“If you can’t read your own contract clause, that’s not on me. That’s on your intellect,” he snapped with a cruel smirk.
“Dude, leave her alone,” Ilias repeated, voice tighter now.
“What do you want, Thomas?”
He pulled out a chair without asking and sat between them, deliberately angling his body toward Sofia, giving Ilias his back.
“First off, you look stunning.”
“Drop the fucking fake compliments and get to the point,” Sofia snapped, arms crossed. The spikes were out. Her entire body was tense, poised. She knew Thomas too well, he always saved the worst for last.
“Alright,” Thomas said, cool as ever. “Let’s be clear: I know your whole little relationship act is fake. One—you’re too smart for a surfer. Two—he’s clearly not your type. I mean, have you seen me and him?”
Sofia’s lip curled in disgust.
“And three,” he added, voice dropping, “isn’t it a little too convenient how 200k was wired into your business’ accountright before you started falling in love with yourfakeboyfriend? Come on, Sofia. Tell me TerraVive didn’t just buy your silence and your affection. Did you sell out to another money-making institution?”
Ilias leaned forward, jaw clenching, but Sofia stopped him with a glare.
Her eyes locked on Thomas. Calm. Icy.
“Are you seriously trying to defame me,” she said slowly, “because I walked away from you and decided I deserved better?”
Thomas opened his mouth.
“Whatever information you think you have,” she cut in, “it’s jealousy. Nothing more. Ilias and I are happy. We’re together. And we’re solid.”
Thomas leaned in, trying to play charming. She recoiled. Ilias reached forward and grabbed him by the lapel, tugging him back hard.
“Stay the fuck away from her.”
“Are you threatening me?” Thomas sneered, glaring at the hand gripping his jacket.
“I’m ready to do worse if you don’t get lost.”
Thomas scoffed. Sofia stood up between them immediately. The last thing they needed was Ilias getting a legal complaint for assault.
“Leave, Thomas. I don’t need anything from you. I hope you enjoy presenting my research today. I hope you can answer the questions. I doubt you’ve spent a single fucking day in a lab.”
Thomas stood, glaring at her. Then at Ilias. And with a nasty sneer, he muttered, “Have fun with my trash.”
Sofia’s nostrils flared. Her hand shot to Ilias’ chest, holding him back as he started to lunge.
“Look at me,” she whispered urgently.
His eyes snapped to hers, molten fury cooling slightly into something more vulnerable.
“I’m going to kill him for what he just said about you.”
“No,” she said. “You’re going to kiss me. That’s all.”
And he did.
His mouth crashed onto hers with hunger, hands sliding around her ass, gripping it, pulling her against him with zero subtlety. Their hips collided, her gasp caught between their lips, and it was like fire spread through her entire nervous system.
Maybe it started as a show. Maybe not. But she didn’t care.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, Thomas was gone. But his words stayed.
