Chapter 742

Skylar asked, "What did he say? Does she remember?"

Rowan replied, "She described him talking to someone, saying he was willing to entrust the happiness of his future generations into that person's hands. My dad would become his most loyal believer. Sometimes, he would even scream. He's been doing this for the past few nights. It's scared my mom, but my dad doesn't remember it at all."

Skylar was silent.

"It isn't a problem, is it?" Rowan asked, his voice laced with apprehension. He'd heard what happened to Frank, Harry, and another man. Goosebumps rose on his arms at the thought. If such negative energy clung to their family, would he end up dead too? He was terrified.

"Don't scare yourself yet," Skylar said, pointing to a canvas on the wall. "Look at this calligraphed quote. Has it been here all along?" The canvas looked quite old. The word "Belief" was written in elegant, looping script, surrounded by tiny inscriptions of the same word. It looked like the work of a skillful writer.

"I'm not sure," Rowan replied, slightly spooked. "I feel like it wasn't here before. I have other calligraphed quotes at home. My dad's an avid collector. I thought he had written this one. This canvas isn't the source of the problem, is it?" He couldn't see anything unusual about it. He didn't appreciate such cultured pursuits; he'd rather drink wine and flirt with women, if he had the time.

As Skylar was about to reply, the office door swung open, and Jeremiah strode in.

"Dad!" Rowan greeted him.

Jeremiah glanced at him, displeasure evident on his face. "Why are you here?" he asked. His useless son was up to something, he thought.

The corner of Rowan's lips twitched. He knew Jeremiah looked down on him. "I've invited Skylar over," he replied.

"Skylar?" Jeremiah's eyes lit up as he looked at her. He'd assumed she was an employee. Awe glinted in his eyes. If Alexander and George praised her, she must be excellent at her work.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Jakeman. My name is Skylar Sullivan," she said with a smile.

Jeremiah greeted her warmly. He noticed Skylar looking at the calligraphed quote. Beaming, he walked over and explained, "I bought it overseas a month ago. I felt it was destined for me. Look—every iteration of 'belief' is written differently." The more he explained, the more satisfied he seemed.

Rowan rolled his eyes. His father was still boasting about it, even though it might be the source of their problems.

Skylar maintained her smile, observing Jeremiah's eyes. They seemed alight with adoration for the painting; otherwise, he wouldn't have hung it where he could see it every day.

Annoyed, Rowan said, "Dad, stop waxing poetic about it. It might be a problem for us." He disliked calligraphed quotes, especially considering his father had spent millions on them—he was more wasteful than Rowan.

Jeremiah glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking about? This calligraphed quote is worth millions! How could it be problematic? Do you know how many people came just to look at it? Many begged to buy it from me."

"There is something wrong with this painting," Skylar said, "Thankfully, Rowan noticed it early. Otherwise, you would be saddled with Alzheimer's or schizophrenia."

She then walked closer to the painting.