How did Paul know Maisy had learned Joe's location from someone else? Charles's warning not to underestimate Paul proved accurate; no one close to Joe was simple.
"Really? You think I can't trace your information back to whatever private detective you hired? Someone will talk."
"Don't act smart. If you harass Mr. Martin again, the Williamses are doomed." Paul's smile vanished, replaced by chilling assertiveness. Maisy's face paled. "You!"
"Did you really think no one would see through you?" Paul looked at her contemptuously. He found her act highly entertaining. Maisy's face drained of color. She hadn't expected her plan to be uncovered so quickly.
"You've all been deceived by Skylar!" Maisy snapped, her voice trembling with rage.
Paul had no interest in continuing the charade. Maisy's shallow tricks might fool others, but not him or Joe. He was already proud of his restraint; after a long day, dealing with her was the last thing he needed.
He strode toward the elevator, leaving Maisy dejected and defeated. She was flabbergasted. All that effort—the flight, the waiting—for nothing.
Maisy bit her lip, seething. "Skylar, I swear I won't let you win. So what if Joe's backing you now? The Williams family still prefers me. Soon, Janine and her sons will too, and you'll be alone."
She opened WhatsApp, found Janine's number, and sent a condescending voice message: "Mom, I was wrong. I've thought it through. I was ungrateful. Please forgive me. I know it's hard because of Skylar, but I won't blame you. If you have time this weekend, I'd like to visit."
Despite not receiving an immediate reply, Maisy remained confident. Janine was her mother; she couldn't ignore her.
Janine was doubtful upon hearing the message. Had Maisy really changed? As her mother, she felt conflicted. After hesitating, she agreed to meet.
Paul showered and went to bed, but couldn't sleep. He messaged Skylar: "Maisy found Mr. Martin and followed him to the hotel. She might suspect you're with him, but she doesn't know you're married."
Skylar frowned. Maisy was a stubborn leech. But she'd happily help her bring about her own downfall.
"Mr. Ziegler, can you recommend a reliable private detective?"
"I'll send you his number now. Mention you're my friend, and he'll handle it," Paul replied.
"Thanks."
Skylar called the detective. "Hi, I'm Mr. Ziegler's friend. He recommended me. I need you to look into someone"
After hanging up, Skylar reflected on her past life. After becoming paralyzed, she'd been bedridden, able to move only her hands and head. Malnourished and weak, she couldn't move at all.
Maisy, seeing Skylar's frailty, had gleefully recounted scandalous affairs. She and Christopher had even had sex in front of Skylar, and forced her to take drugs Maisy bought from shady dealers. Maisy eventually became addicted herself.
Skylar wondered if Maisy was using drugs in this life. She'd initially planned to wait until the Williams family went bankrupt, then push Maisy into prison for her drug use. Now, she'd start by exposing Maisy's illegal drug purchases. She'd send Maisy to hell, step by step!
Her only disappointment was that, in her past life, Christopher and Maisy had been deeply in love, even until her death. In this life, they seemed unconnected; Christopher was pursuing Skylar instead. Her rebirth had created a butterfly effect, altering others' lives.
Maisy spotted Joe at the airport. She considered approaching him but hesitated, seeing Paul's cold stare. Paul's words from the previous day echoed Joe's unspoken sentiments.
"Fucking Skylar! You slandered me to Joe! Just wait; I'll make sure you lose everything!"
Alexander received a call from his butler and rushed home. The butler was worried about Caleb, who hadn't left his room for days, only allowing meals and cleaning before shutting the door again. He'd even refused meals and cleaning today. The butler called Alexander.
Alexander, busy all day, had dismissed it, saying Caleb wouldn't die yet. He returned home after work. He knocked twice. Caleb said, "Come in." Alexander opened the door