Hotel.
Arabella Vanderbilt came out of the bath and saw Joel Russo sitting on the couch outside the suite, his tall and upright figure clothed in an air of noble dignity, a preeminent aura shining through his calm and steady presence.
There he sat, facing the artificial blue sea beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, his expression deep, cold, and profound, yet it was unclear what he was thinking about.
Arabella had a faint worry in her heart. She walked over slowly, bent down, and sat beside him.
A light fragrance drifted into his nostrils as Joel Russo turned his head to look at her, a tender smile spreading across his indifferent face.
He reached out to wrap his arm around her shoulder, pressing her into his embrace.
Arabella compliantly leaned closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Hmm?"
"You seem to be troubled about something?"
Joel Russo's dark eyes flickered with a hint of obscurity, and he nodded frankly, his large palm resting on her hair, gently caressing it.