Chapter 4 Centurian Hall
After meeting Emma at Centurion Hall, the two of them drove across the city to one of the largest jewelry shops in the city. The storefront was large and elegant, with bright lights reflecting off the glass displays filled with diamonds.
They stepped inside together and waited near the display area for the owner to come out and talk to them.
As they stood there, Sophia’s eyes drifted down to the several jewelry boxes in Emma’s hands.
Sophia frowned slightly and pointed at them.
“What are these?”
“Some of the unsold items from the auction years ago.”
She shifted the boxes slightly in her hands.
“Since so many deals were canceled, I’ve had to reroute my finances. Managing everything without a backup has been taking quite a toll on me.”
She glanced down at the boxes.
“So I decided to sell these pieces. They’ve been sitting in storage for months anyway. I’ll sell them at a lower price just so I can get some money flowing and keep Centurion Hall running.”
Sophia looked at her with concern.
“You’re going to sell them below the market price?” she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Emma gave a small nod, a concerned expression settling on her features.
“I don’t really have a choice.”
She adjusted the boxes slightly in her hands and let out a quiet breath.
“I’m even considering selling some of my luxury bags. That should give me a stronger financial backup until I can get new deals.”
She let out a tired breath.
“Because of the Empire Group, several other clients also canceled their contracts with me. They don’t want to risk offending them. So I guess I’ll just have to hold on for a while until things settle down.”
Sophia looked at Emma with guilt and concern in her eyes.
“I’m really sorry you’re going through all this because of me,” she said quietly.
Emma immediately shook her head.
“Don’t worry. It’s not because of you,” she said firmly. “I was the one who bad-mouthed him at the auction. Who knew his ego would be this fragile?”
She shrugged lightly, trying to sound casual.
“It will be fine. I’ll figure something out.”
She lifted her gaze and added with determination,
“And if things get worse… I’ll just shut down Centurion Hall and start another business. It’ll be a massive loss, but there’s no point trying to save something that’s no longer in my control.”
Sophia placed a comforting hand on Emma’s shoulder and gave it a gentle pat, disappointment still lingering in her eyes.
Just as they were talking, another figure entered the store.
Isabel stepped inside the large jewelry shop, the sharp sound of her heels echoing against the marble floor. She carried herself with obvious pride as she walked in, her gaze sweeping around the store.
She moved toward a counter and began casually looking at the jewelry displayed beneath the glass.
But as she glanced sideways, her eyes landed on Sophia and Emma standing together nearby.
A wicked smile slowly spread across her face.
She recognized Emma immediately. Over the past few days, she had often seen the woman accompanying Sylvia, always hovering close by like a protective friend.
Isabel quietly pulled out her phone and moved a little closer to them.
Then she started speaking loudly into the phone, making sure her voice carried clearly across the room.
“Yes, I didn’t even have to do anything,” she said smugly. “It really wasn’t even necessary. I just told Magnus I wanted those projects, and he gave them to me immediately.”
Sophia and Emma’s attention snapped toward the voice.
They turned their heads and saw Isabel standing near the glass counter, pretending to browse the jewelry while speaking on the phone.
The two women exchanged a surprised glance before looking back at her.
Isabel continued speaking loudly.
“Yes, they were deals from Centurion Hall and a few other companies. I really liked the jewelry pieces, and I wanted to auction them myself. So I asked Magnus to get those deals for me.”
She laughed lightly.
“I told him to cancel the contracts and give them to me instead… and he did. It wasn’t difficult at all. All I had to do was ask.”
A delighted giggle escaped her lips.
“It was honestly the most special thing anyone has ever done for me.”
She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger as she continued talking on the phone, her tone lazy and smug.
“The corporation usually doesn’t like shifting projects around,” she said casually. “But I was in the mood for a little fun. A few people were getting on my nerves, so I had those projects transferred to my name.”
She laughed again, clearly pleased with herself.
“Centurion Hall? That shabby little place? What does it have to do with me? As long as I get whatever I want, everything is fine, right?”
She paused for a moment before continuing with a dismissive scoff.
“Besides, that place is run by some woman who looks more like an escort than someone important enough for me to care about,” she scoffed. “If I asked Magnus, I could buy ten Centurion Halls. So who cares if that tiny place collapses?”
Emma slowly turned to look at Sophia.
Sophia’s face was just as angry as hers. The more they listened to Isabel talk, the angrier they became.
Emma’s eyes burned with fury as she spoke through clenched teeth. “So this is why those projects were transferred…”
Her voice trembled with anger and disbelief.
“All this time, I kept blaming myself. I thought it was my fault… that I was the reason Centurion Hall was pushed into trouble.”
Sophia placed a hand on Emma’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“Hey. It’s not your fault,” she said firmly. “Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t beat yourself up over someone like her.”
Emma took a slow breath, but the anger in her chest only grew stronger.
At that moment, Isabel continued strolling while still chatting on the phone. Her eyes briefly shifted toward Emma and Sophia.
She clearly saw them standing there.
Yet instead of feeling embarrassed, she simply giggled again, deliberately speaking even louder.
Sophia’s eyes darkened.
“Instead of beating yourself up,” she muttered, grinding her teeth, “it’s better to beat someone else up.”
Before Emma could react, Sophia grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. The two of them stopped directly in front of Isabel.
Isabella’s voice suddenly halted mid-sentence.
She stared at them for a moment, then slowly lowered the phone from her ear and hung up the call. A faint smirk appeared on her lips as she crossed her arms.
“What do you want?” she asked lazily.
Sophia looked at her as if she were physically restraining herself from punching Isabella.
“Don’t you think it’s extremely stupid and childish to insult us right to our faces?”
Isabella lifted her eyebrows shamelessly.
“I can talk about whatever I want in a public place. What does it have to do with you?”
Emma’s eyes turned icy.
“I’ll show you exactly how much it has to do with me.”
She started pulling up the sleeve of her sweater and took a threatening step toward Isabella.
The confidence immediately vanished from Isabella’s face.
Her eyes widened as she quickly stumbled backward, putting several steps of distance between them.
Sophia and Emma both looked at her like she was pathetic.
Emma let out a harsh scoff.
“What’s wrong? Already scared?” she snapped coldly. “You weren’t afraid of throwing garbage out of your mouth just now… but you’re already scared of getting punched for it?”
“Don’t fuck with me,” Isabel growled as she straightened on her feet. However, she still clutched her bag tightly against her chest. Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at Emma.
“It’s not my fault you’re terrible at your fucking job and your business is failing,” she snapped. “Go deal with it yourself. Why the hell are you showing your claws at me?”
She scoffed harshly.
“You’re so stupid it’s almost funny. Do you really think you can take me down? If you want to try, then do it already. Why are you still standing here whining?”
Emma raised an eyebrow at Isabella and snapped, “All you did was cry in front of a man and beg. Is that what you’re proud of?”
Isabella merely shrugged her shoulders as if Emma’s anger amused her. She casually turned her head away, clearly dismissing them.
“Whatever. It’s none of your business,” she said lazily. “Get out of my face. I don’t want to talk to you.”
Emma took another threatening step forward, her patience finally snapping as if she had completely lost the last bit of restraint she had left.
But before she could lunge at Isabella, Sophia quickly grabbed Emma by the shoulders and pulled her back.
“Emma,” Sophia said firmly.
Then Sophia stepped forward herself, positioning herself between the two women.
Unlike Emma’s rage, Sophia’s expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp and cold as she faced Isabella.
“You took those projects by force and deceit,” Sophia said clearly, her voice steady. “Can you give them back to Emma? She worked very hard to get them. Just because you have a problem with me doesn’t mean you get to harass the people around me to take revenge.”
Isabella looked at Sophia like she had just said something ridiculous.
“Are you out of your mind?” she scoffed. “Why the hell would I do that?”
She shifted her shoulders confidently and folded her arms while looking at Sophia with a proud smirk.
“And for your information, I don’t have a problem with you.”
She laughed mockingly.
“Do you really think I would feel threatened by someone like you? Bitches like you cling to Magnus twenty-four hours a day. If you weren’t working on a project for him, he wouldn’t even spare you a glance.”
Her eyes slowly looked Sophia up and down with pure contempt.
“You really think he gives a damn about you?” Isabella continued cruelly. “You’re the one clinging to him, trying to sink your claws into him.”
She leaned closer and added with clear hatred, “Magnus may be single, but he absolutely hates sluts who cling to men.”
“That’s enough!
Emma’s voice exploded with fury.