Chapter 365

Jeremy frowned and responded coldly, "She's not worthy of my attention."

John suspected Jeremy was lying. He'd heard Jeremy and Annabelle were spending increasing amounts of time together, including on business trips. Jeremy rarely came home, either. He suspected Jeremy was preparing to divorce Natalie for Annabelle.

Joe glanced at Jeremy, said nothing, then checked his WhatsApp. He texted Skylar, "Where are you?" She didn't reply, even after he sat down.

The Hughes family's Wiscadian restaurant was a large, crowded five-story establishment.

Jeremy was surprised to learn Joe had married without telling them. "You're married?" he exclaimed. "If I hadn't come here, I might not have known until after the baby was born!"

Joe nodded.

John said, "His wife works for my father. My father says she's far better than Joe was at his age." His tone was full of appreciation; he rarely praised anyone, but Skylar was clearly exceptional. He thought Joe had unintentionally found a treasure, and Joe seemed to like Skylar, even if Gloria orchestrated the marriage; Joe likely enjoyed it enough to agree.

"She's indeed good," Joe said, smiling, echoing John's praise. It was rare—likely the first time in over twenty years—that Jeremy had heard Joe praise a woman.

"Are you tempted by her?" Jeremy asked curiously. Joe had always been cold and aloof regarding love, as if attraction was impossible for him. But now he admitted Skylar was good—unusual.

John sipped his red wine, gazing at Joe. He remembered Joe saying he disliked Skylar at the Martin Group. But now…

Joe sneered. "There's no love between us."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow. Marriage didn't require love, in some cases.

"But you might find it tough to control your feelings sometimes," John said. "By the way, you look good today. Has your insomnia improved?" He'd noticed a change in Joe's condition.

Jeremy agreed, "You're different from the last time we met on the golf course." Joe's coldness had lessened considerably. "It's much better," Joe admitted. His insomnia had recently improved; he'd barely slept, but meeting Skylar seemed to have changed that.

John smiled knowingly. "I told you to find a woman. Once she makes you happy, your insomnia will disappear." He added, "It's dull for a man not to have fun with women."

Joe snorted. "You're overthinking it." He had little interest in other women, let alone those who could make him happy.

As the three men chatted, Skylar and Natalie approached from the other side, heading to the restroom before going to the barbecue restaurant. At the restroom, Skylar heard a surprised, "Ms. Sullivan?" She looked up, surprised to see John, and then Joe and Jeremy.