Chapter 205

Skylar was still asleep when they arrived at Galaxy Villa. Joe didn't wake her. Instead, he gazed at her, his usually cold eyes softening as he took in her serene face. Her rosy lips looked incredibly tempting in the moonlight. Joe felt a slight tightness in his chest and pursed his lips.

Skylar shifted uncomfortably, slowly blinking awake. "Did I fall asleep?" she asked, her voice groggy.

Joe found her disoriented state endearing. "Yes," he responded gently.

Skylar frowned. "I think I heard you saying something, but I was too drowsy to catch it. I'm sorry."

She felt frustrated. The past few days had been exhausting; restoring Frank's painting had left her with little time to rest. The car ride had made it easy to drift off. She couldn't recall exactly what Joe had said, but his tone had suggested it was important.

After her sincere apology, Joe found it hard to begin the serious conversation he'd planned. It seemed too practical for the moment, and given their age difference, Skylar might not receive it well. He decided to swallow his words and wait for a better time.

"It's nothing," he said, unbuckling her seatbelt. "That fake heiress from the Williams family came to see me yesterday."

Skylar noticed his thoughtfulness and was surprised, but her attention quickly shifted to Maisy. Worried that Joe might be swayed by Maisy's charms, just like the Williams family, she frowned. Maisy had a knack for portraying herself as an innocent victim.

"The Williamses are astonishingly dumb," Joe continued. "Who would have thought they'd fall for such shallow ploys?"

Skylar was taken aback. "Don't you find her delicate and feel the urge to protect her?"

Joe frowned. "No, I don't." He'd always seen through such manipulative acts; by now, they were trivial.

Skylar gave him a thumbs-up. "You're amazing!"

Joe's eyes lingered on her cheerful expression and slender fingers. For a fleeting moment, his thoughts wandered. His real prowess wasn't about avoiding deception; it was something else entirely—the kind of skills that could be shown in bed. His ability to see through Maisy's schemes wasn't something to be complimented.

As his thoughts drifted, Skylar stepped out of the car. He followed. Over the past few weeks, they had grown accustomed to spending time alone. Back at the villa, they each went to their rooms to shower and rest.

Although Skylar was yawning, she couldn't sleep without handling her Amazon shop orders first. Just as she was finishing, Joe's message popped up: "Did you forget what you promised me?"

Skylar was perplexed. They hadn't really talked on the way back. Had she agreed to something in her half-asleep state? Then, she remembered her promise.