Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SOPHIE
The idea of hosting a dinner didn’t seem as brilliant when I woke up later that afternoon. But the invitations had been sent, and my job was to make myself look better.
Ms. Hale prepared a lukewarm bath, alongside chilled spoons and some compresses from luxury brands. I could still see the puffiness, though maybe only because I was looking for it.
The good thing was I still had several hours to prepare. My headache was mostly gone, with only a little heaviness lingering in the background.
“Yikes.” I did a stupid thing—added some ice to the coffee Mr. Rowks had prepared this morning. No wonder it tasted awful after five or six hours. I should have told Ms. Hale to dump it out when she’d asked about it.
But the thought of throwing it away made my stomach clench. I sipped once again, trying to focus on the fresh air on my balcony.
“If you want, I can prepare a new one,” Ms. Hale suggested while bringing me my late lunch.
“No need.” It wasn’t that awful once I got used to it. “Only water. Ah, there it is!” I gestured at the tray.
I couldn’t tell why Ms. Hale clicked her tongue, but that wasn’t what should worry me. Mr. Rowks was also not on the list. And for the evening, I only needed to pick a dress. Which I’d already mostly decided on. A blue dress with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline falling just below my knees.
Blue suits your eyes.
An annoying voice echoed in my head. Besides, it went with the jewelry I’d gotten earlier this year. And no matter who had given it to me, it was gorgeous.
“Also, Ms. Lind sent this through fax.” Ms. Hale put a stack of documents on the small table.
Ms. Lind was amazing. Those appeared to be the exact ones I’d requested. I was sure I’d get them maybe in a week, at best in two days. But in half a day? Yet flipping through the stack of papers, it was clear the research had been done much earlier and she’d been waiting for me to ask.
The day was getting only better. Sunny, but not too hot as expected for mid-summer. A soft breeze, and—I looked at the iced coffee—one gulp left. Nothing more to distract me!
Catherine’s excitement when she got out of the car made everything worth it.
“Fifi, you look incredible.” She gestured for me to turn around, and while I spun, she and Anne watched with amazement. We shared a giggle when Cath confessed, “I can’t believe I’m finally seeing Rowks Estate with my own eyes. Always dreamed of it.”
“It was much lovelier before. Now it’s—” Rafael grimaced.
Anne shot him a warning look. “Your sister invited us for dinner. Control yourself.”
It worked. Rafa stiffened under her gaze, and his attention shifted to the fountains behind the cars, as if he were seeing them for the first time.
Mark nodded toward a package that had already found its way into one of the houseworkers’ hands.
“A new Bellamy reserve—not released yet. I thought Viktor might enjoy being among the first to try it.”
“I’m sure he would.” The empty whisky glass came to mind. The one I’d seen in the middle of the night, cigarettes beside it. What had made him not only drink alone but smoke?
No. I wouldn’t dwell on that while hosting guests.
“How about we go inside? Dinner will be served soon, and we can have drinks.”
“You have to show me around!” Cath said as we passed through the house. Her gaze darted left and right. Anne stayed quiet, but I could tell she was just as curious. I would be too, in their place. The thought made me feel guilty for not inviting them sooner.
“Your necklace is gorgeous,” Cath said. “And the earrings, the bracelets.”
I smiled, showing them while on our way.
“Are those some of the famous Rowks heirlooms?” Anne asked.
“No. They are gifts.”
My sister raised her brows, exchanging a look with her fiancé, while we sat at the table with our refreshments.
The lanterns were still off. But once it got darker and they lit up, the view would be magical.
I mentioned as much to Cath and Anne, who sat on my right and left.
Mark and Rafa sat beside them. The only empty spot was at the opposite head of the table.
When Ms. Hale came to ask if the dishes should be served, Rafa threw in another jab. “So where is Mister Punctual?”
“He should be—”
“My apologies for arriving after the guests. Meetings.” I felt the air shift as he passed beside me to his seat. It took everything not to glare or, worse, drop my gaze. He shook Mark’s hand firmly, gave Rafa a brief one, and nodded to the rest of us.
I expected a snarky comment about how he’d appreciate more than a few hours of notice for dinner parties, or perhaps an angry look. Something I could respond to.
What I didn’t expect was a polite, pleasant smile. The same one he wore at my parents’ monthly dinners. But then, as his eyes traveled over me, his gaze darkened.
What? Expected me to cry all day and look miserable?
His eyes stopped on my earrings. I turned slightly and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. When I smiled at Anne, she narrowed her eyes and exchanged a look with Cath.
Was I that obvious?
Soon dinner was served, and the shuffle of plates and clink of cutlery filled the silence.
I’d been doing well before Viktor—no, Mr. Rowks!
—arrived; had questions prepared, topics lined up, determined to be a proper hostess.
But the moment he walked in, everything vanished.
So when Mark spoke, I felt a rush of relief.
“We were just saying how wonderful it is that you finally invited us.” He turned to me. “Is there a special occasion?”
A “no” almost slipped out before I caught it.
There was a reason. I wasn’t sure if it was by accident or my subconscious, but there was a very good one! I looked directly into my husband-on-paper’s eyes and gave him the best smile I was capable of. “One year ago today, Mr. Rowks came to ask for my hand!”
For a split second he seemed startled, then had the nerve to look ashamed. “I—”
Good!
Everyone turned to him. And the next thing Mark said made me realize why Cath had fallen in love with him. “You couldn’t possibly forget such a date!”
“I was caught up in work.” His fork scraped the plate. “I will—” Guilt flickered across his face before he buried it.
I didn’t shift my eyes. You will what? When the silence continued for another few seconds, I turned to Anne and Cath. “Men notice what matters the way fish notice water.”
We giggled.
Mark lifted his glass, forcing the rest of us to follow. “Happy Proposal Anniversary?” His gaze then went back to me. “Give him grace, he had a really hard day at work.”
My sister turned to him, but I spoke first. “I also had a hard day of work. But I guess leading only Atlas and leading the rest of Rowks Holdings are different.”
“Oh, Atlas!” Mark’s eyes lit up. “Viktor said it was all you—well done.” He turned to Rafa. “Still sulking because your sister bested you?”
Rafa took his time chewing before answering. “MoRen is still leading. And Atlas isn’t in the top three yet.”
Anne touched his arm. “Stop it.”
“Don’t worry. It will be soon,” Viktor said.
Setting down his fork, Rafa looked smugly at the head of the table. “With your connections, I don’t see any—”
His face turned red when I cut him off. “Stop acting childish—of course connections are important. And on that note, I was looking into reports about the market in the east, particularly in Kosvenia.” I looked at the man directly in front of me. “Would you be able to get Korolyov to assist Atlas?”
Silence dropped over the table. Shock mixed with disbelief crossed both of the men’s faces. The others looked like they had front-row seats to a show.
I almost hid my smile.
“You can’t be serious,” Rafa scoffed.
“Edmond said you failed because of Korolyov. But if I’m not mistaken, you just bypassed ethics entirely.
There are rumors that others are trying to move into the east now.
So isn’t it logical for me to do the same?
Since, as you said, I have connections.” My voice stayed smooth.
“Besides, isn’t it better for business to stay in the family? ”
The moment I finished, Cath turned to him, then back to me. Her eyes scanned my face. Anne followed her lead.
I wanted to take a deep breath. Instead, I looked at the man in front of me. I still hadn’t gotten my answer about Korolyov.
“Wouldn’t it be…” he glanced at Rafa, then back at me, “…more appropriate for you to handle it yourself?”
While logical, it stung.
“Once again enjoying sitting on the sidelines while others run your business?” Rafa smirked.
Judging by Viktor’s expression, he’d grown tired of the usual barbs about his supposed absence from Rowks Group’s success. Besides, why was Rafa speaking to him and not to me?
“It’s my business. I’m leading it.” I cut into my meat with confidence. The taste would be much better without my brother’s nagging.
“As far as I know, your name is nowhere in the business.”
“Atlas is under Rowks Group. Last time I checked, Sophie is a Rowks.” Viktor’s voice was calm.
Rafa’s jaw tightened. “And last time I checked, Cecilia was also a Rowks, yet she was left with even less than in her prenup.”
Viktor didn’t blink. But a vein beneath his eye pulsed, and his fingers trembled for a second as he held the glass. But nothing else hinted at whether I was right about yesterday’s conclusion.
Judging by the expression on Rafa’s face, he knew nothing about what I’d said to Edmond yesterday.
He wasn’t tracking any reaction, only spitting his venom.
“And if my memory is correct, Rowks Group shares per the prenup belong to you. As long as my sister is your wife, there’s no issue.
But the moment you decide to divorce her or… ”
“Why are you and Edmond so obsessed with the idea of my marriage failing?” Annoyance seeped into my voice.
Rafa turned to me. “Is there even a marriage?”
The question knocked the breath from me. Asked any other day, I might not have paid attention. But today of all days? After I’d confessed to Viktor and he simply turned away?