Chapter 976

After Vera finished speaking, she looked at Joe, hoping for a response. His long, well-defined fingers were captivating. As she gripped his hand, a thrilling sensation sent her heart fluttering. Suddenly, Joe yanked his hand away.

His voice turned icy. "People need to look forward," he said.

Vera was stunned, her face paling. Joe's words and actions felt like a cruel blow, wounding her pride. She looked down at the ring on her finger, then gently touched it. The confusion and panic slowly subsided.

"Yeah, people do need to move forward," she said with a self-deprecating smile. "Some things happened, they existed. They're the past, but they can't be forgotten."

Under the evening breeze and dim light, a profound sense of fragmentation seemed to wash over her. Seeing this, Joe furrowed his brows and glanced at Vera. His agitated mood inexplicably calmed. He even found himself reflecting on past years, a time when he lacked the strategic command he possessed now, a time when he often felt adrift.

"Why the sudden decision to return to Jipsburg?" he asked.

Vera's eyes widened in surprise. She noted the shift in his attitude. They had met several times since her return, but he had always been indifferent, showing no interest in her reasons for coming back. Now, he was asking.

Looking down at her ring with joy, a realization struck her: she should have asked Molly for help sooner.

"Maybe I just realized someone was waiting for me in Jipsburg," she said, "and I couldn't waste any more time staying abroad."

Joe paused his smoking, falling silent. Vera felt a pang of disappointment but maintained her composure. "Do you like Skylar?" she asked, holding her breath nervously, suddenly afraid of his answer.

Joe finished his cigarette, extinguishing it in the ashtray. He didn't answer her question. Instead, he said coldly, "It's getting late. I'm heading back to my room."

He left immediately. By the time Vera processed his departure, he was already far away. She bit her lip in frustration, then reconsidered. There was no need for upset. His silence likely meant he didn't like Skylar. Joe's closeness to Skylar was probably due to her manipulative tactics, but the ring had shielded him from her influence, allowing his true feelings to surface.

Vera felt even more certain that her ten-hour flight to Fachington was the right decision. She wouldn't let Skylar take Joe away.

The next day, neither woke early, sleeping until they naturally awoke. After breakfast, Skylar accompanied Joe to the wedding photoshoot location. She began selecting her wedding dress; the designer had already sent her pictures, but seeing them in person was necessary.

Joe's physique was strikingly handsome, a male model's build perfectly complemented by his tailored suit. The designer's vision was flawlessly realized.

While the makeup artist worked on Skylar, they showered her with compliments on her flawless skin and striking features.

When it was time for the shoot, Skylar and Joe stood before the castle, looking every bit the prince and princess. After the first photograph, the photographer, Mike Salazar, showed them the result.

"You two don't even need any retouching," he said. "The photos are perfect as they are."