Chapter 531

Had Skylar noticed the black magic in the porcelain pieces? If Skylar had, and if Jeremy found out… Terror seized Annabelle. The potential links between these possibilities terrified her.

No, that was impossible. Skylar was too young. How could she know? The person who’d helped her was at least eighty years old. He’d promised no one would detect his black magic again.

Annabelle's panic intensified.

Jeremy's expression remained stiff as he scanned Annabelle. The faint fragrance that had shaken his resolve seemed to have dissipated. It had clouded his judgment, overwhelming him with desire.

He remembered that fragrance from when he’d first lost control and slept with Annabelle. Was it his imagination? Was he making excuses for his infidelity?

His expression turned even icier. He walked away without a word.

Annabelle trembled, desperately trying to stop shaking. She feared he would never forgive her.

Horror filled her. Was she going to end up with nothing? She’d come this far; she wouldn’t succumb. She wouldn’t give up. She would seek out Natalie.

Joe leaned into the corner of the hotel elevator, frowning deeply, dizzy. Perhaps he’d drunk too much. Or perhaps it was from falling asleep with Skylar at this hour; they often stayed up late.

He exited the elevator and walked toward his room. Before reaching it, he clenched his jaw. He called Paul, saying, “Someone might have spiked my drink with an aphrodisiac. Come up here. Wait… call Skylar and ask her to come over.”

Besides feeling faint, an uncontrollable desire bubbled within him—an unfamiliar feeling.

“A new drug?” he guessed, clinging to his remaining logic.

Meanwhile, Annie emerged from the bathroom after showering. She’d waited a long time in the room, but hadn’t dared to bathe for too long. Her hair was half-dried.

Annie knew women were alluring like that. She wore nothing under her towel.

She stared nervously at the door, every sound amplified. She could even hear noises from the corridor.

Then, she heard the click of the door opening. She tensed, gripping her towel tightly.

Grayson had guaranteed everything would be arranged; there would be no problems.

She had to believe Grayson and Thomas. Annabelle needed to ensure nothing went wrong. It was too late for regrets.

The door opened, and a tall figure strode in.

Annie glanced up.

Joe, seemingly driven by instinct, headed for the bathroom. As he neared, he saw her.

His sharp gaze pierced Annie.