Chapter 753

By the time Skylar learned of Sadie's death, evening had fallen. She and Joe were dining at a Taegu cuisine restaurant. Skylar had assumed Sadie would die in the hospital, but Peter had beaten her to death.

"They want you to go back? I'll send Paul to the hospital," Joe said, his voice laced with frustration at the interruption.

"It's not Peter. It's the police," Skylar replied, relaying the details of the call. She stood, grabbing her bag. "You finish dinner. I need to go to the station."

"I'm coming with you," Joe said, rising.

Vera watched from the entrance as they left, clutching her bag. Joe's attentiveness to Skylar—opening her car door and driving—unsettled her. Did he realize what he was doing? Did he know about Skylar's complicated relationships with Aiken and Rowan? Did he simply not care?

Vera had always considered Skylar manipulative, and now she seemed adept at charming men. A knot of unease tightened in Vera's throat. She couldn't reconcile Joe's feelings for a woman she perceived as scheming and manipulative.

At the station, Skylar insisted Joe wait outside. The police questioned her routinely; witnesses had provided clear accounts. Since Skylar wasn't legally related to Sadie, she could choose to participate in the investigation or not. The coroner was performing the autopsy to determine the cause of death. If Peter was responsible, he would join Jeffrey in prison.

As Skylar left, she encountered Samuel, visibly shocked and shaken, his face etched with fear. He seemed dazed. Skylar glanced at him and walked on.

Samuel's bitter words followed her: "Skylar, our family is finished. Ruined. Aren't you happy? This is our retribution? I'm finished! Congratulations on having the last laugh."

The Williams family was in ruins: Jeffrey imprisoned, Peter facing charges, Kenny and Maisy missing. Samuel's entertainment career was over; his life in Jipsbug, effectively ended.

Skylar paused outside, then turned back, her gaze cold and indifferent, fixed on the distraught Samuel. A flicker of hope crossed his face at her glance. "You…"

Skylar's expression remained emotionless. She turned and left. Samuel stood frozen, realizing Skylar viewed them as strangers. Their actions had no effect on her; she wouldn't extend the kindness she once had. Vaguely, he heard, "It's all retribution."

The autopsy results were released shortly thereafter.