Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

"Hello, President Langley."

Sophie Shaw extended her hand politely.

Ms. Langley took the business card and shook her hand with a smile. "Hello, President Shaw."

"This is my business card."

Sophie Shaw handed over her business card, and Ms. Langley accepted it. "Heart of the Ocean Jewelry Co.?"

"Yes. The company was founded recently, and we’re still looking for opportunities. If the chance arises, I would be very interested in collaborating with your brand, President Langley."

"But of course."

’She’s Alaric Blackwood’s wife. How could I not do her this favor?’

’Besides, with Alaric Blackwood backing her, is there any way I could possibly lose money by partnering with his wife?’

’It’s a sure thing. I’d better get some sacks ready to collect all the cash!’

"President Shaw, there’s afternoon tea and dessert over there. Why don’t we sit and chat?"

Ms. Langley invited warmly.

Sophie Shaw concealed her elation, nodding with a smile.

She said to Alaric Blackwood, "I’m going to chat with President Langley for a bit."

Alaric Blackwood released her hand. "Go on."

As soon as the two women had gone, Alaric Blackwood’s gaze shifted to a crestfallen Yuri Yates. "You’re certainly in high spirits, Mr. Yates, luring another man’s wife to a fashion show on a weekend."

Yuri Yates had planned to make a grand impression, but Alaric Blackwood had ended up stealing the entire spotlight at the show.

Alaric Blackwood had even beaten him to the punch on introducing Sophie Shaw to the brand representatives.

He sneered. "You’re really something else, Mr. Blackwood. It’s just a fashion show. Why follow her here? Don’t you trust your own wife, or is it me you don’t trust?"

"Naturally, it’s you I don’t trust."

"Can you really interfere in matters of business, Mr. Blackwood? I’m simply acting as a senior in the field, showing Sophie Shaw the ropes. You shouldn’t be so sensitive."

Alaric Blackwood stood ramrod straight with his hands in his pockets. "Then I suppose I should praise you for your generosity, Mr. Yates. Introducing your own business partners to my wife. Since you’re being so magnanimous, don’t come crying to me when those partners sign a deal with my wife’s company and take a slice of your pie."

"Hardly. I’m not that petty."

To Yuri Yates, a few up-and-coming domestic fashion brands were little more than table scraps.

"I forgot to congratulate you, Mr. Blackwood, on successfully acquiring Dragonstone Mall."

The moment he brought it up, Alaric Blackwood was certain Yuri was holding a grudge.

"Thank you. The mall is currently undergoing a complete renovation. After the new year, we’ll be opening an entire floor dedicated to major jewelers. Your brand, Mr. Yates, Diamond Belle Jewelers, would be welcome to open a store."

Yuri Yates nodded. "Alright."

His gaze drifted to Sophie Shaw, who was chatting animatedly with Ms. Langley. He suddenly changed the subject, asking Alaric Blackwood, "Did you know that Sophie used to idolize me back in her student days?"

Alaric Blackwood’s expression froze. "Idolized you?"

"She considered me her idol. Three years ago, when I went back to our alma mater to give a speech, she rushed up to me and asked for my autograph."

"You two have that kind of history?"

’Three years ago...’

’They already knew each other back then?’

"She left quite an impression on me. So much so that when we happened to meet at an auction recently, and she called out to me and said she was Lynn’s daughter, I recognized her instantly."

A knot of unease tightened in Alaric Blackwood’s chest.

’He had no idea Sophie actually saw Yuri Yates as her idol.’

’No wonder she was willing to have a drink alone with Yuri when she ran into him at the hot spring resort. She even let him carry her back to her room.’

’It was all because she’d met her idol!’

’If Anne hadn’t been at the resort with Sophie that night, something really might have happened.’

His eyes, as he looked at Yuri Yates, gradually filled with contempt. "Why are you bringing this up now?"

"I’m doing it on purpose. To give you a little sense of crisis."

"You’re a real bastard, Mr. Yates."

"Takes one to know one."

Alaric Blackwood took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. But Yuri continued to provoke him. "Oh, by the way, Sophie has always wanted Lynn’s necklace. I paid sixty million for it at the auction. Tell me, if she comes asking for it one day, what price do you think I should sell it to her for?"

As he spoke, Yuri let out a derisive snort, his gaze landing on Alaric, returning the look of contempt. "You don’t pay enough attention to your wife’s desires, Mr. Blackwood. And you aren’t generous enough, either. If you were, she would have come to me to negotiate for it by now. But she hasn’t mentioned the necklace at all, which just goes to show how stingy you really are with her."

"It’s obvious she treasures that necklace. Suppose I use it as bait... ask her to have dinner with me, see a movie, go on a date, or even accompany me to jeweler conventions in other cities. Do you think she would agree?"

"I’m guessing she would."

Without giving Alaric Blackwood a chance to respond, Yuri added with complete confidence, "After all, that necklace is one-of-a-kind. By falling into my hands, it’s become a sort of bond between Sophie and me. A bond that you don’t have."

Alaric Blackwood suppressed his rage, pushing his tongue against the inside of his cheek. His hands were itching to throw a punch, but he forced himself to hold back.

"Are you targeting me like this because of Dragonstone Mall, Mr. Yates?"

"Not entirely."

"Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to my wife?"

"She’s beautiful, isn’t she? A woman who is both innocent and driven, who works hard for her career... she practically glows. I admire her, and I’m willing to help her get ahead. But most importantly, she’s your wife. If I could steal her away from you, things would get much more interesting, don’t you think?"

Alaric Blackwood’s heart soured with jealousy. Panic set in, and he was filled with a profound sense of crisis.

To him, Yuri Yates was a formidable rival. Compared to a piece of trash like Damian Morgan, who climbed the ladder by deceiving women, this old fox Yuri, who radiated the charm of a successful man, made him far more uneasy.

He concealed his inner turmoil with a placid smile. "So, are you planning on playing the homewrecker for the sake of love, Mr. Yates?"

Yuri Yates’s lips twitched into a smirk. "Homewrecker? What homewrecker? Everyone in our circle knows you two are in a contract marriage. What’s the point in pretending?"

"What?"

"Still keeping up the act."

"You’re mistaken, Mr. Yates. Sophie and I have a marriage license. We are a legally married couple, protected by law. Before you decide to become a homewrecker, you should consider your own reputation. I advise you to think twice before you act. Don’t destroy someone else’s relationship. It’s highly immoral."

Yuri was unfazed. "You still don’t know me? I’m a man with no principles and no morals. If I’ve set my sights on a prey, I will take it. Even if you and Sophie aren’t in a contract marriage, that doesn’t mean she actually likes you."

He had recently investigated Sophie, digging up every last detail of her relationship with Damian Morgan. He knew that she had married Alaric Blackwood after being deceived by that scumbag, and that her circumstances with the Kane Family had left her with no other choice but to marry.

"I won’t deny that you gave her a helping hand when she needed it. But you also used marriage to tie her down. Isn’t that just another despicable way of taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability?"

Seeing Alaric Blackwood’s face had already turned quite ugly, Yuri decided he had said enough.

A rare, undisguised smile broke across his usually cold face. "I was originally planning to invite Sophie to dinner tonight after the show. I didn’t expect to run into you. I suppose I’ll have to ask her out some other time. Oh, and I forgot to mention—she still owes me a dinner."

With that, he clapped Alaric Blackwood on the shoulder, gave a low, infuriating chuckle, and turned to walk away.

Alaric watched as Yuri approached Sophie, leaned in to whisper something in her ear, and then left the fashion show with a casual air. Alaric strode quickly to the restroom and splashed cold water on his face, letting the shock jolt his chaotic mind back to clarity.