"Are you awake?"
"Uh, how did I end up here? What happened?"
"You fainted in the rain. I helped you change your clothes; it's okay!"
Sophia couldn't recall what had happened. Just a moment ago, she had been in the bathroom. "Why did I faint? How did I get soaked?"
The weather station had reported heavy rain for tonight, but weren't they inside the house? How could they have gotten wet?
"You inhaled ether, and after you fainted, you were taken to the rooftop, holding onto Zoey's pocket watch. Did you see her? Where did you see her?"
Capone looked extremely pale. He never expected such things to happen repeatedly in his own territory. He waited and waited for Sophia to return to the private room, but when she didn't, he went out to look for her and found a message scrawled on the bathroom mirror in lipstick: "Need people on the rooftop!"
His heart nearly leapt out of his throat. He rushed to the rooftop and found Sophia lying on the ground, soaked by the pouring rain. Luckily, she wasn't injured, just unconscious. He quickly carried her back to the hotel room to change her wet clothes and helped her take a hot bath.
Sophia gradually regained consciousness and picked up the meaning of Capone's words. She nervously asked, "Is Zoey missing? You didn't find her? Who knocked me out?"
That helpless and fearful feeling washed over her again, as if she were back when she was thrown into the ROYAL.
Capone held her tightly. "Zoey is missing, and everyone is still looking! When they found you, you were holding this watch. It was the last gift that Zhen Tian bought for her before he passed away. She always kept it with her. Where did you find it? Did you see her?"
Sophia shook her head. "I found it on the sink in the bathroom. Earlier, I thought I saw someone who looked just like her walk out, so I thought she might have accidentally dropped it, and I wanted to chase after her. But then someone covered my mouth and nose, and then… then I don't remember anything!"
Sophia clutched Capone's shirt tightly, unable to imagine what kind of conspiracy Zoey had fallen into.
"It's okay, don't be afraid. I'm here!" Capone hugged her and softly reassured her, though his heart was also hanging high, unable to settle down.
No one could come and go freely in his territory, let alone brazenly hide a living person, unless it was someone from his own side!
This mole lurking nearby seemed to be getting bolder!
"Ah-choo!"
Sophia probably hadn't warmed up yet, sneezing twice in a row. Capone wrapped her robe tighter around her and held her close. "You caught a cold. Drink some hot water and then sleep! I'll stay here with you!"
"Here? What about everyone else?"
Aren't they supposed to go back to Mesha Island today?
"Yeah, but it's raining too heavily, and you're not feeling well, so we'll stay here for the night! Everyone is still looking for Zoey. Don't worry; we'll definitely find her!"
Capone said this as if to reassure himself. He lay down with Sophia, wanting to find Zoey as soon as possible, but tonight, he had to stay with Sophia—she was the one he needed to protect.
He felt anxious, his hand unconsciously rubbing the soft fabric of Sophia's chest. She squirmed slightly, and he comforted her, "Don't worry. I've already touched and kissed you enough while helping you change clothes earlier. I won't do anything else, just holding you while we sleep! Close your eyes; when you wake up in the morning, everything will be fine!"
"Okay!" With him beside her, Sophia felt much more at ease and soon fell into a deep sleep.
However, Capone tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The next morning, as soon as Sophia got up, Capone planned to order breakfast to the room, but there came a loud, urgent knocking at the door.
It was Joey!
He was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, but he no longer had an ounce of joy in his expression. He was a completely different person from the eager, chatty Joey of the previous day.
His eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse, and he looked haggard. Yet, his strength was frightening as he pushed the door open and barged in, grabbing Sophia and shouting, "Where did you see her yesterday? Where is she? Why do you have her pocket watch in your hand, but she's nowhere to be found? Tell me!"
"Joey! Let her go! This has nothing to do with her!" Capone rushed to grab Joey, and Sophia's face turned pale with fear.
"How can it not involve her!" Joey was nearly out of control. "Zoey has been working at ROYAL for more than just a day or two. She usually has no issues, but the moment this girl arrives, something happens! And we haven't even seen her in person; it's just Sophia Diaz who claims she saw her and picked up her pocket watch! If she was also knocked out, why is she okay? And why was there a message on the mirror telling you to go to the rooftop? Zoey... Zoey has been missing for an entire night, and we haven't even found a single hair! Tell me, how can this have nothing to do with her!"
"I really don't know! In the bathroom, I only saw a figure that looked a lot like Sister Zoey leaving through the door, but I can't be sure because I never saw her face or heard her speak! I found the pocket watch on the sink and thought it might have been dropped by her. Just as I was about to chase after her, someone covered my mouth with a cloth... When I woke up, I was already in this room. I have no recollection of what happened in between!"
Sophia felt a pang of sorrow; it seemed that Zoey was still missing, which was understandable given Joey's panic!
"Joey, calm down! Let her go first!"
Capone's brows were tightly knitted. He was no better than Joey, consumed with worry about Zoey's whereabouts. It would be one thing if she were missing from somewhere else, but ROYAL was the place Zoey knew best, surrounded by their people. How could she just disappear?
Unless… had she already been harmed?
Capone and the others didn't want to consider that possibility, but they had explored every worst-case scenario. Last night, they had closed down ROYAL, searching every inch inside and out, yet there was no trace of Zoey.
Joey took deep breaths, then angrily shoved Sophia's arm away. "Zoey's disappearance definitely has something to do with you! You're a troublemaker; ever since you came here, there's been nothing but chaos! If you know what's good for you, tell your two brothers to hand over the IDGM capital and get lost!"
"Joey!"
Capone seized Joey and slammed him against the wall. Joey winced in pain as his bones pressed against the hard surface, gritting his teeth and breathing heavily. "Let me go! I still need to find Zoey! Once I find her, I'll take her far away from here and never come back to this place of trouble again!"
The despair and heartache in his tone made Capone release his grip, open the door, and push Joey out. "If you have any news, contact me anytime! Zoey will be fine; don't fall apart yourself!"
Turning back to look at Sophia, who had tears glistening in her eyes as she looked at him, Capone embraced her. "Don't be afraid. He's in a bad mood and saying nonsense; don't take it to heart!"
Sophia shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't understand Joey's feelings; she just felt that this series of events seemed to be indirectly related to her.
Was it true that because she was here, someone was plotting against Capone, dragging everyone around her into the mess?
"Capone, what Joey just mentioned about the IDGM capital—is it true that part of it is in my brothers' hands? Is that important to you?"
Capone didn't intend to hide anything and nodded. "Yes!"
"I remember you told me that even if our Diaz family released that portion of shares, it wouldn't shake the company's foundation or cause significant losses, right? And when you were going to let me go last time, my brothers agreed to transfer the shares to you, didn't they?"
"Correct!"
Sophia nodded, tilting her head to look at him. "Then… let me talk to my brothers. I'll explain that it was Lucas who interfered and caused the accident, that you really want to send me home, and that… and that I like you now and want to be with you. Let them support us, and then… um—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Capone lowered his head and kissed her deeply, his agile tongue capturing her unfinished words, filling her mouth with his breath, savoring every inch of her soft sweetness.
He held her tighter, kissing her for a long time before slowly releasing her. His gaze was dark and intense, as if looking deep into her soul, and he said firmly, "Sophia Diaz, listen well. You want to be with me without needing anyone's approval, understand? I promised you I wouldn't use you to trade for shares, and I won't go back on my word! I don't need to rely on a woman to achieve what I want… um…"
Before Capone could finish his sentence, Sophia rose onto her tiptoes, cupping his face and mimicking him as she pressed her lips against his! Her lips were soft, nowhere near the forceful intensity he possessed, but they gradually shed the previous innocence, becoming as determined as his.
Her small tongue barely brushed against his lips, and Capone seemed to awaken instantly, regaining the initiative and pushing her against the wall, kissing her fiercely.
This girl… this naughty girl actually kissed him first!
His blood was boiling, and he didn't want to let her go for even a moment!
He loved her so much…