Chapter 731

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, making Freddie jump. He glanced at Skylar and Charles. "Have the journalists barged in? That's impossible; they wouldn't have access to the elevator. Did one of our neighbors let them in? I'll check. We mustn't open the door to anyone."

He peered through the peephole, seeing a handsome face staring back—even more striking than Charles. Was this a paparazzo? He seemed rather intimidating, as if he could sense Freddie watching. A chill ran down Freddie's spine.

"There's a stranger outside," he said, "incredibly handsome, but he's not carrying a camera. Is he on some kind of covert operation?"

Charles dismissed it. "It'll be fine as long as you don't open the door."

Freddie nodded. "I won't."

Skylar answered a call from Joe. Coldly, she instructed, "Open the door."

Looking up, she said, "It's fine. You can open it."

"What?" Freddie was stunned.

Charles was equally surprised. "Do you know him?"

"You know him too. It's Joe," Skylar replied, walking toward the door.

Freddie's slow reaction wasn't surprising, given his high-strung day. Skylar opened the door, unexpected as Joe's appearance was.

Charles was dumbfounded. "Joe?"

"How did you get here?" Skylar asked, having never given Joe Charles's address. Paul had told her Joe was busy; he must have just finished work and come straight over.

"Charles's boss led me here."

Skylar wasn't surprised by the answer. She found some slippers for him.

Freddie remained bewildered. His peephole view hadn't been clear, but seeing Joe up close, a sense of familiarity stirred. What did Joe mean by Charles's boss leading him? Was it Benjamin? Unlikely, as he was only vice president. Had Andy Watson, the president, brought him?

What kind of man was Joe? A question glinted in Joe's eyes as he looked at Skylar. Freddie's brain felt sluggish; he was sure he'd seen Joe before, but the memory eluded him. He should remember such a striking man. Why was his memory failing him? It felt as if his brain was lagging.