Chapter 721
Hence, when Skylar went to buy a new car, she couldn’t help but be picky.
The car dealership was running a promotion, and quite a few people were there.
Skylar didn’t want the sales staff following her around, so she wandered the showroom alone.
Just then, she overheard two young women discussing the latest
entertainment news.
“Did you see this morning’s trending topic? It’s all about Charles Sullivan. Apparently, he invited Felicia Ingram to dinner and got all handsy with her. He even had someone take photos to stir up some publicity. The lengths he’ll go to for fame are just pathetic. Such a waste of a good–looking face.”
“Honestly, I had a pretty good impression of him. His recent movies and shows have been getting a lot of attention. I thought he would be the next Oscar- winning actor, but one can never truly judge a book by its cover. It’s so disgusting! Poor Felicia.”
“Exactly! They’re supposed to work on a film together, and Charles has played minor roles for years. He’s clearly desperate to make it big.
“People always talk about how messy the entertainment industry is, and it’s true. No matter how successful a woman is, she still has to watch out for scumbags like him.”
“I’m going to comment and share this too. Scumbags like him shouldn’t be in the entertainment industry.”
The two women continued to vent their anger over the latest scandal.
Skylar’s expression changed as she listened, and she quickly pulled out her phone to check the news. Sure enough, several hashtags were blowing up.
#Charlesgetoutofentertainmentindustry!
#CharlesmustapologizetoFelicia!
The hashtags were all focused on ruining Charles’s career.
Photos of the two dining together at a restaurant dominated the headlines.
Chapter 721
From the pictures, it really did seem like Charles was getting handsy with
Felicia.
Felicia’s face was partially turned away from the camera, making her expression hard to read.
There were also a few seconds of video footage, adding weight to the
accusations against Charles.
The production team reacted swiftly, announcing just minutes ago that they
had terminated Charles‘ contract as the male lead. Meanwhile, Felicia’s team had posted only a single picture of her back. She looked weak and vulnerable.
On top of that, Adele chimed in with comments like, “Are all these scumbags
this bold now?”
This whole situation sparked a wave of sympathy online, with people calling for Charles to be blacklisted.
In an instant, everything Charles had worked so hard to build was in jeopardy.
This scandal began brewing just an hour ago, making it the hottest news.
As Skylar scrolled through the endless stream of hateful comments aimed at Charles, her hands trembled. People were tearing him apart, even digging up unrelated dirt from his past.
She immediately left the car dealership. Just as she was about to call Charles, her phone rang–it was Natalie.
“Skye, I just woke up and saw the news about your brother. I talked to Mr. Powell and Hank. They both agree this news was premeditated.
“I know your brother’s character, and Mr. Powell had met him a few times too. In the entertainment industry, Charles had always had a reputation for being professional and well–liked.
“This is definitely a setup! Don’t panic. I’ll ask Mr. Powell and Hank to see what they can do. This needs to be handled immediately by the PRs.”
Skylar knew little about the entertainment industry, but the overwhelming flood of trending topics and news articles made it clear someone was trying to ruin Charles.
After a few more words with Natalie, Skylar called Charles. However, his phone
Chapter 721
was off. It was likely overwhelmed with calls from everyone trying to reach him.
Without wasting any more time, she hailed a cab and headed straight to Charles‘ apartment.
On the way, Skylar called Steven. He picked up almost immediately.
“Steven, Charles is in big trouble. The news is everywhere, and I can’t reach him. His phone is off. I’m sure Mom will find out soon. Can you talk to her? Try to keep her calm. I’ll do everything I can to help Charles sort this out.”
“Charles called me right before he turned off his phone. He told us not to
worry. He’s getting bombarded with calls right now, but he’s busy gathering evidence. I’ll speak to Mom and reassure her,” Steven replied, his voice steady as always.
Skylar did some research on Felicia while on her way to Charles‘. She had met Felicia before and knew she wasn’t exactly a kind person.
If it hadn’t been for Joe’s intervention during the last rear–end incident, Felicia definitely wouldn’t have admitted her fault so easily.
Meanwhile, Natalie kept sending updates on what she was finding out.
Austin’s agent, Hank, was a well–known agent in the industry. He had a reputation for quickly devising strategies to handle any crisis. He introduced Skylar to a PR firm that could handle the situation. However, the price was quite expensive.
Skylar quickly regained her composure and contacted the PR firm Hank recommended. They offered two strategies for her to consider and promised to act immediately if she approved either plan.
However, the situation with Felicia wasn’t looking good. The PR firm admitted that this would be a tough battle. The best solution was to get Felicia to publicly clarify the situation.
Only a statement from her could dispel the rumors and end the backlash against Charles.
Chapter 722
Meanwhile, over at Martin Group, Joe had just wrapped up a meeting when
Paul knocked and entered.
“Mr. Martin, there’s been some trouble involving Mrs. Martin’s brother. Would you like to know more?” Paul had overheard company chatter about Charles. and Felicia and felt it necessary to inform Joe.
Joe was always swamped with work, so he definitely didn’t keep up with entertainment news or care about it. But since this involved Skylar’s brother, it was important to inform him.
Paul believed that Skylar was likely already aware of the situation and was probably anxious about how to help Charles resolve it.
Joe looked up and simply said, “Go ahead.”
Paul then recounted the entire situation between Charles and Felicia. He didn’t
know Charles well, so he wasn’t sure if the rumors were true.
Besides the photographer, only the two people involved knew what really happened. Now, Felicia was allowing the situation to spiral, and Charles was being overwhelmed by various accusations and online attacks.
The truth had become blurred, with the general public’s perception being manipulated by different new stories.
After listening, Joe glanced at his phone. There were no missed calls or messages from Skylar.
That alone signaled trouble.
But Skylar hadn’t come to him for help.
“Get someone to investigate this matter,” Joe instructed after a brief pause.
Paul was about to leave and make arrangements when Joe stopped him again. “Wait, have someone prepare a PR strategy first.”
The truth of the situation wasn’t the most important thing.
Joe had met Charles and didn’t think he was the type to engage in such underhanded tactics. Someone who wanted to build a career based on a
Chapter 722
genuine skill wouldn’t take shortcuts.
Paul was shocked. He realized that Joe’s regard for Skylar was growing. He was so protective of Skylar’s family that he didn’t even need to check the facts. He was already ready to defend them.
Paul admired Joe’s selfless actions, but he also believed that Joe could
benefit from not always acting anonymously.
Fortunately, Joe had Paul, his versatile assistant, who could step in during
critical moments.
Paul set out to find Sarah and begin the public relations efforts, understanding that it would take time to address the situation from start to finish.
Next, he tried calling Skylar. For some reason, the call went unanswered. She was probably busy and couldn’t pick up.
Paul thought for a moment and left a message on Skylar’s WhatsApp, “Mr.
Martin has seen the news and asked me to consult with the PR team for a
solution.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Martin is genuinely committed to helping. Our PR team will do everything they can to salvage Charles‘ career.”
Meanwhile, Adele closely monitored the situation on her phone as she entered
the room.
Felicia smirked as Adele walked in. “See? My position in the entertainment industry is solid. My fan base is huge, and I’m the victim here. Many are rallying to support me.
“Charles will beg me soon, and even Skylar might come to me. I’ve never suffered such humiliation since that incident with Skylar. I’ll show them that
I’m not to be messed with.”
Adele replied, “Your fan base has grown by one million in just a few hours. We’re also getting numerous collaboration offers. This situation is entirely in your favor.
“You could even use this to expose Skylar’s family to Joe, and by positioning yourself as a victim, you could make Mr. Martin pity you. It’s a win–win. Charles is a fool!”
3/3
Felicia thought about Charles‘ attitude toward her.
Aside from Joe’s indifference, Charles was the only man who had treated her with such disregard.
Chapter 723
When Felicia was alone with Charles, she’d dropped every possible hint, but he remained indifferent. And not only did he fail to respond, but he’d also bluntly told her to maintain her dignity.
Felicia was furious.
“He really is a fool!” Felicia scoffed aloud. “Even if I help him get through this mess, his career in the entertainment industry is over. Afterward, I’ll make sure he’s blacklisted. The Sullivans are all so annoying.”
Adele chimed in, “Especially that Skylar, she even had plastic surgery to look like you. She’s desperate to be your double.”
Felicia rolled her eyes. “Mr. Martin will soon see the Sullivans‘ true colors.”
“Charles‘ agent has been calling me non–stop. He must be losing his mind. To think someone like him could match up with us. What a joke,” Adele said with a dismissive snort.
Felicia curled her lips in disdain. “Ignore him. Let them panic on their own. Almost everyone on the internet is on my side. Whatever they do will be useless.”
Meanwhile, in Charles‘ apartment, things were far from calm. Though his apartment usually afforded him plenty of privacy, a crowd of reporters had gathered outside that day.
Someone had leaked Charles‘ home address, and now the reporters were swarming. They were all eager to be the first to interview him or snap a photo.
The day’s hottest topic was the scandal involving Charles and Felicia, so they were desperate to capture anything related to them.
It didn’t matter who they caught on camera. Getting the first photo was all that mattered.
Even more surprisingly, some online influencers had shown up and even started live–streaming the scene.
In less than a day, Charles had become a public villain, and the online community had crucified him online.
From upstairs, Charles cautiously lifted a corner of the curtain and peered down at the scene below.
The scene was chaotic.
Freddie paced back and forth anxiously, clutching his phone as he called everyone he could think of. But nearly every call he made went unanswered.
The company had made its stance clear. They wanted Charles to publicly admit his fault to minimize the damage to their reputation. There was no indication they intended to stand by him.
They even mentioned that actors like Charles were a dime a dozen. Regardless of any PR efforts, his career in the entertainment industry was essentially over.
All the hard–earned popularity and goodwill Charles had built up had been wiped out overnight, leaving nothing behind.
“Stop calling for now. Did the restaurant respond? No one else was there at the time, so those photos and videos must have come from pre–planted cameras. Felicia must’ve set me up on purpose,” Charles said.
Despite his pale complexion, he remained composed and didn’t panic.
Panicking wouldn’t help. In the worst–case scenario, he could always move back to the countryside and start farming. He had earned enough money to buy plenty of land there.
After all, everyone had a fallback plan. However, the feeling of being set up was truly awful.
Freddie’s face was just as pale, not much better than Charles‘. If Charles was finished, so was his career, which had just started showing some promise. That was why he looked even more panicked than Charles.
“The restaurant’s staff got back to us, saying they have no idea what’s going on. It seems like the staff there is hiding something. They’re telling us not to contact them for now. This restaurant is unbelievable!
“And what’s Felicia’s intention? Could it be she’s unhappy with you being the male lead and decided to ruin you with this disgusting stunt? What a terrible
Chapter 723
person!”
Freddie was practically shaking with rage. “Damn i
Chapter 724
Charles took a deep breath. Felicia was too shameless.
“The company’s already given up on me, haven’t they?” Charles asked.
Freddie felt a bit sympathetic. He glanced away momentarily before saying, “I’ll keep negotiating with them. You’ve worked too hard to get here. You can’t let it go to waste just because someone else has schemed against you.
“Besides, I should’ve seen this coming. I should’ve known she had bad intentions. If I had stopped you from meeting her, the worst that could’ve happened was offending her or Mr. Madron. But now, we’re stuck with this so called Scandal they’ve created to ruin you.”
The more Freddie thought about it, the more he regretted it. He realized just how naive they had been. They hadn’t anticipated the possibility of being set up, which left them defenseless.
One blow was all it took to render them powerless.
Charles was silent for a moment. Then, his expression turned grim.
“I’m unlikely to get out of this. We’re too new in this industry, and no one will step up to clear my name. As for Felicia, don’t count on any help from her side.”
Freddie’s eyes welled up, but he fought back the tears. He didn’t want to break down in front of Charles. He walked over to the window, pulling the curtain back slightly to peer outside.
He hoped that the people downstairs would have a change of heart and disperse. Or someone could believe in Charles and stand up for him.
Suddenly, Freddie pointed to a figure below. “Wait, isn’t that your sister? She looks just like your sister. Could she have heard about this and come to check
on you?”
“She should be at work right now. She wouldn’t have time to check her phone during work hours, so she probably doesn’t know what’s going on.”
Although Charles said otherwise, he still walked over and looked in the direction Freddie pointed.
When he saw who it was, the words he was about to say caught in his throat. Standing among the reporters and paparazzi was none other than Skylar.
As Charles had turned off his phone due to the influx of calls, he hadn’t. managed to contact Skylar. He had assumed she would be at work and that Steven would have told her not to worry about him.
He hadn’t expected her to find out so soon and come over.
When dealing with issues on his own, Charles felt somewhat indifferent. Growing up, he faced numerous setbacks, so starting over in a new field was a challenge he was prepared to face. But when his problems affected his family, it was a different story. It hurt him deeply.
“Find a way to bring her up here,” Charles said.
Freddie thought for a moment and nodded. “I’ll find a way.”
Among the crowd of reporters, Skylar looked up at Charles‘ apartment floor.
The curtains were tightly drawn.
The reporters could only capture the tightly drawn curtains even with their telescopic lenses.
Skylar clenched her fists as she listened to the reporters discussing Charles and their attempts to discredit him.
So many people were trying to see Charles, and security guards had blocked everyone off. Hence, Skylar didn’t rush inside.
One of the reporters, Alaric Newton, noticed Skylar. He assumed she was also a reporter. Alaric approached her and said, “None of us can get in. It’s sunny out, so you should not stand here in the heat.
“Let’s exchange WhatsApp contacts. If I manage to get a photo, I’ll send it to you so you can use it for whatever you need.”
Skylar remained silent and shot him a cold glance.
Feeling embarrassed under her gaze, Alaric said, “I’ve been in this industry for a long time. Maybe I can give you some guidance. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Move aside,” Skylar said. She was clearly irritated.
Chapter 724
3/3
She had little patience for those who prioritized sensationalism over truth and harassed others for headlines.
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X
Chapter 785
Abate mungested, “Are you getting input watting? I don’t think Charter t
We can come back when it gets darks. We might get tudy and catch
something unexpected Alaric will med
paramal
I was rare for someone in their line of wors to see such a beautiful woman. A Best glance, he couldn’t help but be attrad Sines his canidnt get to see Charles, he funted he might as well take the opportunity to pursue a woman
Skylar gave him a cold glance and said, “love”
Alarie’s expression changed, and his amis froze.
Meanwhile, Skylar noticed Freddie stu
She immediately followed his signal and aft
her from a disersst spot
A few minutes later, a woman dressed inch Janitor’s uniform entered the building. The security guard let her in wittent hesitation.
The reporters outside barely glanced at her
A few minutes after that, Skylar appeared in front of Charles:
Charles‘ eyes reddened slightly when he saw her. “I didn’t want to worry you What’s with the injures on your head and hande ? Did Jos hurt you? Did he hit
Charles‘ eyes, which had been red, widened in sheels upon seeing Skylare injuries. He was stunned to realize that he was a heartless bastard. This was domestic abuse
“It wasn’t abuse. I was in a car accident a few days age. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. I was in the hospital for a few daye/ Skylar explained quickly.
Chades‘ concem grew when he heard it was a car accident. He scrutinized her
You were in a car accident? Are you hurt anywhere else?”
To fime now. The important thing to deding with your altuation: I’ve consulted with friends about strategies and am leading into public relations options/
Chapter 725
Skylar said.
2/2
Despite being engulfed in his own troubles and facing potential ruin, Charles was more concerned about Skylar’s car accident and her well–being.
Charles‘ eyes dimmed. “This is Felicia’s deliberate scheme against me. The company had already abandoned me. Don’t worry about me.
“I’ve mentally prepared myself to leave this industry. Besides, I’m able–bodied. I can always find something else to do.”
Skylar asked, “What happened between you and Felicia that day?”
Acting was Charles‘ dream. Since childhood, he had wanted to be an actor. Hence, she couldn’t let Felicia ruin that dream of him. Furthermore, Charles had already endured enough hardships over the years.
Charles recounted every detail of the encounter with Felicia, explaining how she had invited him to a scene rehearsal and what had happened in the
restaurant.
In the end, Freddie added, “Felicia approached Charles of her own accord, and Charles couldn’t push her away. I’ve heard some things about her in the
industry.
“Her public image is of a pure and innocent woman. But in reality, her boyfriends come and go. I suspect she tried to harm Charles because he
rejected her, and she wasn’t pleased.
Charles‘ face was cold. “She’s not answering our calls, and there’s no evidence of what happened in the restaurant.”
Skylar’s face grew serious.
She completely believed Charles‘ account. If she hadn’t interacted with Felicia, she might have doubted the online gossip and impression about her, thinking there could be some misunderstanding. But given the circumstances, it was clear that Felicia had deliberately set Charles up.
Chapter 726
“Felicia must’ve known that Charles couldn’t do anything about her. That explains why she didn’t bother to clarify the situation. She’s even trying to direct public opinion in her favor,” Freddie hissed through gritted teeth.
Hatred was written across Charles‘ face as he pursed his lips.
His acting career came to an end in the hands of a woman. Although Charles had devised a way to escape his predicament, he wasn’t willing to accept her slandering of him.
Skylar’s expression turned somber. She pulled out her phone to contact
Natalie. She would tell Natalie about this situation, and Hank could propose a solution, or they could contact Felicia.
Skylar opened her WhatsApp. Paul had texted her.
Joe had found out about what had happened. He’d sent someone to deal with Charles‘ struggles.
Skylar glanced at Charles, who was extremely pale. She decided to give Paul a
call.
“Mr. Ziegler, I just saw your text.”
“Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin has sent me to contact our PR team. They’re already coming up with a plan to deal with this. Don’t worry, Mrs. Martin. They will do their best to minimize the damage to Charles,” said Paul.
Skylar thanked him. Then, she described in detail what had gone down
between Charles and Felicia.
After hearing Skylar’s explanation, Paul erupted and uttered a string of expletives. He soon realized that he’d been extremely rude. He immediately added, “There must be something fundamentally wrong with Felicia! Don’t fret oyer this, Mrs. Martin. I’ll ask them to take an alternative approach to the
situation.”
“Alright. Help me thank Mr. Martin,” said Skylar. She hung up afterward.
Paul agreed cheerily. Then, he went to see Joe to tell him what had happened.
After ending the call, Skylar asked Natalie for Felicia’s contact number.
Felicia had given Natalie her work number, but Natalie hadn’t saved it. She thought she’d never see Felicia again.
Even if they could track her call history, she’d lost her old phone, so they wouldn’t be able to. What a pity.
Freddie piped in, “I have Adele’s number. However, she’s not picking up. She didn’t pick up even when I used someone else’s number.”
“Let me try,” Skylar suggested. She called the number. Indeed, no one picked up.
At this point, Adele probably wouldn’t pick up any calls from unknown numbers. Suddenly, Skylar thought of her Instagram. She sent Felica a message.
Felicia had been on her phone, swiping through Instagram. Her follower count was climbing continuously, and comments kept flowing in from her fans. She was basking in happiness over it.
How could Charles escape her trap?
He hadn’t listened to her and had made her unhappy. He would pay for it! The fact that Charles was a Sullivan had made sure that she wouldn’t leave him in peace.
As she continued beaming ecstatically, she saw a message come in. It was from Skylar.
Chapter 727
Felicia thought Skylar had texted her to plead for mercy. However, when she clicked on the message, she saw that Skylar had taken a forceful approach.
“Ms. Ingram, I’m sure you know the whole truth behind what happened between you and Charles. If you’re doing this because of the accident, I’ll make sure you regret this.”
She did not beg, nor did she expose her vulnerabilities.
Displeasure marred Felicia’s features.
“Skylar has got some nerves to demand things from me after getting together with Joe. She even dares to threaten me. Does she think she’ll be able to push me around easily after my tough upbringing in Jipsburg?”
Adele walked over and peeped at Feclia’s phone.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the text that Felicia had received. She suggested, “Um, should we take a step back? Perhaps we should stop now? I feel like this is not an empty threat on Skylar’s part. She must be a woman with ingenious schemes. After all, she achieved her beauty through plastic surgery.
Joe even fell for her.”
“Why should we be scared? Isn’t she just his lover? Our accident had been embarrassing enough for me. A few days ago, someone even asked me about it. They’re definitely cackling about it behind my back. I’ve never been subjected to such humiliation.
“In addition, such a long time has passed. Joe must be sick of her by now. Why should I be scared? If she’d begged me to spare Charles, I might’ve done so.”
Adele thought that Felicia’s standpoint made sense.
“You’re right. Men like Joe would only treat Skylar like a toy. After all, she
comes from a lower–class background. He would never love her for real. You’re different.”
Felicia smiled. She approved, “Exactly.”
Chapter 727
Time flew past in an instant. The sky outside had darkened.
Freddie looked out of the window. The number of journalists outside had
increased.
He scrolled through Instagram and looked through the texts he’d received. He reported, “A few of the brands you work with have posted announcements that they’re breaking off their collaborations with you.”
After Skylar came, they’d been trying to devise a solution together.
His entertainment company handled Charles‘ Instagram account. He couldn’t even explain himself.
Freddie was panicking big time. However, the siblings looked extremely calm, Skylar especially. She’d contacted a lawyer and discussed their next course of action with the police.
Since Freddie’s social media had been taken over by his company, he was unable to speak out for himself. However, a lawyer could speak for him.
They were waiting for their lawyer to finish a legal letter.
Although a legal letter might not be taken seriously and wouldn’t change anything, they still needed to give it a try.
“Mr. Martin has set out a public relations plan. We just need to wait,” Skylar said softly to Charles. He looked extremely exhausted.
Charles felt guilty. He said, “Skye, I never thought that I would be the one to drag you down with me.”
Skylar’s family had always been a weak point for her, especially in her
relationship with Joe. If he caused even more trouble, Joe would definitely be annoyed. This was why he felt laden with guilt. If this impacted their relationship, Charles would feel even worse.
“We’re a family. We should handle such challenges together. Besides, this wasn’t your fault,” Skylar said immediately.
She believed that Felicia was targeting Charles because of the accident. Otherwise, this was too much of a coincidence.
Freddie stood a distance from them. He couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Chapter 727
He kept thinking about how he could salvage the situation. Some of his seniors had advised him to resign himself to the situation.
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Chapter 728
As night fell, Charles continued to go viral online. Freddie knew that they might not be able to undo the damage that had been done. All his seniors had told him that a legal letter wouldn’t help. No one would even notice.
Felicia’s public relations team and the people she’d hired to tarnish Joe’s name were too powerful. They had no way to fight back.
They had to face reality.
The compensation that Charles would need to pay would exhaust his savings. However, they couldn’t tell him that.
Freddie glanced at the calm siblings. For some reason, Freddie felt they had a chance to turn the situation around.
It seemed like an impossible task in the entertainment industry. Everyone who’d undergone something like this had been banished from the
entertainment industry. Most of them had gone back to their blue–collar jobs.
At this moment, Freddie received a call from Benjamin, their CEO.
“Mr. Morris!”
Freddie had called Benjamin multiple times. However, he didn’t pick up.
Freddie had thought they were done for. Who knew that Benjamin would call him?
“You got Jacky Lourdes to be your lawyer?” Benjamin was clearly dumbfounded.
Freddie asked, “Who’s Jacky Lourdes?”
He glanced at Skylar. That must be the lawyer she’d found. If he could surprise Benjamin, it probably meant he was a skilled lawyer. He wasn’t some nobody by the roadside.
Benjamin asked, “Doesn’t Charles come from an ordinary background? How did you get Jacky to appear in his name? Has Charles kept his background from you?”
Freddie was dumbstruck. He could only stare at the siblings.
Charles was staring at the ground. He was clearly in a bad mood. However, Skylar glanced over at him when he picked up the call.
Skylar was prettier than any actress he’d seen in the industry. She seemed to be wholly unambitious. Yet, she had a piercing gaze. She seemed to know
what made people tick
Freddie thought that Charles might not come from a formidable background. However, Skylar definitely did
I’m not really sure. We did contact a lawyer in the afternoon.”
Benjamin was silent for a moment. Then he said. “We might be able to put the genie back into the bottle. I’ll give you the password to Charles‘ Instagram account. Do with it what you must
“What? Alright. Thanks, Mr. Moms Freddie’s jaw dropped
Freddie felt like he was in a drearn even after the call had ended. Once he reacted, he told Charles, “Mr. Morris has given us clearance to log into your Instagram account. You can speak up for yourself now
He turned to Skylar and asked, “is Mr. Lourdes a great lawyer? It seems like Mr Morris knows him.”
After all, Skylar had contacted the lawyer
Skylar nodded and replied, “I thank Mr Lourdes is an excellent lawyer. He helped me through a few sticky situations”
Freddie said hurriedly. “Oh, that’s great. Should we ask your PR team to help us write an announcement to post on instagram?
They couldn’t publish such announcements as they pleased Mistakes were easily made, and when that happened, it would be too late to regret.
When Charles heard the great news, his eyes lit up. He asked, “When did Mr
Morris become such a kind man?”
Freddie was confused as well. He said, “I’m not sure why he’s become so kind It might be because we found a lawyer. He thinks that it’ll help. After all, you’re a capable actor who would’ve had a promising future. Mr. Morris is a businessman. He wouldn’t want to give you up that easily if he could avoid it
Chapter 729
Charles raised a brow. He wasn’t that full of himself. It was likely because Skylar had found Jacky to be his lawyer.
“I’ll ask the PR team about it. Don’t post the announcement just yet,” Skylar said calmly.
“What? Alright!” Freddie immediately agreed.
He felt Skylar would be able to resolve their crisis. She was unruffled and unhurried, more like Charles‘ agent than Freddie.
Charles hadn’t noticed how he immediately believed and supported Skylar after hearing her proposal. When he picked up on it, he realized that Skylar had indeed grown up. She could help him solve his problems now.
As Skylar and Paul discussed the contents of Charles‘ announcements, Paul asked Sarah to text Skylar. Her first message read, “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Martin.”
When Skylar saw how Sarah had greeted her, she realized that more people were finding out about her marriage to Joe.
“I would advise against making any posts now. I’ve planned a few waves of retaliation against them. I just want to know your preference, Mrs. Martin. Do you want to allow Felicia to remain in the entertainment industry?”
Skylar replied, “Felicia is supported by powerful people behind the scenes. If we target her like that, will we bring trouble to Martin Group?”
Skylar certainly hoped that Felicia wouldn’t be able to continue making a mess of the industry. After all, she was a hypocritical woman who tried to frame committed actors.
Sarah said, “The entire Ingram family isn’t powerful enough to trouble us, let alone Felicia herself.”
Skylar responded, “Alright.”
“I’m going to go for it. When it’s time to post an Instagram story, I’ll inform you. We’ll send you the complete statement after it’s done.”
224
Skylar looked up to see Charles and Freddie gazing at her intently. She said, ” Post the story later. The PR team will send us the statement. Our job now is just to wait.”
“Um… Will we be able to turn the tables? I believe that Charles would be able to
return to his previous glory as long as he has the chance to audition,” Freddie said. He thought that this would be the best outcome they could achieve.
It was a much better outcome than using all of Charles‘ savings to repay his debt. The difference was like day and night.
Charles shrugged and remarked, “Even if you asked me to be an extra, I’d go with it.”
He was already imagining his future as a farmer.
Skylar knew of Sarah’s capabilities. However, the situation was developing rapidly, and she couldn’t put too much hope into it.
“Let’s hope that that’ll be the case,” said Skylar lightly.
After a while, Benjamin called Freddie again. He asked, “Why haven’t you posted on Instagram?”
Freddie was still extremely confused. He said, “We’re not in a hurry. We’ll wait and observe the situation.”
Why was Benjamin displaying so much concern over them?
He said, “Oh, alright.”
Freddie had no idea why Benjamin was calling. Was it just to ask him about what was happening?
When Adele saw Jacky’s post, she was terrified. She said, “How would Charles know Mr. Lourdes? Everyone online wants Charles beat to a pulp. Why would he take his case up? I’ve heard that Mr. Lourdes never accepts cases with which he’s unconfident. If he takes the case, he’ll win for sure.”
Chapter 730
“Jacky Lourdes? Are you sure?”
Felicia immediately checked her Instagram. She’d taken a break from scrolling on her phone. Had something happened in such a short span of time?
How could it be Jacky? He seldom participated in the affairs of the
entertainment industry. That being said, the lawyers in his firm would take up these cases.
Adele nodded fervently and said, “At the start, I wasn’t quite sure. I did a bit of research and looked at his profile in detail. It is indeed Jacky’s account. Many professionals in the legal industry follow him. After he posted, public opinion had slightly leaned in Charles‘ favor. Some even believe he was being framed!”
Adele was losing her composure. Felicia wasn’t faring too well either. Her fingers flew across the screen. However, the color drained from her face when she saw Jacky’s message.
“It really is Mr. Lourdes!”
“Who knew Charles would find a solution? He’s capable of hiring Mr. Lourdes… Do you think this might be because of Skylar? Skylar must’ve begged Mr. Martin for help.
“Skylar’s tone was extremely firm in that message to you. It looks like Mr. Martin has helped her.” As Adele spoke, her expression turned somber.
If Martin Group interfered, they were screwed. Felicia had also thought of Adele’s concerns.
Felicia’s expression soured. She insisted, “Skylar must’ve begged Mr. Martin. Why else would he help her?”
Adele had no idea what to do next. She asked, “What should we do now?”
She received many calls.
Felicia’s entertainment company belonged to her own family. Felicia had the final say in any decisions made. She could do anything she wanted. Everyone catered to her whims. Because of this, she was a tyrant in the entertainment industry.
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Thus, the employees had their knickers in a twist. They’d faced off people who came from nothing, whether male or female. None of them would get into
Felicia’s good books.
This time, they were facing off against Jacky, who might’ve even had Martin Group backing him up.
Felicia bit her lip and said, “Don’t worry. It isn’t a catastrophic development. Perhaps Skylar is sleeping with Jacky now. No matter how powerful he might be, he won’t be able to direct public opinion like we can.
“I don’t think Mr. Martin will allow Skylar to get her way. He has helped her once. Would he help her family again? We all know that Mr. Martin is a ruthless man. He won’t interfere with these matters.”
Adele received calls one after another. As she dealt with them, Felicia looked
at the comments on her Instagram.
Due to Jacky’s post, many famous bloggers had shut their mouths. Some even deleted their posts. They returned the money she’d paid as they were scared that they’d be churned into a hurricane of trouble.
Jacky’s name was like an incantation.
Suddenly, Adele screamed, “Why has so much news about you been posted online? Come take a look, Felicia!”
She immediately stood up and said, “Show me!”
Felicia hadn’t seen anything just now while she was scrolling through Instagram. What scandals could they have exposed?
“It’s on TikTok. They were posted by official accounts a few minutes ago. It hasn’t been posted on Instagram. These people… All of them had offended you in the past. Most of them returned to their blue–collar jobs. How dare they? They recorded videos of themselves explaining what had happened!” Adele widened her eyes in horror.
Everything they said was true.
They hadn’t the chance to complain about Felicia. Even if they could, TikTok would restrict their views. It wouldn’t cause any ripples in the industry. Someone was clearly pushing it behind the scenes. This was an operation targeting Felicia.
Chapter 730
Felicia trembled. She screamed, “They’re crazy! Do they think they’ll be able to destroy my future just like this? Dream on.”
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Chapter 731
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Freddie jumped.
He glanced at Skylar and Charles. He said, “Have the journalists barged in? That doesn’t make sense. They don’t have the access card needed for the elevator. They shouldn’t be able to come up. Did one of our neighbors bring them here? I’ll take a look. We mustn’t open the door for anyone.”
He looked out through the peephole, only to see a handsome face staring back at him. He was even hotter than Charles.
Did the paparazzi look this good? He seemed rather terrifying!
It was as though he could see Freddie looking at him through the peephole. Freddie’s heart skipped a beat as a chill traveled down his spine.
He said, “There’s a stranger outside alone. It’s so weird. He’s extremely handsome. In addition, he’s not carrying a camera. Is he on a covert operation?”
Charles disregarded it. He said, “It will be fine as long as you don’t open the door.”
Freddie nodded and agreed, “I won’t open it.”
Skylar accepted a call from Joe. He instructed coldly, “Open the door.”
Skyla looked up and said, “It’s fine. You can open it.”
“What?” Freddie was stunned.
Charles was surprised as well. He asked, “Do you know the person outside?”
“You know him as well. It’s Joe,” replied Skylar as she walked over.
Freddie had been high–strung throughout the day, so his slow reaction did not come as a surprise. Skylar opened the door. She wasn’t expecting Joe to show
- up.
Charles was dumbfounded. “Joe?”
Skylar opened the door. “How did you come in?” She hadn’t told him Charles‘ address.
In adr on, Paul had told her that Joe was busy that day. He must’ve just got
off work. Joe must’ve come here straight away.
“Charles‘ boss led me here.”
Skylar was unsurprised by his answer. Then, she looked through the shelves to get him some slippers.
Freddie still hadn’t come to terms with the situation. He couldn’t quite see a clear image through the peephole. After Joe walked in, Freddie felt like Joe was somewhat familiar. Also, what did Joe mean when he said Charles‘ boss led the way?
Was it Benjamin? That couldn’t be the case. He was the vice president. Andy Watson was the president. Had Andy brought him over?
What kind of man was Joe?
A question glinted in his eyes as he stared at Skylar. For some reason, his brain was moving sluggishly. He must’ve seen Joe before. However, he had no idea where. Freddie would expect himself to remember such a handsome man. Why was the memory evading him? It was as though his brain was lagging
Chapter 732
Was it someone from Freddie’s workplace? That was highly unlikely. If Joe was from their office, there was no way Freddie wouldn’t remember him. In addition, hadn’t he said that their president took him over?
Freddie felt like screaming in frustration. The more he tried to dig up the memory, the more it evaded him.
Charles said apologetically to Joe, “I’m sorry. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”
Joe’s response was calm. They couldn’t get a read on his emotions. He said, ” It’s not your fault. I’ve already found out why it happened.”
“Did you run into the paparazzi while you were coming up?” Skylar was somewhat worried as she observed Joe. She was terrified that they would make up ridiculous stories about him upon catching sight of Joe.
Joe sat down and replied, “There are no paparazzi downstairs anymore.”
“They’re gone?” Skylar blinked. Then, she ran toward the window and looked outside. As Joe had said, the paparazzi had indeed left.
Freddie didn’t quite believe it. Those paparazzi were waiting to get a picture of Charles. Why would they leave just like that? Even if it was dinnertime now, they wouldn’t have gone, would they?
As he wondered about it, Andy called Freddie. That had never happened before.
“Fred, you’re a lucky guy,” Andy said passionately.
For a moment, Freddie felt like Andy was his friend. However, he knew that Andy was an arrogant man. He would never converse with a subordinate so casually.
Andy’s kindness dumbfounded him. He asked, “What? Lucky? Mr. Watson, I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
Freddie was an honest man. If he had no idea what was going on, he wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
The first actor he’d ever managed independently was currently embroiled in a massive scandal. No one would hire him in the future. How could he be lucky?
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“Take care of Charles well. If anything happens to him, come to me directly. I’ll do my best to give Charles the best opportunities available. You look like a dumb guy. Who knew that dumb people would get lucky? In addition, sing our praises in front of Charles. This time, we’ve been lacking in our retaliation. Mr. Morris will provide Charles with an explanation,” said Andy. As he spoke, his tone sweetened toward the end.
When Freddie heard that, he finally realized what was going on. He glanced at Skylar, who was sitting beside Joe. He felt as though a bomb had gone off in
his brain.
He remembered! Joe was the CEO of Martin Group.
Charles couldn’t have been referring to Joe Martin when he spoke about his brother–in–law, could he?
How could it be? Was Skylar a goddess?
The three others in the room hadn’t noticed Freddie’s stupefied expression. They continued chatting leisurely.
First, Skylar asked Joe whether he was hungry. Then, she asked Charles whether he had anything in the refrigerator.
Charles was a little too embarrassed to look at them. He answered, “I spend most of my time on set. I don’t really cook at home, so I don’t have any food. I think there’s only some instant pasta and milk.”
“Would instant pasta do?” Skylar asked Joe.
He nodded.
Charles stood up and suggested, “This is the first time you guys have visited me. I’ll cook.”
Freddie trailed after Charles into the kitchen. He felt like he was still in a dream.
When they entered the kitchen, Freddie gathered the courage to ask, “Is Joe the man I’m thinking of? Wait, no. Are you going to give the CEO of Martin Group instant pasta?”
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Charles ignored Freddie’s earlier questions. He answered his last question with, “I’ll prepare a few flavors, so he has a few options.”
“No, this isn’t about flavors. Is he really Joe Martin?” Freddie felt like he was living in a dreamland.
Hadn’t Charles told him that he wasn’t from a powerful family? He’d been acting as an extra in many movies but was still a D–list actor, even after all these years.
When did he get to know Joe?
“Yeah,” Charles replied dismissively.
He had a range of pasta flavors stocked in his cupboard. He took one of every flavor.
Freddie stood by the kitchen door and looked into the living room.
Once Joe was left alone with Skylar, his icy expression melted. Freddie had no idea what they were talking about, but he could tell that her words were putting him in a good mood.
Magic. This had to be magic! A guy that Freddie had only heard in the news. was now the brother–in–law of the actor he managed.
Skylar glanced at her phone. Natalie had sent videos of a few people standing up to defend Charles. They revealed Felicia’s true colors. It wasn’t a singular occurrence. Dozens of people were voicing out.
“Skylar, I’ve forgotten that Joe is your husband. No one can hold a flame to the PR team of Martin Group. They’re awesome! Mr. Powell commented that finding all these people within a day was an impossible task no one else had ever managed to achieve. How impressive.”
After Skylar replied to Natalie’s text, she looked at Joe and said, “Sorry for the inconvenience, but thank you either way.”
Skylar’s courtesy caused Joe’s eyes to darken.
Everyone was astounded by how matters were developing. They weren’t expecting such a plot twist.
few celebrities who’d disappeared from public view for no apparent reason explained why they had done so. They described how Felicia had bullied them.
New information kept popping up. One couldn’t finish a video before another popped up.
Charles had originally been the eye of the hurricane. Now, he was no longer their focus.
However, there were still numerous fans of Felicia’s who were defending her.
Many people also said they were waiting for Charles‘ response.
However, the number of people coming forward was increasing exponentially. In addition, some of the brands who’d announced the cancellation of their partnership with Charles had deleted their announcement posts. It was unclear what was going on.
Then, Charles posted a story describing what had happened. He asked the people who’d filmed or taken pictures of them to submit it as evidence. This would prove that he wasn’t telling lies. They would also take legal action against those who’d filmed them secretly.
Charles‘ strongly worded post changed public opinion entirely.
Everyone commented on Felicia’s post and questioned her about what happened.
Felicia’s PR team was working overtime.
In the end, Adele said helplessly, “Martin Group’s PR team were the ones who retaliated against us. In addition, they were supported by a lawyer, not to mention those groups of people speaking out against you. Even if we hired influencers to speak for you, it wouldn’t help.”
It was 8:00 pm when the tables had finally turned on their advantageous situation.
Felicia was pale when she asked, “Are you sure it’s Martin Group’s PR team? Why would they participate in matters of the entertainment industry?”
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Adele had no idea: She replied, “We can’t figure that out either, Ms. Ingram. Many brands have announced they want to break their collaboration contracts with you. The situation does not look promising. Prepare yourself for the worst, Ms. Ingram.”
They weren’t clear regarding the situation. However, Adele knew. Her predictions had come true.
Adele exclaimed, “Skylar’s too capable.”
Felicia bit her lip and said, “I have Rowan and Mr. Ziegler’s number. I’ll ask them to help me arrange a meeting with Joe. Perhaps he’ll stop helping Charles and Skylar after seeing me.”
hapter 734
Ten minutes later, Felicia trembled as she was blocked by Rowan and Paul after asking them for help.
“What’s going on? Will they help you contact Mr. Martin?” asked Adele hesitantly.
Felicia had paled even further.
Adele peeked at Felicia’s phone. After doing so, the color drained from her face
too.
“Blocked? Did Paul and Rowan block you? Didn’t you say that Skylar was Joe’s replacement for you? At this point, shouldn’t he be looking for you? Have we been mistaken?” Adele asked, dumbfounded.
Based on how Joe was helping Charles turn the tables, it didn’t seem like he was treating Skylar as anyone’s replacement.
Felicia froze. Then, she stuttered, “H–How would I know?”
At some point, Adele began believing that Joe treated Skylar as a poor substitute for Felicia. She thought that he liked Skylar because of her.
After calming down, Felicia reflected on her meetings with Joe. She could count on one hand the number of times they’d met, and he didn’t seem to care much about her every time they met.
She didn’t even have his number.
Felicia felt as though someone had tipped a bucket of icy water over her. She
woke up.
“If we can’t handle this, y–you’ll have to leave the entertainment industry.”
Felícía lost her footing and crumpled to the floor.
Thankfully, Adele caught her in time, so she didn’t make an impact. In times of misfortune, bad things happen one after another.
Felicia’s jaw dropped open when her father, Quentin Ingram, called. She stiffly accepted the call. When he began screaming, Felicia froze. Adele was surprised too.
“Look at what you’ve done! We did ask you to get into Joe’s good books if the opportunity presented itself. We weren’t asking you to offend him. We’ve all heard that he’s gotten a lover. He adores her. How dare you oppose her! Are you trying to make us meet our demise, Silver family–style?”
Felicia was speechless. She was terrified. This has woken her from her
delusions.
After Quentin hung up, Felicia hastily grabbed Adele’s hands and said, “Hurry up and contact Charles by whatever means possible!”
Skylar and Joe left Charles‘ apartment after finishing their instant pasta.
The second they got into the car, paparazzi appeared from their hiding places. They fervently took pictures of their vehicle.
She was sitting in the middle seat. However, she was still photographed.
After they drove away, Skylar immediately asked Joe, “Are they going to post what they photographed?”
Night had fallen, and they were in a car. The lighting was horrible. From where they’d been standing, they could only capture blurry side profiles of Skylar and Joe. However, their acquaintances would definitely be able to recognize them.
Naturally, Joe would be the first to be recognized.
Joe observed Skylar’s concerned expression. He thought she was scared that others would find out about their relationship. His eyes darkened as he
assured, “They wouldn’t dare to publish the pictures.”
Skylar sighed in relief.
Upon seeing that, Joe’s face fell.
“You…” Skylar noticed his change of emotions.
Why had his mood soured at the drop of a hat?
Joe looked down at Skylar and commented, “You treat your family with the utmost care.”
She was so much more concerned for them than for Joe.
Chapter 735
“They deserve it.”
With that, Joe said nothing more. Charles and Steven had taken care of Skylar meticulously, terrified that Joe would bully her.
They worked hard and did their best to climb up the corporate ranks. Perhaps they wanted to afford their family members the privilege of standing up
straight in the face of others‘ doubt.
When they were about to arrive at Galaxy Villa, Joe picked up a call.
Skylar heard him mention a high school reunion. It would happen tonight on a yacht. She looked down and thought of Vera.
Joe didn’t ponder about it for long. He accepted the invitation within seconds.
In response, Skylar sighed imperceptibly. She said, “Drop me off here. The roads are busy now. I can catch a cab.”
“There’s no need to do that. I’ll take you home,” said Joe.
She didn’t insist otherwise.
Joe sent her back home. He watched her walk in before asking Lucas to drive
off.
Skylar walked in and turned the lights on. Standing in the gigantic mansion, a sense of loneliness overcame her. Thankfully, she shook herself out of it immediately.
Charles couldn’t sleep.
Freddie was picking out his next acting gig.
A few directors had sought him out. The company had also allocated several
roles for him.
Charles knew why this was happening. It was because of Joe.
As a result, Charles hesitated. He did not know whether to seize the
opportunity, but he only wavered for a second.
Chapea
He had to seize it and climb up the ranks of actors. He could only become Skylar’s beam of support when he became a lauded actor in the industry. When that happened, she wouldn’t need to fear any challenges in her way.
He had to milk this opportunity for all it was worth.
“Let’s go through them one by one and pick out the better ones.”
Freddie nodded. He rubbed his palms together and announced, “This time, we’re going to do something big.”
He wanted to shape Charles into an award–winning actor!
After a while, Freddie checked his phone. There were many missed calls. All of
them were from Adele.
He pursed his lips and complained, “How dare Adele contact us? Look at how they’ve been behaving. I did my research and found that they had played a massive part in making this go viral. They also hired a bunch of influencers to vouch for them. They were doing everything they could to destroy you and banish you from the entertainment industry.
“Now, the truth has emerged. Many people have provided evidence for it. Felicia can forget about continuing her path in the entertainment industry.”
“Block her. There’s no need to accept any of their calls,” instructed Charles coldly.
He wasn’t one to harm others unprovoked. However, he wasn’t saintly enough. to forgive people who’d wronged him.
“That’s exactly what I was planning to do. Jeez! Who do they think they are?” Freddie blocked Adele immediately.
No matter who Felicia contacted, she ended up being blocked. No one paid her any attention. Even the journalists she’d been working with ignored her. They were afraid that trouble would descend upon them if they did.
In the end, Jenny was the only one who called her back.
Felicia had been lucky enough to contact Jenny through a friend. They knew that she’d been adopted by Joe, and he treated her well.
Chapter 736
“Why have you sought me out?” Jenny asked coldly.
Jenny knew what had happened to Felicia in the morning.
The industry had been rife with gossip about them. When night fell, Felicia had become the butt of the joke!
Jenny had to be an idiot if she couldn’t guess why Felicia called her.
Felicia said, “I would like to ask for your help. Could you vouch for me in front of Mr. Martin? I didn’t know Charles was related to Skylar. As a result, I offended him unknowingly. It was my mistake. I hope Mr. Martin can give me a second chance.”
Jenny chuckled lightly and asked, “How important do you think Skylar is to Joe?
“From this incident, I can tell that Skylar is certainly quite important to him. However, I don’t think Mr. Martin’s concern for her is near his concern for you.” Felicia guessed that this was what Jenny wanted to hear.
Women understood each other best.
The appearance of another woman in Joe’s life wasn’t good for Jenny at all.
Why else would she allow others to spread rumors about her and Joe?
If Felicia hadn’t encountered such a situation, she wouldn’t have subjected herself to the torture of saying such things to Jenny.
Felicia hadn’t guessed wrongly. When she heard Skylar’s name, her face twisted into a grotesque expression. The flames of jealousy licked at her heart.
No one knew that Joe and Skylar were married besides Jenny and some of the
Martins.
Did this mean that Joe didn’t care about Skylar as much as she thought he did?
“Don’t speak such nonsense. Joe raised me. Our relationship is nothing like what you’ve heard in those rumors.
‘As to what you’re begging me to do, I can tell you right now that there’s no way
to salvage the situation. No one can change Joe’s decision once he makes it. It would be more effective to plead for Skylar’s mercy However, I think you’ve seriously wronged Skylar. She. Anyway, the Ingrams are a powerful family. You don’t have to give in to Skylar. I’m extremely busy. Goodbye.”
Felicia was furious. She launched her phone to the other side of the room.
“She’s only a nanny’s daughter. How dare she tell me what to do? She’s making fun of me, isn’t she? I was respecting her by calling her. It looks like she doesn’t want my respect!”
Adele was terrified. She dared not say a word.
Quentin had ordered Felicia to leave the entertainment industry. If she didn’t, they would be going against Joe’s wishes.
The Martin family had been rooted in Jipsburg for decades. They couldn’t offend Joe.
They had underestimated Skylar and overestimated themselves.
Joe didn’t come home for the night. He must’ve slept on the yacht.
After Skylar woke up, she ate a simple breakfast before going through the
news.
The entertainment industry ostracized Felicia. All the brands she’d partnered with had broken off their partnership. The movies she’d acted in had declared that her viewpoints had nothing to do with them. People were searching online for “Felicia’s true colors“.
The people who Felicia had blacklisted had begun speaking out on social media. Some even thanked Charles. They said that his situation had ignited a yearning in them to rebel against the capitalists who were suppressing them.
Charles‘ crisis had been successfully resolved.
As Skylar closed her Instagram app, Natalie video–called her.
“Skye, you don’t need to worry about this anymore. Felicia has been blacklisted entirely. You have no idea how many people she had wronged. Many directors and producers are celebrating the fact that she got chased out of the entertainment industry. They complained about how she did whatever she
Chapter 736
wanted at all times. She didn’t display even a smidge of professionalism.”
Skylar put her phone away and sipped at her freshly brewed tea. She said, ‘ Yeah, I’m not worried anymore.”
11
“Everything turns out well when you have powerful people at your helm. You’ve definitely conquered Joe by conquering that dick of his. Why else would he make his team handle this so quickly? They took advantage by being early to the battle. Other PR teams wouldn’t manage it.”
Skylar’s smile froze on her face. However, it faded in seconds. Natalie didn’t notice it.
She changed the topic soon.
“Are you free? Why don’t we go out together?”
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Chapter 737
Natalie giggled. She said, “I’m free. Mr. Powell isn’t working, so I’m on leave. However, I was scared you and Joe wanted to enjoy some alone time with each other, which is why I didn’t ask you out. Does that mean you have time to spend with me today?”
She seemed to be acting like how she did in university, Skylar was overjoyed to see that
Natalie continued, “Of course. Let’s have lunch together. I’ve just gotten my salary. It’ll be my treat this time!”
Half an hour later, Skylar hailed a cab and left Galaxy Villa.
After having lunch with Natalie, she would head to a car dealership to pick out
a car
At a junction, her cab was parked beside a brightly–colored sports car as they waited for the light to turn green.
The convertible’s driver was a woman wearing a crimson spaghetti–strap dress. Her hair was down to her waist, and her beauty was downright blinding. The man in the passenger’s seat had a flawless side profile. Although he seemed unapproachable, he held himself with poise and elegance.
They looked like a couple made in heaven.
Skylar felt as though someone had clenched her heart in their hands. She’d sunk into agony. From her reflection in her window, Skylar could see the color drain from her face.
The cab driver commented, “Love is a game for the rich! They look gorgeous together.”
Indeed, one could feel the sparks flying between the couple at a glance.
If it had been anyone else in the convertible, Skylar might’ve taken another peep at them. However, Joe and Vera were the ones in the convertible.
Skylar’s heart sank.
Thankfully, the light turned green.
Chaping 737
2/2
As the car started moving, she glanced over.
Coincidentally, Vera said something to Joe. Whatever she’d said, it made Joe
smile.
Even while they were cruising on the waves of ecstasy in bed, Skylar had never seen Joe smile like that.
Skylar now understood why Vera was so forcefl back in the museum’s
parking lot when she ordered Skylar not to tak .at car.
It had been the same model as hers but in a different color.
Skylar felt suffocated. She wound the window down.
The cab driver continued to sigh, “I had a great love in my youth. What a pity. I was poor and couldn’t afford to buy the house. In the end, I could only marry my wife as arranged by my family. Now, our lives are filled with nothing but struggle.”
He envied the passionate youth of these young people. They basked in the love of the ages.
Skylar wasn’t in the mood to give him a response.
He seemed to pick up on the shift in her mood. He quieted down and drove silently.
When they eventually arrived, Skylar had regained control over her emotions.
When Natalie got off the train to meet her, there seemed to be nothing off about her anymore.
“Come. I’ll treat you to a feast!” Natalie slung an arm around Skylar.
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Skylar was still recovering from her injury. She was scared that it would leave a scar. Thus, they picked a casual restaurant with mild–tasting dishes. In
addition, they loved chicken soup.
“Do you have any engagements after lunch” asked Skylar.
Natalie shook her head and said, “Nope.”
“In that case, come shopping with me. I would like to purchase a car.”
*Alright, I also wanted to get one. Taking a cab all the time isn’t convenient. Sometimes, I need to trouble Mr. Powell, so he sends me home after working till late at night. It might not be safe to take a cab. I do need a car.”
They agreed with each other immediately.
Natalie could tell that Skylar was distracted. Thus, she didn’t ask what had injured Skylar or why her car bad wrecked
Initially, she thought Joe cared about Skylar. Now, it looked like their relationship had a few problems.
As they left the restaurant, they ran into Jeremy, Rowan, and their friends. Solar knew every single one of them. She covertly observed Jeremy’s expression upon seeing Natalie.
Roman touched his nose. He stared at Jeremy and Natalie. In the end, he turned to Soylar. He’d been wanting to ask Skylar something but hadn’t found a
chance
Athough he’d run into her here, it wasn’t an appropriate time to ask.
The three men beside them were intelligent men. When Jeremy and Rowan were silent, they kept their mouths shut too. They did not address Natalie as Mrs. Hughes, nor did they say hi to Skylar
Rowan talked about Joe and Skylar from time to time. They could tell that his love for her was sincere. However, all of them knew that Vera had returned. Who knew whether Joe had changed his target?
Jeremy gazed at Natalie, a complicated mix of emotions swirling in his eyes,
Chauth 796
Upon seeing Jeremy, Natalie’s smile froze on her face.
Ever since they’d parted ways at the courtroom, they hadn’t seen each other. When Natalie called her parents, they wouldn’t bring Jeremy up. In addition, Natalie had been busy with work recently. It kept her from thinking about Jeremy. She was scared she’d beat herself up over it.
The desire to escape burned within Natalie.
“Were you guys having lunch just now?” Jerem they hadn’t gotten divorced.
ked gently. It was as though
Skylar immediately glanced at Natalie. She paled slightly. Still, Natalie managed to force a slight smile and said, “Yeah, we just finished lunch.”
Anyone with eyes could see that Natalie was keeping her distance from Jeremy. Naturally, Jeremy picked up on it. His eyes darkened. He nodded and said nothing more. –
Natalie hooked an arm in Skylar’s, and they walked to the roadside.
Skylar nodded at Jeremy and Rowan. Then, she followed Natalie over and hailed a cab.
Jeremy watched Natalie get into the cab. From the second they met till she left, Natalie didn’t even spare him a glance. It was as though she didn’t want to see him at all.
Rowan scratched his nose and gave his friends meaningful glances. They got into their respective cars and went home.
Then, Rowan asked Jeremy, “One of my friends working at the courtroom told me that you and Natalie have gotten a divorce. Is that true?”
When he’d first caught wind of it, Rowan didn’t dare to ask.
After seeing their dynamics, Rowan believed that they’d gotten a divorce.
It looked like Natalie had found out about Annabelle. She couldn’t live with it and divorced Jeremy.
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However, Jeremy didn’t seem like he’d gotten over Natalie.
Jeremy hummed softly in response.
Rowan widened his eyes and s Have you really divorced her? I heard that Natalie has become the assistant to some celebrity. Back then, I thought they were just unfounded rumors. So it isn’t just hearsay, right?”
Natalie had given up too quickly. Countless women lined up to marry Jeremy, and some were willing to be his mistress, too. Yet, Natalie had divorced him at the drop of the hat. She’d even become an actor’s assistant. It explained why Jeremy seemed to be still hung up on her.
“Don’t ask me about things you shouldn’t be sticking your nose into. We will get remarried,” Jeremy stated. He watched the cab stopped at a traffic light. He would give her more time.
Rowan’s eyes widened. He asked, “You’re not joking, are you?”
Were they going to get remarried after a divorce?
He recalled how devoted Jeremy had been to Natalie before Annabelle came into the picture. His loyalty to Natalie was unshaken. The lustful behavior of the people around him didn’t interest him at all.
Why had he slept with Annabelle if he couldn’t let Natalie go?
Rowan didn’t understand and didn’t think he would come up with a reasonable explanation either.
Jeremy didn’t offer a reply. He turned and got into his car.
The corner of Rowan’s lips twitched. How boring. He was faring much better, as he had married a woman he didn’t quite like. They got along swimmingly in bed. As to everything else… he didn’t need it.
It saved him the embarrassment of turning out like Jeremy. He was stuck in an awkward situation. He retrieved his phone and called Joe.
“I would like Skylar to help me with something. I’m just giving you a heads–up. I’ll call her to ask about it when I’m free.”
Joe seemed to be busy with something. Suddenly, Rowan heard a familiar voice ask, “Why don’t we go back to school to take a look?”
Rowan’s eyes widened. He asked, “Are you with Vera now?”
Everyone had a great time on the yacht, reconnecting with each other last night. A lot of high–school classmates eventually became university
classmates, and most of them stayed in Jipsburg. They’d grown up together. Naturally, they had a ball of a time.
However, Joe hadn’t paid much att on to Vera last night. Yet, they were going out together today. What abou. Skylar?
Rowan felt bad for Skylar. Skylar had left a good impression on him in the handful of times they’d met.
Joe merely hummed and replied, “You should call her directly.”
Rowan didn’t ask any other questions. He hung up.
Did Skylar know about Vera? Would she get jealous if she knew Joe had gone out with Vera?
Either way, this wasn’t an issue he needed to worry about. Rowan didn’t have the guts to tell Skylar what he’d discovered. After all, Joe had just helped Skylar settle Charles‘ problems.
Skylar and Natalie were silent in the car.
Natalie was lost in her thoughts, and so was Skylar.
However, they were adept at cheering themselves up. When they eventually got to the dealership, they made eye contact and smiled, understanding what the other was going through.
“As women, we mustn’t mistreat ourselves, right? Let’s buy a nice car!” Natalie exclaimed with a grin.
Skylar agreed. She added, “Let’s go! We’ll pick a gorgeous one!”
They couldn’t rely on men, but money would always be there for them!
After getting her car, Skylar would go back to work tomorrow.
Chapter 39
When night fell, Skylar returned to Galaxy Villa.
Joe still hadn’t come home.
Chapter 740
When Skylar got back to her room, she dug out their marriage contract. She’d never gone through it in detail. Joe must’ve considered various possibilities and outcomes while drafting the contract.
Now that Skylar had read through the contract, she realized that Joe had buried a hope that his first love would return to his side.
He would terminate the contract and compensate Skylar for it. She couldn’t find fault in it, nor was she looking for any pholes.
She thought Joe would be terminating the contract early, so Skylar took the contract out so she could pass it on to him when the time came.
Their divorce would probably happen in the next few days.
Around 9:00 pm, Skylar took a shower and got ready for bed.
Suddenly, Joe arrived home, reeking of alcohol. He gazed at Skylar deeply, albeit a little out of focus. As he walked into the bathroom for a shower, he said to Skylar, “Wait for me.”
Skylar did exactly that.
A day was enough for her to prepare herself mentally.
Their divorce didn’t warrant any complicated procedures. They merely needed to go to the courthouse to have it officiated.
Joe showered quickly. He came out after ten minutes. He’d taken his suit off. He only had a towel around his waist now.
Desire glinted in his dark eyes as he stared at Skylar.
However, Skylar wasn’t looking at him. She was engrossed with her phone.
He got into bed and leaned over. Skylar could feel his damp skin and smell his body wash. She asked, “What are you looking at?” a
“Nothing much,” replied Skylar. She put her phone away.
She had been looking at an entertainment news article. A street photographer had taken a video of Joe and Vera. Due to how gorgeous they both were, the
picture was making its rounds online.
Many online users had been astounded by their looks. They commented that other celebrities would be pushed aside if they debuted together.
They echoed what the cab driver had said the previous day–they were a well- matched couple in a passionate relationship. It was a great love story that regular people could only dream about.
A few talent scouts had commented on the photographer’s post asking for Joe and Vera’s contact details.
The online community wasn’t the only one astounded by what they saw, Skylar
was too.
Joe put an arm around Skylar’s waist. As he was about to kiss her, Skylar ducked away.
Skylar was rather confused as she stared at Joe. She asked, “Don’t you have anything to say?”
“Do I?” Joe raised an eyebrow. How come he had no idea?
Skylar was silent for a moment.
Was he still hesitant to make his decision?
In the face of her silence, Joe picked up on something that was off about her. He asked, “What’s wrong?”
Skylar banished her thoughts from her mind and turned away from Joe. She replied, “Nothing. I’m tired. I’ll go to sleep now.”
Joe’s eyes darkened as he stared at Skylar’s back.
Paul had been waiting for Joe the next day when the latter arrived at the office.
Upon seeing him, he said, “Mr. Martin, a street photographer filmed you and Ms. Ruell yesterday. It’s going viral. One of my colleagues told me about it. Should I contact the photographer and ask him to take it down?”
“A street photographer filmed me?”
Chapter 741
“Yeah,” Paul said, pressing play on the video he’d received.
Although the video lasted only a few seconds, Joe’s and Vera’s faces could be seen clearly. In addition, the photographer added a dreamy filter over the video. It made them look like a couple made in heaven.
Paul’s jaw dropped open upon seeing the video. He was terrified that Skylar would see it.
Joe Glenched his jaw. He thought of how Skylar had been lost in thought while staring at her phone. He looked at Vera’s face briefly before instructing, “Get him to delete the video and stop it from going viral.”
He came across the video last night. Perhaps Skylar had seen it, too, so he didn’t need to tell her about it.
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- SO.
- in.
Chapter 745
“She’s in critical condition. You’re her family, right? How have you been taking care of her?”
Chapter 749
Chapter 750
What kind of parent would hope that their children suffer for them? Most would rather bear the pain for their children. Instead, what had Sadie said? She hoped Skylar got into the accident instead of her.
Blood was thicker than water. Even the cruelest tiger would not eat its cubs. This was why Sadie was stuck in her current predicament.
“This is the truth of what you’re thinking,” Skylar said coldly.
Sadie was stunned. Then, she realized what she’d said. She panicked as she professed, “I–I… That’s not what I meant! I’m your mom. You can’t escape your legal responsibility toward me. Peter can’t take care of me. They had no money to get me a maid. But you, you’re rich now. You could hire ten maids to care for me, and it wouldn’t even make a dent in your pocket.
“I didn’t give birth to you for nothing! I’m your mother. Janine didn’t give birth to you. She merely raised you. Why would you treat her like a queen but not me?”
Skylar did not see why she should continue listening to Sadie’s nonsense, and there was no need to say anything to her either. She walked out.
The door was kicked open just as she was about to open it, and in barged Peter and Samuel. They glared at Skylar evilly.
“You won’t be walking out of here tonight. You will take responsibility for it. Mom is right. Why didn’t you push her out of the way when the car came? You should’ve been the one lying on the bed. You should’ve become the disabled one. You made our lives a living hell,” Samuel growled with a flushed face.
They had been eavesdropping outside.
Yet, they ended up hearing Skylar leave rather than taking up the responsibility
Chapter 750
of caring for Sadie. That wasn’t the outcome they wanted to see.
2/2
Peter said grimly, “Mom isn’t doing well. The doctor said that she wouldn’t be able to hold on for long. You’ve never shown your gratitude to her for giving birth to you. In Mom’s final hours, we’re giving you the chance to do so. This is so you won’t have regrets in the future.
“In addition, you’re making so much money now. You have Joe backing you up. You can provide Mom with a better healthcare experience and get specialists to help her. Perhaps she might live for a few more years under your care.”
Clearly, he had prepared his little speech beforehand.
Skylar stared at Peter and Samuel coldly. She thought they’d turned over a new leaf as they hadn’t disturbed her peace in the past months. It would be best for them to live their separate lives. However, it looked like they weren’t going to give up without a fight.
Peter and Samuel felt a little diffident in the face of Skylar’s silence.
“W–What are you looking at? We’re waiting for you to transfer Mom to a better hospital. Joe owns a private hospital with excellent facilities. One word from you and he would get her over there,” Peter insisted with narrowed eyes.
Samuel added, “Yeah. A word from you would get the job done. Don’t be so petty. We’re your brothers. I’m your biological brother. When Charles got involved in that scandal, you did everything you could to help him. When I was in a crisis, you looked on from the sidelines. Whose sister are you?”
The news about Charles and Felicia had gone viral a few days ago.
Samuel had even sent influencers to tarnish Charles‘ good name. He wanted Charles to know how it felt to get kicked out of the entertainment industry.
In the end, the tables turned. Charles‘ PR team managed to control the situation, and Felicia ended up being banned from the industry. The difference in Skylar’s reaction to their scandals was atrocious. Why would Skylar help Charles but not Peter?
The buzz around Charles phenomenal PR team was undeniable, and Samuel couldn’t shake the feeding that Joe was the mastermind behind it all. He mused, “If only Joe had supported me back then, I’d be on the path to winning an Oscar by now.”
He was convinced of it. By this point, he would have been an acclaimed Oscar winner, enjoying all the fame and glory that came with it. And if the Martin family had supported them, the Williams family might have already staged a remarkable comeback.
They could have even risen to become the most influential family in Jipsburg, second only to the Martins. But instead, they were living worse than beggars because Skylar refused to help them.
“Skye! Oh… My stomach… Everything hurts… It hurts so much! Call the doctor! These doctors are useless. They’re going to kill me! I need to get
out of here!
“I need to be transferred to another hospital. My daughter is here; she’ll help me transfer. Hurry, the doctor is coming…” Sadie cried out, her voice. filled with exaggerated pain.
“What are you waiting for? Go find a doctor and get Mom transferred,” Peter barked at Skylar.
“Move it! If you don’t help us transfer her, you’re practically killing Mom!” Samuel added sharply.
The trio was putting on a spectacle more dramatic than any soap opera.
Skylar smirked and replied, “The only ones killing her are herself and you two. This has nothing to do with me. If you’re looking to play the moral guilt card, go to Maisy.”
The audacity of the Williams family never ceased to astonish her; they always found new ways to push her buttons.
Other patients and their families in the ward looked bewildered, unsure of
what to make of this chaotic scene
But as Peter and Samuel continued their tirade and more information was revealed through their conversation, it became clear–the Williamses had brought this upon themselves.
They were simply facing the consequences of their own actions, and their intentions were far from noble.
A young girl nearby fixed her gaze on Peter and Samuel before suddenly recognizing Samuel. “Wait, I know you, Samuel Williams. Your whole family is a mess! I can’t believe my friend used to have a crush on you. And this is how you treat your own mother?
“You’re disgusting. I see it all now. Even though she is your biological sister, you never treated her right or took care of her, and now you want to exploit her? You all have no shame!”
Young people often spoke their minds freely, and this girl couldn’t hold back her contempt.
Skylar offered the girl a warm smile, causing her to blush and lower her head in slight embarrassment.
Turning her attention back to Sadie, Skylar said, “If I were you, I’d reflect deeply on my mistakes and try to live the rest of my life with some honesty. Pretending to seek my forgiveness is pointless.
“Since the day of the car accident, I stopped expecting anything from you. To me, your entire family means less than strangers. You’ve tried to manipulate me time and again, and it hasn’t worked.
“So, if you have any sense, you’ll stop while you’re ahead. Push me too far, and things won’t end well for any of you.”
With that, Skylar raised her hand and delivered swift slaps to both Peter and Samuel. The sharp sound echoed through the ward, leaving no doubt about the force behind it.
Their already pale faces quickly reddened and swelled from the impact.
“You!” they exclaimed in unison.
Skylar’s voice was icy as she stated, “I just felt like putting you in your place.
You… How dare you!” Samuel stammered, shocked by Skylar’s boldness.
Peter, however, sensed something eerily familiar in Skylar’s demeanor–a ruthless edge that reminded him of Joe.
Without another word, Skylar brushed past them and headed toward the
exit.
They were about to pursue her when they noticed Joe standing in the doorway. His cold, piercing gaze rooted them to the spot. In that instant, they felt as insignificant as insects beneath his heel.
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Chapter 752
With just one word from Joe, their lives could be snuffed out. Peter and Samuel froze, their bodies rigid with fear. They couldn’t compréhend how Skylar had managed to completely win over Joe’s heart.
Skylar walked up to Joe. Seeing someone get slapped in front of him wasn’t new–he had seen it all before.
“Does your hand hurt?” Joe asked softly, his concern for Skylar clear in his voice.
Skylar glanced at her slightly reddened palm. It still stung from the force of the slaps she’d delivered.
“Mr. Martin…” Peter stammered, his voice filled with desperation.
Regaining his composure, he ignored the throbbing pain on his swollen face and pleaded urgently, “Mr. Martin, my mom’s condition is critical. This hospital can’t provide the care she needs. Given that she’s Skylar’s biological mother, please, help us. It’s a small favor for someone like you.”
Meanwhile, Samuel remained silent before Joe. Despite the thoughts racing through his mind, he dared not utter a single word in Joe’s presence.
Sadie groaned in pain. “It hurts… It hurts so much… I’m in so much pain. It’s unbearable, I don’t know how much longer I can live. Skye, I’m your mother. Mr. Martin, please have mercy and save me.”
She was terrified of dying, and the doctors here were all incompetent, telling her she was close to death.
She couldn’t accept it. She wouldn’t die.
Seeing that Skylar was fine, Joe turned his attention to Sadie and her sons.
The three of them looked hopeful as Joe glanced their way.
But he merely gave them a brief look before taking Skylar’s hand and walking away.
They were stunned–too shocked to react.
“They left? Just like that? What’s going on?” Samuel finally snapped out of
- it.
Peter took a deep breath, his frustration boiling over. He stormed back to the bedside. Unable to contain his anger, he slapped Sadie several times, venting his frustration.
“Didn’t you say you were sure you could get Skylar to help us? I heard everything outside. You completely lost your cool. Are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to get back at us? Do you have any idea how hard things are for me right now?”
“It’s all because of you, Mom! You’ve dragged us down and made us lose all hope. Are you even our mother? Has your mind completely gone off the rails? This is all your fault!” Samuel shouted, barely containing his rage.
Thankfully, Samuel managed to stop himself from hitting Sadie.
The other patients in the ward stared in shock.
One of them finally reacted, his voice trembling. “That woman… Your mother, she’s coughed up blood and died! You’ve beaten her to death…”
“Murder! Murder!” The others echoed in horror.
Peter had slapped Sadie so hard that it shocked everyone.
Peter stood frozen, his face ashen. He stared at Sadie, his movements
slow and deliberate.
The sight made him stagger back, dropping to the ground.
Blood streamed from Sadie’s mouth and nose, her eyes wide and bulging as if they were about to pop out.
Her face was deathly pale.
Samuel was stunned and horrified. He said, “Peter… You killed Mom…”
“It can’t be! She couldn’t have died from my beating! Doctor! Get in here, now!” Peter screamed in a frenzy, dashing out of the ward.
A few doctors and nurses rushed in. Seeing Sadie’s condition, they were Initially stunned but quickly began emergency procedures.
After ten minutes, they confirmed Sadie’s death.
The patients in the ward informed the doctors about what had happened, and the doctors immediately called the police.
When the police arrived, they took Peter away.
With several witnesses present, Samuel pointed out Peter to ensure his innocence.
Chapter 753
By the time Skylar learned of Sadie’s death, it was already evening. She and Joe were having dinner at a Taegu cuisine restaurant.
Skylar had assumed that Sadie would succumb to her illness in the hospital, but it turned out Peter had beaten her to death instead.
“They want you to go there again? I will send Paul to the hospital,” Joe said, his voice tinged with frustration at being interrupted during their dinner.
“It’s not Peter. The call’s from the police,” Skylar replied. She then relayed the details of the call to Joe. After that, she stood up and grabbed her bag. “You keep eating. I have to head to the police station to assist with their investigation.”
“I’m coming with you,” Joe said, standing up as well.
Vera watched from the restaurant entrance as they drove off, her bag clutched tightly in her hands.
The sight of Joe’s attentiveness to Skylar unsettled her–Joe not only opened the car door for Skylar but also drove her himself.
Did he even realize what he was doing? Did he know about Skylar’s complicated relationship with Aiken and Rowan? Did he truly not care at
all?
Vera had always believed Skylar to be manipulative, and now it appeared she was quite skilled at charming men.
A discomfort lodged in Vera’s throat, an unease she couldn’t shake.
She couldn’t reconcile Joe’s feelings for another woman, especially someone who was always scheming and flattering men.
Upon arriving at the police station, Skylar insisted that Joe waited for her outside.
The police asked her routine questions as soon as she arrived.
The witnesses at the hospital have provided a clear account of the events. Since Skylar was not legally related to Sadie, she had the option to
participate or not in the follow–up actions.
At the moment, the coroner was still performing the autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of Sadie’s death. If it turned out that Peter was accountable, he would be joining Jeffrey in prison.
As Skylar was about to leave the police station, she ran into Samuel.
Samuel looked visibly shocked and deeply shaken. His face still bore signs of fear. When he saw Skylar, he appeared dazed and disoriented.
Skylar glanced at him briefly before walking past him without saying a word.
When Samuel saw Skylar, he looked at her with a bitter expression and said, “Skylar, our family is finished. We’re completely ruined. Aren’t you happy about it? Do you see this as our retribution? I’m finished! Congratulations on being the one to have the last laugh.”
The Williams family was in shambles. Jeffrey was in prison, Peter was facing charges, and Kenny and Maisy were missing, their whereabouts unknown.
As for Samuel, he could never return to the entertainment industry, and his life in Jipsbug was effectively over.
With that, the Williams family lay in utter devastation.
Skylar took a few steps outside, then stopped. She turned back, her gaze cold and indifferent as she looked at the distraught Samuel.
Seeing Skylar’s gaze, Samuel’s face briefly flickered with a glimmer of hope. “You…”
Skylar’s expression remained emotionless, her eyes cold. After a moment, she turned away and left the police station.
Samuel stood frozen, as if coming to a realization. To Skylar, they were no
ektferent from strangers. No matter what they did, it didn’t affect her, and she wouldn’t treat them with the same kindness she once had.
Vaguely, he seemed to hear someone say to him, “It’s all retribution.”
The autopsy results were released soon after.
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Chapter 754
Sadie’s death at Peter’s hands quickly made headlines, and the news of the matricide spread like wildfire.
Samuel fled Jipsburg in disgrace, quickly selling Elden Residence at a significant discount. He was desperate to escape the city before being hounded by reporters seeking for a scoop.
His whereabouts remained a mystery.
Skylar learned about these developments from the news. The Williams family’s downfall left her with a sense of melancholy.
One evening after work, Skylar received a call from a prison guard. Peter wanted to see her. The guard urged her to comply with Peter’s request.
At the prison, Skylar found Peter with a shaved head, his stubble now streaked with gray. His once sharp gaze was now hollow and vacant. Gone was the calculating look he used to have when he saw her.
Skylar picked up the phone, fully aware that her ties to the Williams family were severed.
Peter also took the phone, his eyes locked on Skylar.
“I’ve thought a lot these past few days,” Peter began. “It’s clear to me now that I was living recklessly, oblivious to the consequences of my choices. I even killed my mother with my own hands. You must be happy to see me behind bars for the rest of my life, huh?”
“I don’t harbor any personal feelings about your situation. As a law–abiding citizen, I believe that those who commit crimes should face the appropriate legal consequences,” Skylar responded with calm detachment.
The fate of the Williams family left her indifferent. Had this occurred before her rebirth, she might have felt satisfaction.
Peter’s face contorted in shock, followed by a sudden outburst of laughter. “Let
me grant you one final wish,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Tregret everything. If only you had returned home and I had treated you with respect, our family wouldn’t have fallen apart. I could have achieved even greater prominence in Jipsburg.”
Skylar raised an eyebrow and then put down the phone. She stood up and left.
Peter watched her blankly as she walked away, still holding the phone.
As the prison guard led him away, Peter laughed bitterly, muttering to himself, “I wish this were just a dream. If only this were all just a nightmare, How could I have been so foolish? I’m so stupid.”
The guard was unperturbed; it was common for newly imprisoned individuals to struggle with acceptance. If someone could kill their own mother and feel no remorse, they would truly be beyond redemption.
Later that evening, in the hushed darkness of their bedroom, Skylar’s body still trembled slightly as her mind slowly returned to her.
In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of Joe replacing the used condom with a new one. It seemed that the intense session earlier had
only whetted his appetite.
Skylar’s face was flushed from the physical exertion. Sensing Joe’s renewed interest, she tried to extricate herself from the situation. “I’m going to take a shower.”
She was startled by the hoarseness in her voice, her throat sore from
earlier screams.
Joe’s eyes, dark and intense, lingered on Skylar, his desire reignited by her voice. “Shower later.”
Then, he pressed his entire body down onto Skylar.
Skylar couldn’t escape. Joe’s energy seemed inexhaustible that night as they repeated their intimate encounters.
By the time Joe finished, Skylar felt physically exhausted, as if her body were on the verge of collapse. Even after a refreshing shower, she felt
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completely drained.
However, she found herself unable to sleep as she lay in bed.
Joe returned from the balcony, where he had gone for a smoke. He climbed into bed and pulled Skylar into his arms.
Skylar lay limply, devoid of strength..
“Have you been deliberately avoiding me lately?” Joe’s voice was heavy with concern.
Recently, Skylar’s deliberate distance had left Joe feeling confused. Today, a casual conversation with someone else revealed that Aiken might have romantic feelings for Skylar.
Several people who had sought Skylar’s assistance had mentioned her to Aiken, who had responded with nothing but glowing praise. This was unusual, as Aiken wasn’t known for easily complimenting women.
It was worth noting that Aiken had been particularly helpful when Skylar had gone missing.
Chapter 755
Joe wondered if Aiken truly had feelings for Skylar.
“No, I’ve just been swamped with work. It’s been a while since I last worked, and the workload these past few days has been overwhelming,” Skylar explained.
Joe’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Look at me when you speak.*
Joe pondered whether Skylar thought he hadn’t noticed.
Skylar lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Joe. His eyes seemed infinite, like an endless galaxy. At that moment, Skylar felt like she was just a tiny star within it. Her chest tightened as she countered, “Why would I be avoiding you?”
Joe fell silent, and they stared at each other for a long time.
Finally, Joe let it go, turning off the light. “Let’s sleep.”
Skylar nodded lightly, humming in response.
The next morning, Skylar and Joe had breakfast together before heading to work.
On her way, Skylar received a call from Alexander. He mentioned wanting to take her to an auction.
This particular auction featured numerous antiques brought back from abroad. They had all been professionally authenticated and were free of counterfeits.
Alexander warned Skylar over the phone that some of these items, due to their overseas origin, could contain disturbing or harmful elements.
The auction’s organizer, Orson Todd, was a friend of Alexander’s. He had shared that the seller of these antiquities was an elderly man. However, the elderly man didn’t leave any contact information, and Orson couldn’t
recall his appearance.
He pointed out that many older men have similar appearances, with their faces etched with wrinkles. The mask he was wearing made it even harder to distinguish him.
Skylar keyed in the location into her navigation system and headed to the auction.
Alexander was already waiting for her at the entrance. As soon as they met, he quietly asked, “Have you heard from your Grandma Viola recently?” Skylar shook her head. “No, I haven’t heard from Grandma Viola in a while. Her phone has been off the entire time.”
She was genuinely concerned about Viola’s well–being. It had been an extended period without any communication, and she had no clue about Viola’s whereabouts.
Alexander sighed, his voice tinged with disappointment. “She disappeared from Jipsburg so abruptly some 20 or 30 years ago, and we haven’t received any news since then. Now, she’s vanished once more. If your Grandma Viola were around, the person behind these malicious acts wouldn’t dare to be so bold.”
Skylar silently prayed, hoping that Viola was safe and sound.
Alexander led Skylar inside. They greeted many people along the way.
For those who didn’t recognize Skylar, Alexander took the opportunity to introduce her to his friends.
Although Skylar was still relatively new to Alexander’s company, everyone treated her with respect, deferring to Alexander’s position.
Once seated, Skylar felt an unsettling gaze on her back–one that was hard to ignore and seemed unfriendly.
After being stared at for a while, it became uncomfortable. Skylar turned around to see who it was.
Just as she turned, her eyes met Vera’s.
Today, Vera wore a glamorous dress with her hair styled in large waves. She looked stunning and captivating. However, her eyes were filled with lingering security and disdain, reminiscent of their recent encounter at the restaurant.
Skylar was baffled by Vera’s condescending attitude. Vera always seemed to regard her with a sense of superiority. If it was due to Joe, Skylar had nothing to say. Their relationship was not her concern.
With a chilly glance, Skylar averted her gaze. Alexander noticed her discomfort and inquired, “Is everything alright, Skye?”
“Yes, Mr. Gardner Senior. I’m alright,” Skylar replied with a polite smile.
Seeing Skylar’s cold expression, Vera felt a surge of annoyance. It was as if she had taken a bite of something bitter. “She’s really opened my eyes. It’s utterly disgusting,”
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Chapter 756
Vera’s friend, Bianca Roffe, didn’t catch her comment. “What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”
Vera’s face darkened, and her mood visibly soured. “Mr. Gardner Senior has always been respectable. How is it that, at his age, he can’t control himself anymore?”
She spoke in a low voice, cautious of the people around them. The auction was crowded today, and some attendees knew Alexander. It wouldn’t do for them to overhear.
“What’s he not controlling?” Bianca asked, confused as she followed Vera’s gaze.
She spotted Alexander chatting amiably with a young woman beside him. Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, it was clear Alexander was being very friendly.
Bianca’s eyes widened as she realized what was happening–this was some juicy gossip.
“That young woman is quite something,” Bianca said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “I’ve never heard of anyone close to Mr. Gardner Senior before, and his grandson must be nearly 20 by now. She looks like she’s still in college. For someone so young to put up with this just for money, it’s impressive.”
Vera’s face twisted with disgust. “I’ve seen her before. She’s tangled up with Aiken and Rowan. She’ll endure anything to marry into a wealthy family.”
“What?” Bianca exclaimed, surprised and then laughing. “That’s actually quite common. Women from modest backgrounds like hers often need to put in extra effort to improve their circumstances. Otherwise, they might find themselves trapped in their current social class.
“There are countless women like her. In the entertainment industry, many aspiring actresses are vying for success. My father and brother have oven !
supported a few up–and–coming stars
Vera frowned and said, “Enough. Stop talking about this. It’s ruining what should be a pleasant auction.”
Alright.”
The auction began shortly after.
Vera tried to focus on the items being auctioned. She’d been influenced from a young age by her grandfather, Denton Ruell, and her father, Buck Ruell, both avid collectors of antiques.
She’d heard many rare items from abroad were up for auction that day. With Denton and Buck’s birthdays coming up, she hoped to purchase a few pieces for them.
Despite her efforts to concentrate, she couldn’t help but glance at Skylar.
Vera admired Skylar. In the three times they’d crossed paths, Skylar had always remained composed, unaffected by what others thought of her.
“Look at that 206 BC to 220 AD double–handled porcelain jar. It’s quite rare. I frequent auctions, and I’ve hardly ever seen one,” Bianca’s exclamation pulled Vera back to the present.
Vera immediately looked over. After a quick glance, she raised her bidding paddle. “Eight million.”
Others began bidding in response.
Skylar and Alexander both turned to look at Vera. At that point, Vera had already pushed the bid to 12 million.
Seeing Skylar watching her, Vera raised an eyebrow. It seemed Skylar was interested, so perhaps Alexander intended to bid on it for her. She sighed quietly at the thought of the once sharp and intelligent Alexander had grown old and indulgent.
Unfortunately, Vera needed to secure this item.
After meeting Vera’s determined and somewhat superior gaze, Skylar turned to Alexander and said, “There might be some issues.”
Alexander frowned. “The Items at the auction have been verified. I can’t disclose any issues with the antiques to others.”
Auctions were complex affairs. Despite his prominence in Jipsburg and the respect he commanded, such vague concerns would only be taken seriously by those who genuinely trusted him. Others would undoubtedly be skeptical.
“I’ll bid on it,” Alexander decided. He intended to acquire all problematic items tonight to prevent them from causing harm.
Alexander proceeded to place his bid.
However, Vera was determined to win; she continued to raise her paddl
Chapter 757
The bidding continued unabated, with the final offer climbing to 35 million.
Alexander frowned and remarked, “Isn’t the young lady from the Ruell family unusually stubborn today?”
35 million was far beyond the item’s actual value.
Skylar glanced back at Vera, who wore a smug smile, her inherent sense of superiority palpable. Despite the myriad thoughts racing through Skylar’s mind, the latter would always remain inferior to Vera.
35 million was no small sum, and Vera didn’t seem to believe Alexander would continue bidding merely to indulge her.
After the staff announced 35 million three times, Vera’s smile widened.
Skylar averted her gaze. Alexander remarked, “I’ll inform her grandfather later.”
Skylar nodded but said nothing.
The auction proceeded with a few more items. The next lot was an antique painting in pristine condition, with a starting bid of three million.
Alexander had already acquired two contentious items, but the antique painting was hotly contested between him and Vera. In the end, Vera secured it at a steep price.
Skylar glanced thoughtfully at Vera, who looked quite pleased with herself. Vera casually smiled at Skylar, her wealth appearing as nothing more than a series of numbers. She believed that Skylar must have felt uncomfortable witnessing her extravagant purchases.
Relying on a man to achieve goals was a fool’s errand, and Vera was determined to teach Skylar that lesson
Alexander’s expression darkened. “Mr. Ruell Senior was always frugal and cautious. He would never act so recklessly. Even if th
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genuine, they’re not worth this much. She’s really squandering money.”
Skylar checked her phone. Joe had texted her a few minutes ago, expressing his desire to visit Gloria that night. She quickly replied, “Sure.”
As the auction concluded, Alexander departed in his car first. Skylar, too, made her way to her own vehicle, only to once again cross paths with Vera.
“The last time I saw you, you were with Rowan. Now, you’re with Mr. Gardner Senior. Skylar, you never cease to amaze me,” Vera said with a cool tone, her expression laced with arrogance.
Previously, Vera would have dismissed someone like Skylar without a second thought. Someone who would sell herself for money seemed beneath her.
But things had changed. The fact that Skylar and Joe were involved in such financial dealings unsettled her.
Standing beside Vera, Bianca sneered and scrutinized Skylar as if she were something vile. To Bianca, Skylar wasn’t even worth the time Vera was spending on her, but if Vera wanted to, she could continue.
Skylar offered a faint smile. “Are you surprised that I dined with Rowan, or that I came to the auction with Mr. Gardner Senior? You always speak so vaguely. Can you ever be more clear?”
“You!” Vera was taken aback by Skylar’s response.
“Vera is showing you great generosity by even speaking to you. Who do you think you are? Do you really think people don’t see through you? How is a whore like you so shameless?” Bianca spat, lashing out at Skylar.
e.
Chapter 758
Bianca’s attitude was nothing more than a fawning display. She was loyal but utterly pathetic.
Skylar’s smile faded as she fixed a cold stare on Vera and Bianca. “You still have time to apologize.”
“There was nothing wrong with what I said, so why should I apologize? If you’re bold enough to peddle yourself, you should be able to handle some talk about it. Do you honestly believe we couldn’t dispose of you in Jipsburg with a mere snap of our fingers?” Bianca sneered.
Vera, clearly amused, added, “Some things are better left unsaid. It wouldn’t look good for you, either.” With no desire to waste more words on Skylar, Vera turned to Bianca. “Let’s go.”
“I was actually in a good mood before, but now it’s ruined.”
“It’s not worth it for her.”
The two of them climbed into a nearby car and drove off, continuing their conversation as they left the parking lot.
Skylar watched the car drive away, raising an eyebrow in thought. She pondered who might have sullied her reputation with Vera. She hoped it wasn’t Joe.
In the car, Vera received a call from the auction house staff.
“Yeah, send it to the address I provided.”
After Vera ended the call, Bianca laughed. “When you bought those antiques, Skylar’s face looked awful. She should really take a look in the mirror. How could she think she could compete with you?”
For some reason, Vera felt unsettled. Skylar’s bold demand for an apology left her with a heavy feeling in her chest.
“You’ve brought something to mind. I’ll send John a message later to see if he has any insights on Mr. Gardner Senior and Skylar. Given Mr. Gardner Senior’s age, it wouldn’t be too difficult for a young woman to influence him.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Bianca agreed.
John was busy with work. During his lunch break, he finally had a moment to check on WhatsApp.
He had Vera’s contact but had never communicated with her before. They weren’t particularly familiar, having been in different high school classes and only occasionally crossing paths at various events. He might have forgotten her if Rowan hadn’t mentioned Vera recently.
He recalled that Joe had once liked her and wondered why she was messaging him now.
He opened the message to find a photo and a text. The photo showed Alexander’s back at the auction, with Skylar sitting next to him.
The message read, “I ran into Mr. Gardner Senior at the auction today. He brought a young woman with him. During the event, to please her, he competed with me for two antiques. I was trying to get a gift for my grandfather and father, so I may have offended Mr. Gardner Senior. I hope you can help clarify things. Thank you.”
The message’s intent was clear, but John was somewhat confused.
Chapter 758
Vera’s message seemed increasingly strange the more he read. He wondered if she had misunderstood something.
His father was trying to win Skylar’s favor?
He grimaced slightly, contemplating whether Vera had misunderstood the situation. Alexander had gone to the auction strictly to buy items, not to please anyone.
Upon returning home, Vera instinctively checked her phone. Hours had passed with no new messages, and she found it hard to believe John hadn’t seen her texts.
She wondered why he hadn’t responded. It seemed that John was either unconcerned about someone trying to deceive Alexander or simply indifferent. Still, Vera had to acknowledge that such oddities were not uncommon in their circles, where strange events were frequent.
Many people in their social circle indulged in all sorts of games.
Chapter 759
Vera felt she was meddling and was annoyed. Looking at the two artifacts sent by the auction house, she suddenly had an idea and told a nearby household staff, “Get me some supplements suitable for the elderly, and have them ready within half an hour.”
She hadn’t had the chance to visit Gloria since she came back. It was a good opportunity to see how she was doing and bring her some presents. After all, Joe’s most important person was his grandmother, Gloria.
Alexander and Skylar arrived at the company one after the other and immediately immersed themselves in work. In the rush, Alexander forgot to call John.
The items they had purchased from the auction were difficult to handle, and Skylar had to deal with each one separately.
Meanwhile, Alexander had several friends reach out to him. By the time he finished his work, it was already after office hours. Alexander attempted to call John but couldn’t get through, so he decided to put the matter aside for now.
As Skylar was clocking out, she got a call from Janine, who had slipped on a wet floor at the market while grocery shopping and fractured her leg.
With Steven swamped with work lately and Charles tied up with the new film crew, neither was available to take calls. Skylar hurried to the hospital as soon as she received the news; someone kind had already taken Janine there.
On her way, Skylar called Joe. “I won’t be able to make it to Pearlhall Residence today. Please let Grandma know.”
She kept the explanation brief to avoid worrying Joe and Gloria.
Skylar ended the call quickly, not giving Joe a chance to ask further questions.
Joe looked at his phone, deep in thought. If there hadn’t been an emergency, Skylar wouldn’t have missed visiting Pearlhall Residence. Even when busy, she usually made time for Gloria.
He tapped on the phone screen and dialed Caleb’s number.
After a few rings, Caleb answered, sounding confused. “Did you dial the wrong number?”
“I did not. Is Skylar off work?” Joe asked.
Caleb was puzzled. “I’m already home. We finished work half an hour ago. I’m not a kid–if you have something to ask, just ask directly.”
Though Caleb was younger and less cunning than Joe, he wasn’t naïve. Joe had never called him without a solid reason before. He found it hard to believe that Joe would call just to ask if Skylar had finished
work.
If Joe wanted to know if Skylar was off the clock, he could have asked her directly instead of beating
around the bush.
“You’re quite sharp. Has Skylar been acting oddly today?” Joe’s tone was slightly cold.
Caleb replied, “Oddly? No, she seemed fine. Skylar was her usual professional self and even chatted a bit before leaving. But she did go to the auction this morning with my grandfather and bought a few artifacts. My grandfather asked her to handle them.”
Chapter 759
“I see,” Joe said before ending the call.
Caleb listened to the dial tone, his lips twitching in irritation. Wasn’t this a case of using him and then discarding him? Joe didn’t even thank him.
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Skylar arrived at the hospital shortly after. Janine’s leg was already in a cast.
“Don’t worry, Skye. The doctor said it’s a minor fracture and nothing serious,” Janine reassured her, trying to ease Skylar’s concern.
Given her age, her bones were more delicate now. She had spent years working in the fields and fell many times without sustaining a fracture.
Understanding that Janine was trying to spare her from concern, Skylar collected the X–rays and medical reports. “Mom, I’ll consult with the doctor to see if there are any special instructions,” she said.
“Okay. Janine sat in a chair in the corridor, waiting for Skylar.
Nearby, other patients admired Janine and remarked on how considerate her daughter was. Janine smiled at the praise, but her expression suddenly turned serious, and she instinctively rose to her feet.
Chapter 760
As Janine attempted to stand, she wobbled and almost fell forward. Thankfully, someone nearby caught her.
Once she steadied herself, she scanned the area seen was no longer there.
“What happened?” the person beside her asked.
refully, but the familiar fiqure she thought she had
Janine appeared dazed. “Nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew, but it was probably just my mistake.”
Just then, Skylar emerged from the doctor’s office.
“Mom, I’m going to get the medication,” Skylar said.
“Okay, go ahead,” Janine replied.
Skylar, absorbed in the medical instructions, didn’t notice Janine’s slight shift in mood.
When Skylar returned with the medication, Janine seemed to have returned to her usual self.
Skylar drove Janine home and decided to stay for a few days.
As soon as Janine realized Skylar intended to stay, she swiftly refused. “The fridge is stocked. Even with one leg out of commission, I can manage on my own. You should go back and not cause Joe any unnecessary worry.”
“Mom, you need proper care for your broken leg. I can’t leave you by yourself,” Skylar insisted, sending a text to Joe to explain what was happening and her intention to stay at Yancey Residence for a few days
Janine was well aware of Skylar’s stubbornness. Once she decided on something, persuading her otherwise was nearly impossible. So, Janine reluctantly gave in.
When Joe arrived at Pearhall Residence, he noticed someone was visiting. He asked the household staff, “Who’s here?”
“It’s Ms. Ruell.”
“Ms. Ruell?” he echoed, a puzzled frown creasing his brow.
When he entered and saw Vera, he was surprised. Vera was chatting happily with Gloria. She turned around when she heard a sound. With a smile, she greeted, “Joe.”
Their unexpected meeting at Pearhall Residence was a surprise for both. Vera had primarily come to speak with Gloria but hadn’t yet had the chance, as Joe’s arrival had interrupted her plans.
Besides, given Joe’s presence, it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss her reasons for visiting right away. So, she decided it was best to save those words for another time when she could speak with Gloria
privately.
Gloria wasn’t surprised to see Joe alone at Pearhall Residence, knowing that Skylar had other commitments. Yet, she couldn’t help feeling slightly displeased that Skylar wasn’t there.
Gloria questioned the purpose of just having her grandson there.
Half an hour later, Joe and Vera left separately.
Chapter 760
Gloria was troubled. “Why did Vera come back now?”
“Are you worried about Mr. Martin?” Edgar asked.
Gloría nodded. “For years, Joe hasn’t let many people get close, and it’s because of her. Even though Joe hasn’t mentioned it, as his grandmother, I can tell.”
“So, does Ms. Ruell’s visit means she wants to be with Joe? And where does Mrs. Martin fit into all of this? “Edgar asked, frowning.
He was relieved that Skylar wasn’t present today; explaining Vera’s visit would have been difficult.
“Joe would never neglect Skye,” Gloria said firmly.
Edgar nodded in agreement. “Yes, Mr. Martin would never do anything to hurt Mrs. Martin. Besides, I believe he’s grown quite fond of her. Their relationship has been progressing well, and Ms. Ruell has been away from Jipsburg for years. Back then, Mr. Martin was still young. Now… we shouldn’t worry too much.”
“It’s impossible not to worry,” Gloria replied, her voice heavy with concern. “Do they think I don’t know about the prenuptial agreement?”
Edgar struggled to find comforting words.
“Vera visited me today, and it wasn’t just a casual visit. Before Joe got here, she likely had something on her mind to discuss with me,” Gloria added.
Edgar was surprised. “What do you think she wanted to talk about?”
Gloria shook her head. “She didn’t get a chance today, but she’ll find another time to bring it up.” “Yes, she will,” Edgar agreed.
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