Magnus froze for a brief second.
No one dismissed him like that.
Magnus froze for a brief second, clearly taken aback by her outright dismissal. A faint crease appeared between his brows, but he quickly masked it. He turned his body to face her fully, straightening his back.
“I need you to join the JKJ project,” he said evenly. “I need your help.”
Sophia didn’t react yet, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
Magnus continued, his voice lowering.
“The girl you saw yesterday — Isabel — will be the main auctioneer. But she doesn’t have as much expertise or knowledge as you. She needs guidance.”
He paused, watching her carefully.
“So I need you to help her behind the scenes.”
There was a faint softness in his tone now.
“We will still pay you the original amount that was signed and agreed upon. Even though your workload will technically be less, you will receive the same compensation. Not a cent less.”
He spoke gently, almost as if he were offering her something generous.
For a second, Sophia simply stared at him. Confusion flickered across her face — then it hardened into anger.
Her jaw tightened.
“So, Mr. Graves,” she said slowly, her voice laced with restrained fury, “you want me to be Isabel’s assistant?”
Chapter 15 Flamboyant and Shameless
The word tasted bitter.
Magnus inhaled quietly. “I know it sounds beneath you,” he admitted, holding her gaze. “But your experience is far greater than hers. If she’s going to act as the main auctioneer, she needs someone capable supporting her to ensure the project succeeds.”
Sophia’s expression darkened. The anger in her eyes intensified.
“I’m not interested,” she said coldly.
She turned on her heel and started to walk away.
She had barely taken two steps when Magnus reacted on instinct.
As she passed him, he turned slightly, his hand shooting out before he could stop himself. His fingers slid into hers.
The contact made her halt instantly.
Their fingers laced together.
For a second, neither of them moved.
His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles, almost unconsciously. His eyes dropped to their joined hands, his brows pulling together. A strange, familiar feeling spread through his chest. It hit him so suddenly that it stole his breath.
His heart started pounding—hard.
He didn’t understand why.
He just stood there, frozen.
