Chapter 1008

Natalie rushed to the airport three days later to see Skylar off. A sense of reluctance filled her as she watched Skylar head toward the terminal; she didn't even glance at Joe, who stood beside her. "How come you're leaving so soon? Didn't you say you'd stay a couple more days?" she'd asked herself, remembering their phone call the previous night. This morning, however, she learned they were returning to Jipsburg.

Natalie had distanced herself from Joe since discovering his involvement with Vera. Anyone who wronged Skylar was her enemy.

"Mr. Gardner Senior said there's an urgent matter," Skylar explained, embracing Natalie with a tinge of sadness. "I need to get back as soon as possible. I'll wait for you to come to Jipsburg." Joe also had pressing work commitments. During their stay in Fachington, his workload in Jipsburg had increased significantly. Garth and Ernest's clandestine activities had created numerous problems, and Gloria's health had deteriorated. These issues necessitated their early departure.

"Alright, see you back in Jipsburg," Natalie replied.

As she turned to leave, she considered speaking to Joe but decided against it, fearing it might upset Skylar. She gave him a frustrated look and then averted her gaze, watching them disappear into the terminal.

Once inside, Joe asked, "Does Natalie have something against me? When did I offend her?"

Skylar, glancing back, noticed Natalie had already left. She realized Natalie had sensed the tension between her and Joe, leading to the hostility. Natalie always fiercely opposed what she perceived as wrongdoing.

"You might need to ask her yourself," Skylar said with a smile. "I'm not really sure."

Joe's brows furrowed, but he let it go.

Inside the hotel, Vera, elegantly dressed in a long gown, knocked several times on Joe's door. There was no answer. Over the past three days, she'd barely seen him; he was either with Skylar or asleep upon returning. Their paths hadn't crossed, despite previous plans to revisit old places together, communicated via WhatsApp.

A hotel staff member approached Vera. "The guests in this room checked out this morning."

"Checked out?" Vera was astonished. She wondered if they'd returned to Jipsburg or moved hotels. She hurried to the adjacent room, but found it empty. They were truly gone.

She immediately called Molly. "You're lying to me."

"How could I possibly be lying?" Molly responded.