Chapter 781
“Perhaps Mr. Martin would like to surprise Mrs. Martin,” Edgar suggested. “After all, these youngsters might prefer a different kind of wedding.”
Gloria considered this. “That’s possible,” she conceded. “However, I sense problems in their relationship. Vera’s return worries me.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Martin Senior,” Edgar reassured her. “I don’t think anything will happen to them. Mr. Martin is helping Mrs. Martin care for her mother—something he wouldn’t have done in the past. He may seem unfeeling, but he’s a softie at heart. He adores Mrs. Martin, though he doesn't show it.” His words implied a keen understanding of the situation.
Gloria nodded. “I’ll believe that. Skylar is one-of-a-kind. I fear Joe will regret letting her go. If he tries to beg her back, she won't even look at him.”
That was her concern.
Edgar chuckled. “Don’t worry. Mr. Martin knows what he’s doing.”
He mused, however, that if Joe truly cared for Vera, why hadn't he gone overseas to find her and marry her? The truth was, Vera wasn't important to Joe. Still, these young people needed to experience things firsthand; their elders' advice was limited.
The moment Joe entered Avalon Residence, a group of men stopped talking and turned to him. Garth, who’d claimed serious illness, was there, along with Denton and other Martin family members. The atmosphere buzzed with activity.
Garth, despite his alleged illness, waved. “Joe’s finally here! Come join us. Mr. Ruell Senior just arrived.”
Denton’s eyes lit up. “I haven’t seen you in years! It’s good to see you holding your own.” He’d once doubted Joe’s ability to lead the Martin family. Yet, in a few short years, Joe had solidified their position in Jipsburg, exceeding all expectations.
Conveniently, Vera had reconsidered and decided to return. It was time to solidify their engagement.
Joe’s eyes scanned the men, an icy glare briefly flickering across them. He greeted them formally, “Uncle Garth, Mr. Ruell Senior.”
Skylar awoke with a start from a nightmare. She felt a presence, but the room was empty. All the lights were off, plunging the room into darkness. She switched on a lamp, got out of bed, and wiped the sweat from her brow.
The dream had felt shockingly real. She hadn’t experienced such vivid dreams in a long time. In it, Joe was under the influence of a negative item; he didn’t recognize Gloria or Skylar. He’d divorced Skylar and married Vera, even allowing Vera to have her kidnapped and sold on the black market, perhaps believing this would erase a blemish on his reputation. The dream culminated in Skylar being auctioned for a million dollars, her future bleak and hopeless.
Skylar knew it was a nightmare. She’d been handling negative items lately, which, while unable to harm her directly, were affecting her dreams. Yet, the dream's realism was unsettling, feeling almost like a premonition.
The sweat wiped away, sleepiness vanished, replaced by thirst. She went downstairs for water. Then she heard sounds at the door, illuminated by moonlight.
Alertly, Skylar asked, “Who’s there?”