[SOPHIA]

    Sophia tapped her manicured nails against the polished mahogany table, her lips curling into a sly smile as she watched Elena approach.

    The restaurant''s dim lighting reflected off the crystal chandeliers, casting an air of sophistication that matched the two women perfectly. Elena slipped into the seat across from her, her confidence evident in every graceful movement.

    "Well, how did it go?" Sophia asked, her voice dripping with anticipation.

    Elena took a sip of the wine the waiter had just poured, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Better than expected," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Eve didn''t even try to hide her disdain. She''s threatened, and that''s exactly what I wanted."

    Sophia''s smile widened. "Good. If I can''t have Cole, then she won''t either. I won''t let her take everything from me. Not after everything I''ve sacrificed."

    Elena nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You don''t have to convince me. When I saw Cole again . . ." Her voice trailed off as a wicked smile tugged at her lips. "He''s grown into quite the man. Nothing like the awkward boy I left behind. Honestly, if I''d known he''d turn out like this, I wouldn''t have stayed away so long."

    Sophia''s eyes narrowed. "This isn''t just about how he looks, Elena. We''re talking about the Fay family''s empire. If you manage to marry him, you''ll be securing not only your future but also helping my father expand our business. That''s our deal to this partnership."@@@@

    It was the very reason Sophia had reached out to Elena in the first place. If she couldn''t have Cole, then neither could Eve. After that yacht party, where it became painfully clear that Cole and Eve were together, Sophia''s bitterness only deepened.

    It wasn''t as though she was madly in love with Cole—far from it. If she could have married him, it would have been a beneficial arrangement for her family and a boost to her own standing. But if not, it didn''t matter.

    What mattered was that Eve wouldn''t have him either. As long as Eve didn''t end up happy, Sophia would consider it a victory.

    Sophia wanted Eve to suffer. She didn''t care if she ended up with Cole or not—what mattered most was ensuring that Eve never had him. The bitterness of rejection still lingered, fueling her desire to see Eve stripped of everything, especially Cole.

    Elena, on the other hand, had a different ambition. At first, she accepted Sophia''s offer solely for business. The allure of the Fay family name was irresistible—it promised prestige, connections, and the kind of influence that could propel her beauty line to global fame.

    Becoming an international fashion icon was her dream, and marrying into the Fay family would guarantee her a shortcut to the top. But things shifted the moment she laid eyes on Cole.

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    He was no longer the boy she had known years ago. Now, he was a man—handsome, confident, and exuding a quiet power that made him all the more enticing. Her initial plan to use him as a stepping stone quickly transformed into something more personal. She wanted him, not just for what he could offer, but for herself.

    Still, Elena wasn''t one to leave things to chance. She had grown up in a distant country steeped in ancient beliefs and superstitions, a place where whispers of witchcraft were woven into everyday life.

    And she had just the right tool for this situation—an heirloom charm said to bend desire and favor to its wielder''s will. Whether it worked or not didn''t matter to her. Elena had always believed that success came to those bold enough to seize it, and this was just one more way to ensure that Cole would be hers.

    A small, knowing smirk played on Elena''s lips as the wheels of her plan began to turn. She would make Cole fall for her, and she wouldn''t stop until she stood victorious—by his side as Mrs. Fay, the woman with everything Eve had ever wanted.

    Sophia caught the glint of satisfaction in Elena''s eyes but said nothing. She didn''t care what Elena''s ultimate goal was. As long as Eve was left heartbroken and empty-handed, Sophia would consider this partnership a success.

    Their glasses clinked softly, sealing their silent pact. Both women knew the stakes, and both were determined to win.

    But in this game, only one thing was certain—someone would walk away broken.