Chapter 653
Night of Destiny
Sophia turned to look at Arthur and asked, âHey, do you know what the ocean said to the shore?â
He narrowed his eyes as he pondered on this, and his curiosity was piqued when he could not think of
an answer. âWhat did the ocean say to the shore?â
âNothing, it just waved!â She burst into laughter, clearly amused by her own silly humor.
Just then, Arthur sputtered and started laughing, and at once, the moon lost all its beauty.
Sophia gaped at him with wide eyes, entirely stunned by his pearly whites and his open smile. He looked
carefree and captivating.
In truth, he was rather astonished by how her laughter, which was in no way demure or ladylike, only
prompted his
own. Son of a gun, he thought.
At that moment, her brows raised in amusement as she tilted her head to one side and appraised him
openly. No woman had ever looked at him like he was a piece of art on full public display. before.
Because of that, he grew self conscious and quickly asked, âWhat are you staring at?â
She giggled. âYou. Youâre quite the looker.â
As though wanting to get back at her for making him laugh earlier, he scoffed and pointed out haughtily,
âYeah, and Iâm way out of your league.â
She blinked at him and she couldnât help arguing, âI never wanted you to be in my league in the first
place.â
Arthur turned to head back into the cabin, but that was when he heard Sophia mutter triumphantly, âI
think itâd be more accurate to say Iâm way out of your league. Always will be.â
He stopped in his tracks and threw an icy look at her over his shoulder. âPlease, I can easily make you
mine whenever I want.â
She blushed, completely caught off guard by his confidence, but she did not want to lose either. Her
quick wit made her retort, âAnd by the time you make me yours, wouldnât you be mine as well? So, I win
either way.â
He was starting to think that this was her idea of a pick-up line. He scoffed primly and refused to be lured
into this ridiculous banter. âDonât flatter yourself. I donât actually care about making you mine.â
âWhich then brings us back to the question of whoâs out of whose league,â she said without missing a
beat as a devious smirk tugged on her lips. âBut it looks like weâve come to a draw.â
Arthur pursed his lips into a grim line and did not try to continue this debate with her.
âYou know, Young Master Weiss, I donât think I ever got your name. Think weâre close enough to be on a
first-name basis, yes?â Sophia asked, leaning forward as if to pick up on the most salacious gossip.
Bemused, he did not withhold this information and replied, âThe nameâs Arthur.â
Arthur. Arthur Weiss. She tried it out in her head and decided that it had a good ring to it, then pressed
further, âSo, did you grow up in the city or are you from out of town?â
âIâve been living abroad with my family
since I was little,â he said.
âI bet you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth,â she followed up cheerily.
âWhy do you say that?â
âBecause youâre one of the most prim and-proper men Iâve ever met!â
Arthur had never heard that description being used on him, and he wondered briefly if he should be
insulted.
Meanwhile, on another yacht, Katrina had her eyes set on Jacob. She had heard that he was the second
young master of the Presgrave Family, and while his fortune or status was not as impressive as
Elliotâs, he still made for a good target.
âYoung Master Jacob, you donât look very happy. Care for some company?â Katrina slinked over while
holding a glass of wine in each hand. She was a model with a slender figure that had curves in all the
right places and a pretty face to boot. Besides, Jacob was never one to refuse beautiful company.
âSure,â he said agreeably.
They went out on the deck and leaned against the railing as they sipped their wine. At this moment, the
yacht swayed, and Katrina had oh-so-naturally stumbled into Jacobâs arms as she gasped, âOh, my!â
He gripped her waist to steady her. âAre you okay?â
âI accidentally spilled my wine,â she said mournfully as she tugged on the neckline of her dress. âHow
does the damage look, Young Master Jacob?â
Jacobâs gaze darkened at once. He was sure that Katrina was doing this on
purpose, and she had pulled the neckline. so far down that she might as well dispose of the dress
entirely. That said, he had to admit that he was very much attracted to her show of skin.
âI have a couple of evening dresses back at my place. Why donât you come by after we get off this yacht
and pick one that you like?â he offered in a husky voice, the implication clear in his words.
âThat would be great,â she said brightly with a knowing look in her eyes.
Meanwhile, over at the dock, Sophia alighted from the yacht after Arthur and walked up to the car his
bodyguards had brought around. It was only during the drive back to the villa that they realized it was
already past midnight.
After arriving at the villa, she was so exhausted that she took a quick shower and hopped into bed. While
she slept, he tossed and turned in his bed in the master bedroom. He was not one to stay up late, but for
some reason, sleep would not come to him.
The images of Sophiaâs ready grin from tonight flashed across his mind, and he found himself thinking
about the way she made fun of him openly and the way she smiled at him without pretense.