Chapter 743

Skylar placed her hand on the calligraphed quote. The artifact's history flooded her mind. It was a simple word—belief—yet it scrambled people's brains, plunging them into a world of imagination where the line between reality and dreams blurred. Emperors and knights alike, possessors of this canvas, had ended up with shattered sanity.

Rowan's expression changed. "What?" he exclaimed.

Jeremiah was horrified. "That serious?" he asked.

"Dad, haven't you heard what happened to Mr. Solarius Senior and Mr. Doherty Senior? Many family members died! You should have heard about this from Mr. Gardner Senior!"

Rowan feared Jeremiah wouldn't believe Skylar. If he refused to trust her, their family would be ruined; Rowan wasn't ready to manage their assets.

"Stop talking. I want to hear what Skylar has to say," Jeremiah commanded. Astonishment lingered on his face. He knew of the incidents but believed he'd been unaffected. Had he unknowingly fallen into a trap?

Rowan remained silent, waiting for Skylar.

"Mr. Jakeman, where did you purchase this? Do you remember who sold it to you?" Skylar asked.

Jeremiah frowned. "I can't recall. An old man, I think. Oddly, I can't remember what he looked like."

He wasn't old enough for memory loss; he could remember everything pertinent to managing the company. Yet, prompted by Skylar, he realized he couldn't recall the seller's face.

Skylar's expression was grim. "Recently, similar negative items have been appearing throughout Jipsburg, harming many people. I believe they're from the same source."

"How dare they scheme against me? I'll send people to find them!" Jeremiah roared furiously.

"It would be like finding a needle in a haystack, Mr. Jakeman. Just burn this canvas," Skylar said. She destroyed such artifacts on sight; she wouldn't allow them to hurt others. She didn't know Viola's method, but for her, destruction was the only answer.

"Will burning it suffice?" Jeremiah asked.

Rowan, terrified of Jeremiah's regret, offered, "I'll burn it!"

"Burn it precisely at noon," Skylar advised.

Jeremiah looked pale, staring at Rowan with the relief of a near-death escape. "You've done something right for once. More time, and the consequences would have been dire."

Rowan paused, then asked, "Dad, have Skylar examine the artifacts you've bought overseas. If any are negative items, what will happen to Mom and me?" He wanted a few more years of carefree living.

"This is the only thing I've gotten overseas recently."

Jeremiah inwardly complained about Rowan's lack of ambition and his indolent lifestyle, a source of constant frustration.

After Rowan burned the calligraphed quote and Skylar departed, she realized it was lunchtime. Hungry, she accepted Rowan's invitation to a nearby restaurant.

"I've told Joe I'll be treating you to lunch," Rowan explained, worried about Skylar's stress. He'd secretly asked Joe how much to pay her; he couldn't fathom the horrors that might have befallen his family without her intervention.

Skylar forced a small smile at the mention of Joe's name. Suddenly, Vera approached, looking utterly surprised. "You guys…" she began.