Holden’s brow furrowed as he retraced his steps. Last night, in the midst of his encounter with that woman, her bracelet had
somehow become entangled, its pendant ending up in his jacket pocket by accident.
Memories of the wild night flooded Holden’s mind. The woman’s face etched in his thoughts caused his heart to quicken once
more.
His frown deepened.
An unsettling feeling crept over him. The familiar yet distant sensations within him were growing, almost spiraling out of control.
Throughout the years, many had sought to exploit their connection to the
Fredrick Group, yet none had stirred these emotions within him. A sensation akin to something swelling within his chest, mingled
with an odd, unexplainable bitterness,
Every gesture of that woman had entranced him, a sensation he hadn’t experienced since the woman he danced with at the
banquet.
The woman in the Medusa costume seemed to evoke a peculiar resonance within him,
Confused by his emotions, Holden grasped the pendant, his attention refocusing,
“Has everyone disembarked from the cruise?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” Shawn replied,
Holden fell into contemplation, absently twirling the pendant with his fingers.
If the woman from last night had indeed entered his bed with the intent to win his favor, then her objective had been achieved.
He had even left his number for her, expecting a swift contact.
Opening his phone once more, he checked, but no notifications greeted him.
Reviewing the call records revealed no missed calls either.
Despite his usual disdain for such calculations, a strange sense of disappointment settled within him.
Silence lingered before Holden spoke again, his tone measured.
“Look into the woman who attended last night’s cruise ball wearing the Medusa dress.”
“Of course, sir.” Shawn recalled that she was the same woman Holden had danced with, his curiosity piqued. It baffled him how
Holden, who usually kept others at arm’s length, could be swayed by a mere dance.
But prudence kept him from probing further; instead, he simply agreed to carry out the task.