So many people and matters stood in the way, and the grudges and resentments they couldn't let go of filled their future with uncertainty. Thus, he simply bound her with a marriage contract.
She was his, and that couldn't be changed!
"No… no way! Don't act impulsively, Capone! How can we get married like this?"
Capone smiled charmingly. "Why not? Joey has proposed eight times, but Zoey hasn't agreed. I propose once and put it into action—let him be envious, and by the way, let's give him some good luck!"
Good luck?!
Sophia was at a loss, flustered as she tried to dissuade Capone. "Don't do this! It's completely unrelated! We… we still have so many issues to resolve between us. How can we possibly get married? Don't be reckless. At most… at most I'll just go with you today!"
Capone hugged her again. "I know you care. Give me some time, and give yourself some time too, okay?"
Sophia nodded.
But Capone felt a bit regretful, smiling wryly. If that impulse could become reality, he wouldn't need her to unravel all her emotional knots so quickly. At least he could keep her by his side and not let her leave.
The group took three cars to ROYAL. Joey dressed like a groom, sporting a new mature hairstyle and wearing a Kenzo striped silk shirt and fitted suit. To enhance his dashing appearance, he even refused to wear a thick winter coat in the cold weather, opting for a cashmere overcoat instead. The scent of Dolce & Gabbana perfume could be detected from afar.
He drove a Maserati GTSport all by himself, refusing to let anyone else ride with him, claiming the trunk was filled with 999 roses—he was calm, and didn't want to burden others.
It was said to be his favorite car, and he rarely drove it, but today he was going all out.
"Putting everything else aside, he does look quite successful!" Diana exclaimed.
"When did you start reading people?" Cronus retorted dismissively.
Sophia had grown accustomed to their sharp exchanges, but she sincerely hoped Zoey would find happiness. During her time at ROYAL, she could tell Zoey was a genuinely kind-hearted woman who deserved someone to accompany her through the rest of her life.
When they arrived at ROYAL, it was still light out, but inside, there was already a bustling scene.
As the year-end approached, it was a time filled with countless social engagements. Italian restaurants and entertainment venues were fully booked every day, and correspondingly, Zoey was especially busy, running up and down the stairs.
After Joey and the others arrived, they still hadn't seen Zoey.
Capone wasn't in a hurry; the group went straight to their reserved private room. He preferred to see as few people as possible at ROYAL, not wanting to stir up any bad memories for Sophia.
The name of the private room was lovely—"Flower Lane." Sophia remembered that the last time she accompanied Diana for a blind date, they had gone to a room called "Moonlake." It seemed even in a place of indulgence, there was a need for refinement.
Unfortunately, Joey hadn't brought the large bouquet of roses with him, saying he wanted to save it for a final surprise later; otherwise, it would truly be "Flower Lane" here.
"Where is Zoey? What if she doesn't know we're coming today? I should find someone to ask!"
Mandy noticed Sophia's pale face. Ever since entering ROYAL, Sophia had seemed a bit uneasy. Given her previous terrible experience, she must have been quite averse to this place. It really wasn't the right time for her to be here, so it would be better for them to leave early so she could get some rest.
Joey stopped him, "Hey, don't! Zoey should be busy running around upstairs and downstairs. It would be a hassle to disturb her! She knows we're coming; it's her birthday today! The boss is here, how could she possibly forget? Once she's done, she'll come over!"
Zoey took her work seriously and maintained good boundaries; she wouldn't let personal matters delay her work. Interrupting her during her busiest moments was simply a huge mistake. If she wasn't happy, then Joey's proposal would be doomed before it even started.
Joey couldn't admit that he was so nervous he could hardly breathe.
"Yeah, as long as she knows, let's not rush her. Let her finish her work so she can enjoy herself!"
Capone agreed with Joey. He took Sophia's hand, helping her sit on the sofa, and ordered her a cup of warm walnut milk, which he handed to her with a slight frown, asking with concern, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Sophia looked up at him and took a sip of the drink. "I should be fine after the fire ice cream cake performance!"
"Right, it won't take too long. After Joey proposes, regardless of whether it's successful or not, we can go back! Do you want to sing? Or is there something you want to eat or do? I can have them bring it over!"
In the past, if Zoey was busy, he would find Penny to help out. But now, Penny had been transferred to the housekeeping department, and the new manager didn't know his temperament well. Plus, since he rarely came here, the service was not as warm.
He didn't mind too much; with no one coming and going around them, Sophia seemed to relax a bit more.
Joey was probably too nervous and needed a way to vent. Since Zoey hadn't found the time to come over yet, he simply took the microphone and started singing. His voice was quite good, but he only chose lively or high-pitched songs, which sounded a bit frantic and off-key.
Diana ordered a bunch of snacks and pushed them in front of Sophia. "Try this; the preserved plum meat and chicken wings here are really delicious!"
Sure enough, the food distracted Sophia. Capone watched as she and Diana leaned in together, happily enjoying the snacks, and couldn't help but smile indulgently.
After playing for a while, Cronus pulled Capone outside for a smoke. Mandy quietly sipped on her soda, sitting beside the two girls, while Joey continued to belt out songs.
"I need to go to the bathroom!" After Capone and the others returned, Sophia felt a bit uncomfortable. She had eaten quite a bit of the delicious duck skeleton, and it turned out to be very spicy, making her drink a lot of water.
"Go ahead. Let Diana go with you!"
"No need!" Sophia glanced at Diana, who was joking with Cronus while munching on food. She didn't want to interrupt their time together. "I remember the layout here; I won't get lost!"
The more she insisted on this, the more uneasy Capone felt. He squeezed her hand, saying, "Be careful!"
Sophia opened the door and stepped out. She did remember the way to the bathroom, but she found it strange that many of ROYAL's private rooms were equipped with their own bathrooms, yet the one they reserved not only didn't have one but was also a bit of a distance from the public restroom outside.
Cronus and Joey had organized the party, and perhaps they couldn't find a good spot because business was booming at the year-end. She wasn't quite clear on the details, but such doubts didn't linger in her mind for long; they flashed past quickly.
After flushing and coming out of the stall, Sophia noticed a figure flickering at the door. The back looked very much like Zoey. She went to the sink to wash her hands and saw a golden pocket watch on the counter. It was exquisite. When she opened it, she found a photo embedded in the lid—a group picture with a gentle-smiling Zoey, and beside her, an unfamiliar man with his arm around her shoulders. From their intimate pose, Sophia guessed he must be her deceased husband, Portman.
The pocket watch was in excellent condition; Portman must have passed away some time ago, but there wasn't a single scratch on it, and the chain glimmered brightly, suggesting it was a special keepsake for Zoey.
How did it end up here? The figure she saw leaving just now must have been Zoey herself, who must have left it on the sink while going to the restroom and forgotten to take it with her.
Sophia picked up the pocket watch, wanting to rush out and return it, but suddenly, a cloth was pressed over her mouth and nose. A sweet, irritating gas filled her nostrils; she tried to scream but couldn't make a sound. The restroom door and the mirror in front of her swayed and blurred, becoming her last memory before everything went black.
When she woke up, her head was still a bit dizzy. Opening her eyes, she found herself in what appeared to be a hotel room. Sophia thought she was dreaming; she squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. Capone's face came into view, stern yet filled with concern.