"Vast stretches of shining stars, a river brimming with the Milky Way. What a lovely name! Joel, don't you agree?"
The Old Madam turned her head and looked at her grandson with a deep and meaningful gaze, her eyes filled with a strong warning.
It was as if speaking a single word in dissent would lead to her devouring someone whole!
Joel Russo's eyes tinged with a helpless smile, but he still nodded.
"Yes, it's a very pleasing name!"
"And a very fitting one!"
The Old Madam raised her eyebrows proudly, then turned to Arabella Vanderbilt and said:
"Come, Arabella, let me introduce you, this is my grandson, Joel Russo."
Arabella Vanderbilt lifted her gaze toward the man who had been standing to the side all along, but unexpectedly found herself lost in his deep, dark eyes resembling a profound pool.
The man had delicate features and a handsome presence; just standing there, he exuded an air of nobility and elegance that was undeniable.
One look at his appearance and demeanor was enough to tell he was no ordinary person!
She felt she had seen him somewhere before, but she couldn't remember where exactly!
Perhaps she was mistaken; a man of such caliber wouldn't be someone easily forgotten, would he?
She pondered briefly, still hearing the Old Madam's words in her ears, and felt a twinge of embarrassment when looking at the man again.
Vast stretches of shining stars, a river brimming with the Milky Way.
Joel Russo...
Shining stars, the Milky Way...
This was just too... intentional.
Joel Russo's ink-dark eyes held an unfathomable wisdom. Sensing Arabella Vanderbilt's embarrassment, a gleam flickered in his eyes, and he politely extended his hand, initiating the greeting.
"Hello, I'm Joel Russo."
"Hello, I am Arabella Vanderbilt."
Arabella Vanderbilt also extended her hand, trying to stand up straight, but paused in the middle of doing so.
Having squatted for too long, her legs had gone numb, and coupled with the injury she had just sustained on her waist, the slightest movement sent a wave of pins and needles through her legs, causing them to buckle and her body to lean backward.
"Be careful."
Her beautiful face, rarely seen flustered, widened with alarm. However, a low, cool voice sounded above her head.
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, whisking her back to safety.
Arabella Vanderbilt abruptly found herself in the arms of Joel Russo.
A crisp light fragrance enveloped her, filling Arabella Vanderbilt with extreme awkwardness.
Reacting quickly, she tried to push him away, but the tingling sensation of numbness in her legs made her stumble again, causing her to slide out of his embrace.
Instinctively, she reached out and clung to the man's sturdy shoulders for self-protection.
At the same time, the hand around her waist tightened once more, lifting her up.
Arabella Vanderbilt bit her lip hard; twice falling into the man's arms was more than embarrassing for her.
"Don't move just yet."
The deep, authoritative voice made Arabella Vanderbilt instantly abandon any thoughts of leaving, while the heat from the hand encircling her waist could be felt even through the fabric of her clothes.
Her cheek pressed against his chest, she could distinctly hear the powerful beating of his heart, resounding like a drum.
Aside from the palpitations, her pale cheeks finally blushed a deep red.
It was her first time being this close to someone. Despite having dated Oliver Timmerman for so many years, the most they'd ever shared was a light hug when parting—merely a formality, almost perfunctory, without even feeling each other's warmth.
This closeness was already her limit.
Joel Russo, feeling the almost fragile body in his arms that he could wrap an arm and a half around, slightly furrowed his finely shaped brows.