Chapter 792

Jenny's face crumpled into a frown. Skylar's pointed accusation left her utterly humiliated. She insisted stubbornly, "I'm not lying. The pictures may have been taken accidentally. I wasn't paying attention to my phone." Despite her attempts at explanation, panic swelled within her. How much did Skylar know?

Skylar, unconvinced Jenny would tell the truth, didn't bother wasting her time. However, Jenny's excessive secrecy suggested diffidence. If Jenny were smarter, she wouldn't continue antagonizing Skylar; she wouldn't care about Skylar's opinion.

Once she divorced Joe, Vera's annoyance would be irrelevant to her. The thought of divorce darkened her gaze, sinking her heart.

Jenny watched Skylar stride from the washroom, gritting her teeth in anger. Why did Skylar always seem to dominate her?

A few days later, Paul stood before Joe's office, his heart pounding. Several colleagues offered encouraging fist pumps. Everyone in the building had witnessed Joe's escalating temper, pitying Paul for enduring his wrath.

Paul wanted to complain but didn't know where to begin. He'd only recently learned of Joe and Skylar's recent arguments, and that Joe hadn't been staying at Galaxy Villa. Lucas confirmed this had been ongoing for at least a week.

Paul connected the dots: Joe had become a workaholic over the weekend, sanctioning multiple departmental leads. His argument with Skylar must have been devastating. He steeled himself and entered Joe's office.

Joe was reviewing files, not acknowledging Paul's presence. Paul handed him a document, saying, "Mr. Martin, you have a video conference in thirty minutes."

Joe looked up and glanced at Paul. Paul noticed Joe hadn't spoken much in the past week, using only short, crisp sentences when necessary for work.

"Anything else?" Joe asked.

Paul's heart leaped. "Um, no," he stammered, attempting a hasty retreat. Joe's moods had been volatile.

"Wait."

Paul stopped. "Mr. Martin, what else do you need?"

"Has Skylar contacted you?" Joe asked, his eyes dark.

Paul shook his head. "No."

Joe's expression froze. Paul trembled.

Leaving Joe's office, Paul felt he'd narrowly escaped death. He fled to the stairwell and called Skylar. Thankfully, she answered.

"Mrs. Martin, I think Mr. Martin has a cold. He's not feeling well," Paul lied.

He'd heard Joe cough in the elevator that morning—a single, hacking cough— lending a sliver of truth to his lie.

Paul was a responsible and intelligent secretary, excelling at his job and contributing significantly to Joe's well-being. No secretary in Jipsburg could match his abilities.