Chapter 13 My Greed For Money #3
Sophia tilted her head slightly, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She could feel her pulse in her throat.
Magnus went on, his voice calm but edged with urgency. “We’re holding an auction today. Unexpectedly, several key clients arrived without prior notice.”
He paused for a brief second.
“For this auction, we require someone with deep knowledge of natural diamonds. Someone who understands their history, value, and narrative. You’re more qualified than anyone to host this auction.”
Sophia stared at him, disbelief softening into overwhelm. The shock of seeing him hadn’t even faded yet. On top of that, she’d just discovered they would be working together in a week.
And now he wanted her to step in today?
Everything felt rushed. Overwhelming.
Her lips parted slightly before she found her voice. “But this isn’t my project,” she said, her tone firm. “Why should I take responsibility for today? I’m sure you have your own auctioneers to handle these matters.”
“Yes, however this is an unexpected situation.” Magnus said sincerely, his expression turning serious.
He clasped his hands behind his back, shoulders straight.
“Our partners arrived without prior notice, and we’ve had to adjust the auction lineup at the last minute.
Some of the pieces we’re presenting weren’t part of the original catalog. ”
He glanced briefly at his assistant before looking back at her.
“Our in-house auctioneers are experienced, but they don’t have specialized knowledge of these new stones. The clients attending are collectors. Investors. They will ask detailed questions.”
Sophia’s expression turned thoughtful.
Magnus stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. “And we will pay you $50,000 per hour as your salary.” He said it calmly. His sharp eyes locked onto hers. “You wouldn’t refuse now… would you?”
Sophia’s eyes widened instantly. ‘$50,000 per hour?’
For a brief second, shock flashed across her face before she quickly controlled her expression. She inhaled slowly, forcing her features back to calm as her thoughts raced.
‘Are my feelings for him stronger… or my greed for money?’
She glanced at him from under her lashes.
A slow smile tugged at her lips. ‘Of course, my greed for money.’
“Alright,” she said smoothly, hiding her excitement. “I’ll host the auction for you.”
Magnus didn’t hide the satisfaction that appeared in his eyes. A faint smile curved his lips. “The auction starts in two hours. Let’s go.”
She nodded. “Please give me the address. I’ll meet you at the location.” She pulled her keys from her bag and gestured toward the car parked at the entrance.
Magnus followed the direction of her hand.
A red Corvette gleamed under the sunlight.
His expression changed instantly. A faint frown creased his forehead. “That’s your car?”
Sophia looked at him, slightly confused by his tone. “Yes. It’s mine.”
The familiar irritation rose inside him again.
But this time, it was ten times stronger.
His jaw tightened. He couldn’t even explain why the sight of her standing beside that car bothered him so much.
He turned away briefly, exhaling sharply, as if the view itself unsettled him.
Then he looked back at her.
“You should come with me,” he said, his tone firmer now. “We will go in my car. I can brief you on all the items for today’s auction on the way. Brent will drive us to the location.”
Sophia’s brows furrowed slightly.
‘Where did Timothy go? Did he already leave the job?’
The thought crossed her mind briefly before she nodded. “Sure.”
She walked with him toward his car. Brent quickly moved to open the rear door for them. Sophia slid into the back seat from one side, smoothing her dress as she settled in. Magnus entered from the other side, his shoulder almost brushing hers as he sat down.
The door shut with a soft thud.
Brent got into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and the car pulled away smoothly from the entrance.
Once they settled into the car, Magnus reached to the side compartment where a tablet had been placed neatly in its holder. He unlocked it and scrolled briefly, his face calm and focused.
“These are the items for today,” he said, his voice calm and measured. He handed the tablet to Sophia, their fingers almost brushing. “I need you to memorize their details.”
Sophia accepted it without a word. She crossed one leg over the other and began scrolling through the list carefully, her eyes sharp and professional. The car moved steadily through the city, sunlight flashing through the windows.
As she studied the items, she started asking questions.
“What is the exact carat of Lot Seven?”
“Is the cut oval brilliant or modified cushion?”
“The origin of this one — South Africa or Russia?”
“And the color grading? Is it Fancy Intense or Vivid?”
Her tone was professional, sharp, completely focused. She didn’t look at him much—her attention stayed on the screen.
Magnus listened to every question with quiet patience, answering each one in a calm, measured tone.
As she continued, he found himself watching her instead of the road ahead.
The way her brows slightly knitted when she concentrated. The way her finger paused on the screen before she asked something technical. The quiet seriousness in her expression.
When she finally fell silent, still scanning the last few details, a small smile appeared on his face.
“Do you have any other questions?” he asked politely.
Sophia shook her head slightly, eyes still on the screen. “It’s fine. Thank you.”
Her voice was neutral.
But inside, her thoughts were anything but calm.
‘What is wrong with him? Since when does he speak like this? So polite. So gentle?’
She swallowed lightly, forcing herself to focus back on the list.
As silence filled the car again, Magnus cleared his throat softly. He extended his hand toward her.
“I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. I’m Magnus Graves.”
Sophia lifted her gaze from the tablet to his outstretched hand. Then she looked up at his face.
Her expression didn’t change.
She didn’t take his hand.
“Good to meet you,” she replied in a cold, uninterested voice.
Then she turned back to the tablet.
Magnus’s brows drew together slightly. His hand remained suspended in the air for a second before he slowly lowered it.
He looked… unsettled.
Clearing his throat, he straightened his back.
“I own the Empire of Diamonds,” he said, a faint edge of pride in his voice. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the Empire Group?”
He adjusted his cuff slightly before continuing.
“We handle diamond distribution worldwide. The Empire of Diamonds is the largest company in the gemstone industry.”
He spoke smoothly, but there was something else beneath it — a quiet need for acknowledgment.
Almost as if listing his achievements would force her to look at him. As if reminding her of his status would make him worthy of her full attention.
As if he wanted her attention.
Sophia didn’t even look up from the tablet this time.
“Yeah,” she said casually.
And fell silent again.
Seeing the disinterest on her face, disappointment flashing briefly in Magnus’s eyes before he masked it. An unfamiliar feeling settled in his chest. His jaw tightened slightly.
He frowned.
“Miss Sylvia,” he said slowly, his voice lowering, “why do I feel like you have a problem with me?”
His expression tightened, confusion mixed with irritation. “Did I do something wrong?”
This time, she finally looked at him.
She placed the tablet down on her lap and turned her body slightly to face him. Her eyes were calm, but there was a quiet sharpness behind them.
“It’s not about your business,” she said evenly.
A small pause.
“It’s personal.”