Chapter 1195

Joey hesitated, his thumb resting on the ring for a moment before finally removing it.

“This thumb ring,” he began, his voice trembling, “I bought it at auction a few months ago. It’s just a small item, worth a few hundred thousand. This shouldn’t be the problem, right?” His unease was palpable. He felt a nagging guilt, a suspicion that the recent incidents were somehow linked to the ring. But it could be a coincidence, couldn't it?

Skylar glanced at it. “It’s the ring.”

“What?” Joey exclaimed, incredulous. The others immediately focused on the emerald thumb ring. It appeared ordinary; even without the auction provenance, similar pieces could be found in high-class jewelry stores or custom workshops. So…

Melinda’s expression shifted. “Is it really cursed?”

Jeremy’s face hardened. “Can it be dealt with?” he asked Skylar.

Skylar nodded. “Yes.” She moved closer to examine the ring's markings more closely.

Joey’s face paled. Knowing it was cursed, he tried to remove and discard it, but Skylar stopped him. “You’ve worn it for months; it’s bonded with you. Removing or destroying it won't alleviate the trouble.”

“What?” Joey’s voice sharpened. He froze, fear arresting his movement.

Melinda urged anxiously, “Jeremy already paid you. Handle it quickly, please.”

Quincey’s father added in a low voice, “Yes, quickly. How could they sell something like this at auction?”

Caleb rolled his eyes, finding their attitude infuriating. No wonder Alexander avoided the Hughes family, except for Jeremy. This explained it.

“It can be resolved,” Skylar said. “Carefully remove it, clean it, wrap it properly, and then give it to me. But…” she looked at Jeremy, “Zack and Quincey’s bullying of the young girl is unrelated to the curse. It only affects Joey.”

Melinda protested, “What? Zack is a good child, excelling in academics and character! Without the curse, he wouldn't have done such a thing!” Quincey’s mother echoed her sentiments, seizing the opportunity to praise her son alongside Zack.

Uninterested in their protestations, Skylar turned to Jeremy. “I’ll wait in the car. Bring the cleaned ring to me.” She left without another word, having no further interest in engaging with the Hughes family beyond Jeremy. They should know their children's true nature; their appalling behavior stemmed from years of unchecked indulgence.

Once in the car, Caleb vented his anger. “Excelled in character and academics, my foot! Zack and Quincey are scumbags! They might be good students, but their morals are rotten.”

Skylar smiled. “Everyone pays for their mistakes. Even if influenced by a cursed object, they still face the consequences.”