Chapter 1067

Vera didn't glance back as she grabbed her bag and hurried from the spa. Outside, reporters swarmed her, pelting her with awkward questions, her complexion paling further. "No comment," she responded with forced dignity. "His engagement has nothing to do with me. I genuinely wish him all the best."

Pushing past the reporters, she sped to her car and drove away. Her friends emerged from the spa, exchanging bewildered glances as her car disappeared. This was unusual; Vera's usual indifference was replaced by genuine fluster. An unspoken understanding passed between them: maintaining appearances was crucial in their social circle.

Inside her car, Vera's phone buzzed incessantly. She parked in an underground shopping mall lot, staring at the still-vibrating phone. Calls flooded in from friends, the Ruell family, and even unknown numbers. WhatsApp notifications overwhelmed her. Her mind felt blank, dazed.

She couldn't believe it. Joe was engaged to Lizzie. Had he divorced Skylar? Even if so, she couldn't understand his choice—a stranger, a violinist, someone entirely unfamiliar.

Molly's name sprang to mind. She dialed quickly. "You said if I placed the statue in my bedroom, Joe would despise Skylar, and they'd divorce, right?" Molly's voice was sharp. "They divorced, but he's engaged to someone else! Did you play me? How could I believe you?"

Vera unleashed her frustration. She'd trusted Molly completely; this outcome was unbearable. Moments ago, her friends had looked at her as if she were the butt of a terrible joke. She'd been confident, waiting for Joe's initiative, and then felt a dizzying blow.

Molly, flustered, replied, "Logically, he shouldn't be engaged. The ring or statue should have worked. You've been in contact, so this shouldn't have happened. Something must have happened that we don't know. I'll investigate Lizzie thoroughly. Don't panic. It's just an engagement, not a wedding." Though she spoke reassuringly, Molly knew she'd likely targeted the wrong person. Joe had never truly liked Vera; the negative item couldn't have influenced his feelings toward her. She couldn't tell Vera that now.

Vera calmed slightly. "Could Skylar have discovered the ring I dropped at Galaxy Villa? Did she use it?" Vera bit her lip, voicing her doubts.