Chapter 453

Joe ostentatiously placed two edged weapons near his chained-up strongbox. For Sigler only, he'd been given a warning – a ticket of jealousy – questioning whether someone as cold and callous as Joe could be tender with anyone.

Joe noticed Caleb's sudden shift in demeanor. He nudged him and whispered, "Joe's possessive. If he finds out you have feelings for Skylar, how do you think he'll react?"

Caleb grimaced. "I know!"

Since learning of Skylar's marriage to Joe, he'd forced himself to accept reality, relegating Skylar to the friend zone.

Just then, Skylar and Joe entered. Alexander immediately beckoned Skylar over. "Skylar, come take a look at this bronze artifact."

Skylar approached quickly. "Sure."

Joe followed closely behind. He acknowledged John with a nod; they'd just crossed paths a couple of days earlier. Friends since childhood, they understood each other implicitly. A silent exchange conveyed volumes.

Skylar meticulously examined the artifact. The moment her hand touched it, a chilling sensation shot through her palm. Her face drained of color. Horrific scenes flashed in her mind: the artifact held the ashes of infants, less than a month old.

Skylar took a deep breath, comprehending the sinister essence of the object. It could unknowingly sap the life force of anyone who came into contact with it. The accumulated resentment of countless souls, potent and malignant, lurked within.

Concerned by Skylar's pallor, Alexander furrowed his brow. He, too, sensed something amiss.

"Skylar, is this similar to Frank's traditional dress or the porcelain Annabelle got for restoration?" Alexander asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Skylar's heart pounded as she nodded tightly. "Even worse. Has your friend aged rapidly lately? Bedridden, with doctors giving him only a few months left?"

She wondered who could commit such atrocities and where they found these instruments of harm.

Alexander's face contorted. Skylar's words hit the mark. He remained silent, his gaze fixated on the bronze artifact. After a difficult swallow, he finally conceded, "You're right about that."

"That's seriously messed up!" Caleb blurted out, utterly astonished.

Seeing Skylar's expertise for the first time, John shared his astonishment. He'd heard rumors about Skylar's abilities from Rowan and Paul, but they had always seemed fantastical. He'd assumed she knew little of fortune-telling and metaphysics. But now, John's eyes darted from Skylar to Joe. His eyes widened as their eyes met. "Were you aware of how incredible your wife was from the start, or did you discover it along the way? Is that why you chose to marry her?"

Joe was unfazed; his cool glance met John's eyes full of silent questions.

John cautiously backed away. Young as he was, he valued his life. He shuddered, grateful he hadn't touched the cursed item. But Alexander's prolonged exposure made him nervous. He turned to Skylar, his voice laced with concern, "Will this affect my dad?"

Skylar furrowed her brow in thought. "It will have an impact."

Even indirectly, Alexander's prolonged exposure to the artifact would undoubtedly take its toll.

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