Skylar’s eyes drifted to the ring on Mark’s finger—a vintage piece, clearly expensive and antique. It wasn’t the kind of accessory a man like him would typically wear unless it carried weight, either in status or legacy. In elite circles, contemporary luxury brands were the trend. Antique pieces? They were either family heirlooms or used to flaunt old money.
She let a faint smile tug at her lips, then glanced toward the beautiful models lounging on the sofa.
What a pity, she thought.
Some men treated women like trends—meant to be flaunted, rotated, and discarded once passé. They thought it made them sophisticated, but to Skylar, it was nothing but a slow descent into moral bankruptcy.
Just then, Annie’s voice rose slightly above the ambient music. “Did Mr. Martin bring his secretary today?”
Her question was innocuous on the surface, but everyone in the room felt the undercurrent.
Ethan stifled a laugh. “Ms. Silver, did you only just now realize there are more of us in the room?”
“She probably just spotted Mr. Martin,” Lukas added with a smirk.
The air shifted subtly.
Annie’s gaze had finally settled on Skylar. She remembered her well—it was hard not to. That time in Joe’s car had etched an image into her mind: Joe, usually so composed, had been staring at Skylar as if he were caught in a trance.
Back then, Annie brushed it off, assuming Skylar simply fit Joe’s “type.” After all, a man like him had likely seen countless women like her.
But now… the realization began to unsettle her.
Joe already had Paul—his loyal right-hand man. He didn’t need a female secretary. Not unless there was another reason for her presence. One Annie could easily imagine.
Her heart clenched unexpectedly.
“Hello, Ms. Silver. I’m Mr. Martin’s secretary,” Skylar said with graceful composure, stepping forward with a polite smile.
Annie hadn’t expected her to respond so directly, but she appreciated the courtesy. In person, Skylar was even more stunning than on the street. There was a subtle elegance in her posture, an educated air that set her apart from the models in the room.
Annie gave a nod and a faint smile. “Hello.”
From a distance, Joe noticed the lingering smile on Skylar’s lips—likely left from her recent exchange with Mark. His gaze darkened.
Without a word, he walked over.
Seeing him approach, Mark immediately retreated to the sofa, draping an arm around a model as if nothing had happened.
Skylar blinked, surprised to see Joe coming directly toward her. Her heart skipped slightly. Was he worried Annie might feel upset? Or… was it something else?
Joe stopped beside her and spoke casually. “Is the orange juice good?”
Skylar blinked, thrown off by the simple question. “It’s good… just a little sour.”
Annie, watching from across the room, saw Joe’s eyes fixed on Skylar. Her polite expression faltered, just for a moment. The tension was palpable.
Rowan, ever perceptive, clapped his hands with a grin. “Alright, everyone! Time for cake!”
The group stirred at his call, the moment diffused.
After the cake was served and the group began to mingle again, Rowan leaned toward Annie, voice low but clear. He hadn’t forgotten his original intention in inviting both Joe and Annie tonight—to give them a little push toward each other.
“Annie, did you drive here?”
Annie, understanding his subtle hint, shook her head gently. “I had wine with dinner, so I took a cab.”
Rowan smiled knowingly. “Good. Then let’s arrange something for you.”
He was trying to help. But help, in this case, may have arrived a little too late.
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