Chapter 158

Gloria noticed Skylar and Joe exchanging glances. Realizing how late it was, she urged them, "It's getting late. You two should go upstairs and get some rest. I'm tired myself."

Earlier, while she'd been trying on clothes, Edgar had commented on how the two seemed to have developed feelings for each other. Gloria had initially doubted this, but Joe's look at Skylar held an unusual intensity. She noticed traces of affection. Sharing a bed at their age was bound to create intimacy. Would their connection remain truly platonic? This was a time when desires might heighten, and it seemed a waste if nothing happened after they spent the night together.

After Skylar and Joe went upstairs, Skylar showered first, as usual. Joe followed. Sharing the bed felt awkward. After lying down, Skylar checked her Amazon store, a nightly routine. Orders had poured in over the past two days, likely due to positive word-of-mouth. Her store was making thousands of dollars daily. She could soon make a down payment on a house, allowing Janine and her brothers to move in.

She envisioned them living together as a family—sharing meals and eventually watching her brothers start their own families. This thought made her happy.

Joe emerged from the bathroom and saw Skylar smiling brightly. "Feeling happy?" he asked.

Skylar nodded happily, showing him her phone screen. "This is my online store. It's been making thousands of dollars recently." She could soon sell some of the genuine antiques she'd bought, preventing antique lovers from being cheated.

"That's great. Congratulations," he said.

He seemed influenced by her happiness. In his loungewear, post-shower, he appeared less stern, more…pure. Skylar, too, was more relaxed. "You've been busy," she said. "I haven't had a chance to treat you to a meal. When you have time, let me know two hours in advance, and I'll prepare a sumptuous dinner for you at home."

She almost forgot about it until thinking about the house down payment reminded her of depositing millions of dollars in the bank a few days ago.

"Tomorrow night, then," Joe said, lying down.

"Tomorrow I'm going to my mom's. We've planned dinner at a hotel. I'm so sorry. How about the night after tomorrow?" Skylar asked.

Joe had no objections. "Sure. You rarely talk about your family. Do you mind telling me about them?" He suddenly wanted to know more about Skylar—not about her bullying at the Williams family, but about her upbringing with Janine and her own family.

"I have two older brothers, Steven and Charles, and a younger brother, Harvey, who's preparing for the college entrance exam. They're the best family anyone could ask for. My mom never used physical punishment, even when I was naughty. My brothers absolutely doted on me. We may not have had a father figure, but love was never lacking. My eldest brother has always been fiercely protective…"

Perhaps the serene atmosphere encouraged Skylar to talk about herself. Her heart felt calm discussing her family, which, truthfully, was quite ordinary.