Chapter 19

The supermarket bustled with people leaving work, and Joe felt like an outsider. By the time he found Skylar, his handsome face was frighteningly cold. His usual aloof demeanor was amplified; he seemed even more distant.

Skylar was engrossed in choosing snacks, only noticing Joe when she looked up after putting down a bag of chips.

“Do you need something, Mr. Martin?” she asked.

His unhappiness was palpable. Joe's cold gaze darkened. “Are you done?”

“I’m still shopping. Would you like anything? They have a new chip flavor. Want to try it?” Skylar asked politely.

Joe didn't even look. He said coolly, “I never eat junk food.”

“This is a Martin Group product. Are you… self-deprecating?”

Skylar was good-natured, but she wouldn't be unreasonably snubbed. He should direct his temper at whoever had upset him, not her. For the past two days, she'd tolerated his bad mood for Gloria's sake; she'd given him more than enough respect.

Joe's face hardened, his gaze sharp. As CEO of Martin Group, he knew how to intimidate employees with a single glance. This was Skylar's second life; she'd seen people scarier than monsters, but his cold stare still constricted her heart.

“Grandma wants you to go to the auction with me. She likes a piece of jewelry and wants us to buy it for her,” he said coldly. If not for Gloria's request, he wouldn't have asked. It was just jewelry; he could have gone alone.

He noticed her pretty eyes; when she smiled, they were bright and crescent-shaped, gentle and innocent. But when slightly angry, she resembled a young beast ready to fight fate, as if mistreated. He felt… a surge of protectiveness.

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it appeared. After all, he believed she was a scheming woman adept at pretending.

“Alright,” Skylar agreed. She had no reason to refuse Gloria's request.

“Your clothes are inappropriate for the event.” Joe's critical gaze was cold. He checked his watch. “The auction is at 7:00 pm. It’s not even 5:00 pm yet, so you have time to get ready. I’ll have Paul take you somewhere. I’ll wait at the auction house.”

“Alright. I’ll pay for my groceries and put them in my car. Please tell Mr. Ziegler to wait for me at the car park entrance.”

Skylar pushed her cart to the cashier. Joe remained where he was, glancing at the potato chips. Were they really his company's product?

Paul was to collect Skylar, but she had her own car, so he met her there. He reached the mall's parking exit and entered Skylar's new energy vehicle. At six feet tall, even though shorter than Joe, his head nearly touched the ceiling, making the car feel cramped.

“Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin has so many cars. Why not use one of his?”

“My car is more environmentally friendly,” Skylar replied. Her true thought: they were contractually married, not truly husband and wife, so she had no claim to his possessions.

Chapter 20

(The final sentence is unrelated and seems like a separate item. It needs context or removal.)