Chapter 8 Be My Girlfriend
He didn’t respond.
His eyes were still fixed on Sophia’s retreating figure.
The smile on Isabel’s face stiffened.
She turned her head slightly to hide the frustration flashing across her face before looking back at him again.
“Magnus?” she called once more.
Still nothing.
Her grip on his arm tightened.
“Magnus, I’m talking to you!” she said louder this time, her voice becoming slightly sharp.
The sudden increase in her voice finally pulled Magnus out of his thoughts.
He blinked and straightened slightly before turning to look at her. A faint frown appeared on his face, bothered by the interruption.
“What?” he asked, clearly distracted.
Isabel froze for a brief second under his cold look.
But she quickly smoothed the expression on her face and forced a sweet smile.
“I want you to take me shopping. There’s a family party in a few days. I want to look good.”
Magnus frowned faintly.
“Isabel, I don’t have time for that,” he replied. “You can go by yourself. I’ll give you my card.”
He started turning away again, clearly dismissing her.
But Isabel quickly grabbed his arm again, this time shaking it more roughly.
“No,” she whined. “I want you to take me, Magnus.”
He didn’t respond.
Her lips pressed together before she continued, her voice turning accusatory.
“You didn’t even let me host the auctions. “You promised me you would let me be in charge of them.”
Her tone grew more bitter.
“But instead you let Sylvia host all the auctions.”
She pouted slightly.
“So you already broke your promise. The least you can do is go shopping with me and help me choose a dress.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“I’m asking for such a small favor. You can do that for me, can’t you?”
Magnus rubbed his forehead briefly, clearly annoyed.
After a moment, he let out a quiet sigh.
“Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll go with you.”
He stood up from his seat.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you.”
But just as Isabel started to stand—
But just as Isabel started to rise, Magnus suddenly turned his head toward the stage again.
His eyes searched the area where he had last seen Sophia.
But she was gone.
A faint frown appeared on his face.
“Did she leave already?” he muttered under his breath.
Isabel blinked in confusion.
“What are you talking about?”
Magnus ignored the question.
He adjusted his tie slowly, his lips pressing into a thin line as his gaze scanned the entire auction hall once more.
But there was no sign of Sophia anywhere.
After a moment, he let out a quiet breath of disappointment.
Finally, he turned back to Isabel.
“Let’s go.”
Without waiting for her, he started walking toward the exit.
Isabel quickly hurried after him, almost jogging to keep up with his long strides.
The two of them stepped out of the auction hall together.
But just as Magnus reached the doors, his steps suddenly slowed.
Standing near the entrance, leaning casually against the wall, was a young, handsome man.
Magnus walked straight toward him, a frown forming on his face.
“Neymar?” he said. “What are you doing here?”
Neymar Davies looked up when he heard Magnus’s voice. He straightened slightly and looked at Magnus carefully.
He was strikingly handsome, with sharp, well-defined features and confident eyes that carried a hint of mischief. His blond hair was swept back neatly, giving him a clean yet effortlessly stylish look.
A small gold stud rested in his ear. The stud had a tiny star symbol engraved on it—the well-known logo of their family’s gold business.
He wore a fitted shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms and dark tailored pants, the top buttons of his shirt left slightly open. The simple outfit somehow made him look even more refined.
Gold seemed to follow him everywhere.
Three gold rings gleamed on his fingers, a thin gold chain rested around his neck, and even his watch was solid gold. Yet somehow, despite all the jewelry, he didn’t look flashy or excessive.
Everything about the way he wore it made it look like effortless luxury, the kind of style that would appear in a fashion magazine and suddenly become the next trend everyone copied.
When he saw Magnus clearly, Neymar’s brows lifted slightly in surprise. Then a bright smile spread across his face.
“Hello, Mr. Graves,” he said warmly. “Good to see you.”
Magnus gave a short nod.
“Did you come here for the auction?” he asked. “Your father is still inside. Did you come with him?”
Neymar shook his head lightly.
“I’m not here for work today.”
A small smile appeared on his face. He slipped one hand casually into his pocket.
“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.
For a moment, he looked like he might punch someone.
He forced himself to take a slow breath.
Then he spoke again.
“Sylvia?” he repeated slowly. “The auctioneer we have today?”
Neymar nodded immediately, his eyes lighting up.
“Yes!” he said happily. His voice was full of admiration. “She’s incredible. Beautiful, talented… and the way she controls an auction is amazing.”
He chuckled softly.
“I’ve had a crush on her ever since I saw her in London.”
His voice carried genuine excitement.
“So I decided to give it my all today and propose to her—”
“You’re out of your mind.”
Magnus cut him off sharply.
Neymar blinked.
Magnus’s expression had turned dangerously cold.
“Why would she give you a chance?” he demanded. “You’re a playboy.”
His voice grew harsher.
“You’ve had what—twelve girlfriends in the past year? Why would Sylvia want someone like you?”
His voice rose despite his attempt to remain calm.
“She’s not the type to date playboys. She’s never going to accept you.”
The anger in his eyes flared before he could stop himself.
Neymar stared at him, stunned by the sudden aggression.
His brows slowly furrowed.
“Mr. Graves, why would you say that?” he asked.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Magnus more carefully.
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to stop me from proposing to Sylvia?”
His gaze shifted briefly toward Isabel standing beside Magnus. He looked her up and down for a moment before looking back at Magnus again.
“I know she’s not your little sister. I’ve seen the way you treat her at parties.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“She’s definitely not your sister.”
His voice sharpened.
“You’re walking around with another girl, what right do you have to stop me from asking Sylvia out?”
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
Then he asked the question directly.
“…Do you also like Sylvia?”
“Yes. I do.”
Magnus didn’t hesitate. The answer came instantly.
His voice was cold and firm.
An arrogant look settled on his face as he stared directly at Neymar.
“So stay the fuck away from her.”
Isabel’s face turned pale instantly. Her eyes widened in panic. She turned to Magnus at once, grabbing his arm.
“Magnus! What are you talking about?” she said quickly, her voice rising in alarm. “Don’t joke about things like that—”
But Magnus didn’t even look at her.
His eyes were still locked on Neymar, cold and threatening.
Neymar let out a short scoff of disbelief.
“Mr. Graves, you shouldn’t upset your girlfriend like that.”
He nodded slightly toward Isabel.
“Look at her face. She looks like she’s about to faint.”
His tone carried a hint of mockery now.
“You should be loyal to her instead of chasing other women.”
He crossed his arms casually.
“Two-timing girls isn’t exactly good for your reputation.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Magnus’s jaw clenched tightly.
He took a threatening step toward Neymar, his eyes darkening with anger.
But before the situation could escalate—
Isabel grabbed his arm tightly.
“Magnus, let’s go,” she tugged on his sleeve urgently. “The shops are going to close soon. I still need to get my dress.”
Without giving him time to argue, she began pulling him toward the car waiting by the side of the road.
“Come on,” she insisted. “The driver is already waiting for us.”
She glanced back briefly toward Neymar with clear irritation.
“Why are you arguing with him?”