Chapter 734

Ten minutes later, Felicia trembled, blocked by Rowan and Paul after seeking their help. "What's going on? Will they help you contact Mr. Martin?" Adele asked hesitantly. Felicia's face paled further. Adele glanced at Felicia's phone; the color drained from her face as well.

"Blocked? Did Paul and Rowan block you? Didn't you say Skylar was Joe's replacement? Shouldn't he be looking for you by now? Have we been wrong?" Adele asked, dumbfounded. Given Joe's assistance to Charles, it didn't seem he considered Skylar a replacement.

Felicia froze. "H-How would I know?" she stammered.

Adele had initially believed Joe saw Skylar as a poor substitute for Felicia, believing his affection for Skylar stemmed from a resemblance to her. After regaining composure, Felicia considered her meetings with Joe. She could count them on one hand; he hadn't seemed particularly interested during any of them. She didn't even have his number.

A wave of icy dread washed over Felicia. She felt a chilling realization dawn.

"If we can't handle this," she whispered, "y-you'll have to leave the entertainment industry."

Felicia lost her balance, collapsing to the floor. Adele caught her before she hit the ground. Misfortune, it seemed, struck in waves.

Felicia's jaw dropped when her father, Quentin Ingram, called. She stiffly answered; as his screams filled her ear, she froze. Adele was equally surprised.

"Look what you've done! We asked you to get on Joe's good side, not offend him! We've heard he has a lover, that he adores her. How dare you oppose her! Are you trying to ruin us, Silver family-style?"

Felicia was speechless, terrified. The call shattered her delusions.

After Quentin hung up, Felicia urgently grasped Adele's hands. "Contact Charles, any way possible!"

Skylar and Joe left Charles' apartment after finishing their instant pasta. Paparazzi emerged as they reached the car, frantically photographing their vehicle. Though seated in the middle, Skylar was still captured in the images.

Once they drove away, Skylar immediately asked Joe, "Will they post those pictures?"

Night had fallen; the car's lighting was poor. The resulting images were blurry side profiles, but their acquaintances would recognize them. Joe, especially, would be easily identified.

Joe noted Skylar's concern, assuming her fear stemmed from the potential exposure of their relationship. His eyes darkened as he assured her, "They won't dare publish them."

Skylar visibly relaxed. Seeing this, Joe's expression fell.

"You…" Skylar noted the shift in his mood. Why the sudden change?

Joe looked at Skylar and said softly, "You treat your family with such care." She was far more concerned for them than for him.