SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)

I've always wanted to see what burns.

The Garden Standoff

Sophia tilted her head, her defiance painted across her delicate features. "By your side? That’s ambitious of you."

"Ambition has never been my problem," Mr. Lee said, taking another step closer. His voice dropped to a murmur, smooth as silk but carrying an edge sharp enough to draw blood. "Yours, however, might be."

Sophia rolled her eyes, deliberately turning away to admire a cluster of roses climbing up the garden trellis. "You’re insufferable, you know that?"

His hand caught her wrist, spinning her back toward him. The movement was fluid, and suddenly she was closer than she'd intended—too close. His gaze bored into hers, dark and unyielding.

"And you," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "have no idea what you’re playing with."

Her breath caught, but she refused to look away. "Oh, I have an idea. A narcissistic, control-obsessed man with too much time and money on his hands. Did I miss anything?"

His lips twitched, but his grip didn’t loosen. "You missed the part where I always get what I want."

She raised an eyebrow, leaning in just enough to brush against his composure. "Maybe this time you won’t."

He smirked, leaning closer until his lips hovered just beside her ear. "Careful, Sophia. You might find you enjoy being caught."

She jerked her wrist free, stepping back. Her pulse was racing, and she hated that he knew it.

"Don’t flatter yourself," she shot back, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "Some games are more fun when you win them."

---

The sound of Penelope’s shrill voice cut through the tranquil garden.

“There you are! Mr. Lee, you’re needed inside. Samantha has arrived.”

Sophia’s smirk faltered.

Mr. Lee’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes as he glanced at Sophia.

“We’ll continue this conversation later.”

“Can’t wait,” she said dryly, her smile returning just in time to meet Penelope’s venomous glare.

As Mr. Lee strode past Penelope, she lingered behind, her eyes narrowing at Sophia like a hawk circling its prey.

“Feeling out of place yet?” Penelope asked sweetly.

“Not really,” Sophia replied, brushing past her with a confidence that only made Penelope’s jaw tighten. “But thanks for your concern.”

---

Inside the grand hall, Samantha’s arrival was met with polite applause.

Her presence was a study in perfection—her designer dress, shimmering in silver and white, clung to her tall, willowy frame. Her honey-blonde hair was swept into an elegant updo, and her cold blue eyes scanned the room like a queen assessing her subjects.

Mr. Lee greeted her with a stiff politeness that made Sophia’s stomach twist.

“Darling,” Samantha purred, taking his arm. “You’re looking as brooding as ever. It’s almost charming. It's pretty long you know.”

Mr. Lee’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Sophia lingered by the edge of the room, watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and unease. Samantha was clearly a force to be reckoned with, but the chemistry between her and Mr. Lee was nonexistent.