Chapter 1066

Skylar's heart pounded at Joe's words. His misconstrued her silence as shock.

“Is it too much to ask you to like me?” he asked.

The thought of a mundane life together crossed her mind. “No, I mean, are you sure about this?” she asked earnestly, her gaze unwavering. Their relationship would never be as simple as before if feelings were involved in this marriage.

Joe nodded, pulling her into a deep embrace and kissing her. Soon, they were in bed.

Later, as he left marks on her thigh, he looked up, his voice low and husky. “Do you think I’m serious now?”

Skylar shut her eyes tight, gripping the bedsheets, trembling. Sweat beaded on her skin. Sometimes, her body spoke truer than her heart.

The news of Joe's engagement to Lizzie spread through Jipsburg City like wildfire, dominating even the entertainment news. Lizzie, a violinist recently featured on several reality shows, had a substantial following. Her name, along with that of Vera, a well-known Jipsburg socialite, trended immediately.

Rumors of Joe and Vera's love had circulated for a long time, leading many to anticipate their engagement. Lizzie's unexpected engagement announcement surprised everyone. Further investigation revealed Lizzie's lineage: she was a scion of the Garza family, one of Adaver's most prominent families, a lineage rivaling Vera's own.

Reporters, eager for an interview with Vera, staked out locations she frequented. She was shopping at the mall with friends, then relaxing at a spa when the news broke.

Vera's complexion paled. Her friends reacted with shock. "Vera, what's going on? How did Joe get engaged to this unknown person?" one asked. Another chimed in, "Didn't everyone say Joe’s favorite person was you? Weren't you two supposed to be engaged soon? This Lizzie… she can't compare to you." Another questioned, "Could this news be fake? Is it photoshopped?"

"It doesn't seem like it. There's video evidence. They officially announced their engagement at a press conference," someone responded.

"Wow…"

The group exchanged glances, a subtle satisfaction mingling with their curiosity as they observed Vera's reaction. In their circles, Vera was often considered Joe's true love, treated with awe and respect. Though Vera insisted their relationship wasn't as perceived, her actions—subtle hints and suggestive Instagram posts—suggested a playful, emotional tension. Joe's public announcement clearly blindsided her. They had never seen her look so pale.

"Keep enjoying your tea. I need to step out for a moment," Vera said abruptly, rising. She couldn't bear to stay. Gripping her phone, she seemed to be wrestling with a torrent of emotions.