Chapter 466

Skylar meticulously examined the photos on Alexander's phone, ensuring no detail escaped her scrutiny. Alexander, meanwhile, felt a gnawing anxiety. He worried his friend's purchases might be problematic—a potential financial and mortal threat.

"Everything seems to be in order," Skylar declared after her examination.

Relief washed over Alexander. "Thank goodness! I feared everything he bought overseas was compromised. Now I can finally relax."

He continued, "I've been following your advice to rest and eat well. It hasn't caused any problems. In fact, thanks to your Grandma Viola's amulet, I'm even getting an extra hour of sleep each night."

Skylar was reassured. "If you're feeling well, the bronze artifact's influence was likely less severe than I initially thought."

Alexander nodded fervently. "Thank heavens for you. Without your intervention and the discovery of your Grandma Viola's amulet, I would have surely fallen for this trap again. It's strange, though. Over 30 years ago, something similar happened. After your Grandma Viola intervened, those tainted items vanished for years. Why are they resurfacing now?" He furrowed his brows.

"Someone must be deliberately bringing these items into Jipsburg," Skylar speculated seriously.

Alexander nodded thoughtfully. "You might be right. I'll have someone look into this."

Skylar decided to grab a quick lunch at the mall across the street. The basement food court, a haven of diverse eateries, was perfect for a solo meal. She opted for fondue, a nostalgic favorite. As she savored each bite, she felt a presence across from her. A glance revealed a uniformed delivery person, whom she initially ignored.

However, the delivery person seemed fixated on her. Their eyes met. Skylar's expression darkened; a flicker of coldness crossed her features as she recognized Peter.

She had encountered him many times before—always confident, arrogant, and dismissive. This Peter, however, was different. His face was unshaven, his demeanor weary. For a moment, she questioned if it was truly him, but the intensity of his stare confirmed his identity.

As Skylar scrutinized him, Peter also studied her. While delivering takeout recently, he had even entered the Gardner Group building. There, he overheard whispers of admiration for her, a stark contrast to the disdain he and his family had once held. While they mocked her, she quietly earned the respect of others. Peter felt shame gnaw at him as he reflected on his past foolishness.

After a moment, he broke the silence. "Does it make you happy to see me reduced to delivering food?"

Peter had been convinced he could easily find a new position with his experience as a former executive. But reality struck hard; he faced rejection after rejection, shattering his pride. Kenny's world crumbled with dwindling finances and a family constantly needing money. He drowned his sorrows in alcohol while Samuel desperately chased acting jobs. The burden of responsibility fell solely on Peter's shoulders, and he couldn't even afford a lawyer for his father.