Chapter 1208
Many people seemed to recognize Skylar from the previous charity gala; Rosa had learned her name through others. The intense unease she’d felt earlier returned. She glanced sideways at Ned, noticing his focus on Skylar. Anxiety washed over her, and she quickly took his arm.
“Ned,” she said, “don’t you think we have some kind of… fate with her? We just met yesterday, and now here we are, running into her again while shopping.”
Jipsburg was a large city, not a small town. People living in the same apartment complex often rarely crossed paths, let alone in this situation.
Skylar nodded, meeting Ned’s gaze before responding to Rosa. Her smile faded slightly as she replied neutrally, “It does seem like fate.”
Ned stared at Skylar, a voice in his mind insisting she shouldn't be so indifferent towards him. This disoriented him momentarily.
Noticing Ned’s stare, Rosa felt uncomfortable. She glanced around and said, “I don’t like the dress styles here. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Sure,” Ned replied. As they were about to leave, Minerva emerged from a fitting room and spotted Ned. She’d intended to show Skylar her outfit but froze in surprise upon seeing him. What… how did we run into each other again? she thought. She quickly turned to Skylar.
Skylar seemed unperturbed. A night had passed, and she already viewed Ned as a stranger—someone who merely resembled Joe.
“That dress looks much better than the others,” Skylar remarked, her surprise evident at Minerva’s stunning appearance. “It really complements your complexion.”
Minerva nodded enthusiastically. “I think so too.”
“Why don’t you wear this one while you wait for your boyfriend? He’ll be pleased,” Skylar suggested.
Ned stopped at the door, turning to look at Skylar. His peripheral vision caught sight of Minerva in a long white gown, matching the color Skylar had worn the previous night. He vividly recalled Skylar’s beauty from the evening before—a beauty that effortlessly captivated.
“Is something wrong, Ned?” Rosa asked, noticing his pause. She followed his gaze to Skylar. His gaze wasn't that of a stranger; it was the intense look a man might give a woman who captured his heart.
Rosa’s expression changed abruptly. “Ned, what’s going on?”
Her voice snapped him back to reality, pulling his attention away from Skylar as he left with Rosa.
Minerva witnessed the entire exchange. After a moment of shock, she turned to Skylar. “I can’t shake the feeling that Ned’s gaze toward you isn’t innocent. Is he the type to be greedy, wanting what’s in front of him while still coveting something else?”
Minerva, as a woman, recognized the desire in Ned’s eyes. It was understandable; someone as stunning as Skylar was rare. Most men would have impure thoughts. And after last night’s mistaken identity, it wasn't impossible for Ned to consider getting closer to her.
Skylar chuckled lightly. “I’m not an item.”
Minerva felt relieved.