Chapter 371

There was something magnetic about Skylar, making Joe unable to look away. When Skylar glanced over, Joe was holding a cigarette, about to light it. Their eyes met, and Joe felt his heart stutter.

"It'll be done soon," Skylar said, sensing Joe's impatience.

Joe's gaze remained fixed on her as he softly hummed in response. Tightening his grip on the cigarette, he left the villa, leaving the door open. He took a deep drag, and as the smoke curled before his eyes, he gradually calmed the turmoil in his heart.

John had cleared his schedule for Joe and Jeremy. They hadn't spent quality time together in a while, and he wanted to catch up with his friends. However, they abandoned him after encountering Skylar and Natalie. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had no choice but to go home.

Although engaged, he felt little connection with his fiancée.

Arriving home, he saw Alexander returning with a limping Caleb.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't be home for dinner?" Alexander asked, looking at John.

"I had an appointment with Joe and the others. Sadly, they were busy and had to leave," John replied, then glanced at Caleb. "Why are you with him?"

"He'll be working with me from now on. He wants to be Skylar's assistant. People have been hounding me to get to her these past two days. It'll be good to have someone on my side," Alexander said.

Caleb straightened. "Uncle John, I have many redeeming qualities. For one, I'm hardworking. I've decided to study under Skylar." He believed he would learn much from her.

"Dad, I don't think he's serious about being Skylar's assistant. Frankly, pigs might fly before Skylar gives him a chance," John said bluntly. He knew how deeply Joe cared for Skylar, and how scared Jeremy was of Natalie discovering his affair with Annabelle—explaining his hasty return home to appease Natalie. Joe, meanwhile, had unknowingly fallen for Skylar, and wouldn't tolerate another man pursuing her.

Alexander assessed Caleb. "He doesn't think of her that way; Skylar's brilliant. She'll see through him in a flash. Then he'll lose a golden opportunity when she gets rid of him."

"I'm not aiming to be her lover. But it'll be okay if we're good friends, right? Uncle John, you should stop looking at things with such negativity," Caleb said.

John merely looked at him. Was he being underestimated? He was young; he could wait. He would bless the relationship if Skylar's partner treated her well, but he'd seize the opportunity if the partner was unsuitable. In any case, he wouldn't reveal his true feelings.

John raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"I'm not that petty. Why can't it be?" Caleb scoffed.

Alexander abruptly changed the subject. "If you're free, visit Melody. You're about to be married. Why are you lounging at home?" He dreamed of a granddaughter as talented and smart as Skylar.

John, caught off guard, quickly left. "I'm leaving. I have a date with Melody, dinner." He preferred a night out to his father's nagging about children.

At the hospital, Kenny scrolled through WhatsApp, checking for a reply from Skylar. He expected nothing, but was still uneasy. Had she forgotten he was her brother? How could she ignore him? He refused to believe she hadn't seen his message.

Just then, Samuel and Peter entered his ward, their faces equally gloomy.