18

Joy breathed a sigh of relief. As expected, Dean was rather forgiving towards a woman he had once shared a bed with.

She tiptoed, barely reaching his ear, and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "This is exclusive news, Mr. Reed. I can tell you once we're behind closed doors."

A faint milky scent wafted towards him. Dean's eyes were narrowed, icy as they swept over Joy. With a quick movement, he grabbed her slender wrist and led her into the yacht.

Dean was not gentle, practically dragging her into the cabin.

The cabin attendants respectfully moved aside as he entered.

Joy could still hear the murmuring voices from the deck outside.

"Reed always has such good luck with women. Look at this daring one, throwing herself at him."

"She probably doesn't know how much he despises women who deliberately get close. She might get a harsh lesson. Looks like Reed is going to tear her apart."

"Serves her right, she has no shame."

Joy looked at Dean's cold, perfect face, remembering how she had held him close the day before. Dean had not mistreated her; after all, they had shared an intimate connection.

"Thank you; otherwise, I don't know how long I would have been stuck at sea." Joy was the first to express her gratitude.

Dean tossed her onto the leather couch, sitting across from her, "So, what's the answer?"

The leather couch was soft; even falling onto it didn't hurt. But her off-the-shoulder dress had slipped down a bit, revealing some of Joy's cleavage.

Unaware of her exposed state, Joy took off her high heels and bent over to put them back on as she answered, "It's about the shampoo at the hotel. The hotel is really good, all their toiletries are from high-end brands, but they're a bit skimpy."

Dean sat across from her, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Joy struggled to fasten the thin strap of her high heel. After failing for a while, her off-the-shoulder dress slipped down her shoulder. Frustrated, she tugged it back up and went back to battling with her shoe strap.

After more failed attempts, Joy gave up and tossed her shoe aside, leaving her bare, white feet dangling in front of Dean.

Dean remembered how these feet had teased him the night before and coldly commanded, "Put on your shoes."

Joy frowned, "I can't fasten it. I've tried for a long time. High-end brands may look good, but they're not very practical."

Joy slipped her foot back into her shoe and boldly extended it towards Dean, "Mr. Reed, could you help me fasten it?"

Dean gave her an icy look, observing her foot encased in the red, pointed high heel. Her toenails were smooth and rounded, glowing with a pinkish hue against her pale skin.

"If you can't even fasten your shoes, what else can you do?"

With a stern face, Dean grasped Joy's ankle and pulled it onto his lap. It was his first time dealing with such feminine attire. He fumbled a bit before finally fastening it.

Dean's palm was warm and firm. Joy faintly remembered how he had held and kissed her foot the previous night. The memory was both tantalizing and enticing.

Thinking about it made Joy's fair face flush. She couldn't help but urge, "Can you hurry up?"

Who said she was useless because she couldn't fasten her shoes? Why was he so clumsy?

But Dean was a smart man. After a couple of tries, he got the hang of it and fastened it properly.

Joy's other foot was on the ground, and she hesitated to ask him for help again, afraid she might lose control and let her thoughts wander too far.

Dean stood up, "Put on the other one yourself."

Guests for the banquet started to trickle in, and music filled the yacht's villa-sized cabin as waiters navigated the crowd with trays of drinks.

Dean took a cocktail and had a few sips to ease his body's reactions. He glanced back at Joy, who was bending to fasten the strap of her other shoe, her off-the-shoulder dress revealing a hint of her cleavage again.

She seemed to be alluring at every moment, and he wondered if it was intentional.

Dean didn't care about such manipulations — there wasn't a woman in the world who could ensnare him with cunning.

He signaled a female waiter, "Help the lady over there with her shoe."

The waiter's eyes widened in surprise. Was Mr. Reed showing concern for a woman?

She eagerly went over to help Joy with her shoe, as though she had been graced with a royal task.

The waiter sneakily examined Joy. Wow, what a fairy-like creature! Her skin was so delicate it seemed it might break at a touch, as soft as tofu. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescent moons.

And she even thanked her politely.

The waiter hurried to reply, "No need to thank me, it's Mr. Reed who sent me. You're really beautiful, miss."

Beautiful?

Joy was taken aback. In her world, she had been born with a birthmark on her face, and no one had ever complimented her beauty.

Whenever someone saw her birthmark, they would give her a pitying look, as if it marred her appearance.

Gradually, she had become used to these odd looks. If her appearance was lacking, she would cultivate her inner self, becoming the most famous talented woman in her family.

Although she was born with a birthmark, she was not inferior. So even when she wore Joy's beautiful skin, she didn't feel much different.

But this straightforward compliment was quite pleasing.

"You're truly like a fairy, with fair skin and beautiful features. Even if your feet are so beautiful, they could be foot models. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." The waiter showered her with compliments as though they cost nothing. In the end, she asked timidly, "Can... Can I follow you on Instagram? I have no ulterior motives, I won't bother you. I just want to see your selfies and brag to others..."

Joy smiled, "Sure."

She didn't have any friends here anyway, and her Instagram was barely used.

The waiter followed her on Instagram, and immediately messaged her group chat, "Girls, I've seen a real fairy in my life. She's so beautiful. If I were a man, I would pursue her."

After putting on her shoes and with the banquet officially starting, a host took the stage and delivered a long speech. From his introduction, Joy understood that the event was a birthday party for Roy.