Sophia took the cookies Diana handed her, two small packets wrapped in pretty, opaque cellophane and tied with bows—definitely a suitable gift for a girl.
When she opened one and took a bite, she almost cried. She couldn't be mistaken—these were Roger's cookies. Diana had mentioned Bruno's cousin earlier, which should have made her realize that Roger knew she was here.
Back in her room, Sophia emptied the cookies out and discovered that both packets contained cookies shaped like Chinese characters. A sudden realization struck her: these characters must convey some kind of message. They likely spell out something specific.
The message was clear: find a way to meet.
Had Roger come to the port? Was he coming to rescue her?
The few concise words revived Sophia's spirits. Inspiration and enthusiasm for making the cake surged within her, and she immediately came up with an idea.
"Diana, let me make an ice cream volcano cake for him! He'll definitely love it, but the process is a bit complicated. The final step, which involves lighting it, needs to be done on-site. Can you… can you take me with you?"
Diana looked up from her book, her eyes blinking behind her large black-framed glasses. "Sure, no problem! But I'm not sure if Capone will agree."
That was indeed a significant and crucial issue.
Would he allow her, as a hostage, to leave the island?
Indeed, after Capone heard Diana's suggestion to let Sophia join her for the outing, he narrowed his eyes. He neither immediately agreed nor outright rejected it.
"Where's the location? Where is Cao's son planning to celebrate his birthday?"
"Oh, it's at the ROYAL rooftop lounge! I haven't been there yet. You guys always said I was too young to go, but he wants to take me to see it! I heard the place is incredibly romantic, with a 360-degree view of the port at night!"
Capone smiled. "It is quite a nice place."
"But there's also a hotel there. For a girl like Diana, it might not be ideal to go drinking and celebrating on a first date. It would be better to have someone accompany her!" Sophia added, trying to make her suggestion sound as reasonable and authoritative as possible, though it was not easy to do so in front of Capone.
He was indeed a man with an imposing presence.
"If that's where it's going to be, fine. I agree to let you both go. Have Joey drive you there and pick you up afterward."
Capone pondered briefly but surprisingly agreed to the request quite easily. This left Sophia feeling somewhat at a loss. His prompt consent made her wonder if he had some other plan or if he already knew about her escape attempt.
However, Diana would not set her up, and Capone had not obstructed Diana's relationship with Bruno, suggesting that Bruno's plan to rescue her had not been discovered.
As for the cookies, the bows on the packaging were done in Roger's unique style and had probably not been tampered with before reaching her. The meeting information was likely known only to her.
Sophia bit her lower lip. Regardless, this was a rare opportunity that she should try to seize.
Staying around Capone one more day meant one more day of danger.
Her fear wasn't just about being killed or having her safety used as leverage against the Diaz family and Diaz Corporation. More than that, she found herself occasionally feeling inexplicable emotions towards him, such as tenderness and dependence.
She didn't want to let these feelings grow, nor could she afford to.
"What are you thinking about?" Capone noticed her distraction, his arm reaching over to pull her forcefully into his embrace, his hands exploring her softness, groping it wantonly.
Sophia blushed like a tomato. Diana was still nearby—how could he be so forward with her?
"Foolish girl, she's already gone. Now it's just the two of us!" Capone's hand caressed her soft skin while he licked her earlobe, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "So, what's on your mind? You seem quite eager for the birthday party."
"No, it's not like that!" Sophia hurriedly denied, afraid that he might become suspicious.
"Prove it to me!" Capone forcefully pushed her down onto the lounge in his study.
"Prove what?"
"I want you to prove that you're not thinking about another man, and that you're not just itching to escape! You're already mine. If you follow me willingly and obediently, maybe I'll consider not keeping you confined so much. Since I agreed to let you go out with Diana today, shouldn't you be grateful?"
Sophia felt a surge of anger inside her. What kind of robbers' logic was this! Her freedom was hers by right, and now he had taken it away. Even when he occasionally gave her a little freedom, he expected her to be grateful?
She wanted to kick and hit him, but his intense gaze made her unwilling to look him in the eye.
She knew that if he noticed even the slightest sign of hesitation, her chance would be ruined.
Roger had gone through so much trouble to come here to meet her and find a way to rescue her. She couldn't just give up without trying her best!
So, when Capone leaned in, Sophia relaxed her body, not struggling or resisting as she usually did.
She had been constantly occupied and violated by him. If pleasing him could give her a chance to escape, she was willing to do it.
Thus, when he kissed her, it was the first time she responded. Her tongue tentatively brushed over his lips, making Capone sit up in surprise.
"What... what's wrong?" Sophia felt a bit anxious, unsure if her efforts were insufficient, making him dissatisfied or suspicious.
"Nothing. Is this all you've learned in these days?" Capone's tone held a hint of sarcasm and some indescribable emotion.
Sophia paused, then tilted her head and kissed his lips, followed by his chin and Adam's apple.
Capone, like a beast tickled in its favorite spot, grabbed her hands and pinned her beneath him.
"Plead with me!"
He had said this line more than once during their intimate moments, and Sophia... truly responded with her inexperienced efforts, kissing him, calling his name, and even, during their intense mingling, no longer suppressing the blushing and heartbeat-quickening moans. Her hands rested on his sweaty back, fingers sinking into his muscle as they reached the peak together.
In their first shared passion, the climax was bone-chilling and soul-consuming, but Capone couldn't find joy in it as he felt her small hands unconsciously caressing his back.
She was willing to please him in this way she had always rejected, just to see another man!
Just to ultimately escape from him.
He sneered inwardly and lifted her legs, thrusting into her once more.
So be it; he enjoyed seeing her angry and distressed. Dolls always seemed passive and unamused, which bored him. For these days, let her hold on to her hope and be a little happier!
Sophia practiced making several ice cream volcano cakes. Diana helped her buy the ingredients, and while Capone was away during the day, she practiced at home.
She had studied ice cream volcano cakes specifically during her time in France, but it had been a while since she practiced. She didn't want to be careless just because this was an opportunity to escape; the cake had to be beautiful and delicious because it was a gift from Diana to Bruno.
The practice cakes turned out quite tasty. Sophia had Lucy, Diana, and occasionally Cronus sample them to seek improvements.
Cronus ate everything but was very particular about flavors, unlike Capone, who seemed indifferent to what he ate as long as his stomach was full.
"Why don't you have the boss try it? He agreed to let you go, so he should know about your special skill too," Cronus suggested.
"He doesn't eat pastries; he turns pale at the smell as if he's about to kill someone!" Sophia pouted. "Is this... good?"
Cronus picked up the soft cake wrapped in caramelized sugar and ice cream, commenting: "It's quite good! But do you want to know why the boss doesn't eat pastries?"
Sophia frowned and replied curtly, "Why should I care if he eats them or not?"
"Everyone's preferences have reasons behind them. Understanding your partner can be crucial; you might be surprised if he actually likes your pastries. It would be a waste if the person for whom this cake is made can't appreciate it," Cronus said, leaning in close and even blowing softly in her ear. Sophia's face turned red.
"What partner? The person who doesn't appreciate these things is Capone, that bastard!" She snapped. "He's only into killing and kidnapping; how could he appreciate these beautiful things!"
"Oh, is that so?" Cronus smirked. "Well, we'll see about that."