Chapter 243

Charles glanced coolly at Maisy and said nothing. Harvey, younger and more forthright, sneered. "We don't welcome you."

Maisy smiled bitterly. "I know you've all misunderstood me, but I believe you'll soon get to know the real me and stop misunderstanding me."

Janine sighed inwardly, feeling helpless as she saw Charles and Harvey's defensive and disgusted reactions to Maisy. After all, they had previously experienced several unpleasant incidents; this misunderstanding wouldn't be easily resolved.

"Mom," a voice interjected, "my friend just showed me Skylar's Instagram post. What's her current boyfriend's job?"

Janine was stunned. "Skylar's boyfriend?"

"Skylar doesn't have a boyfriend," Harvey sneered. "Didn't you snatch her ex-boyfriend away?"

Maisy gritted her teeth. "It was a misunderstanding. I clarified it at the time."

"Stop kidding," Harvey retorted unceremoniously. "Do you think everyone's a fool?"

"I can't see Skylar's Instagram because she's blocked me, but my friend sent me a photo." Maisy showed them the photo on her phone.

Harvey raised an eyebrow. "He's probably just a friend."

"Yes, colleagues or friends," Janine agreed.

Charles had already asked Skylar, but she hadn't responded. It was normal for her to take photos with men; they wouldn't think much of it, even if Elliot turned out to be her boyfriend.

"Skylar must have paid a lot to join Mr. Gardner Senior's team. Mom, you need to pay more attention to her. After all, girls are more vulnerable."

"You're unaware of Mr. Gardner Senior's status in Jipsburg. Nobody joins his team without connections or skills. Skylar may be on the wrong path—"

Before Maisy could finish, Harvey slapped her hard. "Watch your words! Stop spouting rubbish! My sister joined the team through her own abilities!"

"Don't slander Skylar again," Janine frowned.

Charles snorted coldly. "Did you come here to destroy our relationship with Skylar? Then give up. We know Skylar better than anyone else. Your efforts are in vain."

Maisy stood up angrily. "Do you know what Mr. Gardner Senior's team does?"

"Mainly restoring cultural relics," Charles responded calmly.

She was stunned, wondering if Skylar had hidden her abilities.

Jeffrey and Sadie were astonished by the Instagram post Maisy forwarded.

"Why did she post this photo now? We were embarrassed in front of John this morning. Now we've truly offended the Gardners!" Peter fumed.

"Could Skylar be flirting with John and other men? I think so! She's not well-behaved or sensible. She's wild!" Samuel commented.

Jeffrey, at home with Sadie, looked at the group chat, hoping Skylar would answer. Unfortunately, they hadn't added her initially, and she'd left another group chat.

Sadie asked, "Jeff, what do we do now? Can our company survive?"

Jeffrey looked extremely solemn. "Our company is at a crucial point. We'll likely have to declare bankruptcy soon."

Sadie paled; she'd never seen him so downcast. "How could our company—"

"Be ready. We might have to sell our villa. I'll liquidate assets and get a mortgage to try and turn things around. I've wondered if it's because of Skylar, but it doesn't seem to be the case," Jeffrey stated. In fact, he hoped a big shot would notice Skylar; he was willing to sacrifice her to save his company.

Chapter 241 (Note: This appears to be the wrong chapter number given the context)

Sadie turned pale; she had never seen him that downcast. "Only a short amount of time has passed. How could our company—"

"Just be ready. We might have to sell our villa. I'll liquidate all our properties and get a mortgage to see if I can turn things around. I’ve been wondering if it could be due to Skylar. But that doesn’t seem to be the case,” Jeffrey stated.

In fact, he hoped that a certain big shot would truly spot Skylar. He was willing to sell her in exchange for his company.