Elise barely made it three steps before a familiar voice stopped her cold.Sofia’s voice was a velvet barb. “Thanks for leaving Lukas to me, Elise,” she said, her dark eyes glinting with mischief as she stood beside Lukas in the glass-domed canal house. “He’s quite the catch —loyal, brilliant. You must regret letting him go.”Elise stood frozen, her eyes narrowing at Sofia’s taunt. “You’re mistaken,” Elise said, her voice icy but controlled. “Lukas is a modest herbalist, nothing more. Hardly your prize.”Sofia’s smirk widened. “Modest? Oh, Elise, you underestimate him. His talents are… extraordinary.” She glanced at Lukas, who gave a polite nod to a passing investor, oblivious to the tension. “Let’s make it interesting,” Sofia continued, stepping closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “A wager. My ally, Lukas, against yours—Erik de Vries, I presume? Whoever secures greater influence in the tech world in one month wins. The loser issues a public apology. Deal?”Elise c