Chapter 33

Skylar didn't want Janine to worry, so she said, "Nothing happened. Don't worry, Mom." Janine didn't press the issue, knowing Skylar wasn't ready to discuss it. She would wait for Skylar to open up in her own time. Besides, Janine planned to shower Skylar with extra love, compensating for the lack of affection she'd received from the Williamses.

After finishing her meal with Janine, Skylar entered the elevator. She was about to leave the hotel when she bumped into Joe. He had one hand in his pocket and exuded an overbearing air that kept others at a distance. He only glanced at Skylar upon her entry.

Several senior hotel staff members, including Paul, were also in the elevator, giving Joe work reports. As per their agreement, Skylar and Paul pretended to be strangers.

The elevator reached the first floor. Skylar stepped out and hurried from the hotel. She had just reached the entrance when she received a text from Joe: "Wait for me. I'll be out in a few minutes." She wondered if he wanted to discuss her argument with Sadie and Maisy.

Lost in thought, Skylar was suddenly grabbed and pulled into a hug. The person, someone she had once relied upon, was Christopher.

"I've finally found you, babe! I've been reflecting on myself these past few days. We've been so busy with each other's work since arriving in Jipsburg that I've neglected you. It's my fault. I realize that now. Besides, you know how much I adore you. I've only had eyes for you since high school. I'll only want to marry you in this lifetime. Please don't be mad at me, okay, babe? You don't have to donate blood if you don't want to. Nobody here is more important than you, and I'll do whatever you ask me to from now on. Babe…"

Christopher was about to kiss Skylar when, from a short distance away, Joe emerged from the hotel and saw the embracing couple. Paul's eyes widened. He muttered, "Wait, is that Ms. Sullivan?" He wondered if Skylar hadn't broken up with Christopher. In fact, he'd hired a private investigator who had uncovered some damaging information about Christopher, making this scene utterly baffling. It appeared to Paul that Skylar was cheating on Joe.

Joe's eyes narrowed, a vicious gleam appearing in them. He turned back toward the hotel and ordered Paul, who stood behind him, "Bring the marriage agreement that Skylar and I signed."

"What?" Paul exclaimed, wondering if Joe intended to terminate the agreement.

Skylar's body tensed, trembling slightly, preventing an immediate reaction. By the time she could react, Christopher's lips were near her face. She paled and pushed him away with all her strength.

This caught Christopher completely off guard. He'd never expected such cruelty; in the past, her forgiveness had always been his foolproof method, regardless of her anger. His eyes widened in confusion as he looked at Skylar, whose gaze was now frosty, filled with hatred, replacing her usual clear, innocent expression. "Babe…"

Skylar had hoped to face Christopher calmly, but she couldn't control the hatred she felt for the man who had betrayed and hurt her.