A faint smile lingered on her face as she leaned back into the couch, her eyes drifting toward the television again, though it was clear her mind was no longer on the movie.
***
Sophia walked into the Empire Group auction hall.
The auction had not started yet. Staff members moved around discreetly while guests who had already arrived were being escorted toward the reserved seating area.
Sophia walked beside Magnus through the long corridor.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the floor as they made their way toward a private room that was restricted to only a few permitted guests.
As Magnus stepped into the room with Sophia beside him, Isabel—who was sitting on one of the chairs—immediately spotted them.
She was sitting in one of the chairs, her long legs crossed casually. The moment she spotted Magnus entering, her eyes lit up.
She quickly stood up.
Isabel was wearing a short, pink sequined dress that shimmered under the lights. The dress looked casual at first glance, but it was revealing enough to draw attention.
Without hesitation, she hurried toward Magnus and immediately grabbed his arm, wrapping her hand around it with practiced familiarity.
Sophia noticed it right away. For some reason, Isabel seemed to love holding onto Magnus’s arm far too much.
Sophia couldn’t help wondering why she clung to him as if her lifeline ran through that arm.
The thought passed through Sophia’s mind, but she said nothing. Her expression remained calm as she simply watched.
Isabel looked up at Magnus with a bright smile.
“Magnus, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for an hour to see you,” she said happily. “I thought you would arrive early to give me instructions for the auction.”
Magnus glanced down at her hand still holding his arm.
Without hesitation, he pulled his arm away.
The movement was firm and forceful.
Isabel clearly didn’t want to let go, but Magnus still freed his arm from her grasp with a decisive motion.
He looked down at her and said calmly, “Sylvia is going to be in charge of today’s auction, Isabel. Today, you’re just going to watch and learn.”
Isabel’s smile froze.
Only a second ago she had been beaming, but now the expression slowly disappeared from her face. Her brows pulled together as she stared at Magnus in disbelief.
“What?” she said, her voice tightening. “I’m just going to watch?”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“But didn’t you say I was going to be in charge of this project? That I would be the main auctioneer?”
Magnus answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I did say that. But today is an important day for the project. I want someone experienced to handle it.”
He continued evenly.
“Sylvia will be in charge of today’s auction. You can observe and learn from her.”
