“I’ve been drinking a bit, and my driver’s off for the day. Can you drive me there?” Joe asked casually.
Skylar had just received a new car from him—it would be awkward to refuse. “Sure, I’ll take you,” she agreed.
About twenty minutes later, they pulled up in front of an upscale club.
“Come with me,” Joe said as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “Once things wrap up, we’ll head home together.”
Skylar had originally planned to just drop him off and return home, especially since gatherings like this often ran late into the night. But since he mentioned going home together, she decided to stick around.
“How should I introduce myself to your friends?” she asked as they walked toward the entrance.
Joe glanced at her briefly. “Just say you’re my secretary.”
Skylar nodded. “Got it.”
She made up her mind to play the role convincingly—no slip-ups.
They entered the club and took a private elevator to the top floor. The atmosphere changed immediately. It was quiet and tastefully opulent—clearly a place where only the ultra-elite gathered, those who valued privacy and exclusivity.
Skylar had never been to such a place before, but she wasn’t particularly curious. Natalie had mentioned this club once, saying a single evening here could cost more than a year’s living expenses for the average family.
She’d also mentioned Jeremy had brought her here a few times to meet friends. Joe, however, was rarely spotted—he was known for keeping a low profile and staying busy.
As soon as Joe stepped into the lounge area, four men who were playing poker looked up, surprised to see him.
Each of them was flanked by a stunning woman—two of whom Skylar immediately recognized as well-known actresses. Seeing them in person, they looked even more radiant than on screen.
The four men at the poker table were infamous tabloid regulars. They constantly made headlines, either with celebrities, internet influencers, or models. Their love lives were always a hot topic.
Skylar knew them all by name: Mark Milton, Ethan Stewart, Rowan Jakeman, and Lukas Larsson.
Ethan and Lukas were the most scandal-prone, constantly competing over who had more girlfriends or changed partners more often. Mark and Rowan were relatively calmer in comparison—at least for now.
As for the women by their side, Skylar could tell from their height and figure that they were probably models. Still, her gaze lingered on the two actresses. She’d recently watched their dramas, and seeing them in person made the whole night suddenly feel worth it.
Rowan grinned when he spotted Joe and stood up. “Finally got you to show up. If it weren’t my birthday, I doubt you’d have come at all.”
Then his eyes shifted to Skylar, and he froze for a beat, visibly intrigued. “And who’s this…?”
He was clearly surprised. Joe was always so distant and restrained—people had long whispered about his cold demeanor and speculated whether he had romantic interests at all. Seeing a woman beside him was enough to stir curiosity.
Skylar offered a polite smile. “I’m Mr. Martin’s secretary.”
Rowan raised an eyebrow and gave Joe a knowing look. “Secretary, huh?”
When the four glamorous women had first seen Joe enter, their eyes sparkled with interest. But once they spotted Skylar, they looked momentarily disappointed—until she introduced herself.
A secretary? Their interest in Joe visibly reignited. If she wasn’t his girlfriend or wife, that meant Joe Martin was still very much on the market.
Skylar picked up on the subtle shift in their attitudes but said nothing. She simply took her seat quietly next to Joe, determined to observe and blend in.
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