Chapter 1121

Mona Silva asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Is your phone signal bad, or is the bar too loud? Forget it, I'll wait ten more minutes. If you're not here in ten minutes, I'm going home." Mona sounded irritated. After hanging up, she grumbled about men keeping girls waiting.

Annie's hand trembled as she held her phone. Mona's attitude toward Steven felt…coy. Their relationship seemed to be more than just friendship or colleagues. This realization dramatically altered Annie's expression. She looked at Steven.

No wonder he had been so cold to her lately; he treated her with less warmth than a stranger. Tears pricked her eyes. "Steven," she whispered, "after realizing my feelings, you've moved on, haven't you? You're treating that woman well, aren't you? Does she… compare to me?"

Her words felt like a soliloquy; she knew he wouldn't respond. Then, Steven's phone rang—another call from Skylar. Her expression shifted.

Suddenly, a sense of calm washed over her.

Chapter 1123

"177—" Joe read a phone number. Skylar wrote it down and dialed. A familiar voice answered.

"This is Annie. I still have your number saved," Annie said. Skylar was surprised by Annie's casual admission—this was Annie's new number, recently obtained by Paul.

"Ms. Silver, my brother is with you, right?" Skylar cut straight to the point, foregoing pleasantries. Over half an hour had passed since Natalie's text, and she knew something could have happened.

Annie chuckled softly. "Are you worried I might get back together with your brother?"

Skylar paused. "I respect my brother's choices. Who he chooses is his decision."

"You and your brother are quite similar. You both make decisions and stick to them. When you love someone, you love them; when you don't, you don't," Annie said wistfully. She felt no hesitation sharing her thoughts with Skylar, even over the phone.

Even after her breakup with Joe, Skylar hadn't publicly aired grievances or tried to use the situation against him. As far as Annie knew, many people still didn't know Skylar existed. While everyone discussed Lizzie and Vera, no one mentioned Skylar.

Skylar asked, "Where are you and my brother staying?"

"You're still sharp as ever. Who helped you find my new number? Joe? Never mind. Steven's with me at the hotel. He drank something spiked; I saw it, so I took him away. Nothing happened between us," Annie assured her.

Skylar replied simply, "Okay." She quickly received Annie's address. Her impression of Annie shifted.

"It seems Annie has changed. The old her would have seized the opportunity to do something," she commented, glancing at Joe.