Josie gradually adapted to the light, squirting slightly. On the stage, the trio jointly held the handle of the knife and cut the cake together.
Dexter was calm and composed. His passion in the room earlier was all but gone, and he was restrained and aloof.
Heather was surrounded in the center, and it wouldnât be an exaggeration to say she was a princess.
As Josie looked at Dexter, he returned her gaze. She wasnât sure if she was seeing things, but she discerned at sense of warmth in his eyes.
She then glanced below the stage again. Claudia was also wearing a gown that day, and it was azure blue. The woman was looking at Heather with a smile on her face.
âNothing much. I just feel that some things in this world are truly unfair.â
With a light scoff, Josie found a corner to sit down. Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the stage remained as lively as ever.
Morganâs gaze fell on her reddened ankles. âDo your feet hurt?â
At his remark, Josie belatedly realized that her high heels were too small, leaving her fair ankles covered in red marks.
âYeah.â
Morgan then crouched down and took her shoes off for her. As his large hands covered her ankles, a cooling sensation washed over them.â
Instinctively, Josie shrank back and looked around. âThis isnât quite proper.â
Morgan also darted his eyes around. âWho cares about you right now?â
That comment hit home, for everyoneâs eyes were indeed on Heather.
Thus, Josie allowed him to do as he pleased.
Morgan placed her feet on his legs, intermittently kneading them. His movements were gentle, as though he was handling a precious treasure.
Still, Josie still felt a bit uncomfortable entrusting her feet to someone else and instinctively wanted to pull them back. âOkay, thatâs enough-â
Morgan pinned her feet down. âItâs not like I havenât seen them before.â
Words eluded Josie.
On the stage, things had progressed to the auction segment. The host introduced the few paintings that would be sold that day and quickly went into the bidding phase.
Heather sat below the stage, but Dexter was not by his side. He seemed uninterested in attending such an event.
The bidding below the stage was intense. It was all wealthy heirs, for they wouldnât dare disrespect the Olsen family and their daughter even if it were to win their support.
For that reason, this price shot exceptionally high.
Josie saw that even Arnold had bid twice.
But in the end, the winning bidder was a woman from the socialite circles. She seemed to have come prepared with ample funds.
âWhat about you? Do you not like paintings?â Josie asked casually, retracting her feet.
She remembered that Morgan used to love collecting such items. If he found something he liked, he would go to great lengths to buy it, no matter the distance.
Morgan sat beside her. Looking at the painting on the screen, he scoffed, âI only collect paintings of value.â
Josie almost burst into laughter.
Soon, it was the final painting. Instead of hurrying into the bidding phase, the host invited Heather on the stage.
âThis final painting of âThe Moon, My Confidantâ has just won the 11th Magnolia Awards in Wavery two days ago. Today, Ms. Olsen is willing to put this painting up for public auction, giving us an opportunity to hear about her design concept for this piece.â
The guests below the stage broke out into applause once more.
Heather shyly stepped onto the stage, looking incredibly dazzling under the spotlight.
âWinning this award was really a stroke of luck. Thereâs still a lot I need to learn.â Heather turned sideways. âI drew this painting during my most difficult time. Iâm not afraid to admit that I couldnât even afford a meal at that time. What kept me going was the person I love. Every night, I would gaze at the moon, reminiscing our past, imagining what he might be doing, and if he were thinking of me. That was how I managed to pull through, bit by bit.â
Nearing the end of it, tears even welled up in her eyes.
It turned out to be a romantic and poignant love story.
In the lounge in the same building, a cup of coffee was placed before Dexter with steam wafting off it.
The woman on the stage seemed to be confessing her feelings to him, but all that was in his mind was Morgan holding Josieâs feet.