Chapter 596

"Okay," Jenny agreed hurriedly.

When Jenny lingered, Rowan followed suit. Skylar felt a pang of regret; she should have come in the afternoon. She discreetly glanced at Joe. His face was impassive, but her intuition flared. She knew Jenny liked Joe, but she didn't know his feelings.

Skylar pondered while she ate. Gloria, not feeling well, had gone for a nap after lunch.

As they were leaving Pearlhall Residence, Jenny stared longingly at Joe.

"Joe."

Rowan suddenly said to Skylar, "Skylar, I have something to ask you. Is this a good time?"

"Sure," Skylar replied calmly.

Rowan showed her photos of antiques on his phone. "Take a look at these," he asked. "Should I add them to my collection? Are they worth it?"

Skylar knew Rowan was creating an opportunity for Joe and Jenny. His question about the antiques was a mere pretext. However, she treated antiques seriously, examining them thoroughly and missing Joe and Jenny's conversation.

When she finished, they had also concluded their chat.

Leaving with Joe, Skylar noticed tears in Jenny's eyes. Had she been crying? They watched Rowan and Jenny depart before getting into their car.

Silence filled the drive back to Galaxy Villa.

"Does Mrs. Martin Senior dislike me? Is that why Joe is distancing himself? He didn't used to act like this before he got married," Jenny sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

Rowan swore under his breath. "The past is the past," he advised. "Live in the present. Wake up, Jenny. Joe promised your mother he would raise you to adulthood. You've graduated university and will soon enter the workforce. He's married; of course, things are different now."

He wouldn't have been so harsh in the past. But Joe's feelings were clear: Skylar was his priority.

Compared to Jenny's distress, Skylar remained composed from Jenny's arrival to her departure. Rowan was certain Skylar understood Jenny's intentions toward Joe; she was intelligent. Joe was distancing himself because he'd discovered Jenny's feelings.

Jenny seemed to awaken from a dream. Staring at Rowan incredulously, she asked, "Was it all just a promise to my mother? Did he treat me well only to keep a promise?"

Rowan wanted to help her see clearly. "Did you think Joe was a romantic? Have you ever seen him waste time on romance? He's seen countless beautiful women."

"He only treats Skylar well because of Mrs. Martin Senior," Jenny insisted stubbornly.

The corner of Rowan's lips twitched. "Men understand each other best," he said. "Today's a weekday. Joe's a workaholic, yet he's not working. He accompanied Skylar to Pearlhall Residence. Do you think it's simply to visit Mrs. Martin Senior? Skylar visits frequently, even without him. He must be in love with her."

Jenny's face was ashen.