Chapter 77

Several people working near Joe noticed his sudden change in demeanor. Frightened, they became more cautious.

Paul, who hadn't noticed anything earlier, was astonished. Sitting at the only occupied table in a nearby restaurant was Skylar. What were the odds?

He stole a glance at Joe's intimidating expression. Had Joe and Skylar argued? He still seemed angry with her.

Although Paul hadn't interacted much with Skylar, she seemed very amicable. Could Joe's anger be related to the photos he'd sent him earlier?

After they finished their stew, Natalie insisted on taking Skylar somewhere nice to show her "what real men were like." But as they reached the car, Natalie's phone rang.

"Yes, honey?"

"My mom isn't feeling well. Can you go check on her? I'm on a business trip in Haulbus and can't come back right now," Jeremy's voice said.

Natalie frowned. "You went to Haulbus?"

"I arrived this morning. I'll be back the day after tomorrow," Jeremy replied indifferently before hanging up.

Natalie stared at her phone, dazed. Realizing Skylar was beside her, she snapped out of it. "Sorry, Skye, we can't go today."

"Next time, then. I'll drive you home," Skylar said, sensing Natalie's change in mood. The phone call had clearly dampened her usually cheerful demeanor.

Skylar had met Natalie's husband, Jeremy Hughes, before. They had been childhood friends and grew up in the same area. Despite their differing family backgrounds—Jeremy's family having become well-off later—their prearranged marriage bound them together. Jeremy, three years older than Natalie, had always taken care of her, so they married shortly after her graduation. If there were any issues, they were likely minor disagreements.

After dropping Natalie off at the Hughes residence, Skylar noticed a store still open and decided to buy two sets of men's clothing. Passing Steven's dorm, she wanted to give him the clothes, but he was busy and not there. She texted him, informing him that she'd left his clothes with the neighborhood security guard.

As she walked back to the parking lot, someone grabbed her wrist.

"Skye, you already know what happened. I'm also a victim here. Amy had a crush on me and kept bothering me. Those photos you saw and the videos circulating online are all fake. After Amy got plastic surgery, she looked a lot like Malsy. They look like twins from a distance. I'm not going to break up with you. I didn't do anything wrong."

Skylar frowned at the shameless Christopher. "Let go."