Joe’s gaze softened slightly as he caught Skylar before she could stumble. His hand gently supported her, but there was still a coldness in his eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low, though there was a hint of concern beneath his usual guarded tone.
Skylar shook her head, trying to steady herself, but the dizziness was overwhelming. She tried to smile, though the gesture felt weak and forced. “I’m fine, just a little dizzy. I think I’m coming down with something.”
Joe didn’t seem convinced, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress. “You should sit down. You don’t look well.”
But Skylar wasn’t in the mood to draw attention. She appreciated Joe’s concern, but she didn’t want to make a scene. “No, I’m fine. Let’s just go. I don’t want to bother anyone.”
Before Joe could respond, they were interrupted by Jeffrey and Maisy, who were approaching with confident strides. Maisy’s eyes quickly darted between Joe and Skylar, taking in the closeness of their exchange. The tension between them was palpable, and Maisy couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy.
“Mr. Martin,” Jeffrey called out, trying to mask his excitement with a polite tone, though his eager gaze betrayed him. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m Jeffrey Williams, and this is my daughter, Maisy.”
Joe gave a brief nod, his demeanor still cool but professional. “Mr. Williams, it’s a pleasure. I see you’ve had the chance to enjoy tonight’s auction.”
Maisy, still eyeing Skylar with a mix of disdain and curiosity, forced a smile. “Yes, it’s been quite an eventful evening. I must say, the auction was… fascinating.”
Skylar, feeling the weight of Maisy’s gaze, stood a little straighter, though she still felt weak. She didn’t respond, instead turning her attention to Joe, silently hoping the conversation would move on quickly.
Maisy, determined to make an impression, glanced at the diamond ring Joe had won. “That ring… it’s incredible,” she said, her voice tinged with admiration. “It’s truly a rare piece.”
Joe didn’t respond immediately. He was still watching Skylar, his hand subtly holding onto her to keep her steady. Finally, he broke the silence. “It is,” he said coldly, as though the ring meant little to him beyond its monetary value.
Maisy’s curiosity piqued, and she continued, “You must be planning to gift it to someone very special, Mr. Martin.”
Skylar, sensing the underlying tension, looked at Joe out of the corner of her eye, but he remained unreadable.
“Perhaps,” Joe replied, his voice distant. “But it’s not what you think.”
Skylar’s heart fluttered at his response, but she quickly masked her emotions. She didn’t want to appear too invested, especially not with Maisy’s eyes on her.
Jeffrey, sensing an opportunity to further ingratiate himself, stepped forward. “Mr. Martin, as you know, the Williamses have been working on a few projects in Jipsburg. If there’s any way we could collaborate, it would be an honor. Perhaps we could discuss this over dinner?”
Joe’s attention briefly shifted to Jeffrey, his eyes narrowing in thought. But before he could respond, Skylar, still struggling with her dizziness, spoke up, her voice a little weaker than before. “I think we should go, Joe. I’m really not feeling well.”
Joe’s gaze snapped back to her, the coldness gone for a moment, replaced by something like urgency. “Alright, Skylar. Let’s go.”
Without another word, he guided her toward the exit, leaving Jeffrey and Maisy standing behind, watching them go.
As they walked away, Maisy’s gaze lingered on Joe, a spark of determination in her eyes. She would not let this opportunity slip by. She had plans—plans that didn’t involve Skylar, no matter how pretty she looked in that dress.
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