Chapter 13 My Greed For Money #2
Her fingers toyed with the diamond pendant around her neck as she added with a dismissive shrug, “It’s like people have gone crazy without reason. Isabel, to be honest, you’re a much more popular auctioneer. I’ve heard your name far more often from people.”
Isabel’s lips curved instantly.
“Right,” she said, lifting her chin. A smug glint flashed in her eyes as she crossed one leg over the other, smoothing down her sleek navy dress. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with calculated elegance, pretending indifference, but the satisfaction in her gaze was unmistakable.
A while later, as the auction officially concluded, Sophia stepped down from the stage.
The moment her heels touched the marble floor, she was surrounded.
Collectors. Investors. Gemstone dealers. Antique specialists.
“I didn’t expect to see you in Manhattan,” one middle-aged man said warmly, extending his hand. “What a surprise.”
A woman in a silk emerald gown stepped closer, smiling brightly. “It’s been so long since we last met. What a pleasant surprise.” She glanced around at the crowd. “The owner must have spent a fortune to bring Sylvia here.”
Sophia offered a gracious smile. “Good to see you too, Mrs. Chen.”
“There’s no one more experienced with historical gemstones,” another voice chimed in.
“You are so talented,” a younger collector added eagerly. “I almost missed that flaw in the diamond—the one from the sixteenth century. But you spotted it immediately and even identified its origin. That was incredible.”
Sophia gave a small, humble shake of her head.
“Thank you, everyone,” she said, her voice gentle. “It’s simply the result of years in the industry. Experience teaches you to notice details others might overlook.”
Her eyes softened slightly as she added, “I’m very grateful to Mr. Lynn for inviting me tonight. I’ll be attending more auctions in Manhattan from now on, so I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
A few of them lit up at that.
“Really? You’re staying in Manhattan?” a man asked, visibly pleased. “That’s excellent news. I’ll need to sharpen my skills if I’m going to meet you again.”
Light laughter rippled through the group.
Sophia responded with a polite laugh of her own
Across the hall, Isabel rose from her seat.
The sound of heels against marble echoed faintly as she stepped into the aisle, her gaze locked on the growing crowd around Sylvia. Her jaw tightened.
She watched as men leaned in slightly to speak to Sylvia, watched as women complimented her, watched the admiration in their eyes.
Her fingers curled around her clutch.
The more they praised her, the more her expression hardened.
Her friends gathered around her, following her line of sight.
“Look at her,” Isabel muttered under her breath, her voice edged with irritation. “Surrounded by men like that. It’s like she’s here just to attract men.”
She let out a short scoff. “What a narcissist.”
“Exactly,” Gigi agreed quickly, folding her arms. “Just look at her face. Smiling and laughing at everything they say. She’s clearly enjoying the spotlight.”
Isabel let out a loud, sharp scoff, the sound cutting through her circle of friends.
“The way she’s getting surrounded by men,” she said, lifting one brow mockingly, “it’s pretty clear what her real talent is.”
She tilted her head, her smile turning cruel. Her eyes swept over Sylvia’s figure critically.
“Didn’t you notice? The way she keeps leaning closer when she talks? The way she lowers her voice and smiles at every single man?” Isabel rolled her eyes dramatically. “People don’t reach a high position at such a young age without doing something… extra.”
The implication hung in the air.
Her friends immediately giggled, covering their mouths.
Isabel smoothed her hair again, satisfied with the reaction she’d provoked.
“By the way,” one of the girls asked casually, leaning closer to Isabel, “I haven’t seen your brother at any events lately. Where’s he been these past few weeks?”
“Gregory?” she said, frowning lightly as if it didn’t matter. “He’s out of the country. Business deal. He’ll be gone for a few weeks.”
She clasped her clutch tighter.
“Magnus’s old secretary is with him. It’s some partnership project. They’ll probably stay there for a few months.”
“What a shame,” the girl giggled, swaying slightly. “It’s always nice seeing your brother at parties.”
***
Once the crowd around Sylvia finally thinned and the final guests departed, the grand hall slowly returned to silence.
Sophia changed out of her dress into something more casual—fitted black trousers, a soft cream blouse, and a light coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. She removed the silver pin from her bun, letting her hair fall into loose waves down her back.
Without the stage lights and formal attire, she looked softer, but no less striking.
When she stepped outside the building, the evening air felt cooler against her skin.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she scrolled, searching for the nearest café. The cool Manhattan evening brushed against her skin, but she barely noticed.
Her focus was entirely on the glowing screen.
She walked absentmindedly, and didn’t notice the tall figure approaching from the opposite direction
They passed each other.
And then—
An arm suddenly wrapped firmly around her waist.
Sophia gasped softly as her body was pulled back mid-step. Her heel nearly twisted, but the arm tightened just in time to steady her.
Her heart jumped violently.
Her eyes lifted.
Her head tilted upward.
And then she froze.
Magnus.
For a split second, it felt as if the world had gone silent.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She stared at him like she’d seen a ghost — her face draining of color, shock written all over her features.
On the other hand, Magnus’s expression was something else entirely.
There was something unfamiliar in his expression. Conflicted. Curious. Almost… shaken.
His sharp eyes traced her features as if trying to match them to a memory that refused to fully surface. There was recognition there—but also doubt.
His thumb unconsciously tightened slightly against her side before he seemed to realize he was still holding her.
Sophia swallowed, the world around them fading into muted background noise.
Why was he looking at her like that?
Her heart began to pound—hard enough she was sure he could feel it through his palm.
Sophia was the first to recover. She shifted under his touch.
The movement seemed to snap Magnus out of whatever trance he had fallen into.
He blinked once and cleared his throat.
His hand loosened, though it didn’t drop immediately.
“You are—” he started, then paused, as if struggling to place a memory that refused to surface.
For a brief second, something flickered across his face. Then he straightened slightly, his business mask slowly returning.
“You’re Sylvia,” he said, more firmly this time. “The auctioneer?”
The words hit her like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head.
‘So… he really doesn’t recognize me.’
The realization spread through her chest slowly, painfully. For a split second, she didn’t know whether to feel relieved or shattered.
Her lashes lowered, hiding the storm in her eyes.
She lifted her hand and placed it over the arm he had wrapped around her waist. She peeled his arm off her, then took a step back, creating distance between them.
Magnus hadn’t even fully registered that he’d been holding her.
When she removed his arm, the sudden emptiness startled him.
His arm lingered awkwardly in the air before falling to his side. The sudden loss of her warmth felt sharper than it should have. He frowned slightly, confused by his own reaction.
Why did it feel like something had been taken from him?
He studied her face more carefully. There was disappointment in her eyes now, subtle but clear.
She looked painfully familiar. The shape of her eyes, the way her lips pressed together when she was holding something back. He didn’t know her. He was certain of that. And yet, when she stepped away, his chest tightened with a strange, unfamiliar ache.
Sophia looked shaken for only a second. She had pulled away from him as if his touch had burned her skin.
Her shoulders stiffened, and she turned her face slightly to the side, drawing in a slow breath.
The shock of seeing him, of hearing him speak to her like she was a stranger, faded into something colder.
She straightened her back and lifted her chin. When she looked at him again, her expression was composed, almost distant.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “I am Sylvia.”
Magnus’s posture shifted instantly. His shoulders squared, and the warmth in his gaze disappeared behind a professional expression. He adjusted his cuffs and smoothed the front of his suit jacket.
Sophia’s eyes flickered past him.
A younger man stood just behind Magnus, dressed in a suit, a tablet held neatly in his hand. He had been silent the entire time, observing. His posture was straight, his expression neutral, but his eyes were attentive.
Magnus finally spoke, his tone now strictly business.
“You’ll be partnering with us on the upcoming project,” he said. “The auction of rare diamonds.”
Sophia’s brows drew together slightly. Partnering with Empire Group? She searched her memory quickly. She would have remembered signing with them.
She couldn’t recall seeing their name anywhere.
The younger man stepped forward slightly, his voice polite and measured. “Good day, Miss Sylvia. I’m Brent, Mr. Graves’s secretary. You signed an agreement for our project through our partner, the JKJ Group.”
At the mention of JKJ Group, recognition flashed across her face.
Her gaze slid back to Magnus before she answered, her voice composed. “Yes, I will be working on that project. But according to my contract, I’m scheduled to join next week.”
“That’s correct,” Magnus replied. “However, we have a situation. One we were hoping you could assist us with.”