Chapter 648

The van screeched to a halt before a garage. Christopher was roughly dragged out and thrown inside. His earlier commotion earned him another beating, after which he remained silent. Despite being dragged across the floor, he didn't resist. Entering the garage, he surveyed his surroundings. Several people had gathered. Was this a shakedown?

Stunned, Christopher blurted, "All of you are in this for money, right? I'll give you whatever you want, just let me go!"

An ominous silence followed. Had he misspoken? He didn't think so. Why the sudden quiet?

Then, a man emerged from the shadows. Christopher scrambled to his feet, staring at the approaching figure. He gasped, "Joe?"

Why was Joe here?

Joe's sharp glare sent a chill through Christopher. "Do you know that Skylar is my woman?" Joe asked menacingly.

Christopher's eyes widened in disbelief. Joe's tone revealed a depth of feeling for Skylar that Christopher couldn't comprehend.

"Isn't Skylar just your lover? Why do you care so much? She's my girlfriend. She's only with you because we had a disagreement."

Joe's cold huff intensified the horror Christopher felt. His heart pounded. He suddenly grasped the enormity of his situation. Had he been wrong about everything? Joe didn't view Skylar as a mere plaything; he clearly took their relationship seriously. The people present weren't there by coincidence. How dare he have secret bodyguards protecting her? Skylar was his girlfriend!

Gathering his courage, Christopher declared, "Years ago, we promised to marry. If not for some intervening problems, we might already have children. Mr. Martin, I advise you to leave Skylar alone. We will be together."

Christopher believed Joe wouldn't resort to violence. It would be a shame for Joe to become a murderer. He had to claim Skylar as his own.

Joe's eyes darkened. He'd never encountered such gall. "Christopher," Joe said, "do you remember what you did in Korel City?"

Christopher's eyes widened. "You!"

It was impossible. Joe couldn't have discovered his actions in Korel City; they had been so clandestine. Even with nationwide informants, it shouldn't have been possible. Yet Joe seemed to know everything.

"Get lost," Joe threatened. "Never come within Skylar's sight again."

He hurled several photographs at Christopher, leaving him no time to react.