When he spoke again, his voice was noticeably lower, as if he was forcing himself to stay calm.
“That’s not the case,” he said, staring at her. “I did that because when you met—”
“I don’t want to hear it anymore.”
Sophia cut him off sharply.
Before he could react, she yanked her hand out of his grip with a rough pull. Taking a step back, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, putting distance between them.
Her eyes locked onto his, cold and firm.
“I just need you to stay the hell away from me in the future. We only have a professional relationship—nothing more.”
Her chin lifted slightly as she continued,
“So please don’t cross your boundaries and make things worse.”
Magnus stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face, his jaw tightening.
“Will you at least listen to me for once?” he said, his voice sharp and controlled, though the strain in it was obvious. “You keep talking and won’t even give me a chance to say a goddamn word!”
Sophia spun around on her heel before he could say anything else.
She walked back to the bed, sat down heavily, and then leaned back against the pillows.
Closing her eyes, she turned her face away from him.
“Get out.”
Magnus took a step toward her.
“But—”
“I told you to get out,” she repeated, not even opening her eyes.
She turned further away from him as if she couldn’t even stand to see his face.
Magnus’s jaw clenched tightly. Frustration flashed across his face.
“You are such a spoiled brat!” he snapped.
He turned away from her and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.
***
The Empire Group auction hall buzzed with people.
Soft murmurs and whispers filled the air as guests moved around the luxurious venue. It was the third day of the auction for the project Sophia was managing.
Sophia stood confidently on the stage, hosting the auction as the bids continued to rise.
Magnus sat in the first row of the audience, his gaze fixed on her from the moment she had stepped onto the stage.
Under the bright lights, Sophia looked completely composed.
A bright, professional smile rested on her lips as she addressed the crowd. She was wearing a light blue mini dress that hugged her figure and ended at mid-thigh. The fabric shimmered softly under the lights, decorated with tiny sparkling stones and delicate floral patterns spread across the dress.
Her long hair fell freely down her back in loose waves.
