Pretending to Be an Untouchable Crime Boss-Chapter 47: A Throne for Two

While James had experienced something resembling a family, Hans had a vastly different experience. His time with Sophia Conti was nothing like he had expected.

If anything, she was even more unhinged than Bella.

For the past few days, Hans had been spying on Sophia. He trailed her, snapped photos of her house, and watched her men. Something about her recent activities was off, unusual even for someone like her.

Sophia Conti was a master of deception, known in the underworld as "Ghost" because she could change her appearance drastically with wigs, masks, and even subtle height adjustments.

But now, she wasn’t hiding.

For the first time in a long while, she was just... herself. Her makeup wasn’t designed to deceive, it was meant to stand out. Her outfits weren’t meant for blending in but for showing off her curves.

More than that, she was out shopping, parading through the city as if she were nothing more than a wealthy woman, completely ignoring the fact that she was a key player in the Circle.

That was what truly unsettled Hans. Because just as James had doubled his security, Sophia had done the same. When James bought Charlotte art supplies, Sophia did too. When Bella purchased a particular perfume, Sophia bought the same one.

Hans stared at the report in his hands, his fingers tightening around the pages.

"No way…" He muttered, sitting in his car parked outside Sophia’s house. His eyes scanned over his notes, connecting the dots. "She’s not just in love with James. She’s a—"

A sharp knock on his window cut him off. Instinctively, Hans reached for his gun before glancing up.

Sophia stood outside, smiling warmly at him through the glass.

He hesitated before rolling down the window, subtly shoving the report down to the car floor.

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"Can I help you?" He asked, forcing a smile.

"I know who you are, so don’t bother with this whole spy act." She said, tilting her head slightly. "You’ve been here for days. Do you want to come in?"

Hans knew, in that moment, that he had screwed up.

She stood there, waiting, as if she fully expected him to follow.

He had no options so he opened the car door and stepped out.

"Don’t leave the report in there." She chuckled, turning on her heel and walking toward her house. "I’ll help you add details."

Hans blinked.

Was she joking? Or was she actually inviting me in to help…

In the end, he picked up the report, shut the car door, and followed after her.

Her mansion was massive, just like James’s, and just as heavily guarded.

Armed men stood at every entrance, some patrolling the perimeter, others watching from the roof.

Security cameras were placed in every corner, making sure no movement went unnoticed.

The gates had opened automatically when Sophia approached, revealing a large courtyard with a marble fountain in the center.

Perfectly trimmed hedges lined the walkway, and strange statues of faceless figures stood along the path. Something about them made Hans uneasy.

As they reached the entrance, he noticed the massive double doors, black and sleek, with golden accents. Two guards stood beside them, giving Hans a sharp nod before stepping aside to let them in.

Inside, the mansion was just as grand. The floors were polished white marble, shining under the light of a huge crystal chandelier.

A wide staircase curved up to the second floor, its golden railings smooth and spotless. The walls were decorated with expensive paintings, some classical, others abstract, but all worth a fortune.

She led him down a long hallway. The rooms they passed were spotless, too perfect, like no one ever used them.

But as Hans scanned the house, his eyes caught something unusual.

They had just walked past a room where the door was slightly open. At first, it seemed unimportant, but as his gaze lingered for a brief second, something inside sent a chill down his spine.

It was an altar.

Candles flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. And at the center of it all, James’s photo.

Hans only saw it for a couple of seconds before they moved past, but he was sure of what he had seen.

He said nothing as Sophia just walked like it was nothing.

Finally, they entered a lounge. A bar stretched across one side, stocked with expensive liquor. Large windows revealed a stunning view of the garden, where a stone path led to a pool.

Sophia motioned toward one of the soft chairs near the bar. "Sit." She said, walking over to pour herself a drink.

Hans hesitated before sitting down, still on edge.

Sophia took a sip of her drink before looking at him.

"So." She began, her voice smooth. "Let me see the report." She said, holding out her hand.

Hans shifted uncomfortably in his chair, clearly uneasy. After a brief pause, he tossed the report toward her.

She caught it effortlessly, flipping it open.

As she read, her expressions shifted, sometimes she smirked, other times she let out a quiet chuckle. But then, her amusement faded. Her eyes sharpened, her brows furrowing as she focused on certain details.

Then, without warning, she snapped the report shut and locked eyes with Hans.

Silence filled the room.

Hans clenched his jaw. He wasn’t sure what was coming next, but he knew one thing, he had just stepped into something far bigger than he expected.

"You…" Sophia started, her voice low and unreadable.

Hans tensed, already gripping his gun. One in the chamber, safety off, he was ready.

But then—

"You only did half the job!" She suddenly screamed, her face turning red.

"What…?" Hans asked, confused, his hand slowly moving off the gun.

"I wasn’t just shopping!" She huffed, flipping through the report again. "I bought exquisite underwear too, and you didn’t include it in the report."

She held up a picture, one of her walking into a shop.

"I know men like something playful, so I picked out some really… how should I say it… sexy pieces." She mused, rolling her eyes with a dramatic sigh.

Then, she giggled, cheeks still flushed.

Hans blinked.

This… this couldn’t be happening.

"I know very well that James sent you." Sophia said confidently, flipping her hair back. "And I know his motive too. He wants me!"

She spoke as if it were an undeniable truth, but she was far off.

"I have beautiful white skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair." She continued, running a hand down her body as if admiring herself. "My boobs are big, my booty too." She shivered slightly, as if overwhelmed by her own words. "I’m 178 cm tall and 26 years old, I’m a perfect match for him!"

Hans was frozen in place, struggling to find words. Finally, he spoke, his voice flat.

"James only sent me because you sent people to stalk him…"

Sophia’s expression shifted instantly. The playful glow in her eyes darkened into something more serious. Hans felt his fingers twitch near his gun again, just in case.

"Oh, they got busted?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah…"

Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. The call was answered immediately.

"Kill those fuckers I sent after my love!" She shouted, then casually ended the call.

She turned back to Hans with a bright, almost childlike smile.

"So," she said sweetly, "where were we?"

"Uh boobs and booty…" He said.

"Oh yeah, so I have far more to offer than that woman who was with him." Sophia said, her voice laced with arrogance.

But then, her eyes darkened again.

"So tell me, Hans." She leaned over the table, her gaze piercing. "Who is that woman?"

Hans didn’t hesitate. "They’re in love."

Silence fell between them.

For a moment, Sophia didn’t move, but then, her eye twitched.

"In… what?" She asked, her voice unnaturally calm.

Hans let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in his chair.

"In love." He repeated. "They started dating some time ago, and they’re happy together. Also…" He paused, watching her carefully. "I assume you already know that Augustus’s daughter is now James’s adopted daughter. Which means they’re already a family."

Sophia just stared at him.

Her fingers, which had been resting lightly on the table, curled into a fist.

"Then this is a fight..." Sophia declared.

"Be careful what you say—" Hans started, but he couldn’t finish.

"I may be the second, but I can fight my way to be the one." She said, a slow smile curling on her lips.

Hans frowned, more confused than ever.

Did she want to fight against….Bella?

But then, she leaned back, her expression almost dreamy.

"A powerful man like James, rich and controlling the capital, can’t possibly relieve all his stress with just one woman." She murmured. Her cheeks flushed deeper, and a visible shiver ran through her body.

"I’m going to be his second and when he realizes I’m better, I’m going to be the one and the best!"

Hans stared at her, struggling to process what he was hearing.

"You want what?" He asked.

"Obviously, James can’t be satisfied with just one girl, so why not have two girlfriends...or two wives?"

"That’s not how it works, Sophia." Hans said, rubbing his head.

"That is how it works. Two is always better than one." She insisted, her tone almost playful.

Hans exhaled sharply.

What was the word? Not harem, something more… sophisticated.

"And I’m still a treasure in this rotten world…" Sophia said, her voice soft yet filled with conviction, pulling Hans from his thoughts.

He blinked, trying to process her words. "What do you mean?"

Sophia’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, and for a moment, she hesitated, lowering her gaze.

Her fingers traced the rim of her glass. Then, she looked back up at him, her blue eyes locking with his.

"I’m a virgin." She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, as if sharing a precious secret.

Hans just stared at her.

The air between them felt heavier. Not because of what she said, but because of why she was saying it.

Sophia wasn’t embarrassed. She wasn’t shy. No, she was boasting. Like it was some kind of prize, a bargaining chip in whatever insane game she was playing.

Hans exhaled slowly.

This conversation was going in a direction he really didn’t want to deal with.

What kind of delusion does this girl have?

Hans had thought she just wanted to do something with James…but this is not what he thought of.

This wasn’t just about seduction. This wasn’t just an obsession.

Sophia truly believed she was meant for James. Like it was some inevitable fate, something written in the stars. And worse, she wasn’t just waiting for it to happen.

She was planning it.

Hans felt a chill crawl up his spine.

This woman wasn’t just dangerous.

She was unstable.

"Well, I guess I’ll be heading back now." Hans said, standing up from his chair.

To his surprise, Sophia stood up just as quickly. "Wait!"

Hans stopped but didn’t sit back down. "What is it?"

"Can you tell me something?"

Hans narrowed his eyes. "What exactly?"

She crossed her arms, her sharp blue eyes locking onto his. "You’re one of the most mysterious people in his family. I know Hector, Ferucci, and even that girl to some extent…" She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "But you? Nothing. Just a name. No past, no background, nothing."

Hans stayed silent, his gaze now sharp and calculating.

Sophia smiled. "So, tell me, how did you end up with James?"

The air between them grew heavier. Hans, who had been relaxed, or at least pretending to be, now carried a different presence.

His shoulders squared, his jaw tightened, and his normally indifferent expression was replaced by something colder.

For the first time in their conversation, his eyes were the ones piercing into hers.

Sophia’s playful smirk faltered for a split second.

"You want to know how I joined James?" His voice was lower now, more controlled.

Sophia nodded, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Hans stared at her for a long moment, then finally spoke.

"You wouldn’t like the answer."

"Why would I?" She asked, tilting her head, her curiosity still present but slightly hesitant.

Hans didn’t hesitate. His gaze darkened, his voice dropping to something cold and absolute.

"Because you’ll realize that you mean nothing."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

Hans didn’t move, didn’t blink, just stared her down with an intensity that made her skin prickle. But this time, there was something else in his eyes. Something dangerous.

"People like you, or the Circle, you all think you’re friends with him. That you have some kind of connection with James." Hans said, his voice low and steady. "But nobody does. That’s what I mean."

He leaned in slightly, just enough to make her feel the weight of his words.

"You are nothing. Just a disposable piece."

Sophia swallowed, shifting slightly under his gaze.

Forcing herself to smile, she stepped back, creating distance. "Well, that’s just your opinion."

Hans still didn’t respond.

Sophia turned away slightly, trying to regain her composure. But no matter how much she tried to ignore it, one thing was clear.

Hans wasn’t someone she could play games with.