Chapter 17

“How much more would you give me?” Skylar asked.

She was fine with working late. They’d agreed she would leave work at 3:00 p.m., so an extra hour was acceptable. Finishing this job early would allow her to proceed with her next plan.

“What about $100,000?”

A few days earlier, Daniel wouldn't have dared increase her pay. But after witnessing her restoration skills, he realized she surpassed any master in the industry. He’d already decided to recommend Skylar to the auction house after these two paintings.

Skylar considered it for a moment and agreed.

Caleb wanted to speak, but remembered Alexander's warning and remained silent.

At the Williams residence, Jeffrey returned from a business trip. When Sadie told him about her call with Skylar, he angrily threw his glass of water onto the table.

“Fine. She’s insisting she never used the card I gave her? I’ll check her credit card records now! I wonder who gave her the guts to speak so rudely to her parents!”

“She didn’t go to the hospital today. She’s preventing Maisy from getting the blood she needs. She’s a disobedient liar. I don’t want to admit she’s my daughter!”

Sadie’s head had ached since last night. “I wonder where she’s living now. She’s not at Janine’s house.”

“If she gets into trouble, all of Jipsburg will know she’s our daughter. What if she embarrasses us? My head aches just thinking about it.”

“I’ll call her. I’ll get her to come home and apologize,” Kenny said coldly.

He disliked Skylar, his biological sister, intensely. She’d grown up in the countryside and didn't please their parents as well as Maisy.

“It’s all my fault. Mom, Dad, Kenny, please don’t be angry,” Maisy said, lowering her head.

Sadie’s heart ached for Maisy. “It’s not your fault; it’s Skylar’s!”

Although Kenny had Skylar’s number, he’d never called her before. The call connected quickly.

Before Skylar could speak, Kenny scolded her: “Skylar, you better come home and apologize to our parents and Maisy. We’re a family. We can forgive you for your mistakes.”

Skylar was driving. Slow-moving traffic indicated an accident ahead. Honking filled the air.

Kenny’s voice further irritated her. “You’re crazy,” she shouted, hanging up. She rarely cursed, but found it effective against self-righteous people like the Williamses. They heard her, as she’d been on speakerphone.

Kenny’s face fell. “How did her adoptive parents raise her?”

“Look at her! Just look at her! She’s so insolent! She makes me so angry!” Sadie cried, pressing her throbbing forehead.

Jeffrey and Kenny’s expressions were grim. Only Maisy was secretly pleased; everyone else was upset.

Suddenly, Jeffrey’s phone rang.

“Mr. Williams, I’ve checked. There are no records of your supplementary card being used.”

“What did you say?”

Jeffrey’s assistant, believing there was a signal problem, repeated himself.

Jeffrey was incredulous. “Was the card number wrong? How could there be no records?”

Sadie and Kenny turned to Jeffrey. Maisy, however, was secretly shocked. She’d forgotten to prevent Jeffrey from checking Skylar’s card!