Chapter 1053

The lights were on in the Galaxy Villa. Joe was home, but hadn't answered her call. Skylar wondered if he was busy.

With a mix of curiosity and concern, she entered. Joe sat on the couch, engrossed in something, oblivious to her arrival. She quietly removed her shoes, not wanting to disturb him. But instead of working, he stared intently at a ring in his palm, lost in thought.

Intrigued, Skylar focused on the ring—an emerald ring with an ancient charm. She stepped closer. "Where did you get this? Who gave it to you?" she asked. She recognized it from her online store, but Joe remained absorbed, unresponsive.

Her heart quickened. With growing concern, she gently took his other hand. His palm was warm, hers cold. "Joe, can you hear me? You need to stop looking at that ring. Something's wrong with it." His unusual demeanor alarmed her.

He remained fixated on the ring. "Joe," she repeated. When her calls went unanswered, she rummaged in her bag, found a talisman, drew a symbol, and slipped it into his suit pocket. "Joe, can you hear me? Stop looking at that ring. You're not weak-willed; don't let it manipulate you." Her voice, though soft, held an urgent undercurrent.

She'd never encountered this before, never expected to see that ring in his possession. The situation was completely unexpected. Perhaps the talisman, or her persistent calls, finally reached him. Joe slowly lifted his head, his neck stiff. Skylar noticed bloodshot eyes; he'd been fighting to stay awake.

Chapter 1053

She knew the effects of negative items well. Only immense willpower could resist their influence; any weakness could lead to being ensnared. Skylar sensed Joe had been battling the ring's power.

Tears welled as she said, "Just give me the ring. I'll handle the rest."

Without hesitation, he placed it in her palm. The bloodshot tint in his eyes vanished. As Skylar accepted the ring, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Joe caught her.

"Who gave you this ring?" she asked, closing her eyes to steady herself. Her complexion was pale, but her determination remained.