Chapter 1209

Ned considered toying with Skylar's feelings but hesitated.

“Your boyfriend should be arriving soon. I won’t be a third wheel, so I’ll take my leave,” Skylar told Minerva, glancing at the time.

“Alright, let’s plan to meet up again in a couple of days,” Minerva replied.

“Okay.”

As Skylar left the studio, she intended to take the subway when a car pulled up. Ned and Rosa were inside. Ned’s intense gaze met hers.

“Ms. Sullivan, where are you headed? If it’s on our way, we can give you a ride,” Rosa offered.

Though seemingly helpful, Skylar sensed Rosa’s reluctance.

With a polite smile, Skylar replied, “Thank you, but the place I’m going is probably not along your route.”

“Where are you going?” Ned inquired directly.

Rosa’s expression shifted, and she bit her lip.

Smiling, Skylar said, “I’m headed to the suburbs.”

They likely stayed in a city-center hotel, far from her destination. Tonight’s team-building event was at a suburban hot spring resort. Janine had booked two villas, enabling employees to enjoy the springs and a barbecue.

Rosa’s eyes widened. “You’re not going to the hot spring resort in the suburbs too, are you?”

It was a coincidence. Perhaps their location had been leaked, prompting Skylar's seemingly deliberate mention. Rosa needed to thoroughly investigate Skylar.

Skylar was stunned. Before she could offer another excuse, Ned said, “Get in the car.”

Brian opened the passenger door. Refusal felt too impolite; she relented.

Chapter 1209

Ned's face strongly resembled Joe’s. Over the past three years, without seeing Joe's photos, Skylar felt his appearance blurring in her memory. However, meeting Ned had vividly rekindled her memory of Joe; his image was clearer than ever.

Once in the car, she thanked Ned and Rosa, then messaged Janine, informing her of the ride.

The suburban journey usually took over an hour, but traffic slowed their progress considerably. The car’s atmosphere felt strange, though Skylar pretended otherwise.

In the backseat, Ned watched Skylar impassively, appearing cold and distant. He thought Skylar should be beside him, not in the passenger seat. He was immediately reminded of Rosa, finding the thought ridiculous.

He quickly looked away, leaning back and closing his eyes, pressing a hand to his aching head.

Rosa noticed and shifted her attention from Skylar. “Ned, is your head hurting again? Need medicine? If it’s too bad, we can skip the resort and go back to the hotel.”

Skylar glanced up, momentarily dazed, wondering if Ned also suffered from headaches—a similarity to Joe, reminiscent of their first meeting.

Lost in thought, Ned replied, “No need.”

“But your headaches are too frequent, and you often have insomnia. You really should rest.”

Rosa, initially excited, now felt reluctant, glancing at Skylar in the passenger seat.

Chapter 1210