Chapter 7

Harper's fingers worked methodically, peeling back the orange's bright skin in slow strips. When the firm fruit was exposed, she plucked off a segment, meticulously removing every bit of white pith before popping it in her mouth.

"Ugh…"

Her nose wrinkled slightly, long lashes fluttering like moth wings against her cheeks. She let out a derisive huff.

"These winter oranges are disgusting."

Without another word, she tossed the remainder into the nearby trash bin.

"Right, of course - the good citrus won't be in season for weeks," Colby chimed in quickly, his dark eyes darting. He moved closer with an ingratiating smile that creased his crow's feet. "I'll have the staff throw them all out right away."

"Seriously?" Ian Finnick muttered from his seat, staring at the half-eaten orange in his hand with genuine confusion. "Mine tastes perfectly fine..."

"I think they taste awful," Everett Wagner said flatly. Behind the gold rims of his glasses, his eyes narrowed. He glared at Ian, then reached over and dumped the rest of the fruit into the trash as well.

"Hey—Everett—what are you—"

Ian's already round eyes widened further. His doll-like face went blank in disbelief. He straightened his neck, about to protest, but before he could speak, Harper had already stood from the sofa.

"You all go ahead. I need some air."

Her black ponytail swayed gently as she moved. In the dim light of the private room, her lips were pressed into a tight line. Her gaze skimmed over Silas's darkened expression, but her steps didn't falter. She walked straight toward the door.

"Harper, can't you stay and listen to my song first?" A soft, sugary voice rang out. Sophie tilted her head, still smiling, and asked, "Are you leaving because you think I'll sound awful?"

"I actually sing quite well." She cast a glance toward Silas, twisted her waist a little as if shy, and continued in a gentle, coquettish tone. "Otherwise, Silas wouldn't have written the lyrics and melody just for me. Would you do me a favor and stay until I finish?"

"No," Harper said simply, her red lips curving coldly. She turned, eyes clear and bright, laced with mockery. "The oranges were so disgusting just now, I'm afraid I might throw up right here."

And with that, she opened the door and walked out.

Sophie hadn't expected such a direct refusal. Her practiced smile faltered slightly. The fingers gripping the microphone tightened.

"Harper…" Silas called out as he rose abruptly. His face was dark. He reached for the door.

"Silas!" Her eyes wide, Sophie stepped forward quickly. The microphone in her hand let out a sharp screech.

His hand froze on the doorknob. Her voice behind him, urgent and sweet, left his tall frame rigid in place.

Her palm had grown damp. Sophie blinked her slightly reddened eyes and spoke carefully, "Could you… help me with the harmony? The equipment here isn't great. I'm afraid I won't sing well, and I'll embarrass you…"

Her voice grew softer with each word. Her eyes reddened more and more.

A flicker of something passed through Silas's dark gaze. Through the frosted glass of the door, he could see Harper's fading figure. His face had turned the color of scorched iron.

After a beat, he let go of the doorknob. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the stage.

"Thank you, Silas!" Sophie's eyes lit up again. She quickly picked up another microphone and handed it to him with a bright smile.

"You're really not going after her?" Colby's expression shifted sharply.

"She's gotten too used to being indulged. Let her cool off for a while."

There was no emotion on Silas's shadowed face. Standing next to Sophie, he caught sight of the pleased curve of her lips and raised an eyebrow. "It's rare for Sophie to be in the mood. I'll keep her company tonight."

Colby said nothing.

"I'm going out for a smoke." Everett, who had been silent in the corner, stood up abruptly. He grabbed a cigarette pack from the table and left without a glance back.

Silas's brows knitted slightly. An odd restlessness rose in his chest as he stood on the stage. He looked down and, seeing an empty beer bottle rolling at his feet, gave it a sharp kick. The bottle clattered loudly across the floor.

…

After stepping out of the private room, Harper quietly circled the hallway once before heading straight to the restroom.

Initially, she'd planned to drop off the gift and leave right away. But then, thinking it might put a damper on the others' mood, she figured she'd spend a little time in the restroom, play a few rounds of her mobile game, and slip away once the party had run its course.

About thirty minutes passed. Her neck stiffened from leaning forward, she gave it a slight turn and tucked away her phone. It was time to head back, say a quick goodbye, and go home.

"I told you before, when it comes to Silas, I've got him wrapped around my little finger."

A familiar voice rang out suddenly.

Harper's dark eyes narrowed. She quietly withdrew the hand that had reached for the door, pivoted slightly toward the sinks near the entrance, then sat back down on the toilet seat without a sound.

"You saw the news today, didn't you? Now the whole world knows—Henry's father is Silas."

By the sink, Sophie placed her phone on the counter and switched to speakerphone. She took out a compact from her bag, opened it, and began retouching her makeup.

"I saw the video. Sophie, you're brilliant. You knew just how to use the public to force Silas to admit he's Henry's father." On the other end of the line, Sophie's foster mother, Elaine Lewis, lounged on the bed with a face mask on, her tone easy and slightly sycophantic.

"But those reporters were expensive. They charged me five thousand."

Sophie's hand paused mid-motion. A flicker of distaste passed over her perfectly made-up face. She frowned slightly at her reflection in the mirror and carefully dabbed at the powder smudging around her nose.

"I'll send you ten thousand later. Think of the extra five as a bonus."

"Oh, wonderful, I knew you were generous! You're the best, Sophie!" Elaine chuckled, patting her face mask gently.

"By the way, when are you going to publicly announce your marriage to Silas? Your dad's been bragging to everyone that his son-in-law is the CEO of the Underwood Ventures, but hardly anyone believes him. He's just waiting for you to make it public and shut them all up!"

Sophie lowered her lashes. She snapped the compact shut, took out a lipstick, and touched up her lips with care.

"Tell him not to run his mouth. Silas doesn't want the marriage made public yet. What matters now is getting pregnant with his child. So don't let Dad mess things up."

"Of course, of course. I get it. You go on and do your best. If you need anything, just let me know."

Sensing Sophie's impatience, Elaine quickly wrapped up the call and hung up.

Sophie's gaze, dark and cold, flicked toward the phone on the counter. She closed the lipstick, dropped it back into her bag, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of a phone echoed through the quiet restroom.

"Who's there?!"

Her hand clenched instinctively around her makeup pouch. A trace of panic flashed through her eyes. She spun around sharply, eyes fixed on the source of the sound.