Melissa couldn't help but inspect Liam's every move, finding him so confusing that feeling transformed into interest.
Women innately faced more dangers than their male counterparts. It simply was the way of the world. They had something every man desired, creating that additional threat.
The cultivation world only worsened that aspect. It could look more respectful on the surface, but power had a way of deepening and enabling people's darkest desires.
On top of that, Melissa was stunning, and that awareness didn't come from arrogance or high self-esteem. Her innate, incredible beauty had been a curse all her life, attracting so much unwanted and dangerous attention that she had been forced to acknowledge it.
That acknowledgement had led Melissa to develop defensive measures. Her silent, emotionless, and disinterested demeanor was her way to appear unapproachable. Unlike her fellow Sisters, she even disregarded her looks on purpose, only showing her shabbiest sides.
