SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)

By my side. Whether you like it or not.

The Morning After

The sun filtered through the towering windows of the estate, casting long shadows across the pristine floors. Sophia sat at the dining table, nursing a steaming cup of tea. The echoes of the previous night still lingered in her mind-the music, the laughter, and, most vividly, the way Mr. Lee's hand had lingered on her waist during their dance.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared into the tea. He plays his games too well, she thought, her heartbeat betraying her calm demeanor.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Sophia's head snapped up to find Penelope standing in the doorway, her expression sharp and cold.

Penelope's emerald-green dress clung to her like armor, a statement of both elegance and power.

Sophia leaned back in her chair, letting her smirk do the talking. "You mean at the ball? Absolutely."

Penelope's lips twitched into a forced smile. "How charming. Though I must admit, you seemed a little... out of place. Like a lamb among wolves."

"Funny," Sophia shot back, her voice laced with mock sweetness. "I felt perfectly at home. Must be my adaptability."

Penelope's gaze hardened as she stepped closer. "You should be careful, Sophia. Some places aren't meant for people like you. And some men... aren't meant to be played with."

Sophia tilted her head, feigning innocence.

"Oh? You mean Mr. Lee? I wasn't playing with him. He was the one who invited me."

Penelope's smile faltered for a brief moment, and Sophia reveled in the subtle victory.

"You're overestimating your importance," Penelope said, her voice low. "And underestimating mine."

"Am I?" Sophia's tone was light, but her eyes were sharp. "I suppose we'll find out."

---

Mr. Lee's Study:

Mr. Lee stood by the window of his study, his hands clasped behind his back. The morning light carved shadows across his face, giving him an even more commanding presence than usual.

"You seem distracted," Kai, his jovial assistant, noted, standing near the desk. "The ball must've been... eventful?"

"Eventful enough," Mr. Lee said, his voice as unreadable as his expression.

Kai's grin widened. "Ah, so Sophia made an impression?"

Mr. Lee's gaze shifted to Kai, sharp as a blade. "She always does."

Kai chuckled but wisely changed the subject. "About the wedding preparations-"

"I know," Mr. Lee cut him off, his tone clipped. "Samantha will arrive later today."

Kai hesitated. "And you're... ready?"

Mr. Lee turned back to the window, his jaw tightening. "What does it matter?"

Before Kai could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them.

Sophia stepped in without waiting for permission, her confident stride breaking the tension in the room.

"Am I interrupting?" she asked, her eyes darting between the two men.

"Yes," Mr. Lee replied, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes-something that made Sophia smirk.

"Good," she said, walking further in. "I wanted to thank you for last night. It was... enlightening."

Kai arched a brow, clearly intrigued. "Enlightening? Now that sounds interesting."

"Don't you have work to do?" Mr. Lee asked Kai, his tone dangerously low.

Kai raised his hands in mock surrender.

"I'll leave you two to it." He winked at Sophia as he left, earning a glare from Mr. Lee.

Once they were alone, the air between them grew heavy. Sophia leaned against the desk, her posture casual but her eyes watchful. "You really know how to make an impression."

"Do I?" he asked, stepping closer.

She nodded, her smile teasing. "Dark suit, cryptic whispers, mysterious glances-it's a whole aesthetic, isn't it?"

He smirked, standing close enough now that she could feel his presence like a tangible force.

"And yet, you're still here. Curious."

"Maybe I like the challenge," she replied, her voice soft but defiant.

His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. The gesture was slow, deliberate, and far too intimate. "Or maybe you don't know when to stop."

She caught his wrist, her grip firm. "I'm not afraid of you."

His dark eyes glinted with something dangerous. "You should be."

---

The grand estate buzzed with activity as staff prepared for the wedding. Crystal flitted through the halls, helping where she could, while Sophia stayed far from the chaos-until Penelope found her.

"You're not planning on attending, are you?" Penelope asked, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Why wouldn't I?" Sophia replied, keeping her voice even.

Penelope stepped closer, her smile cold and calculated. "Because it's not your place. Samantha is the bride, after all. You're just... an accessory."

Sophia's smile didn't waver. "Funny. I was thinking the same about you."

Penelope's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Mr. Lee appeared, his commanding presence silencing both women.

"Sophia," he said, his gaze locking onto hers. "Come with me."

Penelope opened her mouth to protest, but Mr. Lee didn't spare her a glance.

The message was clear: You don't matter.

---

He led Sophia to the gardens, where the chaos of the wedding preparations seemed worlds away. The tension between them was palpable as they walked in silence.

"Why did you bring me here?" she finally asked.

"To remind you of your place," he said, his tone sharp. But his eyes betrayed him-there was something softer, something unguarded lingering there.

Sophia crossed her arms. "And what place is that?"

He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "By my side. Whether you like it or not."

She let out a sharp laugh. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

"It's a fact," he said simply.

Their gazes locked, the space between them charged with unspoken words. And for the first time, Sophia wasn't sure who would back down first.