Chapter 15

He was stunned for a few minutes. That was fast. He replied suspiciously, “Are you there, Ms. Sullivan?” There was no reply. Paul stared at his phone for another ten minutes. There were no further replies from Skylar. Paul breathed a sigh of relief. He must have been overthinking.

Skylar, unaware of Paul's overanalyzing, felt sleepy after her shower. She asked Joe whether he preferred the left or right side of the bed, then immediately lay down. Before falling asleep, while silencing her phone, she saw and briefly checked Paul's message.

Joe brought his clothes into the bathroom. Closing the door, he saw Skylar already asleep. He was slightly surprised. Was she pretending? She looked convincingly asleep; her acting was so good, one would think she was a trained actor.

After half an hour, fully dressed, he left the bathroom. Skylar remained in the same sleeping position. He couldn't help but think she was persistent. He wasn't used to sleeping beside a woman. After lying down, he realized Skylar wasn't moving. Hearing her even breathing, his face fell. He couldn't believe she was really sleeping!

Turning to switch off the lights, he noticed two pillows in the middle of the bed, clearly dividing it in two. He raised his eyebrows coldly. Was she guarding herself against him? Joe pursed his thin lips. She was clearly overthinking! Her actions were totally unnecessary. Even if she had been naked, he wouldn't have glanced at her.

Joe fell into a dreamless slumber.

Chapter 15

When he woke up, he thought it was still midnight. He was stunned to see sunlight seeping through the curtains. Had he slept through the entire night? At the same time, Skylar turned over and woke up. Seeing Joe sitting up, she was dazed. She was unused to her new marital status. She smiled awkwardly. "Good morning," she said.

Joe paused, looking at Skylar's pale face. "Good morning."

"I'm going to change," Skylar said, getting out of bed. Joe also got up, put on his watch, and checked the time: 7:15 a.m. They took turns washing up and left the room around the same time.

Gloria had woken early. Edgar had told her Joe and Skylar were still asleep, and she'd waited from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., growing happier as she waited. She knew Joe well. Healthy in his youth, he'd suffered from insomnia in adulthood. It was rare for him to sleep so long—a phenomenon occurring only since sharing a bed with Skylar. Previously, he'd only sleep this late with jet lag from overseas work.

Seeing them descend the stairs, she smiled broadly. "Come have breakfast. I've prepared Western and Chinese dishes."

"Are you feeling better, Grandma?" Skylar asked, concerned about Gloria's health.

"I'm feeling better. Don't worry," Gloria replied, concerned Skylar would worry too much. She knew her own limits and wished to hold on until Joe and Skylar were truly together. Did Joe think she didn't know they weren't a real couple? She was a shrewd old lady!

Gloria stared at Joe. He was handsome, looking less cold and well-rested. "You look like you've had a good night's sleep!"

"Yeah, it wasn't too bad," Joe said, ignoring her teasing gaze.

"Not bad? Didn't you fall asleep before 10:00 p.m. last night and sleep past 7:00 a.m. this morning? That's more sleep than you've had in a week!" Gloria couldn't stand his cold face. Almost ten hours of sleep, and it was "not bad"?

Joe was speechless. Is she even his biological grandmother?

Skylar, hearing Gloria, looked at Joe. Was his insomnia that bad? She'd heard Gloria mention it before but hadn't paid much attention. Now, hearing it firsthand, she felt alarmed. Hadn't he fallen asleep easily after her massage the previous day?

"Skye, Edgar said he can't remember the acupuncture points you showed him. Could you demonstrate them again tonight?" Gloria asked.

"Okay, Grandma," Skylar readily agreed. There were many acupuncture points on the head, difficult to remember after one session. She'd draw a diagram for him.

Joe's eyes darkened seeing Skylar's eagerness. She was scheming—pleasing Gloria while getting closer to him. Perhaps he should ask Paul to investigate Christopher. Their three-year contract might need early termination. He couldn't allow a scheming person around Gloria. He realized he'd been too hasty registering their marriage.

Skylar arrived at the antique street and parked. Getting out, she checked her phone, noticing a WhatsApp message from Paul. She hadn't had time to check this morning. She asked, "Were you looking for me, Mr. Ziegler?"

Paul, just having arrived at work, replied immediately, "I need a favor. Are you free now?"

"What is it?" Skylar asked.

Paul quickly sent photos of emerald charms, carefully chosen the night before. He'd gotten rid of his old one, returning it to the giver. Could she help him choose a suitable replacement?

Skylar checked the time: 8:55 a.m. "I'm busy now. I'll let you know tonight."

Doubt arose in Paul's heart. Tonight? Would she have time? He should be in Joe's office, but Joe wasn't there yet! They must have enjoyed themselves last night

In a few minutes, Joe arrived, giving Paul a new task. "Look into Skylar and Christopher's current relationship. I want every detail."

Paul was shocked. "You want me to investigate Ms. Sullivan?"

"Be thorough," Joe replied coldly, suspecting a reason for her sudden marriage. Something must have motivated her.

"Alright!" Paul answered, confused. Hadn't Joe and Skylar spent the night together? Why investigate her today? Was his desire unsatisfied? It didn't seem so

Before meeting Skylar, Paul had suspected ulterior motives. After meeting her, he didn't think she cared that much about Joe. He asked hesitantly, "Mr. Martin, do you suspect Ms. Sullivan and Christopher are still together?"