Chapter 7

Skylar waited ten minutes, but Christopher didn't send the money. She knew he wouldn't. Within ten minutes, she gathered records of her transactions with him and screenshots of their conversations where he promised repayment. This evidence was sufficient to file a lawsuit, or pursue more drastic measures if she chose. She decided to report it as a scam to the police first.

Next, she checked messages from Sadie and Jeffrey. Both had reprimanded her for disobedience; Jeffrey specifically mentioned canceling her credit card. She recalled a card Jeffrey had given her when she returned to the Williams family, but she'd never used it. Maisy's messages were straightforward—she bragged about Jeffrey and Sadie's affection for her, her intention to mock Skylar unmistakable. In Skylar's previous life, Maisy's gloating had often upset her. Fortunately, Skylar had a fresh start. She would acknowledge only Janine, her adoptive mother, as her mother from now on. Her adoptive father, Finn Sullivan, had died in an accident when she was three years old. As a result, Janine had raised four children alone.

Just as Skylar was about to put away her phone and sleep, she received another message: “Skye, are you settling in with the Williamses?” It was Steven Sullivan, her eldest brother, who had always been close to her.

Skylar replied, "Steven, I've missed you."

Steven immediately sent a voicemail: "Skye, come home if you're homesick. Mom mentions you a lot."

"Same. I miss Mom terribly. I'll come tomorrow."

"I'll cook for you."

"How are you? You were going to publish a paper, right?"

Steven chuckled. "I'm fine."

After hanging up, Skylar found a family photo. Tears welled in her eyes. She hadn't seen them since becoming paralyzed. She'd answered their calls occasionally, only when the Williamses were in a good mood. Jeffrey had refused visits, while everyone assumed she was well cared for—that Sadie, her biological mother, had taken good care of her, implying that her leg amputation wouldn't have happened if she hadn't shoved Sadie.

Wiping her tears, Skylar turned off her phone. She needed to rest; she couldn't return home with swollen eyes.

Skylar's alarm rang at six a.m. Used to waking early, she went downstairs after a quick shower. Joe had told her the previous day that he didn't want maids; instead, Pearlhall Residence staff cleaned daily. He rarely ate at home.

Skylar rummaged through the refrigerator. Thankfully, there were vegetables. Their freshness suggested daily replenishment by the Pearlhall staff. She found noodles and decided to make chicken noodle soup.

Joe, already in a suit, came downstairs and smelled the enticing aroma. Still adjusting to marriage, he was momentarily stunned to see Skylar cooking. Her apron couldn't hide her figure.

Skylar felt uneasy leaving the kitchen with the noodles. "Mr. Martin, would you like some chicken noodle soup for breakfast?" she asked politely. She'd added mushrooms and vegetables; she preferred a hearty breakfast to toast and eggs.

"Thanks, but I don't eat breakfast," Joe refused bluntly.

He left a black card. "Use this for daily expenses and household needs." Skylar glanced at it. She could support herself, but refusing would arouse suspicion. She decided to accept it, intending to return it at the end of their contract.

At Martin Group, Paul brought Joe coffee. As he sipped, he was reminded of Skylar's soup. Paul was reporting the day's schedule, including a trip to a neighboring city in two hours.

"Get chicken noodle soup takeout from the restaurant across the street."

Paul, surprised by the non-work-related instruction, thought he'd misheard. Didn't Joe dislike breakfast? He hadn't. Puzzled by Joe's sudden craving, he arranged for takeout.

Half an hour later, Joe received the soup. He took a spoonful. The rich aroma was overwhelming, almost nauseating. The taste shouldn't be this intense. He put down his spoon.

Paul was bewildered. "Mr. Martin, is it too hot?"

"Take it away."

"Oh, okay." Paul, still confused, wondered if yesterday's elevator incident had affected his brain, impairing his ability to understand Joe's intentions. Nonetheless, the soup smelled delicious. He mentally noted to try it after the trip.

After leaving Galaxy Villa, Skylar visited a lawyer and then the police station. Around noon, she took a cab to Janine's house. Her family had moved to Jipsburg three years ago when her younger brother, Harvey, excelled in his high school entrance exam. Christopher called repeatedly while she was in the cab. She silenced her phone.

Meanwhile, two officers at Williams Group glared at Christopher, who kept calling. His colleagues whispered, speculating about what happened. Christopher realized Skylar was ignoring him.

"This is a misunderstanding," Christopher said calmly. "Skylar's my girlfriend. We had a fight; she filed a false report."

"Please come with us to make a statement," the officers replied.

Christopher checked the time, realizing he was late to meet Maisy.

Chapter 8

He'd finally worked up the courage to pursue Maisy after learning about her relationship with Skylar. Maisy had been his unrequited love in college. His feelings for Skylar had faded over time. Skylar was kind and considerate; Amelia liked her. Breaking up hadn't occurred to him. Now, facing the police, he realized Skylar had genuinely wanted to break up and meant it about returning the money.

Defiantly, Christopher video-called Skylar again, but she ignored him. He went to the police station.

Fully dressed, Maisy impatiently checked her phone at Phoenix Mall. Christopher was three minutes late. As she was about to call, she noticed people leaving Martin Group across the street. One was Joe, CEO of Martin Group, frequently featured in financial news.