Chapter 64

Joe was speechless. Finally, he said, "I'll ask her. If she's busy, we'll go next week."

"Yes, ask her," Gloria urged, her tone worried. "She seems stressed lately. She needs to relax. As her husband, you need to care for her more. Do you understand?"

"Okay."

After ending the call, Joe checked online for news about Skylar. Confirming there were no flaws in Paul's execution, he called her. The line was busy, so he hung up. A few minutes later, Skylar returned his call.

"Did you just call, Mr. Martin?"

"Grandma's meeting friends at the hospital today," Joe replied in his usual cold voice. "She wants us to go to the hot springs tonight. I'll pick you up if you're free."

Skylar detected reluctance in his voice. She was sure Gloria had pressured him. Hot springs trips were usually for close friends or partners; no wonder he was hesitant.

"Someone asked me out earlier, and I accepted," Skylar replied. "I'm sorry."

She was on the phone with Steven when Joe called. Steven had invited her to dinner, citing their long absence and the resolution of Christopher and Maisy's problems. With the evidence presented, the Williams family couldn't retaliate, so he suggested they talk.

Joe listened, frowned, and said, "Okay. I'll tell Grandma."

"Thank you, Mr. Martin."

"Don't worry about it."

Skylar hung up. Joe stared at his phone, his expression hardening. She didn't want to go to the hot springs with him? A wave of gloom washed over him. He tugged at his tie, tossed his phone aside, and picked up a proposal. He didn't need the hot springs; this was exactly what he wanted.

The Williams family was in chaos. Jeffrey and Peter were absent; only Kenny and Samuel had returned home, questioning Maisy with their phones in hand. Sadie sprawled on the sofa, slowly regaining consciousness after an hour's daze. Tears welled in Maisy's eyes as she stared at Kenny and Samuel, playing the victim.

"I was falsely accused," she cried. "I don't know these people. That's not me in the videos."

Most online exposés claimed the photos were genuine. Pictures of Maisy and Christopher at a hotel existed, but none showed them in bed—lacking proof of intimacy.

"Are you sure it's not you, Maisy?" Sadie searched the online photos and videos repeatedly, her heart growing colder.

Maisy offered her excuse: "It's not me, Mom! They manipulated it, used AI for deepfakes. I think Skylar planned this—breaking up with Christopher, then targeting me. She planted those people."