The banquet hall glowed with chandeliers, chatter rising with the clink of glasses and the scent of food and wine.
But Jace was busy preparing a different kind of meal.
His hand lingered on Valentina's thigh, fingertips stroking slow circles along her skin. His touch was warm, deliberate, the faint drag of his fingers making her nerves spark.
Her breath grew heavy. A shiver ran through her body, subtle enough to be missed in the laughter and clinking of glasses, but unmistakable to her own skin.
Noelle, seated to her right, turned suddenly. Her gentle eyes caught the tremor. "Senior, what happened? Even during shooting you fell down. Are you okay?"
Jace's lips curved into a smooth smile. "Yes. Is there some issue?" Beneath the table his hand slid higher, his finger tracing the hem of her dress, dipping under the silk to find her panties.
Valentina stiffened. Her expression flickered between fury and shame, her cheeks hot and red. She gritted her teeth lightly, then forced her head toward Noelle. "I-It's okay. I'm fine—"
But Jace was already moving. His fingers pressed against her lower lips through the thin cotton, rubbing with unhurried pressure. Each drag stirred a pulse in her clit, sending heat coursing up her belly.
A tremor shook her thighs. She swallowed hard, caught between the urge to push him away and the throbbing ache spreading inside her.
Noelle leaned closer, voice small and worried. "S-Senior? You're shaking too much. Are you really fine?"
Valentina opened her mouth but no words came. He was touching her here, in public, with Noelle sitting right beside her. At any moment she could be found out. That thought alone made her chest pound and her pussy drip, the shame twisting into dangerous arousal.
Jace smirked, voice silk. "Yes. If you are feeling unwell, why don't you go rest in one of the rooms?"
Her whole body clenched. She shook her head slightly, voice trembling. "N-No… I'm fine."
"Ah!" Amelia's voice cut in suddenly. She leaned closer to Jace, her eyes curious. "Jace, I forgot to ask."
Valentina gasped, her heart lurching. From Amelia's angle now, the view was clear—she could catch them at any moment. That very possibility made Valentina's skin burn hotter, her thighs twitching with need.
"How much does this all cost?" Amelia asked in a low voice.
Jace's hand stilled for a moment, thumb resting against Valentina's clit. He turned his head toward Amelia, smiling faintly. "Well, not much. Just a little over… a million."
Amelia's eyes widened. "W-What? Isn't that too expensive?"
He gave a soft laugh, and in that pause his hand lifted, leaving Valentina's clit throbbing with the sudden absence. She released a heavy breath, chest rising fast, face flushed with heat.
Amelia frowned slightly. "We should have left the other members out. Only the department heads would have sufficed."
Jace waved the thought away lightly. "No, it's fine. Only when everyone enjoys can they work harder. Don't you agree too, Ms. Valentina?"
"H-Huh?" Valentina flinched, caught in the middle of gasping for air. "Did you… call me—"
She couldn't finish. Jace's hand returned, this time rougher. Above the table his arm was visible, moving toward her lap in plain sight.
Below, his palm pressed flat against her pussy through the thin barrier of her panties, his grip firm, grinding her lower lips beneath his hand.
Her entire body jolted. Her breath hitched into a gasp, loud enough to draw a glance from Noelle.
She bent forward slightly, teeth clamping down on her lower lip to stop the cry that threatened to spill out.
The pressure of his palm made her folds ache, her clit throb. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Her body arched into his touch even as her pride screamed against it.
His grip tightened further, rubbing harder, claiming every inch of her pussy as if he owned it.
He wasn't just touching her; he was exposing her, making her feel as though everyone in the hall could see the raw, wet mess between her thighs.
Her mind screamed, 'I'll be caught. They'll know.' But her body answered with violent shudders of pleasure, each pulse hotter, wilder, until she thought she might break.
Her nails dug into the edge of the table. A faint, strangled moan slipped past her lips.
And then she shot up to her feet.
The sudden movement jolted the table. Jace smoothly, quickly drew his hand back, his face unreadable.
Every head turned toward her. Conversations stopped.
"I… I'm going home," Valentina stammered.
Amelia blinked, startled. "The party just started. And you're already leaving?"
Valentina forced a thin smile. "I'm not feeling… well."
Noelle's worried eyes followed her. "Senior…"
Valentina moved quickly, steps unsteady. She slipped past Amelia's chair—but Jace's hand shot out, gripping her wrist gently yet firmly.
"If you're not feeling well," his voice was smooth, calm, "then how about resting in my room? It's just on the second floor."
Amelia straightened. "Yes. If you're unwell, driving home will be too difficult. Stay in the hotel."
Valentina froze. "B-But… how can I…"
Jace leaned closer, his red eyes gleaming. "If you're uncomfortable staying in my room, then how about Amelia's? Your room number is 904, right?"
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a polite smile. "Ah! Yes." She pulled out her room keycard and handed it to Jace.
"Let me escort you," he said warmly.
"N-No, it's fine—"
"Please." Jace's smile brightened. "Allow me."
The department heads at the table began to nod in agreement.
"Yes, let him help you. It's safer."
"Mr. Jace is right, you shouldn't go alone."
"You don't refuse his consideration."
"You'll feel better if someone accompanies you."
Under their collective pressure, Valentina's resistance cracked. She lowered her eyes, voice soft. "O-Okay. Thanks."
Jace turned to Amelia with a light nod. "Then I'll be back quickly."
She smiled back.
His gaze shifted to Noelle, who blinked nervously, not expecting him to address her. "A-Ah! Please come back soon, Sir."
He chuckled. "I will. Just don't drink alcohol. You can't even hold one glass."
The table burst into laughter. Noelle pouted.
Jace chuckled. 'How cute.'
He rose, moving toward Valentina. His voice dropped low as he leaned close, whispering near her ear so only she could hear. "Did you think I would let you go?"
Her throat bobbed. She swallowed hard, eyes darting forward. She didn't answer—because some part of her, twisted and raw, was looking forward to what came next.
They left the hall together. The corridor outside was hushed as they walked toward the elevator.
Two women stood in front of them as the elevator started, chatting idly, unaware.
Valentina stayed silent, pulse pounding in her ears. A dark thought crept into her mind. 'Ifhe suddenly… how would it feel?'
She bit her lip, thighs pressing together. Her eyes betrayed her arousal, and Jace caught every flicker of it. A smirk tugged at his lips.
Then Jace's hand slid behind Valentina and gripped her ass firmly through her thin red dress, his fingers sinking into the soft curve.