Chapter 15 Flamboyant and Shameless
The word tasted bitter.
Magnus inhaled quietly. “I know it sounds beneath you,” he admitted, holding her gaze. “But your experience is far greater than hers. If she’s going to act as the main auctioneer, she needs someone capable supporting her to ensure the project succeeds.”
Sophia’s expression darkened. The anger in her eyes intensified.
“I’m not interested,” she said coldly.
She turned on her heel and started to walk away.
She had barely taken two steps when Magnus reacted on instinct.
As she passed him, he turned slightly, his hand shooting out before he could stop himself. His fingers slid into hers.
The contact made her halt instantly.
Their fingers laced together.
For a second, neither of them moved.
His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles, almost unconsciously. His eyes dropped to their joined hands, his brows pulling together. A strange, familiar feeling spread through his chest. It hit him so suddenly that it stole his breath.
His heart started pounding—hard.
He didn’t understand why.
He just stood there, frozen.
Sophia turned back toward him, her hair shifting over her shoulder. Her gaze dropped to their hands, then lifted to his face.
Magnus lifted his eyes at the same time.
Their gazes locked.
The air between them tightened.
As if burned, he finally released her hand and pulled his back. But his fingers, which had held hers only seconds ago, remained slightly curled, tense. He had to physically stop himself from stepping forward again.
His chest felt tight.
He wanted to grab her hand again.
The urge was overwhelming, almost impossible to control. It felt like something inside him was pulling him toward her, taking over his senses, overriding logic.
His jaw flexed sharply.
He forced himself to look away, swallowing down that strange, unfamiliar impulse. Then he straightened his posture, slipping back into his composed, professional demeanor. After a steadying breath, he lifted his head.
“I understand this is beneath you. And I know it’s not the position you want.”
He paused, holding her gaze.
“But Isabel has asked to take over this project and host the auction. I can’t refuse her.” His fingers flexed slightly at his side. “However, this project is extremely important. I can’t leave it entirely to her.”
He took one slow step closer.
“So I’m asking you for this favor.”
Sophia quickly slid her trembling hand inside her coat pocket, trying to hide the way her fingers had started to shake the moment he held them.
The warmth of his touch still lingered on her skin, burning through her nerves. She curled her fingers tightly into her palm, forcing them to be still.
Hearing his words only made her anger grow stronger. ‘So, to make your new girlfriend happy, you’re even willing to lower yourself and personally beg me?’
She stared at him as if he had just insulted her.
She could barely believe what she was hearing. Was he seriously asking her to help his new woman climb higher… while she stayed in the shadows, doing all the hard work?
The audacity!
The way Magnus stood there—calm, composed, as if this was a reasonable request—only made her blood boil. He expected her to agree. Just like that. Without hesitation. Without pride.
A bitter scoff slipped from her lips.
“Mr. Graves is never satisfied with just one, is he?” Her eyes turned cold. “You always want one woman to show the world… and another you use when it’s convenient.”
Her words made Magnus stiffen. A faint crease formed between his brows as he looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
Sophia looked straight at him, her eyes icy. “I’m not interested in your offer. Thank you for your very kind and generous opportunity, and for allowing me the honor of doing a favor for the great Empire Group.”
Her lips curved faintly, but there was no warmth in it.
“But unfortunately, I’m not interested. Please stop approaching me.”
Magnus studied her face carefully. The anger burning in her eyes, the frustration she was barely holding back — it only made him more suspicious.
“Since the first time we met, I’ve had the feeling that you hold some kind of grudge against me.”
Then his expression shifted.
The confusion faded. The frown melted. His hands slipped behind his back as he straightened to his full height.
“Or is it,” he continued smoothly, “that this is just another technique?”
He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing with quiet arrogance.
“Showing anger. Acting indifferent. Trying to make me look at you twice… and chase you?”
Sophia stared at him in disbelief.
Then she laughed.
A short, incredulous sound.
“Are you serious?”
She looked at him as if he had completely lost his mind.
Magnus, however, only grew more composed. His jaw tightened slightly, his gaze unwavering, fully convinced he was right.
“If that’s not the case,” he said coolly, “then why are you refusing? Tell me your demands. Whatever they are, I’ll consider them. I’m willing to fulfill them if that’s what it takes to get you on this project.”
“My only demand,” Sophia said coldly, “is that you stop appearing in front of me, Mr. Graves.”
She took a small step back, creating distance between them.
“I have no interest in joining your project. I have no interest in helping you. And I have absolutely no interest in seeing you again.”
She held his gaze without wavering.
“So please stop approaching me everywhere and understand this clearly — I am not interested in any offer you want to make.”
She gave him a cold, disinterested look before turning on her heel and walking away.
Behind her, Magnus clenched his jaw, watching her leave. Something dark and restless stirring inside his chest.
“What is her problem?” he muttered under his breath, his voice edged with aggravation.
Brent, who had been standing behind him the entire time, stepped forward to stand beside him. He, too, was frowning.
“Mr. Graves… perhaps Miss Sylvia just doesn’t like men,” Brent said cautiously.
Magnus shot him a sharp look.
Brent cleared his throat and quickly added, “Or maybe she’s pretending to be harsh because she actually has a crush on you.”
Magnus’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“She knows the situation is complicated,” Brent continued. “Maybe she’s trying to hide her feelings. Why else would she act this way from the very first meeting? Isn’t it strange for a stranger to behave this aggressively?”
Magnus’s anger faded. His expression shifted.
His shoulders relaxed, and a confident smile curved on his lips.
“You’re right. That must be it.”
He turned his head back toward Sylvia.
She was walking away confidently, her white heels striking against the pavement. Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on his face as he watched her retreating figure.
Then suddenly—
Her heel caught between the uneven pavement stones.
Her body lurched forward. The thin strap snapped. Her ankle twisted painfully, and she stumbled, her body tipping toward the ground.
Magnus’s expression changed instantly.
He rushed forward in long strides and reached her just in time. In the very next second, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist while the other slid beneath her legs. Before she could hit the ground, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Sophia gasped.
Her heart, which had skipped in fear of falling, now pounded wildly for a completely different reason. She looked up in shock — only to see Magnus holding her.
At once, she began struggling.
“Mr. Graves, let go of me,” she insisted, trying to push against his chest.
But Magnus tightened his hold instead.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” he said in a low voice. “Stay still.”
Brent, who had been standing near the car, quickly turned his back to them. A knowing smile briefly appeared on his face before he quietly stepped away, disappearing from sight.
Magnus carried Sophia to his car and gently placed her on the bonnet, making her sit.
She immediately braced her palms against the cold surface to steady herself.
Without hesitation, Magnus bent down on one knee in front of her.
He took her injured foot carefully into his hand.
Sophia stiffened.
His fingers were warm against her skin. The broken heel still hung loosely from her sandal.
He gently removed the damaged heel and set it aside on the ground.
Then his hand returned to her ankle. His touch was surprisingly slow and careful as he massaged the area with soft strokes, pressing lightly along the bone.
He rotated her foot slightly, moving it in small circles, checking if anything was broken.
Sophia stiffened at the unexpected gentleness. Her fingers tightened against the cold surface of the car.
After a moment, Magnus lifted his head and met her eyes.
“It’s fine. Nothing serious,” he said quietly.
“I’m fine, Mr. Graves. Let go of me,” she snapped.
Before he could stop her, she forcefully pulled her foot out of his grasp. Even though he instinctively tried to steady her ankle again, she yanked it back stubbornly.
She slid down from the bonnet and stood up on her feet. Then she bent down, removed the other heel as well, grabbed both shoes in her hand, and started walking away.
She had barely taken three steps when strong arms wrapped around her from behind.
In one swift motion, Magnus lifted her off the ground again.
“What are you doing? Let go of me!” she demanded, struggling against his hold. Her hands pushed against his chest as she tried to free herself. “Magnus!” she hissed, glaring at him.
The name slipped out before she could stop herself.
He froze.
For a brief second, he didn’t move.
It was the first time she had called him by his name since they met.
Something in his chest tightened — then burned warmly.
Hearing his name from her lips felt dangerously good. Like an addiction he never knew he had… suddenly satisfied. His expression softened for the smallest second before a faint, pleased smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.