At this time, sending people along with the car to the dock was definitely not a good sign. The methods of Capone and his men were ruthless and dirty, but they had the ability to control life and death without leaving any trace.
Capone hung up the phone and tossed it aside, calmly asking her, "So, can we start now?"
Sophia's trembling hand climbed to his shirt, unbuttoning two buttons. He tilted his head slightly, continuing to stare at her as if questioning: Is that all?
Sophia had no choice but to tiptoe and kiss him. His lips were thin and beautifully shaped, but they felt cool to the touch. Perhaps because he was used to being in control, he usually responded passionately to her kisses, often unconsciously taking the lead. But not this time—he just waited leisurely for her to take the lead.
His neck was vulnerable and sensitive; every time she kissed his Adam's apple, his breath would grow heavier, and the hard, chestnut-like Adam's apple would gently roll. So Sophia moved her lips there, and sure enough, she could feel him heating up.
But Sophia's patience seemed to reach a breaking point. When he captured her lips, she resisted and retreated, tears welling up in her eyes, desperately wanting his reassurance that those who helped her would be safe.
Seeing her tears, Capone released her and said, "Feeling wronged? Not willing to serve me like this? Then let's make it quick!"
He yanked her hair forcefully, making her kneel on the ground. He grabbed her chin tightly and shoved his burning source of heat into her mouth.
Sophia was utterly shocked; this was something she could hardly imagine!
"Stay here with me, or go to Pier 32 to say your last goodbyes to your friends. Sophy, it's your choice!"
His pleasure was laced with cruelty as he watched her tears finally slide down from her beautiful big eyes, and then she numbly let him do as he pleased until the hot liquid spattered across her face.
His enjoyment ended, but his anger didn't lessen one bit.
She had never willingly submitted, enduring everything for the sake of other men!
But when had he ever cared for women trying to buy him with their bodies, appeasing him?!
Sophia quietly got up and walked to the bathroom, turning the faucet on full blast, washing her face, rinsing her mouth, letting the water and tears mix together to wash away the filth.
Fortunately, it was just a bit disgusting, not painful.
As long as Roger and the others are okay, it's fine...
The early autumn by the seaside brought a rare stretch of good weather. Sophia Diaz stood in the courtyard helping Lucy dry the sea fish.
The various sizes of fish, all plump and fresh, were just at their peak. They were caught and brought to shore, then laid out early in the morning at the dock for sale. Lucy bought quite a lot, salted them thoroughly with coarse salt, and hung them on the line in the yard to dry. Once dried, they would be turned into salted fish, perfect for accompanying pasta or wine, with a unique flavor.
Lucy placed fresh small fish and clams into a clay pot to make soup. When she served the soup to Sophia, Sophia saw the milky-white broth in the bowl, covered her mouth, and ran to the sink, dry heaving. Lucy, alarmed, rushed over, handing her water and patting her back. "What's wrong? Did you eat something bad, or... are you pregnant?"
Sophia was shocked, but quickly waved her hand.
She wasn't sick, nor was she pregnant. It was just that the color of the soup reminded her of the terrible thing Capone had done to her.
However, knowing she wasn't pregnant, Lucy looked disappointed, muttering, "That little white wolf should settle down soon, get married, and have children!"
Sophia felt a deep bitterness in her heart. She could never marry Capone, and she definitely could not have his children.
Diana hadn't returned, and even Lucy didn't know where she had gone. Lucy only mentioned that Diana hadn't stayed here for the past couple of days. This had happened before; Diana had an old house in town and some old friends. Sometimes she didn't come back, and they wouldn't worry.
But Sophia was very anxious, afraid that Capone might trouble Diana because of her. She had heard that Cronus was coming by today and wanted to ask him about Diana's situation.
With the fish all hung up in rows, Sophia's hands were covered with the smell of the sea. She planned to find a place to wash her hands and ask Cronus about Diana. Just then, she heard voices nearby.
Cronus emerged from the neighboring villa with a middle-aged man she hadn't seen before. Their faces were grave. After a few words, the middle-aged man drove off alone. Cronus sighed, and when he turned back, he saw Sophia.
"So diligent?" He walked over, and the gloom from earlier seemed to disperse like clouds. He looked at Sophia's hands and said, "Lucy has gained a good helper in you! But with the autumn wind picking up, you should wear more clothes, or you'll get sick, and then I'll have to make a house call. My fees are quite high, you know!"
Ignoring his joke, Sophia asked directly, "Have you seen Diana? Where has she been these past few days, and why hasn't she come back?"
And what about Roger and Bruno? Did Capone keep his promise? Are all the people who helped her safe and sound?
She had no way of knowing for sure.
Trying to get information indirectly might not help either; everyone around Capone was too tight-lipped.
As expected, Cronus smirked teasingly, "Weren't you with her that day? Why are you asking me? But don't worry, the bookworm grew up here; she won't get lost! I warned you that day— the people you were waiting for might not appreciate the cake you made, but who knows, maybe the boss liked it! You were too persistent, and that made him unhappy!"
"Enough! You're all in this together! If you don't want to tell me, fine, I'll find out myself! I just find it disheartening that you're not the least bit worried about Diana's disappearance. To think she even…" Sophia stopped herself in time, too angry to continue, but she didn't want to expose Diana's feelings.
"To think she even what?" Cronus grabbed her, and the distance between them was almost intimate, his breath brushing against her face. "You should worry about yourself first. Stop being so naive; in the end, you'll be the one who suffers!"
There was a mix of tenderness and concern in his words that made Sophia shiver.
Was she overthinking it? Since that night when she accidentally saw her in the bright yellow dress, there was something different in the way this man looked at her.
It was as if he saw someone else through her. But who could it be that would stir such unreadable emotions in a man so accustomed to cruelty and deception?
Cronus's handsome face quickly returned to a relaxed expression, as if he had just put his mask back on. He let go of Sophia and said, "The boss just got back, and the little bookworm is with him. They should be in the study on the second floor right now!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Sophia broke free from him and ran into the house.
Capone was with Diana? Was he giving her a hard time, blaming her? Would he treat Diana the same way he treated her?
Sophia was extremely anxious. She didn't care if confronting Capone again made him furious, but he had made a promise, and he should keep it. He shouldn't make things difficult for Diana.
She burst into the study, so anxious that she forgot to knock, and the door made a loud noise as she opened it.
This was the second time she had barged into Capone's study without knocking. It was a miracle he hadn't killed her yet.
Diana was indeed there, standing next to Capone, seemingly in tears, with her black-framed glasses removed as she wiped her eyes. Capone had one arm around her shoulder, silently comforting her in a rather intimate manner.
When they saw her come in, both turned to look at her. Capone raised an eyebrow, and Diana quickly put her glasses back on, a little surprised.
"Sophia? Why are you here?"
For a moment, Sophia didn't know what to say; she felt like she shouldn't be standing there at that moment.
Her chest tightened with a painful tug, a feeling she couldn't quite describe. She couldn't cry or laugh, and after opening her mouth, she said, "I… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in!"
She turned to leave, but Capone was much faster, already closing the door before she could, trapping her in the corner.
"What are you in such a rush for? The moment I get back, you can't wait to throw yourself at me?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? I heard Diana came back with you, and I was worried... so I came to check!" Sophia was both embarrassed and angry. She was relieved Diana was fine, but why, upon seeing them together like that, did she instinctively want to run away?
"Sophia, I'm fine! We... it's not what you just saw!"