"Yeah, I guess my father and I just didn't have enough of a father-son bond. We've never been able to have that typical fatherly love. His attitude towards my mother also makes it hard for me to forgive him!" Capone took a deep breath, then turned to Sophia and said, "But don't worry, I'll be a good father in the future. I won't let my child have the same regrets!"
Sophia lowered her head, unsure of how to respond. He was so certain that she would bear his children, yet the issues between them hadn't been resolved.
Capone took one of her hands and said, "If it weren't for all the things I can't let go, I would've taken you away already. But IDGM Capital is my father's legacy, and it's the most important thing he left for me. I can't just watch it be divided up by others. Do you understand?"
Sophia felt that she did understand. Inheriting one's family business is the most traditional and enduring form of legacy. Life has an end, but a kingdom can be passed down and expanded across generations.
"Next week, I'm going to have an engagement ceremony with David Lee's daughter. It's something I have to do. But trust me, I won't let it become real. I won't give that old fox, David Lee, an advantage. Everything is just for show..."
Sophia was stunned by this news, and it took her a while to speak, her voice shaky: "Next week... you're getting engaged next week?"
Her reaction was exactly what Capone had expected. He steadied her trembling body and whispered in her ear, "We have to go through the motions, Sophy. Trust me, I'll find a way..."
"Enough! What way could you have? I don't want to hear it!" Sophia raised her hand to cover her ears, forcing back the tears that were about to fall. She looked at Capone and said, "What does telling me this now mean? Do you want me to graciously accept it? Or do you just want me to face reality? You want me to feel helpless, don't you? To make me feel like I can't leave and I can't stay? Are you enjoying seeing me in this awkward and difficult position? How can you be so selfish!"
They were in the middle of the sea, the island of Mesha still visible in the distance, but the land was already beginning to blur. Was he deliberately bringing her out here to make her see her situation more clearly? It seemed like there was no way for her to escape now. What other choice did she have but to accept his decisions and plans? Was she supposed to die instead?
No, that would be the weakest thing she could do. She wouldn't give up on life because of this.
But she was really angry, so angry that she felt like swimming back on her own!
Did he think he could trap her? Could he trap her in the present, or for the rest of her life?
Capone saw her getting so agitated, as though she might fall into the sea at any moment. He quickly wrapped his arms tightly around her and shouted, "Calm down! I told you I'll find a way to explain it to you. Trust me!"
"How can I trust you? You're going to get engaged to another woman. How am I supposed to trust you?" Sophia finally couldn't hold back her tears. Her emotions got the better of her, and she felt dizzy. She slumped back down, burying her face in her hands, crying in pain.
Capone wasn't doing well either. It felt like everything inside him had been laid bare to this woman. He knew he could never open up to another woman like this in his life. He thought that doing this much for her would be enough, but what she wanted was all of him—not just his heart, but his whole self, completely hers!
He already had a plan in his mind, but he still had to discuss it with David Lee's daughter before taking any action. He couldn't tell Sophia everything right now.
At this stage, he couldn't make any promises to her, afraid that things might change and leave her even more disappointed.
Capone and Sophia had fallen into a cold war, though it was unclear whether it was one-sided or if both had tacitly agreed to it. In any case, under the same roof, they made every effort to avoid each other, and even when they did cross paths, they wouldn't speak.
What everyone feared the most was actually the state between the two, but this time, they all knew exactly what it was about.
Capone was about to get engaged, and everyone was busy with various matters. Shares were about to change hands, and the board's structure might be completely overturned. Various forces were on the move. Terry, Mandy, and the others had been placed by Capone to keep a close watch on the developments within the company, while only Winter remained on Mesha Island, watching over Cronus to prevent any issues during this time.
The night before the engagement banquet, Capone returned late from the outside, his brow slightly furrowed. He saw Sophia standing at the door of the room, gazing at him with a lonely look in her eyes.
"It's so late, and you're still not asleep?" Capone walked over to her. He didn't need to ask; he just knew she was standing there waiting for him.
"Yeah, waiting for you!" she responded honestly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The cold war between them felt like a dream, as if it never happened at all.
Capone smiled and without saying anything more, leaned in and kissed her forehead, it was supposed to be just a soothing touch but couldn't resist her magic, his lips travelled down her full forehead and landed on her eyelashes, the tip of her nose, her cheeks and finally her lips.
No matter how many times, her lips were still the same pink colour as cherry blossoms, with a creamy aroma, no matter how much you tasted it, the more you kissed it, the deeper you could only go.
Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck in a silent invitation, and he carried her into the room, locking the door behind him before gently lowering her onto the bed. He quickly undressed himself in three attempts, and just as he reached out to touch her lapel, Sophia lifted her head slightly and said, "I'll do it myself."
She half-kneeled, carefully removing the thin smock — a loose, sleeveless chiffon blouse with knots on both shoulders. She pulled it off gently, the fabric slipping down her body.
The way she undressed was a mix of gentleness and passion, compelling him. Capone's blood ran cold, but he couldn't bring himself to stop her — not with this rare initiative she was showing. He pursed his lips, admiring her movements.
Her violet-colored underwear revealed a soft, white curve, almost bursting out, the fabric struggling to hold it in. Capone could almost see the faint red halo at the edge, making his body tense with desire. He couldn't wait any longer; he pulled her closer and collapsed into the bed, too impatient to unhook her chest clasp. He pushed the underwear up, and with a flick, the fabric loosened, the two soft curves now free, and they fell into his palms, heavy and warm.
"Looks like you've grown a lot..." he murmured, his lips and tongue eagerly kissing her, tracing the soft curves and lightly sucking on the sensitive tip. Sophia arched her back, a delicate cry escaping her lips.
"Undo... the underwear!" she gasped, her breath heavy as she urged him to release the last bit of restraint on her.
Capone's lips had left a trail of wet kisses along her skin, the soft pink of her body covered in layers of honeyed sweetness, tempting and irresistible. He reluctantly lifted his gaze to meet hers, exposing her sensitive skin to the cool air, making her shudder with a low moan as he finally undid her clasp and tossed it under the bed.
Now, all that remained was her purple Victoria's Secret underwear, a delicate floral pattern hugging her waist. It seemed ready to fall apart with the slightest touch.
Capone had chosen these clothes, handpicked by Zoey, with care. Zoey, it seemed, had thought of everything, even selecting the most seductive brand of lingerie for her. Normally, Sophia preferred a more conservative style, but tonight she was wearing this as if to prepare for something more intimate.
"You look good in this," Capone said with a smile. "Wear it like this from now on, okay?" His kisses trailed down her body, warming her skin, and when he reached between her legs, his fingers brushed against the soaked fabric, his lips following close behind.
Though separated by just a thin layer, the heat between them was intense. Sophia propped herself up with her elbow, biting her lip as she trembled. "Hard..."
"Hard or comfortable?" Capone's voice was low, a teasing smile on his lips. His fingers gently pulled aside the fabric, and his tongue flicked against the most sensitive part of her, the scent of strawberry body wash mingling with her own sweet fragrance, making him crave more.
"Capone..." she cried, tossing her head back, her long hair spilling across the beige sheets.
Capone's lips and fingers brought her to the edge, but she still felt empty, as though something deeper inside her needed to be filled.