Chapter 6 Characterless #2
“You really married someone like that?” she scoffed, exasperated. “What an asshole. You should’ve just married my brother. He’s such a nice gentleman—he would’ve been perfect for you. There’s no one like Elias.”
She snorted.
“Does Magnus Graves seriously think he’s God’s last man? Like the whole world wants his money or his body?”
She scoffed. “Let him die clutching his billions. Honestly, I don’t even think he’s capable of having a wife. If it weren’t for this contract marriage, that damn man would’ve grown old alone—single as a dog—trapped in his fucking mansion on a hill like Rapunzel.”
Sophia snorted, giggling hard at her words.
Emma grinned too.
At that moment, three well-dressed men walked into the restaurant.
Almost instantly, the women seated around the restaurant turned their heads, their gazes drifting toward the entrance. Sophia glanced up as well, curious—and her smile vanished.
Magnus. Harold. Gregory.
They were standing just a few tables away.
Sophia winced, disbelief and discomfort washing over her. She immediately lowered her head and leaned toward Emma. “Let’s go somewhere else,” she whispered urgently.
Emma blinked, confused by her sudden behavior. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Keep your voice down,” Sophia hissed, shrinking slightly in her seat.
Meanwhile, Harold—who had been scanning the restaurant impatiently for an empty table—was the first to spot them. His eyes landed on Sophia’s familiar figure, her head lowered as she whispered to Emma.
His eyes widened instantly.
He whipped his head toward the other two men and said urgently, “Hey—look! It’s my crush! She’s sitting right there!”
Gregory turned his head in the direction Harold was aggressively pointing and naturally, Magnus’s gaze followed.
Their eyes fell on Sophia, who was still desperately trying to convince Emma to make a quick escape.
Before Magnus or Gregory could say anything, Harold suddenly took off, waving his arms excitedly. “Let’s sit with them! There’s space at their table. Sitting alone will be boring—come on, come on!”
Without waiting for them, Harold hurried off as if the table might disappear if he didn’t reach it fast enough.
Gregory let out a loud snicker.
Magnus, however, went still.
His expression turned lethal as he watched Harold’s enthusiasm toward his wife.
Oblivious to everything behind him, Harold reached their table and was just about to pull out the chair beside Sophia.
But just before he could, Magnus grabbed the back of his collar and shoved him aside.
“Whoa—!” Harold stumbled forward, nearly falling before regaining his balance.
He whipped around angrily, only to see Magnus calmly taking the seat beside Sophia.
Not only that—Magnus sat very close.
He leaned back casually, his arm draped across the back of Sophia’s chair, pulling her subtly into his space.
“Hey!” Harold cried out indignantly. “How can you do that? Get out of my chair! That was my seat—I got here first!”
Magnus didn’t even look at him. He ignored Harold completely, settling back as if Harold didn’t exist.
Defeated, grumbling under his breath, Harold stormed around the table and dropped into the chair beside Emma instead.
Gregory walked over as well, stopping casually next to Harold.
Harold shot Magnus an annoyed glare. “You’re always like this,” he snapped. “So arrogant—always stealing my place.”
Magnus finally spoke, his tone lazy. “Didn’t you say it was first come, first dibs?”
Harold frowned. “Yes! I got here fir—”
Magnus turned his head toward Sophia, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
“Meet my wife,” he announced, his voice calm but commanding.
Sophia’s eyes widened instantly, frozen in shock as she looked at him.
“This is the woman I married,” Magnus continued, his tone casual yet firm. “Mrs. Sophia Magnus Graves.”
He shifted his gaze casually back to Harold, adding, “Your sister-in-law.”
Then his gaze returned to Sophia, locking onto her eyes without flinching.
Sophia blinked, trying to process what she had just heard. Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to speak, but no words came out at first. Finally, she gathered her voice, her tone a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.
“What are you doing—announcing me as your wife right now? Didn’t we agree to get a divorce just this morning?”
Magnus leaned back slightly, one hand resting casually on the table while the other remained draped over the back of her chair.
“Just now, I broke the contract too,” he said smoothly.
“You broke it once, and now I broke it once. So we’re even. You don’t have to pay the penalty, and you’ll still get everything I promised in the contract. Congratulations.”
Sophia’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t even form words. Unbelievable… The man was completely outrageous!
Across the table, Harold’s face twisted in horror. His eyes darted between Magnus and Sophia, then back to Magnus again.
“She’s the girl you married… just a few days ago?” Harold finally stammered.
When Magnus didn’t answer immediately, Harold’s gaze bounced to Gregory and back to Sophia, repeating incredulously, “You… you married her? She’s your wife?” as if saying it aloud could somehow change reality.
Magnus finally turned to Harold, giving him a slow, exasperated look.
“Yes,” he said sharply, his voice tight with irritation.
Harold’s breath caught in his throat. His face flushed red, a mix of embarrassment and rage. ‘Why does this keep happening to me? Three times in a row… I liked three women, and all of them turned out to be my cousins’ wives? What kind of sick, twisted fate is this?!’
He sank down into the chair beside Emma, burying his face in his hands. He didn’t dare even glance at Sophia again. “I’m cursed. That’s it. Officially cursed,” he whispered, devastated. “I… I should just move to a monastery. Or Mars.”
Meanwhile, Emma’s eyes were fixed on him, sharp and piercing, a flicker of recognition hidden in their depths—but he didn’t notice a thing.
Gregory, standing casually next to Harold, leaned in with a sly smirk. “You’re Magnus’s cousin, Harold. How can you fall for your cousin’s wife? And you have a crush on her? What’s wrong with your character?”
Harold spun to glare at Gregory, his face burning crimson. “What the fuck?” he barked. “Don’t call me characterless! I didn’t know she was Magnus’s wife!”
Turning toward Magnus defensively, he added, “I was just being nice to her, nothing else. I don’t have a crush on her. It was just a misunderstanding.”
Gregory burst out laughing.
“Really? I don’t think that’s what you were saying a few days ago at the club! Weren’t you talking about her non-stop? Calling her your future girlfriend all week?”
Harold’s embarrassment exploded into fury. He shot up from his seat, fists clenched, but Gregory pressed down firmly on his shoulders, forcing him back into the chair.
“Shut up!” Harold barked, punching Gregory’s arm and glaring with pure frustration. “Shut up!”
Gregory slapped Harold sharply on the shoulders, making him jerk forward and nearly stumble.
“I told you I’ve never seen a man make a bet over a woman without realizing you're wagering against the one who already has the claim.” Gregory laughed harder. “Now look at you!”
Harold huffed, glaring with a mix of anger and humiliation.
Magnus’s expression remained cold and stern. His eyes stayed fixed on Harold as he said casually, “Let’s have a swimming race today. What are you doing tonight?”
slightly pathetic:
Harold’s face, flushed with embarrassment and anger just moments ago, drained of color in an instant.
“The last time I had a swimming match with you—the day after we were at Luxe,” he shouted, panic creeping into his voice, “you nearly shattered every bone in my body!”
He clutched his shoulder instinctively. “I’m still recovering from that strain! I spent three whole days flat on my bed!”
His voice cracked as he finished, half-indignant, half-accusing. “You don’t race, Magnus. You punish people like a merciless demon.”
He whined, horrified, angry, and almost in tears, looking like he might collapse right there.
Sophia, seeing his pitiful expression, couldn’t help herself. She burst into laughter, her body shaking as she giggled uncontrollably. Her eyes, sparkling with amusement, flicked toward Magnus—but that’s when she realized he was staring directly at her.
There was no hint of amusement in his expression. Only intensity. Sophia’s laughter slowed, softened, and then faded into a shy smile as she quickly turned her head away, cheeks warming under his gaze.
***
At the Knight mansion, Violet King stormed into Joseph’s study, her skirt flaring as she marched up to his chair.
“Dad! Why did Uncle Arthur cut my pocket money?” she cried, grabbing Joseph’s arm and shaking it so hard that his pen clattered to the desk. “Ever since Sophia left, Uncle Arthur cut my allowance from $100,000 to $50,000 a month! How am I supposed to survive like this?”
Her brows knitted tightly as she leaned closer, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, tears streaming down her face. “Daddy, I need more money! I was so embarrassed at the bar a few days ago… I couldn’t even go to a party last night!”
Joseph tapped her arms gently, his voice calm. “Don’t worry. Your allowance will go back to the full amount as soon as we secure the shares from Sophia.”
Violet frowned, pulling away. “What does that have to do with her? She’s already left this house. Why should I still suffer?”
Joseph exhaled, steady and patient. “I had to tell Arthur that we can’t afford the manufacturing costs for our new projects. That’s why I asked him to deduct your allowance for now—it’s just temporary, to make our expenses look lower. You’ll get it back soon.”
Violet crossed her arms and pouted, rolling her eyes. “I don’t care! I need money for shopping. I am going to Brazil with my boyfriend this weekend!”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed sharply, his voice stern. “You have a boyfriend? What are you thinking? I told you, no relationships right now.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “Dad, don’t be so dramatic. He’s just temporary. I was bored. No one will find out.”
Joseph raised an eyebrow, voice firm. “If you’re bored, why not go see the man Sophia married?”
Violet blinked, offended by the very suggestion. “Why would I go to her house?”
“That man Sophia married… I’ve heard he’s richer than us,” Joseph said.
“I also heard he has a terrible reputation—gambling, drinking, drugs, all sorts of things. Why don’t you get close to him?
Make him your boyfriend, take as much money from him as you want.
Once Sophia finds out he’s having an affair, she’ll definitely break down.
Maybe then it’ll be easier for us to get her shares. Right now, she’s being difficult.”
Violet tapped her heels thoughtfully on the floor, her lips pursed as she considered the plan. After a moment, she brightened. “Alright. I’ll go to their house tomorrow."
“Good girl,” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips. Then, leaning closer with a conspiratorial whisper, he added,
“Don’t tell him you’ve had boyfriends before. Just say you’ve been single your whole life and that he’s the first man you’ll ever be with. Men have a thing for virgins.”
Violet nodded quickly, smirking.
***
After a long, exhausting day at the auctions, Sophia finally returned to her office. She sank into her chair, exhausted, letting out a tired sigh. Her phone vibrated on the desk, and she lazily brushed at it before noticing Magnus’s name flashing on the screen.
Surprised, she straightened, rubbed her eyes, and answered the call. “Hello?”
“My family wants to meet you,” came Magnus’s calm, commanding voice.
Sophia froze, confusion and fatigue washing over her. Her body ached, and she didn’t have the energy to move let alone face his family for the first time.
“Not today, Magnus… I’m…” she began weakly.
“Tomorrow,” he interrupted. “Be ready. You will go with me.”
Reluctantly, she exhaled and nodded. “Okay… tomorrow,” she said softly, then hung up. Her head fell onto her arms as she closed her eyes, the phone slipping from her fingers with a soft click.
On the other side of the city, Magnus placed his phone back on the table with a soft clutter. A small smile curved his lips as he leaned back in his chair.
Gregory, standing beside him with a file in hand, couldn’t resist teasing. “Aren’t you the one who just called your mother and said you’d bring your wife over?”
Magnus gave him a sidelong glance, ignoring the comment as he continued signing the papers meticulously.
Seeing Magnus remain silent, Gregory set the file down and leaned closer, waving a hand in exasperation.
“No, seriously—if you wanted to take her to meet your family, why didn’t you just say so? Do you really have to act so prickly with everyone?”
Magnus’s eyes narrowed at the document Gregory was holding. His gaze shifted sharply to Gregory, a dangerous edge in his voice.
“You said something?” he asked, eyes narrowed. “You don’t want this contract? Fine. Give it back. I’ll give it to someone else.” He reached out, hand snapping toward the file.
Gregory jerked back at once and immediately hid the file behind his back, laughing nervously. “Calm down, relax! I’m just kidding. Why do you have to be so serious all the time?”
Magnus relaxed slightly, straightening in his chair, an arrogant tilt to his chin as he stared at him.
Gregory then leaned forward, resting one hand on the table as he studied him. “Magnus, do you… like her?”
Magnus frowned instantly, displeasure flashing across his features. “And where did you see that I like her?”
Gregory’s gaze swept over him from head to toe before he replied seriously, without hesitation, “From both my eyes. Just now.”
Magnus abruptly spun his chair and punched him. “Get your eyes checked!”
“Ah!” Gregory winced, rubbing his arm, shooting daggers at Magnus with his gaze.
***
At Magnus’s mansion, Sophia was sprawled on the sofa, another piece of popcorn halfway to her mouth as she watched the horror movie, completely glued to the screen. Her eyes followed the main character with total focus.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang sharply, making her jump.
She choked on the popcorn, coughing violently as her heart raced, and her head snapped toward the door, her body still frozen in shock.
“Shit,” she hissed.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pushed to her feet and moved briskly toward the door. When she opened it, she blinked in mild surprise.
Timothy stood on the doorstep, several bags in his hands, smiling at her.
She returned the smile, raising her eyebrows. “Yes, Timothy?”
Timothy cleared his throat. “Mrs. Graves, did you forget that you’re supposed to see Mr. Graves’s mother today?”
Yes. She had completely forgotten.
She forced a polite smile and stammered, “No, of course not. How could I forget?”
Her gaze dropped to the bags in his hands before lifting back to his face. “…Can I skip it?”