Chapter 317

Skylar wondered if Paul and Joe had already eaten lunch.

Paul hesitated, stealing glances at Joe.

Joe noticed Skylar's puzzled expression. The dark cloud momentarily covering his mind dissipated. "I wasn't hungry earlier," he said.

Paul quickly picked up his cutlery. "Yeah, I wasn't hungry either, but now I'm starving," he said. He had skipped lunch rushing to the airport and was genuinely famished. Watching Skylar eat made his mouth water.

As Skylar nibbled, she said to Joe, "I know you both have a lot going on. I planned my itinerary last night, so feel free to focus on your tasks. I'll explore on my own."

Joe pursed his lips. His gaze grew stern. "You're going alone?"

"Yeah, you guys can go ahead with your work. If you're free later, we can explore together. Plus, I'm sure you've both seen enough of Korel City's sights. It's my first time here, so I want to visit the scenic spots and take some photos. I don't want to waste your time," Skylar explained.

Joe's expression darkened. He was about to respond when his phone rang. The call caused his face to darken further. "Just wait at the hospital. I'll be there soon," he said, then left quickly.

The hospital? Skylar's expression froze.

"I have something to attend to. Paul will take you back to the hotel after lunch. I'll call you tomorrow," Joe said before leaving.

Paul, moments before enjoying a seemingly normal lunch, sensed something was wrong. The atmosphere between Joe and Skylar earlier had been indescribably tense. He picked up his cup and took several sips of tea.

Skylar sensed Paul's awkwardness and chuckled inwardly. Her relationship with Joe hadn't reached a point where she could ask about his private affairs. Even their physical intimacy didn't necessarily mean he had feelings for her.

Skylar guessed Paul's nervousness stemmed from his fear that she would question Joe's hospital visit. But she wasn't naive; bringing it up would make things awkward.

Skylar set down her cutlery and patted her stomach. "I'm full now. Take your time," she said. She had eaten too much. After dropping her luggage at the hotel, she planned to walk.

"Ms. Sullivan, aren't you curious why Mr. Martin is going to the hospital?" Paul asked.

Skylar shook her head. "No, he has his own business to attend to in Korel City."

Paul was certain she wasn't interested in Joe's whereabouts, given her casual response and lack of curiosity. He was perplexed. Skylar was Joe's wife, yet she remained unfazed by his abrupt departure.

Sadie woke up around noon at the Jipsburg hospital. Initially, she was unaware of what had happened. It dawned on her only when Jeffrey and her children visited that evening.

"My legs… I can't move my legs…" Her hands and arms moved, but her lower body felt numb. The accident flashed in her mind—her legs had been crushed.

"Sadie, you still have me and the kids. It's already a miracle that you survived," Jeffrey sighed.

"Yeah, Mom, we'll be your legs from now on," Kenny added.

Samuel's eyes welled up. "Mom, don't worry. You'll be out of the hospital soon."

But Sadie couldn't process their words. The devastating blow of losing her legs left her distraught. "No, I can't become disabled. I can't lose my legs. Quick, have the doctors find a way!"

Chapter 317