Chapter 746

Skylar's smile faded. She agreed, saying nothing more. Joe would likely be extremely busy, unable to go home with her. She would find a way to explain this to Janine before then.

After Steven hung up, he stared at the looping video Charles had sent. In it, Joe wasn't smiling like he did with Skylar; he was grinning at an unknown woman. The video had been removed from the original creator's page, and many reposts had been deleted. Charles had downloaded it immediately; otherwise, they wouldn't have seen it. The sight of Skylar pretending everything was fine made both Steven and Charles' hearts ache for her.

Charles said, "Steven, we must help Skylar feel secure enough to leave Joe. We need to be her support system."

Steven replied, "You're right."

Jenny waited in Martin Group's underground parking lot after work. She'd waited half an hour, but Joe hadn't emerged from the presidential elevator. Her nervousness growing, she messaged him, asking if he'd finished work and inviting him to celebrate her birthday. She received a gift that morning, a customary birthday present from Joe, though likely chosen by Paul. Still, the gift conveyed his care. She hoped to spend the night with him.

"Thank you for the birthday gift, Joe. Can you celebrate my birthday with me tonight?"

Fifteen minutes passed without a reply. Joe usually would have left by now. Why couldn't she see him? She'd seen Paul when she left work. While she fretted, her friend texted, "I heard Vera's back. She's the center of attention; rumors say she's Joe's first love. Will this affect you?"

As if Skylar weren't enough, now Vera had returned. Jenny knew Vera and Joe shared similar backgrounds; to the Martins, Vera was a far more suitable match. To Jenny, both women were obstacles.

"There's nothing between Joe and me. It's just a rumor. Besides, Vera left Jipsburg abruptly and never returned. It's all just gossip," Jenny said, maintaining her composure. Her friend said nothing.

Ten minutes later, she finally saw Paul. Jenny ran over, asking, "Mr. Ziegler, is Joe still working overtime?" She acknowledged Joe's dedication; everyone else had left, yet he continued working. He could easily delegate more tasks to Paul.

Paul, surprised to find her, asked, "Were you waiting here for Mr. Martin?"

"It's my birthday. I asked Joe to have dinner with me," Jenny replied honestly.

Paul frowned. "Mr. Martin left early today. He should be home by now."

"He left early?" Jenny's expression changed. Why had he left so unexpectedly? Today wasn't a special day.