Chapter 1059

After looking around, Skylar felt disappointed. "Grandma Viola cleaned the second floor, but didn't leave any useful information. Let's check downstairs."

"Can I take a look at the porcelain you restored?" Joe asked.

"Sure, you can pick it up. There are no traps underneath," Skylar replied, glancing back at it.

After their conversation, she noticed more books on the shelf. She quickly examined them while Joe carefully observed the porcelain, admiring her talent. At fifteen, Skylar's restoration skills were extraordinary; he knew few in Jipsburg could match her.

As he replaced the porcelain, he noticed a sticky note attached to the bottom. He almost mentioned it to Skylar, but seeing her engrossed in reading, he decided against it. He discreetly peeled off the note. Initially, he thought it was an introduction to the porcelain. But as he read, his expression changed dramatically; alarm flickered across his face. Within minutes, however, he regained his composure, pocketing the note. He gently set down the porcelain and approached Skylar.

Looking down at her, a mixture of concern, reluctance, and sorrow flickered in his eyes. Skylar, intently focused on the books, remained unaware of his presence. She recognized them from the library, but they offered no valuable information, leaving her disheartened.

Sighing, she turned to Joe. "Let's go." She'd expected him to be examining the porcelain, but he stood beside her.

His gaze was intense. Puzzled by his scrutiny, Skylar asked, "Is something on my face?" She touched her cheek.

Joe quickly averted his eyes. "Nothing. Let's go."

Skylar shrugged it off. Joe's thoughts were often inscrutable; perhaps he was simply bored.

Leaving Viola's house, Skylar led Joe through the small village. They could explore the entire place in about half an hour.

That evening, they ate a simple pasta dinner. Their television was broken, so they sat in the yard afterward, lost in thought, occasionally glancing at their phones. Joe was preoccupied, his expression serious as he typed. Skylar decided not to interrupt him. Instead, she messaged Alexander, informing him of Viola's return. Alexander replied promptly:

"If Viola hasn't been kidnapped, then those letters… Skye, we need to reconsider this. You don't have much time left."

A wave of concern washed over Skylar. If Viola wrote the letter willingly, it meant her words were true. Skylar couldn't remain involved in Jipsburg's negative events; she needed to divorce Joe. After a moment's reflection, she contacted Aiken for an update.

Aiken responded minutes later: "I just learned Madam Viola returned to the countryside five days ago and left three days ago. She should be in Jipsburg now. We should locate her within three days."

Skylar hadn't expected Aiken's swift action. He'd already discovered Viola's return to the countryside. It seemed they would find her soon—locating Viola would answer all her questions.

Chapter 1060