Of course, Penny wouldn't let anyone actually choose Sophia. There were quite a few rich young men who liked her type, but if they asked, Penny would simply say that someone had already reserved her, using her as eye candy to show off. If they were interested, she'd tell them to come earlier next time.
After this absurd and brief "show," Sophia, dressed only in an orange sleeveless dress, was drenched in sweat, as if she were about to collapse.
She didn't know what those people outside had said about her, but she knew they all now believed she was a woman who sold drinks, laughs, and perhaps even her body. From this moment on, she would bear that reputation, one that could never be washed away!
She was no longer the pampered princess, but a plaything, used and discarded by men. The stain of being associated with such places of debauchery would follow her for the rest of her life!
When Capone had forcibly taken her, whipped her, and starved her by denying her pasta to torment her body, she had hated him, but none of that compared to the hatred she felt in this moment.
"I won't forgive you... I will never forgive you!" She curled up, sitting in the corner of the glass room, tears streaming down her face.
Someone opened the door and entered. A pair of men's leather shoes stopped in front of her. Her heart trembled slightly. Sophia looked up along the tall, straight figure until her eyes met a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes.
Eyes that somewhat resembled Capone's, but they lacked the pure intensity and had a hint of melancholy. Even though there was a smile at the corners of the eyes, there was little joy within them.
It wasn't him.
Sophia hated herself in that moment. How could she still harbor that hope, thinking Capone would come to take her away?
How could she still imagine that if he appeared right now, she could cry into his chest and pound her fists against him, pretending all of this was just a nightmare?
"Why are you still sitting there? Your makeup is a mess from crying. No wonder no one picked you!"
Cronus pulled her up, half-joking as he held her tightly by the waist, forcing her into his arms. "Stick with me tonight, beautiful!"
Capone thought and thought, holding his phone so long it began to heat up in his hand, before finally dialing Penny's number.
She seemed happy to hear from him, her voice as coquettish as ever. "Capone, what's up?"
"Nothing much. That girl... she hasn't caused any trouble for you guys, has she?"
The warmth in her tone immediately cooled down, and she stammered, "Um, not really, just a bit proud, very stubborn, doesn't listen! She got drunk the other night, and Sister Song took care of her. These past two nights, she's been with Cronus. Even when I finish my shift, I don't always see her."
What?! Capone's nerves instantly tensed up.
Sophia Diaz had been with Cronus these past few days?
"Why didn't you tell me?" He stood up, his voice calm but already brimming with anger.
"Cronus said he would talk to you about it..."
Capone hung up and threw the phone hard against the wall. With a loud bang, it shattered into pieces.
Diana, hearing the noise, pushed the door open. He shouted, "Get out, all of you get out!"
Without batting an eyelid, Diana shrugged lightly and quietly closed the door again.
Outside, she began counting to herself. One, two, three—
"Diana! Get in here!"
She was used to this and pushed the door open again. "Capone?"
"Did you know Cronus has been going to see Sophia Diaz these past few nights?"
"Yes, I knew."
Capone's gaze darkened. "You knew, and you didn't tell me? You all think I'm an idiot?"
"Would it have made a difference? She's going to be handed over anyway. Does it really matter whether it's Lucas or Cronus?"
Capone was so enraged he laughed. "So, even you think of me that way?"
Diana brushed her hair from her forehead and said, "Do you really think this is good for her? Sending her to that place, so she can't escape anymore, so Lucas' people can't use her against you? But have you thought about her situation? A girl being sent to a place like that, whether for three days or three years, her reputation will be ruined. She'll never be able to go back to the life she had before. Are you planning to imprison her like this for the rest of her life?"
Capone didn't respond. He grabbed his jacket and slammed the door on his way out.
He didn't call anyone, going alone to ROYAL.
When Penny heard he had arrived, she personally went to greet him. Without blinking, Capone asked, "Where are they?"
"Eighth floor, at Yangshan Port. Capone, let me take you there!"
"No need. I'll find you later."
Penny didn't insist. She pressed the elevator button to send him upstairs. The moment the elevator doors closed, a smile spread across her face.
Men's jealousy and possessiveness can be terrifying. She couldn't wait to see how Sophia Diaz would survive Capone's fury!
Outside the room, Capone didn't knock or hesitate, barging in directly.
He had imagined that he might find the two of them entangled in each other's arms, their intimacy burning his eyes. But in reality, the two were just sitting on the couch playing dice. Cronus held the dice cup with a smile, looking as sly as ever, like a fox that just tasted sweet grapes.
Sophia sat beside him, raising her glass for a sip. On the table was a bottle of 1998 Bordeaux sweet white wine, a taste most girls would enjoy—well-aged and of excellent quality.
Cronus was good at pleasing women, even though he rarely needed to make such efforts.
When Cronus saw Capone, his smile didn't falter, as if he had expected this moment all along. But Sophia's heart raced, and the wine in her glass spilled over.
"Look at you, spilling wine on your dress. Here, clean it up!" Cronus ignored Capone's presence and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the wine from Sophia's dress.
"I'll do it myself!" Sophia had just taken the handkerchief when her arm was yanked hard. Before she could react, Capone dragged her out of the room in large strides.
The entire floor was designed with reflective surfaces from the walls to the floor, shimmering under the lights. Each private room was far apart, with excellent soundproofing. The only sound in the hallway was the sharp clatter of high heels against the floor.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, as Capone dragged Sophia through the radiant hallway at a hurried pace, she felt a little dizzy.
"Let go of me! Where are you taking me?"
Sophia struggled but couldn't break free. It wasn't until they reached a semi-open terrace at the corner that Capone pushed her against the wall.
There were no waiters passing by, and the music and laughter sounded distant, as though coming from far away.
"Tell me, why were you with him?" Capone asked, his voice tight with tension.
Sophia steadied herself, feeling the cold fabric of her wine-soaked dress sticking to her skin.
"Why is that strange? Cronus is a guest here, and I'm the 'princess' of this place. He paid for my company—doesn't that make sense?"
Capone gripped her wrist tightly, the pressure so intense it felt like her bones might break. "Say that again, I dare you."
Cronus? When did she get so close to Cronus?
Sophia's eyes gleamed seductively, ignoring the pain in her wrist. She deliberately softened her posture and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Did I say something wrong? You don't like hearing me call his name? Or do you dislike what I've become? Isn't this what you wanted to see? You sent me here so you could watch me be like this, didn't you?"
Her lips pouted slightly, and her large eyes looked up at him, so innocently.
Capone suddenly leaned down and kissed her, not giving her the chance to provoke him any further.
Her lips were plump and soft, covered with a glossy layer of lip balm that tasted faintly of sweet wine. His teeth grazed them, and the petals of her lips parted slightly like a blooming rose. His tongue darted in, slipping into her mouth.
For a brief moment, Sophia froze at the sudden touch, but then she responded with unprecedented passion and initiative. Her tongue met his, playfully teasing and retreating, as if they were playing a game of tag.
Capone's breathing grew heavier. Relentlessly, he chased after her soft lips, going deeper, and deeper.
His hand gripped the back of her head, while the other hand pressed against her waist, pulling her impossibly close, as if he wouldn't be satisfied until he had completely merged her into his own body.