Chapter 461
The silver-haired assassin stepped back inside and immediately noticed where Joshua’s eyes had been the whole time, locked on the live stream, on that woman named Boa Hanks. A thought clicked instantly. ‘Is this Boa the one Mr. Reaper held so dearly?’
He watched Joshua’s subtle expression again, and the slight curve at the corner of the man’s lips only confirmed the suspicion. That faint smile wasn’t something Joshua wore often, not unless it meant something.
Shermaine really was something else. Not long ago, she’d made a mercenary crew vanish into thin air, and now she was cruising through the International Gambling Tournament like it was her own backyard.
He had heard of Mandy before. She was Bronx’s protégé, known throughout Baykeep for her gambling skills and polished charm. Plenty of men had chased after her, drawn in by reputation as much as beauty, but even she hadn’t lasted long against Shermaine.
“Sir, the car is ready. We can leave whenever you are,” the assassin said quietly.
Joshua gave a soft grunt in response. From the lobby to the car, his eyes barely strayed from the screen. Even when all he could see was Shermaine’s back, he didn’t want to look away.
It had been far too long. This kind of longing, carved so deeply into his bones, couldn’t be eased just by seeing her on a screen. Not even a glimpse could soothe it.
Shermaine’s figure grew smaller as she walked away from the camera, but one lens kept tracking her, keeping her elegant silhouette in sight the entire time.
She’d just raked in a ridiculous amount of Xyperia tokens. Her mood was fairly pleasant. As she mentally added “upgrade Gracie’s stroller” to her to-do list, a man suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
He was tall, sharply dressed, with chiseled features typical of Xyperia’s elite. His ash-brown hair was neatly slicked back, his nose high-bridged, and his watch was a custom piece from the Moreno family, something only the highest class could wear.
His presence was sharp and deliberate, and the look he gave her left no doubt about what he wanted.
Shermaine disliked that kind of gaze. Unless it came from Joshua, she had no patience for this kind of greedy attention.
“Ms. Hanks,” the man greeted, holding out a single flower. As it met the air, the deep blue bud bloomed open. Crystalline, fragrant, beautiful. “How about a drink?” he asked.
No one watching was surprised. A woman like Boa, deadly talented and stunning, of course someone like Simon would shoot his shot. Hell, half the men watching wanted to. The only reason Simon beat them to it was that no one else dared to move first.
But what caught everyone off guard was the fact that Simon failed.
Shermaine didn’t even glance his way. She walked right past him.
Simon wasn’t offended. He actually smiled, amused. That spark of challenge only lit up more in his eyes. ‘Smart women,’ he thought, ‘are a different kind of beautiful. She smells incredible, too. Subtle, intoxicating.’
But from Mandy’s angle, the whole thing looked like a classic case of playing hard to get. A game women played when they wanted to reel a man in without looking too eager.
‘She’ll be saying yes in no time,’ Mandy thought bitterly. ‘That’s how these girls do it.’
She had just lost everything—money, pride, and her spot in the tournament. She was seething. She wanted Simon to comfort her, but Simon had no interest in her.
Shermaine’s flawless performance had caught other eyes, too. People from Shirley’s camp had started paying attention. After all, true talents never stayed unnoticed, and in a tournament like this, everyone was scouting.
Chapter 461
Back in her room, Shermaine finally relaxed.
Jasmine was beaming. She had bet on Shermaine the whole time and made a small fortune, enough to splurge for weeks.
In the stroller, Gracie stirred. She didn’t cry, she just blinked up at the ceiling with big, shining eyes framed by long lashes.
It technically wasn’t time for another feeding yet. She’d been fed before boarding the ship, but close enough.
“Oh my God, Boa Goddess, you’re incredible. My savings just tripled overnight. I love you so much,” Jasmine said, her eyes practically sparkling.
The tournament still had a long way to go, and as long as Shermaine kept competing, Jasmine could keep betting. At this rate, she’d never have to worry about food or rent for the rest of her life.
Shermaine didn’t even look up. “Save it. I won’t love you back.”
Jasmine gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Ow. Right in the feelings.”
Shermaine finally smiled. Her gaze drifted to Gracie, and her sharp edges softened in an instant.
Gracie wasn’t smiling until she saw her mom. Then her little mouth curled open, and there it was.
Shermaine picked her up and kissed her round, soft cheek.
“Look at that, she’s smiling,” Jasmine squealed. “Gracie’s gonna be a genius when she grows up.”
‘Obviously. She’s Joshua’s daughter. My precious,’ Shermaine said to herself.
She picked up the little yellow rubber duck on the stroller tray. “Come on, Gracie. Time for a bath.”
Meanwhile, in the car, Joshua’s mind hadn’t left the image of that stranger. The man had dared to look at his Sheary with that kind of interest.
The window was halfway down, and his sharp features were drawn tight.
That man’s eyes… Joshua wouldn’t mind carving them out.