Capone sat in the living room of the villa where Mandy was staying. Due to Mandy's leg injury, they had been meeting here to discuss matters recently, instead of gathering in Capone's study as before.
Capone poured himself a small glass of tequila and offered one to Mandy, who declined.
"I can't drink!" Mandy's injury had not healed, and the doctor had advised against alcohol and cigarettes.
Capone frowned as he looked at Mandy's legs. What had once been strong and well-built legs now appeared to be atrophied, with the pants legs hanging loosely.
"Has Cronus and the others come to see you recently?"
"Yes," Mandy replied, sitting in his wheelchair. He remained as terse and cold as ever, but there was a pallor in his eyes that Capone had never seen before.
"How are your legs? Is the rehabilitation going well? What did the doctor say?" Capone had heard from Cronus that Mandy's leg injury had affected the nerves, making recovery seem less than promising.
Mandy gave a self-deprecating smile. "What can be done? I've seen several specialists, and the conclusion is always the same. Even if I recover, there will be significant scarring. I might end up limping badly! In short… it won't return to how it was before!"
"I'm sorry!" Capone said earnestly, rarely apologizing willingly. "I didn't think things through. For my sake, you've ended up like this!"
"Boss, don't say that! We've been through life and death together, rolling in the line of fire. How can we expect to always come out unscathed? We've all been hurt. You've saved us before, and we've suffered. I just had bad luck this time. Don't let it bother you!"
"But I've heard you're unwilling to do rehabilitation?"
Mandy fell silent. He indeed hadn't done any rehabilitation. Cronus had brought therapists to persuade him several times, but it had ended with no progress.
He could imagine the process of rehabilitation. Being a person proud to the core, the severe injury had already been a massive blow to him, not to mention being forced to appear like a beginner struggling to walk, even falling to the ground.
Since recovery wasn't possible, dragging around a crippled leg was as bad as it could get.
Capone sighed internally. He remembered Cronus asking him before they abducted Sophia if he was fully prepared to go through with it, no matter the cost.
Now it seemed that there was no such thing as perfect preparation. No matter how capable he was, he wasn't a deity and couldn't control everything. For instance, the presence of a mole among them or Lucas ambushing them midway were things he hadn't anticipated.
As for the cost, Mandy's leg injury was likely one of the most severe outcomes.
No wonder Cronus and Joey weren't here today; they must have been worn out from dealing with him. It seemed they all felt he was too cruel and harsh, whether towards Sophia Diaz or Zoey, making them uncomfortable.
When did these guys learn to have such sympathy?
"What's the news from the Diaz family?"
Mandy's tone became serious. "The Diaz family has had a rough year. With Sophia Diaz missing, their business is still running smoothly, but they face a lot of competition and troubles, especially with us and Lucas keeping a close watch. They're in a difficult position. Alexander Diaz, who used to manage the business in the U.S., has returned to help his brother with the headquarters. But as you know, the Diaz family was actually built up by their second uncle,. His own son, not interested in the business world, became a prosecutor, so he handed over the company management to his two nephews. Sophia Diaz is just his niece. Alexander and Matthew Diaz are cautious about using the family business's interests to trade for their sister."
Capone frowned in thought and smiled slightly. "The most important thing is to make sure they don't help Catherine fight me for the inheritance. Even if they released all their IDGM capital, it wouldn't give me an absolute advantage on the board. The old men still won't listen to me completely!"
Mandy didn't know what to say. There was an almost weary undertone in Capone's voice.
"Are you planning to let Sophia Diaz go?" he asked tentatively, not really expecting a definite answer but hinting at it.
Before Capone could respond, Diana walked in with Sophia Diaz, pausing slightly when she saw him on the sofa.
"Oh, Capone, you're here too! Did we interrupt your important discussion? We should head back now!"
Diana pulled Sophia's hand to leave. The moment Sophia's eyes met Capone's, she quickly looked away and didn't glance at him again.
Capone's previously relaxed mood immediately tensed up again, and he called out from behind, "No need, come in! Go on with what you were doing; we've finished discussing our matters!"
He wanted to see what Sophia Diaz was doing here with Diana. After all, since Sophia had been brought back from ROYAL, she had been listless and unable to muster any energy, even unwilling to step out of her room.
Diana mentioned that she had studied psychology in college and that Sophia's condition was a symptom of post-traumatic stress. She was currently experiencing extreme insecurity.
But they didn't come empty-handed today; Capone noticed the box of Italian pasta Sophia was carrying.
"What's in that box?"
"It's nothing. Just some things you wouldn't eat. I made a few things to pass the time!" Sophia answered coldly, already shielding the box of Italian pasta behind her.
Capone squinted, curious about what she was up to.
But Sophia simply placed the box on the dining table and said to Mandy, "The pastries in the box are what I made with Lucy. Please let her know later!"
Mandy frowned slightly but didn't ask any further questions, merely nodding.
After saying this, Sophia didn't look at Capone's face and pulled Diana towards the door.
"Wait!" Capone stood up. "Will you be coming over every day from now on?"
Sophia felt his pressure, took a step back, and said cautiously, "No, this is my first time coming over today. If you don't want me to come, I won't come again!"
Capone felt a moment of suffocation in his chest. When did this girl, who used to speak up to him so bravely, become so wary of him?
"Come on!" He grabbed her hand forcefully and pulled her out without giving her a chance to resist.
He suddenly found himself a bit ridiculous. How could he have thought about letting her go while talking to Mandy just moments ago?
In reality, he couldn't even let her leave to the next room without hesitation.
Capone dragged her into the room and shut the door. "How come I never noticed how close you've become with Mandy? You even brought him some pastries! Didn't you remember what I said? I told you I don't want to smell any baked goods. You're not allowed to bake cakes here!"
Sophia glared at him but remained silent.
He turned her face towards him. "You were so enthusiastic earlier at Mandy's place. Why are you silent now?"
Sophia looked into his eyes and said, "Capone, can you occasionally put away your ridiculous jealousy and possessiveness? Mandy is your brother-in-arms, and his leg was injured because of you. He might never walk like a normal person again. You're not encouraging him to undergo rehabilitation but instead getting upset with me over trivial matters. Don't you think that's ridiculous?"
Capone was momentarily taken aback. It had been a while since Sophia had spoken so much to him in one breath.
He knew she was sharp-tongued and quick-witted. He had considered making her more obedient before, but now, when she was silent and compliant, he found her defiance more endearing. Her quiet endurance grated on him in a way that her outspoken nature never did.
He was aware of the irrationality of his conflicting feelings, but at this moment, seeing her so indignant and forthright, he found that rather than being angered, he felt a corner of his tightly wound heart ease slightly.
"I'll talk to him again and persuade him to cooperate with the rehabilitation," Capone said softly. His body was still pressed against hers, a posture he had grown accustomed to using with her. As he pulled back a little, their closeness and entangled breaths made him realize how intimate the distance was.
He reached out to touch her face, but Sophia recoiled, watching him with a hint of wariness. "What are you going to do?"
Capone seemed to smile faintly, his fingers brushing against her lips. "Nothing. I just think your voice sounds really nice when you call my name. Say it again for me!"
Sophia's back was pressed against the headboard, leaving her no escape. Unsure of his intentions, she thought he was still upset about her baking and hurriedly explained, "I didn't use the oven for cakes. The pastries are tiramisu made with whipped cream, cheese, and store-bought biscuits!"
Capone paused, "Tiramisu? Why make this?"
"When you're in a bad mood, you usually drink a little wine or go out to relax, right? Mandy's leg injury prevents him from drinking and going out, so he's just getting more and more depressed. Eating sweets can make the brain release dopamine and make someone a bit happier. Besides, the tiramisu is soaked with coffee and rum, which might help satisfy his craving for alcohol!"
Capone propped his head on his hand, looking at her with a hint of amusement. "For a simple pastry, you've put so much thought and effort into it?"
"Every profession deserves respect. I may not understand your data contracts or business, but I've also worked hard to master this craft. Why does it seem so insignificant to you?"
Sophia felt a bit aggrieved. Capone opened his mouth as if to explain something but ended up saying nothing. Sophia glanced at him, hoping her intentions might touch him, and asked cautiously, "So, can I make pastries here in the future?"
Capone didn't answer immediately. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips tenderly. His gaze shifted from soft to hazy, and he closed his eyes, holding her face and losing himself in the moment.
Sophia felt a brief surge of joy. Was this his way of saying yes?
After a while, he released her and firmly said, "No."
You bastard! Sophia cursed him in her mind and angrily threw a pillow at his retreating figure.