Chapter 1020

Vera transferred the money via her phone. "Given the damage to your car, ten thousand dollars should cover the repairs. Let me know if it's insufficient." She then exited her vehicle. "Were you dining alone?"

Vera peered into Skylar's car, searching for Joe, but he wasn't there. Skylar simply acknowledged the transfer. "If there are any issues, I'll contact you. I'm leaving now," she said, opening the door and getting in. The location wasn't ideal for lingering; they were blocking the parking lot exit. Besides, Skylar had little to say to Vera; their relationship had always been distant.

Vera frowned as Skylar departed without further comment. Frustration flared. What kind of attitude was that? Did she not even hear me? she thought. She returned to her car, irritation growing. She quickly accelerated, following Skylar from the lot.

Skylar drove for a while, making several turns. Waiting at an intersection, she glanced in her rearview mirror and recognized a familiar car—Vera's. She wondered if Vera had been following her or if it was coincidental. After the light changed, Vera was still directly behind her.

Skylar proceeded down two more streets before pulling over. Vera followed suit, parking behind her. Skylar exited her car and approached Vera's window, gesturing for her to do the same. Vera also got out.

"You've been following me. Care to explain?" Skylar asked directly. Vera's behavior was increasingly irritating.

Vera was momentarily stunned by the direct question. She hadn't planned to follow Skylar; it was an impulsive reaction to her frustration. Confronted, she was speechless.

"I… I just wanted you to call the dealership. To see the repair cost," Vera stammered, grasping for an excuse.

Skylar scoffed. "Didn't you just transfer ten thousand dollars? You said to contact you if it wasn't enough. I'll take the car in this weekend. I'll send you the receipt; I won't take advantage of you."

Vera's brow furrowed. "What's with your attitude? Is this about the photo I sent of Joe and me at the reunion? Are you jealous?"

"Jealous? Of you and Joe? If you have time for accusations, perhaps spend it with him. Relive your memories, build your connection—I'm not stopping you. But do you even know what you're doing? You're acting like a secret mistress, hiding in the shadows. If you manage to get Joe to divorce me, I might think more highly of you. Otherwise, I don't care who you are in the Ruell family. It's none of my concern."

Skylar couldn't understand Vera's reasoning, especially her constant mention of Joe. Her patience had evaporated.

Vera's face flushed at Skylar's words. "Skylar, do you realize what you're saying?" She couldn't believe Skylar had called her a secret mistress. Who is the real secret mistress? she wondered. Everyone considered her Joe's perfect match; their families were compatible, and they'd been close for years. Skylar, however, came from an ordinary background.

Skylar opened her car door and got in, rolling down the window. "I know exactly what I'm saying, Ms. Ruell. Next time you see me, take another route. Stop following me." She accelerated away.

Vera stood there, initially too furious to react. She stamped her foot, rage boiling. "Skylar!" She fumed, wondering who gave Skylar the audacity to speak to her that way. She dared to act so superior, calling me a mistress. One day, Joe will see Skylar's true colors, and she'll be the one left behind—the real mistress.