Footsteps.
Magnus immediately straightened. He quickly moved back toward the head chair at the table, positioning himself with controlled composure.
The door opened. Timothy stepped in first.
And behind him—
Sophia.
Celia stiffened instantly. Her fingers curled at her sides.
“What is she doing here?” Celia demanded sharply.
Magnus didn’t answer. Instead, he walked straight toward Sophia.
Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside with him. She stumbled slightly at the sudden force.
He led her to the head of the table, stopping directly in front of Celia.
Then—
He wrapped an arm around Sophia’s waist and pulled her flush against his body.
Sophia stiffened immediately.
Magnus looked at Celia.
“Tell her everything,” he said coldly, jerking his head toward Sophia.
Celia frowned slightly, confusion crossing her face.
“What?” she asked quietly.
Magnus’s grip on Sophia’s waist tightened slightly.
“Tell her,” Magnus repeated, his tone harder. “What happened at the hotel. What happened in the office. The photographs. The deal. The first time she saw me holding you. Explain everything to her.”
Celia stared at him in disbelief.
“Are you kidding me?” Her voice rose, her face flushing red. “You called me here just to apologize to her?”
The humiliation hit her hard.
“Yes,” Magnus replied impatiently. “Be quick about it.”
He turned to Celia, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.
“You showed up at that hotel instead of your father. You fell onto me. I pushed you away and walked out immediately.”
He took a step closer, eyes narrowing.
“Then you secretly took photos and fed them to the media.”
His jaw tightened.
“Explain.”
He raised an eyebrow, giving her a silent warning.
