After the maid placed the book back, she returned to continue massaging Anna's shoulders. “Mistress, may I ask what you plan to do?”

  “I’m not fond of the way this world is; I want to see if I can change a place into what I like. Yes, that’s right, that’s what I want to do most at the moment—not dwell on those false memories all day long.”

  With that, Anna lazily pushed herself up from the lounge chair. “How long until we arrive?”

  “According to the crew, this passenger ship’s next stop is the Crown of the World, and we should be there in an hour or two at most.”

  “In that case, have the others in the cargo hold prepare. I’ll grab a bite to eat first, then we’ll disembark together.”

  As the door opened, Anna stepped out, dressed in a form-fitting black lace gown. To avoid being recognized, she wore a half-transparent veil over her face. This only added to her allure, shrouding her in an air of mystery.

  She gazed out at the dark sea, stretching her arms upwards and leaning back slightly, lazily yawning. The seductive curve of her body caught the attention of men in the corridors on either side.

  Before long, one man took action.

  With a confident stride, a middle-aged man in shiny high-heeled shoes and a tailored suit, sporting a thin mustache above his lips, approached her. “Beautiful lady, may I invite you to the masquerade ball? If you choose to join, the queen of tonight's ball may very well be you.”

  Anna quickly sized him up and shook her head. “I would love to go, but I’m not in a position to be in the spotlight right now.”

  With that, she turned and walked down another corridor.

  The middle-aged man, undeterred, hurried after her. “Where are you headed? I’m quite familiar with this ship; perhaps I can show you the way.”

  “I’m going to the lower hold.” The sound of Anna’s black heels clicking sharply against the deck echoed as she walked.

  Upon hearing “lower hold,” the man’s expression changed. He quickly followed her, trying to persuade her. “Why would you want to go to such a place? That’s where only the lower class goes; a beauty like you would be throwing a diamond into a gutter.”

  “Ha ha,” Anna chuckled lightly.

  “Madam, I’m not joking. Those down there are ignorant crooks and criminals; it’s very dangerous for you to go there.”

  “Is that so? If it’s so dangerous for a delicate woman like me, shouldn’t you, as a gentleman, accompany me to protect me?”

  The man stood frozen, his expression a mix of confusion and embarrassment. After a long pause, he ultimately decided not to follow her.

  Anna descended the iron staircase from the VIP quarters down to the deck, ignoring the sailors’ warnings as she ventured into the ship’s hold.

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  She continued her descent, layer by layer, where dim oil lamps replaced bright electric lights, and a strange odor began to fill the air.

  When she finally reached the bottom level, the sight of overcrowded people made her feel as though she had entered a concentration camp.

  Perhaps due to the absence of windows, the air was stifling, filled with the smell of sweat. Most of the men were stripped down to their underwear, and the few women present wore as little as possible. Most people could only sit, with barely any space to lie down.

  A hint of discomfort crossed Anna’s face. “This ship is like the Titanic above; how can it be so different down here? There’s not even a private space.”

  In such a place, the sudden appearance of a well-dressed woman drew significant attention. The eyes of several shirtless men lit up, but they only dared to look from a distance.

  Anna slightly bent down to a boy of about fourteen or fifteen standing nearby. “Hello, may I ask if anyone here is named Charles…?”

  Before she could finish, the boy recoiled in fear, as if the alluring woman before him was more terrifying than anything else. When one’s own status is reduced to the lowest point, the approach of beauty can only evoke instinctive fear.

  Anna glanced down at her own body, momentarily wondering if she had inadvertently revealed her true self.

  “Excuse me, miss, do you need something?” Finally, a woman with a child spoke up.

  “Um… I’m looking for someone named Charles. Never mind, it seems he’s not here.”

  As Anna turned to ascend the stairs, the woman eagerly called out to the crowd, “This lady is looking for someone named Charles! Can anyone help her find him?”

  The previously silent crowd suddenly buzzed with conversation, inquiring if anyone knew a Charles.

  Seeing this, Anna felt it would be rude to leave now.

  A short-haired girl beside the woman looked up at Anna’s silk gown in awe. “Sister, you’re so beautiful.”

  No woman dislikes being complimented on her beauty. Anna bent down and gently patted the girl’s head. “You’ll be beautiful too one day.”

  The little girl smiled sweetly. “Sister, where are you going on the ship?”

  “To the Crown of the World.”

  “Really? My mom and I are going there too!”

  “Oh? Why are you and your mother going there?”

  “Because people at sea say the governor of the Crown of the World is very generous. If we go there, we’ll get a piece of land, and if we really get land, we can plant rye and won’t have to spend money on bread anymore.”

  Anna turned to the girl’s mother. “That place isn’t very suitable for living. Are you sure you want to take your daughter there?”

  The woman’s face showed a bittersweet smile. “The child’s father hasn’t returned from the sea, and we have no other choice. At least there, we can survive.”

  Anna cupped the little girl’s face in her hands, gazing into her innocent eyes, momentarily lost in thought.

  “Why are you going to the Crown of the World, sister? Are you going there to farm too?”

  Hearing this, the woman quickly pulled her daughter back, embarrassed. “I apologize; she doesn’t know any better and speaks out of turn.”

  Anna shook her head, indicating she wasn’t bothered.

  Just then, the crowded area parted, and a frail, bald old man emerged. “I’m Charles. Are you looking for me?”

  Upon connecting the name with the Charles in her mind, Anna suddenly burst into laughter, covering her mouth.

  This laughter left everyone else in the hold puzzled.

  “Ha ha ha!! Gao Zhiming, is that really what you look like when you get old?”

  After finally managing to suppress her laughter, Anna crouched down again, gently hugging the little girl and saying to the woman behind her, “Once you arrive at the Crown of the World, you should head back. It’s not a suitable place to live, and it will soon become chaotic there.”

  With that, Anna turned and walked back up the stairs.

  The old man named Charles stood there, bewildered, unsure of what had just happened.

  The stifling environment suddenly buzzed with chatter as everyone discussed the veiled woman and her appearance.

  The little girl, feeling a bit stiff, leaned closer to her mother and whispered, “Mom, look.”

  Her small palm opened to reveal a dazzling diamond earring.