As tension filled the air, Sofia's eyes narrowed, her face pale with rage. "You're making a big mistake, Asher," she spat. "You're going to regret underestimating me."

I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I'm not underestimating you, Sofia. I'm just not afraid of you. And I'm certainly not going to let you manipulate me into doing what you want."

Sofia's face twisted in a snarl, and for a moment, I thought she was going to attack me. But then, she seemed to regain control of herself, and a calculating look crept into her eyes.

"Fine," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "If that's how you want to play it,...