Chapter 712

Drake asked, "Popcorn?"

Skylar's cheeks flushed at the disbelief in Drake's voice. She realized it wasn't commonplace to summon a doctor for such a minor request. Drake must have thought her craving was excessive. However, Joe's tone was serious, as if discussing something crucial. After a brief pause, Drake conceded, allowing her some popcorn, but in moderation.

Once Joe received the go-ahead, he told Skylar to wait. A few minutes later, he returned with a large bucket of popcorn. Skylar's eyes lit up.

"Go ahead and enjoy it," Joe said. "You shouldn't have to miss out on such a small pleasure while watching a movie." His eyes mirrored her own warmth and sparkle.

Skylar accepted the popcorn, her voice filled with happiness. "Thank you."

The movie began with lighthearted, cheerful moments. As the plot unfolded, it grew more intense, culminating in a sudden, drastic turn of events. The main characters, separated by a misunderstanding, reunited, yet remained burdened by unresolved issues. After finally clearing up their misunderstandings, the male lead was tragically killed in a car accident. The female lead, believing he never loved her, remarried and had children. Years later, she discovered the truth about his death.

The final scene showed the female lead's pale, shocked face as she learned the truth. What began as a promising story ended with a surreal, tragic twist.

After the movie, Joe muttered, "What a terrible movie. Both of them were too stubborn to talk it out. They might as well have been dead from the start." He wondered how Paul had chosen such a disappointing film.

Skylar took a while to recover. The movie wasn't exactly good or bad, but the separation of two people who loved each other left her melancholic. Seeing Skylar's silence, Joe—not Jon—thought the movie had affected her mood. He took her hand as they left the cinema and said, "We can talk about anything." He meant she could share whatever was on her mind. Misunderstandings often stemmed from assumptions, and the terrible movie served as a reminder.

Skylar smiled. "Yes, we can talk openly. Don't worry, I'll definitely let you know if something's up."

As they entered the car, Joe's phone rang with a familiar tune, unusually loud in the confined space. When he saw the unfamiliar number, his gaze darkened. His voice turned cold as he answered, "What's up?" His tone was sharp and direct, devoid of extraneous emotion—the weight of his words alone conveyed the pressure.

"I'm getting engaged the day after tomorrow. Bring Aunt Gloria along. My dad thought it would be good for the family to gather and discuss Martin Group's current state."

The caller was Edwin's cousin, Derek Martin. Though only ten years older than Joe, Joe always addressed him as Uncle Derek.

Joe simply hummed in response, then hung up. As he turned back to Skylar, the worry in her eyes struck him, making his heart clench.