Captive Princess (Sophia) novel Chapter 22

Vincent put his phone down and dialed his right–hand man, Marco. “What’s the status on the item I had you track?”

“Boss, it’s confirmed. The pearl necklace will be at the Sotheby’s auction tonight. It’s the one that belonged to Miss Sophia’s late mother. No doubt about it.”

“Get the car ready.

An hour later, Vincent arrived at the Sotheby’s auction in Manhattan. He wore a custom–tailored dark suit, his gaze cold and distant behind his gold–rimmed glasses as he brushed off the advances of several socialites.

When the pearl necklace was brought on stage, the room buzzed with anticipation.

“Bidding starts at ten million dollars!”

“Eleven million!”

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“Fifteen million!”

The price skyrocketed, but Vincent didn’t so much as twitch.

Only when the bidding reached thirty million did he slowly raise his hand. “Fifty million.”

The entire room fell silent.

In the underworld, no one dared to bid against the heir of the Marcelli family.

The necklace was sold for a staggering price.

On the way back, Marco couldn’t hold back any longer. “Boss, I think Miss Sophia is still holding a grudge about you not lending her the money for the necklace last time… If she knew you went to all this trouble to find the real one and paid so

much for it, she’d be incredibly moved.”

Vincent caressed the velvet jewelry box, Sophia’s brilliant, defiant face flashing in his mind. “Would she?”

“Of course!” Marco said excitedly. “Miss Sophia is straightforward. You can read all her emotions on her face. She can be willful, but her heart is good. Remember when that new guy at the compound spilled red wine on her new painting? Anyone else would have had his head, but she just said, ‘It’s fine, I didn’t like it that much anyway‘…”

In the rearview mirror, Vincent’s expression was terrifyingly dark.

“You like her?” Vincent’s voice was like ice.

Marco took a deep breath. “Who wouldn’t be drawn to someone like Miss Sophia? But don’t worry, Boss. I know she only has re

eyes for you…”

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He gave a bitter smile “So I’ve just… admired her from afar. I would never cross a line.”

Vincent’s expression softened almost imperceptibly.

But then Marco suddenly mustered his courage. “But Boss… I hope you can treat her better.”

“You can’t protect Miss Isabella one moment and be tender with Miss Sophia the next. She deserves a love that’s all or

nothing.”

“Protect Isabella one moment and be tender with Sophia the next?” Vincent narrowed his eyes. “What are you implying?”

Since he’d already started, Marco went all in.

Exactly what it sounds like! Boss, I’ve always wanted to ask–who do you really love? Miss Isabella, or Miss Sophia?”