Chapter 14 Unforgivable #2
After a brief pause, he continued, “I would like to offer you a full-time position at our company.” His posture straightened, confidence settling back into his shoulders. “You can tell me your terms, conditions, and expectations. I will personally make sure we offer you more than your demands.”
Isabel’s grip tightened slightly at his words.
Sophia met Magnus’s gaze politely but without warmth.
“Thank you, Mr. Graves. However, I’m not interested.” She paused briefly before adding, “And I’ve also decided not to accept the JKJ project.”
Magnus blinked, surprise flashing across his face.
“You’re not going to accept our project?” he asked, as if confirming he had heard her correctly.
“That’s correct.”
The air between them shifted.
A shadow passed over Magnus’s face. His jaw hardened, and the faint admiration in his eyes was replaced with something darker. He wasn’t pleased. And beneath that displeasure was anger.
He wasn’t used to rejection.
“What is the reason, if I may ask?” he said, his voice low, restrained.
“I just don’t want to,” Sophia replied dismissively.
She reached for her bag on the table beside her, lifted it over her shoulder, and without giving him another glance, turned and started walking away.
Magnus’s eyes followed her until she disappeared beyond the doors.
He didn’t look away.
A troubled, confused expression lingered on his face, one he couldn’t seem to shake. Beneath it, displeasure simmered. Anger flickered in his eyes, dark and dangerous.
He couldn’t suppress it anymore — the fury, the frustration, the desire twisting beneath his restraint.
For a moment, his expression hardened into something almost threatening.
Beside him, Isabel was smiling. Relief and satisfaction sparkled in her eyes.
She released his arm and stepped closer to him eagerly.
“I want to host that auction,” she said quickly. “Why don’t I take her place? She’s not even that good. She’s just arrogant.”
She flipped her hair lightly and gave him a confident look.
“I’ll help you. I’ll be the auctioneer for that project.”
Before Magnus could respond, Brent, who had been standing behind them quietly, stepped forward.
“Miss Shane,” he said respectfully, “you cannot be in charge of that project.”
Isabel’s smile faltered.
Brent continued calmly, his tone professional and clear.
“It is an extremely important event. Miss Sylvia has extensive knowledge of modern diamond cuts and the history behind rare stones. There is no match for her in the industry.”
Isabel stiffened.
“She has worked closely with mining specialists and international gemstone experts from around the world,” Brent went on. “There is no one with more knowledge about diamonds than her. Considering the complexity and importance of this project, she is the most suitable auctioneer for our company.”
Isabel’s expression darkened.
“You have only recently completed your studies at an institute and have hosted a few small auctions,” he added carefully. “You do not yet have expertise in specialized diamond cuts. There is simply no comparison between your experience and hers.”
Brent’s voice remained steady and sincere.
“Miss Sylvia is an expert. You are a recent graduate. Therefore, I do not believe you can take her place.”
Isabel immediately turned her head and shot Brent a furious glare. Her eyes burned with anger, sharp enough to make him lower his gaze at once.
His hands trembled slightly as he quickly looked away, trying to appear composed, though it was clear he had realized he’d spoken far too much. He suppressed a nervous cough and shifted his gaze elsewhere, unable to meet her eyes.
Isabel’s attention snapped back to Magnus. She slid her hands down from his arm and grasped his hand tightly, her fingers curling around his in a desperate, pleading motion. Her voice dropped to a soft, almost trembling tone, the edges laced with sincerity.
“Please let me do it, Magnus,” she said in a pleading voice, tilting her head slightly as if trying to appear vulnerable. “I promise I’ll do a very good job.”
Magnus looked down at her, his face unreadable, conflicted.
Seeing his silence, Isabel pressed on.
“Why aren’t you saying yes?” Isabel pressed, her voice coaxing now, a soft edge of frustration showing. “You told Gregory you’d take care of me while he’s away. You won’t break that promise, will you?”
Magnus’s jaw tightened. His fingers flexed in her hand for a brief second before he slowly pulled his arm free. His posture stiffened as he muttered, “I’ll think about it.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked out.
Isabel’s smile froze for a moment. She clearly wasn’t pleased, but she quickly forced a sweet expression back onto her face.
“Alright,” she called after him.
***
Magnus’s expression was troubled. He paced back and forth in his office, his steps sharp and restless. His jaw was tight, his expression dark.
After a few tense seconds, he stopped, lifted his head, and fixed Brent with a determined stare.
“Find out where Sylvia will be tomorrow,” he ordered, his voice low but commanding. “I will personally try to convince her to join this project.”
Brent blinked, caught off guard.
The man who negotiated billion-dollar deals with icy precision was now talking about personally persuading a single auctioneer.
The thought felt surreal.
Still, he nodded quickly. “Yes, Mr. Graves. I’ll look into it.”
***
Magnus and Brent stood at the entrance of one of the city’s most popular auction halls.
They waited near the exit door.
Guests were leaving, getting into their cars. Voices filled the air — praise for the designs, admiration for the auction, whispers about Sylvia.
“She was incredible.”
“Her voice is unforgettable.”
“She knows every detail about the diamonds.”
The compliments floated through the air.
Eventually, the hall grew quiet. The crowd thinned. The entrance became nearly empty.
Then Sophia finally stepped out of the exit.
The moment she stepped out, she saw Magnus standing there. But she didn’t pause.
Without even sparing him a second glance, she walked straight past him as if he were invisible.
Magnus’s jaw tightened.
Before she could take another step, he sidestepped smoothly and moved directly into her path, blocking her way. He stood close enough that she had no choice but to stop.
“Sylvia, I was waiting for you.”
She finally looked at him.
Even though she had to tilt her chin slightly to meet his gaze, her eyes were cold. Distant.
He held her stare for a second longer than necessary, then said evenly,
“I’d like to invite you to dinner.”
She turned her body fully to face him, her posture straight.
“Mr. Graves,” she said evenly, her voice calm but edged with cool distance, “what is this about?”
Her brows lifted faintly.
“I’m sure you’re too busy to have dinner with random people. It would be better if you got straight to the point instead of delaying the topic.”
Magnus froze for a brief second.
No one dismissed him like that.
Magnus froze for a brief second, clearly taken aback by her outright dismissal. A faint crease appeared between his brows, but he quickly masked it. He turned his body to face her fully, straightening his back.
“I need you to join the JKJ project,” he said evenly. “I need your help.”
Sophia didn’t react yet, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
Magnus continued, his voice lowering.
“The girl you saw yesterday — Isabel — will be the main auctioneer. But she doesn’t have as much expertise or knowledge as you. She needs guidance.”
He paused, watching her carefully.
“So I need you to help her behind the scenes.”
There was a faint softness in his tone now.
“We will still pay you the original amount that was signed and agreed upon. Even though your workload will technically be less, you will receive the same compensation. Not a cent less.”
He spoke gently, almost as if he were offering her something generous.
For a second, Sophia simply stared at him. Confusion flickered across her face — then it hardened into anger.
Her jaw tightened.
“So, Mr. Graves,” she said slowly, her voice laced with restrained fury, “you want me to be Isabel’s assistant?”