“I came here for… something personal.”
As he spoke, his gaze briefly shifted toward Isabel standing beside Magnus.
His brows lifted slightly in curiosity before he looked back at Magnus.
“Is that your girlfriend, Mr. Graves?”
Magnus immediately frowned.
“No,” he said flatly. “She’s my little sister.”
He said it without hesitation, skipping the usual explanation that she was his best friend’s sister. He had repeated that line so many times he was tired of saying it. In his mind, Isabel was practically a younger sister anyway.
But Isabel’s face fell as if someone had slapped her.
Her fingers tightened at her sides, and she forced herself to stay still, trying desperately to stop the tears that suddenly burned behind her eyes.
Magnus didn’t notice.
“So what are you doing here?” Magnus asked. “What kind of personal business?”
Neymar shifted slightly on his feet, suddenly looking a little nervous. But the smile on his face remained bright.
“I’m in love with someone,” he admitted.
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
Neymar rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before continuing.
“I came here to propose to her,” he said honestly. “I’m hoping she’ll accept me.”
He laughed softly, a little embarrassed.
“We haven’t properly met yet, so I’m a bit nervous. But I’m hoping that if I convince her, she’ll give me a chance.”
Magnus blinked in surprise.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman reject you,” he said bluntly. “Who is she?”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“Was she at today’s auction? What’s her name?”
Neymar straightened his jacket nervously.
“Her name is Sylvia.”
He smiled again.
“I met her when I attended an auction in London,” he explained. “I heard she’s moved back to Manhattan, so I came here hoping to meet her again.”
But the moment the name left his mouth—
Magnus went completely still.
His entire body stiffened.
The expression on his face darkened instantly, as if a storm had suddenly passed through him.
