Chapter 564

Rowan, curious about Joe's feelings for Skylar, remained silent, continuing to drink with Joe and his friends. Joe glanced at Felicia, his gaze lingering. Felicia's heart skipped a beat; Joe usually maintained a cold, aloof demeanor. Many in Jipsburg feared his ruthlessness, yet many women admired him, though he typically ignored them. Tonight, however, he was looking at her.

"Have we met before?" Joe asked, his voice carrying its usual hint of coldness.

Felicia, startled but composed, replied, "Yes, but there were so many people, I didn't dare approach you. You probably don't remember."

Nearby women, noticing Joe speaking to Felicia, grew jealous. Felicia, unfazed, knew that even a connection with Joe, let alone marriage, would make her the envy of every Jipsburg socialite.

Joe raised an eyebrow. This woman resembled Skylar, but significantly differed. Skylar, he thought, that heartless woman, could ignore him completely, not from intimidation, but from disinterest. He could have countless women, yet Skylar rejected him. He took a large gulp of his drink.

Felicia's smile faltered as Joe remained silent. Rowan, unsurprised—even pleased—tentatively asked, "Is something wrong?" He couldn't directly ask about a fight with Skylar, especially given the others present. It wasn't work-related; Joe, a workaholic, easily handled Martin Group issues.

"It's nothing. Just drinking," Joe replied tersely. His demeanor, however, spoke volumes.

Rowan, having grown up with Joe, understood the subtle cues. He didn't press further. "Alright, let's just drink." He suspected Skylar was the issue; she was remarkable for stirring Joe's emotions and affecting his mood.

With Rowan silent, the others remained quiet. Felicia, however, had an idea. She discreetly took a photo and posted it on Instagram with the caption, "Joe isn't that intimidating," adding a playful tongue-out emoji.

Coincidentally, Paul, a charming and diplomatic Jipsburg socialite often used as a connection to Joe, followed Felicia. He accepted follow requests from attractive women, though interaction was rare.

That night, scrolling through Instagram before bed, Paul was shocked. He rubbed his eyes, then stared in disbelief. "What the heck! What's going on? Shouldn't Mr. Martin be with Skylar? He seemed completely focused on her at the dress shop. How is he at a bar with another woman? Damn it! Is something wrong again?"