry voice.
The word sounded bitter.
Sophia did not even look at her.
Instead, she calmly lifted the tablet Magnus had given her and began scrolling through it, reviewing the auction items. Her face was expressionless, as if Isabel did not exist. Her silence was more insulting than any words.
Isabel’s fingers curled into fists. Humiliation burned across her face. She could barely contain her anger as she turned sharply and stormed out, her heels striking the floor aggressively.
Not long after, the auction began.
One by one, the items were introduced, described in detail, and sold. The auction continued for three hours straight.
Magnus stood near the corner of the stage, arms folded across his chest, watching everything unfold. Brent had quietly offered to handle the rest and suggested Magnus leave, but Magnus refused.
His eyes remained fixed on Sophia.
She stood under the lights, elegant and composed, her voice soft yet powerful as she presented each rare piece. Every movement of her hand was controlled. Every smile was perfectly timed.
When the auction finally ended, Sophia stepped down from the stage.
Magnus watched her the entire time, an impressed and thoughtful expression settling on his face.
When the auction finally ended, applause filled the hall. Sophia gave a polite nod and stepped down from the stage.
Isabel had been watching Magnus the entire time.
The way his eyes never left Sophia made jealousy burn hotter in her chest with every passing second. And when she saw Sophia stepping down — in Magnus’s direction — she reacted instantly.
She rushed forward and wrapped both hands tightly around Magnus’s arm, clinging to him.
