Chapter 755
Joe wondered if Aiken truly felt anything for Skylar.
“No, I’ve just been swamped with work. It’s been a while since I’ve worked, and the workload these past few days has been overwhelming,” Skylar explained.
Joe’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Look at me when you speak.”
He pondered whether Skylar thought he hadn’t noticed. Skylar lifted her gaze, meeting his. His eyes seemed infinite, like an endless galaxy. At that moment, Skylar felt like a tiny star within it. Her chest tightened. “Why would I be avoiding you?” she countered.
They fell silent, staring at each other for a long time. Finally, Joe turned off the light. “Let’s sleep.”
Skylar nodded lightly, humming in response.
The next morning, Skylar and Joe had breakfast together before heading to work. On her way, she received a call from Alexander. He wanted to take her to an auction featuring numerous authenticated antiques brought back from abroad, free of counterfeits.
He warned her that some items, due to their overseas origin, might contain disturbing or harmful elements. The auction’s organizer, Orson Todd, a friend of Alexander’s, had said the seller was an elderly man, but had left no contact information and Orson couldn’t recall his appearance. Many older men looked alike, their faces etched with wrinkles, and the man had been wearing a mask.
Skylar keyed the location into her navigation system and headed to the auction. Alexander waited at the entrance. As soon as they met, he quietly asked, “Have you heard from your Grandma Viola recently?”
Skylar shook her head. “No, I haven’t heard from Grandma Viola in a while. Her phone’s been off.” She was genuinely concerned; it had been a long time without communication, and she had no idea where Viola was.
Alexander sighed, his voice tinged with disappointment. “She disappeared from Jipsburg so abruptly twenty or thirty years ago, and we haven’t heard anything since. Now, she’s vanished again. If your Grandma Viola were around, the person behind these malicious acts wouldn’t dare be so bold.”
Skylar silently prayed for Viola’s safety.
Alexander led Skylar inside, greeting many people along the way. He introduced her to his friends who didn’t recognize her. Although Skylar was relatively new to Alexander’s company, everyone treated her with respect, deferring to Alexander’s position.
Once seated, Skylar felt an unsettling, unfriendly gaze on her back. After a while, it became uncomfortable. She turned to see Vera.
Vera wore a glamorous dress, her hair styled in large waves. She looked stunning, yet her eyes held the same lingering disdain as their recent encounter at the restaurant.
Skylar was baffled by Vera’s condescending attitude. Vera always seemed superior. If it was because of Joe, Skylar had nothing to say; their relationship wasn’t her concern.
With a chilly glance, Skylar averted her gaze. Alexander noticed her discomfort. “Is everything alright, Skye?”
“Yes, Mr. Gardner Senior. I’m alright,” Skylar replied with a polite smile.
Seeing Skylar’s cold expression, Vera felt a surge of annoyance. “She’s really opened my eyes. It’s utterly disgusting,” she muttered.