The wealthy men present sat up straight, abandoning their previous flippant and casual gazes, and became respectful.
The gentlemen, who knew each other well, quickly exchanged a knowing glance and nodded to each other, everything understood without words.
Some people were secretly surprised: So that's how it is!
No wonder this young couple was able to stay in that legendary bow suite, and no wonder the captain personally greeted them!
It was Malfoy!
Even more extreme, some have already subconsciously started adjusting their ties or cuffs, their minds racing as they plan how to naturally approach someone and exchange business cards.
Even if it's just to become familiar with the other person.
A middle-aged man, who was chatting and laughing with his female companion while holding a glass of champagne, suddenly jerked his wrist when he heard the name Malfoy. The purplish-red liquid in his glass sloshed violently, almost spilling out.
He quickly regained his composure, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face.
The eyes of the meticulously dressed female tycoons, socialites, and heiresses instantly lit up, their admiring and curious gazes unabashedly focused on Draco.
Their minds were racing:
My God! The young master of the Malfoy family is so handsome?! His demeanor, his looks, his physique... he's just as good-looking as any Hollywood star or member of Europe royalty!
But Mrs. Malfoy? Is he already married?! Married so young?! What a pity!
That girl... is she Mrs. Malfoy? She looks so young, even a bit... student-like? Just who is she? How could she have won over such a man so early?
When their gazes turned to Hermione, who stood calmly beside Draco, their expressions became extremely complex.
Some envied her good fortune, some were jealous of her position, and some were curious about who she was that caught the eye of this noble young man.
At the same time, they also felt a little resentful and competitive, wanting to see what made this girl who could stand next to such a dazzling man so special.
At this moment, the relaxed and casual atmosphere of the cocktail party instantly became subtle, with an invisible sense of hierarchy and distance quietly spreading.
All attention shifted from the captain to the table in the corner of the banquet hall that was the absolute focal point.
Faced with this sudden surge of attention, Draco merely glanced around indifferently, then casually draped his arm over the back of Hermione's chair, leaning his body towards her and unconsciously pulling her closer to him.
The implication of asserting sovereignty couldn't be clearer.
Hermione felt the strength from his arm, and miraculously, the panic and embarrassment in her heart subsided considerably.
She forced herself to raise her head, meet those gazes, and try to give a polite yet distant smile.
Since we can't avoid it, we might as well face it.
After all, she was Hermione Granger, the young mistress of the Malfoy family; this little situation was no challenge for her...
perhaps...
As the music gently rises, the captain raises his glass and says, "Let us raise a toast and wish this voyage a safe and pleasant one!"
All the guests raised their glasses in unison.
For a moment, the crisp, melodious sound of the crystal glasses clinking together echoed like the gentle chimes of a wind chime in the magnificent hall.
The golden bubbles of champagne rose merrily in the glasses, reflecting the joyful and expectant expressions on everyone's faces.
Draco turned his head and touched his champagne glass to Hermione's juice glass.
Meeting his encouraging gaze, Hermione felt reassured, a composed and graceful smile appearing on her face. She calmly raised her glass with him, bringing it to her lips with poise and elegance.
The music slowed down, returning to a soothing background tone, and the atmosphere became relaxed again, with conversations buzzing around once more.
Well-trained waiters carried silver platters laden with champagne towers and small snacks, moving among the guests.
However, this relief did not last long.
Almost half a minute later, several prominent business tycoons, carrying wine glasses, came over first.
With perfectly measured smiles and respectful yet unobsequious demeanor, the middle-aged man at the head of the group said, " Mr. Malfoy, it is a great honor to be on board with you today."
"It's all fate!" Draco said politely.
"Yes, yes!" The other person then turned their gaze to Hermione, praising, "This lady has an outstanding temperament, is elegant and poised, and is truly impressive."
"Thank you, you flatter me!" Hermione replied politely.
Following their lead, several more distinguished guests arrived one after another, raising their glasses to exchange pleasantries.
Draco handled each situation with composure, managing everything perfectly, maintaining his dignity without embarrassing anyone.
Hermione stood quietly half a step to his side.
She didn't interrupt or get stage fright.
When Draco is talking to someone, he maintains a calm gaze, nodding when appropriate and smiling when necessary.
When someone steers the conversation toward her, she can respond with concise and appropriate words, neither showing arrogance nor timidity.
Standing there, upright and composed, she seemed born to stand beside Draco, handling these situations with the poise of a true matriarch.
Taking advantage of the brief lull, Draco leaned slightly to Hermione's ear and whispered praise, "Your performance was impeccable; we were the most presentable couple."
" Mr. Malfoy, mind your aristocratic manners." Hermione glanced at him briefly, a smile involuntarily creeping onto her lips.
"I've always been very serious," Draco said.
"Especially when it comes to protecting my wife's image."
Draco emphasized it.
"Yes, yes, no one is more serious than you."
As soon as she finished speaking, a young woman in a sequined, form-fitting long dress walked over with a glass of champagne.
The woman's gaze was fixed on Draco, scanning him from head to toe, a look of amazement flashing in her eyes.
"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy ~ I've long admired the Malfoy family, and seeing them today, I can confirm their reputation is well-deserved. May I have the honor of... getting to know you?" The woman's voice was soft and coquettish.
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, deliberately displaying her graceful curves, completely ignoring Hermione standing next to Draco.
Or rather, it's a deliberate provocation.
Several pairs of eyes, seemingly watching with anticipation, were cast their way from the surrounding area.
Before Draco could speak, Hermione took half a step forward.
That half-step changed the three people's positions.
"Excuse me," Hermione said, standing conveniently between the woman and Draco, forming an invisible barrier, her face still bearing a polite smile.
"My husband isn't used to deep conversations with strangers, especially... in situations where he needs to be relaxed."
One sentence completely blocked the fox's path.
The woman hadn't expected Hermione to respond so forcefully, and her carefully crafted smile froze on her face.
She instinctively looked at Draco, hoping the handsome leading man could say something, even if it was just to smooth things over.
But the other party showed no intention of helping her out. The woman forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Oh, I see. Well, thank you for your time."
After saying that, the woman left dejectedly.