Chapter 1284

Helena watched Jeremy change into a suit before departing. They wouldn't be traveling together; she'd drive herself. Victor was already waiting for Jeremy.

Shortly afterward, at a red light, their cars were side by side. Helena glanced at Jeremy, who remained engrossed in his phone, ignoring her. Victor offered a brief nod. Helena managed a faint smile, but a bittersweet feeling persisted.

At the airport, Skylar arrived forty minutes later, navigating the morning rush hour. The terminal bustled with activity. She immediately began searching for Joe and Rosa.

Despite the crowd, Joe was easily identifiable. He was tall and distinctive. While searching, Aiken called.

"Have you seen Ned?" he asked.

"He's returning to Murida with Rosa today," Skylar replied. "I came to find him, but the airport is huge, and I haven't found him yet."

"Is he leaving in such a hurry? Take your time," Aiken reassured her. "Since you know Ned is Joe, it doesn't matter if he leaves Jipsburg. I have his Murida address, so don't worry."

Relief washed over Skylar. "Okay, I understand."

Even though Joe was noticeable, the sheer volume of people in the massive Jipsburg airport made finding him difficult. After twenty minutes, her search proved fruitless.

Feeling flustered, Skylar called Ned repeatedly until he finally answered.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Skylar's eyes welled slightly at the sound of his voice. Taking a deep breath, she replied, "I'm Skylar."

A silence followed. "Did you need something?" Ned asked.

"Yes, I want to know if you were in a car accident years ago," Skylar began hesitantly. Time was short, and a direct revelation that he was Joe might prove unconvincing.

Rosa's voice interrupted from the background. "Ned, who's on the phone?"

"What's the real reason for your call? Just tell me," Ned pressed, his voice colder and more distant than she remembered.

Realizing her actions—blocking him, then contacting him repeatedly—had likely alienated him, Skylar felt helpless. Taking a deep breath, she asked directly, "Have you ever doubted you are Ned?"

Only the airport's clamor filled the line. Ned didn't respond.

Since discovering Ned's true identity, Skylar hadn't considered the potential ramifications. She hadn't thought about his current circumstances or his receptiveness. After all, Rosa had been his sole support for three years.

The immediate challenges seemed insignificant compared to the simple, profound fact: he was alive.