Joshua swept Shermaine up in his arms and carried her to the bed, tucking the blankets snugly around her.

The night stretched on endlessly. Joshua’s hair had mostly dried by now, and he slipped under the covers, pulling the drowsy woman into his embrace.

Shermaine yawned lazily and mumbled, “How come you’re not even tipsy?”

“I can hold my liquor better than you.”

“Hey, quit poking me.”

Joshua shifted back a little. Just holding Shermaine like this was enough to make him lose control of his thoughts.

Before long, Shermaine had fallen asleep. The room fell silent except for the sound of her soft, steady breathing.

The next morning, as dawn was breaking, Shermaine felt a tingling sensation on her neck. When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring into a pair of deep, intense eyes.

Seeing Shermaine awake, Joshua kissed her eyelids and murmured, “Good morning, Sheary.”

Shermaine’s toes curled slightly, her breathing suddenly uneven. She rested her hand on his waist, letting out soft, contented sounds.

The morning flew by in a blur, and suddenly it was noon.

They had lunch at the hotel.

Shermaine didn’t go anywhere. It wasn’t until the afternoon that she finally got out of bed.

She pulled out her makeup bag and began getting ready, changing into the dress she’d wear to the evening event.

It was a black embroidered evening dress.

While Danielle wore evening dresses with a cool elegance touched by femininity, Shermaine radiated a natural grace and vibrant beauty from within.

Shermaine put on pearl earrings and slipped into black stiletto heels. Her bright eyes and perfect smile lit up her face, making her absolutely radiant.

Shermaine rarely wore makeup, but she was already stunning without it. With makeup on, her beauty became even more striking.

The event was scheduled for seven o’clock. It was already past six.

It would take about half an hour to get there from here.

Meanwhile, the person assigned to receive Shermaine at the meet-and-greet was already waiting downstairs.

She grabbed her purse and slipped her hand through Joshua’s arm. “Let’s go.”

The man responsible for picking up Shermaine was Harold Rhodes, a citizen of the Republic of Wallington who’d been living in Rodunst for years. He worked for the International Tech Forum’s Rodunst branch and was thrilled about meeting Boa Hanks in person.

He wondered if Boa Hanks was as handsome as everyone said. If possible, he’d love to get an autograph too.

After all, Boa had completed two back-to-back SSS-level missions—the toughest ones on their board—and executed them flawlessly in record time. Though Boa didn’t have as many fans as Dolcie, he’d built up a loyal following.

Harold waited patiently. He’d sent Boa his photo earlier to make it easier for Boa to recognize him.

Just then, a couple stopped out of the elevator and approached him. “You’re Harold?”

Harold had been sitting in the lobby reception area and immediately stood up when he heard someone address him. “Yes, I am.”

Shermaine handed him the invitation she’d received earlier. “I’m Boa Hanks.”

Harold froze. He’d been expecting a gorgeous guy, but instead, Boa was a stunning woman. He'd met Dolcie before, and she was pretty, sure, but nothing compared to how breathtaking Boa looked in person. “Hello,” he stammered.

He was so shocked he couldn’t quite process it all.

Harold didn’t dare look too long, though. The man beside Boa had such an intimidating presence that Harold could barely breathe under his gaze.

Then Harold noticed they were both wearing matching rings. He asked, “What should I call you?”

Shermaine smiled, “Shermaine.”

“Shermaine, great to meet you. I’m Harold Rhodes, and I’ll be handling your schedule for the entire event tonight,” Harold introduced himself.

After exchanging greetings and shaking hands with Harold, Shermaine followed him out, bringing along Joshua as they headed to the convention and exhibition center together.

The convention and exhibition center was massive.

Due to the grand scale of the event, a red carpet stretched for a hundred yards at the entrance, surrounded by fans of various celebrity gamers and media reporters.

Among them, Shermaine and Dolcie had the largest fan bases. Dolcie’s fans were mostly male, and so were Shermaine’s.

However, Shermaine’s fans had always assumed she was male. They’d organized themselves without her knowledge—a grassroots fan club, essentially. Despite this, their numbers continued to grow day by day.

The red carpet entrance had no set order—whoever arrived first went in first.

At that moment, the man in the front seat said, “Dolcie, we’re almost at the convention and exhibition center entrance.”

Kylie sat in the back seat, touching up her makeup. “Got it.”

Her fans had always been dying to see what she really looked like. Now they finally had their chance. When she made her appearance, they’d definitely be blown away.

She had the skills, and on top of that, she was young and beautiful.

The car slowly pulled up to the red carpet. The man got out and personally opened the door for her. “Dolcie, we’re here.”

Kylie snapped her compact shut and gathered her dress. She placed one foot on the ground, then ducked out of the car.

The host’s voice boomed across the venue. “Please welcome platinum-level expert, Dolcie Chapman!”

Dolcie wore a strapless midnight blue evening gown—custom-made and incredibly expensive. Though she wasn’t particularly busty, the dress created an alluring décolletage.

Her fans went wild the moment they saw how stunning their goddess looked, chanting “Dolcie! Dolcie!” like they’d been injected with pure adrenaline. After Kylie stepped out, Sarah followed behind her. She’d come too, riding on Dolcie’s coattails.

Kylie flashed the crowd a smile, and they screamed even louder.

After the photo ops and flower presentations wrapped up, Kylie walked forward with Sarah trailing behind. Her pace was measured—neither rushed nor leisurely.

Just as they approached the main entrance, another car pulled up.

The host’s voice rang out again. “Please welcome platinum-level expert, Boa Hanks!”

Kylie froze mid-step at the name. She turned around, wanting to get a good look at the person supposedly outshining her.

The car pulled to a stop, and Shermaine stepped out in a stunning evening dress. Under the flashing lights, she looked breathtaking.

Her fans, who had never imagined their idol was a woman, had already shouted in unison. “All hail, Your Majesty!”

Their voices boomed across the venue, practically shaking the heavens.

Shermaine froze for a moment. Her fans froze too, shocked to discover that Boa Hanks was female.

Then, with perfect synchronization, they quickly corrected themselves. “All hail the Empress!”

The reason they’d chosen this greeting was simple. Boa Hanks was known as the Pirate Empress in a famous anime. Since their idol shared their love for the character, calling her “Your Majesty” seemed fitting. After all, she was just as formidable as the character.

Fortunately, even though their “man” turned out to be a woman, she still carried herself with such a commanding presence that she truly looked like she could conquer the world.

Standing at the end of the red carpet, Kylie’s face suddenly changed. Confusion filled her mind as she wondered, ‘Boa Hanks is Shermaine? But isn’t she just a high school student?’

Sarah frowned as well, thinking to herself, ‘Shermaine is walking the red carpet just like Dolcie, and people are even calling her an Empress?’