Chapter 768

Skylar felt overwhelmed by the flood of gossip and news, powerless against its tide. The casual discussion of true love as something priceless only intensified her dread. Joe's gaze darkened. "Do you want a divorce?" he asked.

Skylar smiled. "Isn't that what you want?"

Her interactions with Vera had left her feeling stung by the woman's open disdain. To Vera, Skylar was undoubtedly nothing more than a disgraceful mistress.

Joe's expression hardened. He said nothing as he dressed, then, before leaving, remarked, "We'll discuss the divorce after the contract ends."

Once Joe had gone, Janine knocked and entered. "Why did Joe leave so suddenly?" she asked cautiously.

Despite her turmoil, Skylar's face remained impassive. "He had something urgent to attend to and won't be back tonight. It's late; you should get some rest, Mom."

Janine nodded, but her worry remained. "Be honest with me. Did you two argue? This visit feels different from the last."

Skylar admitted, "There have been some unpleasant moments, but it's nothing serious. We'll sort it out. Don't worry, Mom." She hadn't anticipated Janine noticing, but she chose honesty.

Reassured by Skylar's openness, Janine felt better. She understood that newlyweds often faced adjustments and minor conflicts. "Alright, I'll go rest. Remember, communication is key. Don't let misunderstandings fester; even small ones can strain your relationship. I've been through it, and I know how important it is."

Janine offered this heartfelt advice before retiring.

Skylar lay in bed, pondering Janine's words. She realized that even minor misunderstandings could escalate, and she needed a serious conversation with Joe. She planned to address things openly once they returned to the Galaxy Villa.

Dinner at the Moran Residence lasted over an hour. Jenny arrived and waited about half an hour before it began. Edwin and Molly were unusually kind, asking her many questions, which she answered honestly.

As dinner concluded, Edwin inquired, "Did you have any boyfriends in college?"

Molly added with a smile, "With your looks, you must have had quite a few suitors."

A blush touched Jenny's cheeks. "No," she replied shyly. "I dedicated myself to my studies. While some showed interest, I wasn't interested in them. To me, no one else compared to Joe."

This was the truth. Compared to Joe, the college boys seemed ordinary; none could measure up, let alone Rowan. She couldn't risk any blemish on her reputation, so she had refused all advances. That's why she was confident in her answer.

When Edwin heard her say no one compared to Joe, his expression subtly shifted. A hint of dissatisfaction colored his tone, though Jenny didn't notice it. "Yes, Joe is certainly remarkable."

Molly sipped her tea, her head down. She understood Edwin well. Though Joe was his son, Edwin resented the praise, feeling it reflected poorly on himself. He was supposed to lead the Martin Group, but Joe had taken over, leaving Edwin feeling overshadowed and bitter.

Jenny glanced at the clock. It was 10:00 pm. "It's getting late, so I'll leave you both to rest. If you need any help, I'll be more than willing to assist."

As she spoke and stood, she felt dizzy, perhaps from standing too quickly. She struggled to maintain her balance.