Chapter 578

Natalie gave Skylar a thumbs-up, praising her. "Skylar, you're such a brave woman! How did you gather the courage to hang up on Joe? Do you know how scary he is?"

Natalie rarely encountered Joe. She could count their meetings on one hand, and each was terrifying. Skylar, however, was talented and not at all afraid of him.

"How scary could he be? It's not like he could find me here. I'll sleep at your place tonight."

Natalie readily agreed. "Excellent! I'll get another flute of champagne. I have plenty of alcohol; we can drink as much as we want!"

She stood up unsteadily and stumbled toward her wine cabinet. Before she reached it, the doorbell rang.

"Who's that?"

Natalie cautiously approached the door. Despite her intoxication, she remained vigilant, peering through the peephole to see a handsome, expressionless face.

"Joe?"

Opening the door, she turned to Skylar. "You're right. Joe has found you here!"

Skylar, sobering slightly, asked, "What did you say?" Had she misheard? Had Joe really found her? How?

As questions flooded Skylar's mind, she saw Joe standing at the door. He commanded attention wherever he went. Even without knowing his identity, his striking looks and physique would draw eyes. Skylar saw him instantly.

Skylar gulped. "How did you find me here?"

Joe glared at her, noticing her intoxicated state. "I'll take you home."

"Oh, alright, thank you," Skylar replied, rising to her feet and swaying toward him. Her head swam. "Hey, why are there two Joes? Which one is real?" She pointed at Joe, then her finger drifted slightly to the side.

Natalie, more resistant to alcohol than Skylar—especially after seeing Joe's cold demeanor, which sobered her instantly—exclaimed, "You graduated years ago! Why can't you hold your liquor?"

"I'm not drunk," Skylar insisted.

Which part of her looked drunk? She stumbled toward Joe, tripping and nearly falling. He caught her. "Stubborn woman," he mocked.

Skylar, barely able to walk straight, continued to deny her intoxication.

Natalie frowned, warning Joe, "You better treat Skylar well. Don't cheat on her! Or I'll make you suffer!"

Skylar had been betrayed once; she couldn't endure it again. The pain was too much.

Joe stared intently at Natalie, humming in acknowledgement. Tears welled in Natalie's eyes.

Once Joe left with Skylar, Natalie curled up on the couch. She hadn't felt the effects of the alcohol while Skylar was there, but now, alone, sobriety returned. Her mind cleared.

Then, her phone rang, the chime breaking the silence. Seeing Jeremy's name, her heart ached.