Chapter 1235

Skylar teased, “Do you think your fiancé would be hurt to hear that?”

Minerva chuckled. “He probably would. By the way, I have a gift for you.”

“A gift?” Skylar was intrigued that Minerva, amidst her busy schedule, had found time to get her something.

Minerva pulled a book from her bag. It was aged, encased in a protective cover.

“A book?” Skylar was surprised.

“I brought this back from abroad,” Minerva explained. “It arrived with my other luggage; I’d completely forgotten about it until unpacking yesterday. I found it in a bookstore overseas. It contains descriptions and records of negative items.”

“I asked the shopkeeper about it,” Minerva continued, “and she said some were sold to her in bulk, all secondhand. Since they were written in Clusianese and focused on antiques, many lost interest. That’s how I found it.”

As Minerva spoke, Skylar flipped through the pages. The detailed accounts of negative items astonished her. Over the years, she’d searched libraries and secondhand bookstores, but had never encountered anything similar. She couldn't believe Minerva had found such a rare book.

“This is fantastic! Minerva, you’re amazing!” The book detailed methods for creating and identifying negative items. While the identification methods were thorough, they only applied after a problem had occurred. The book’s key emphasis was willpower; those with weak willpower were most susceptible to negative items’ influence. No one was perfect; those driven by greed and desire were most easily affected.

Seeing Skylar’s absorption, Minerva didn't interrupt. Remembering Skylar’s favorite foods, she quickly placed their lunch order, quietly enjoying the moment. She initially tried reading the book herself upon seeing it; however, after only two pages, she felt drowsy and unable to concentrate, regardless of effort.

Chapter 1235

The next day, she’d completely forgotten what she’d read. A top student her entire life, she’d rarely encountered a book she couldn’t engage with. This was unusual and unsettling. However, because Skylar could handle negative items, she read this book without drowsiness, becoming increasingly engrossed—to the point of forgetting she was on a date.

Minerva chuckled. Gazing idly out the window, she heard familiar voices. A man and a woman were talking.

“Mr. Jakeman, this Wiscadian restaurant is said to be the best in Jipsburg City. I’ve never been here before,” a young female college student, Eva Romero, said admiringly. The girls around her all longed to meet someone like Rowan, a trust-fund baby who could introduce them to lavish experiences.

Rowan listened with a neutral expression, responding softly, “Yes, it really is good.”

Eva didn’t mind his coolness; a man like him surely had his own character. Smiling brightly, she asked, “Mr. Jakeman, after dinner, can we go to the hot spring resort for a couple of days?”

“Mr. Jakeman?”

Eva followed his gaze. Seeing Rowan staring at a woman—incredibly gentle, beautiful, and possessing a unique charm—she was stunned.

“Mr. Jakeman?” she called again.