Chapter 978

After hanging up, Joe looked at Skylar. “We’ll finish the wedding photos tomorrow. I have something urgent to handle.” He left without another word. Three outfits remained, but the shoot was postponed. The photography team was perplexed by his abrupt departure, but Joe's substantial payment left them no choice but to wait.

Skylar, regaining her composure, changed out of her elaborate attire and removed her makeup. She surmised that Joe's hasty exit likely stemmed from work-related issues in Fachington. After finishing, she planned to return to the hotel. Noticing the time, she instructed the driver to stop at a Floan restaurant for dinner.

She ordered carbonara spaghetti and a salad, and while waiting, chatted casually with Natalie.

“Skye, did you finish your wedding photos?” Natalie asked.

Skylar replied, “Not yet. Joe had to leave suddenly due to an urgent matter, so we’ll finish the remaining outfits tomorrow.”

Natalie responded, “Joe must be a really busy guy. Splitting it into two days isn’t too bad. You’ve got over ten days for this trip; it would be exhausting to finish in one day.”

Skylar agreed. Natalie continued, “Mr. Powell only had two scenes today and finished early, so we went out for dinner. We found a fantastic fondue restaurant—the ingredients are airlifted from Jipsburg. I’m so craving it. I’m going to feast tonight and make up for a few pounds I’ve lost.” She sent a photo of a vibrant, cheesy fondue.

The image was incredibly tempting. Skylar, a fondue enthusiast, was instantly salivating. “That looks so delicious.”

Natalie replied, “It’s not even boiling yet, but it looks promising. I can’t help but drool already.”

“My carbonara spaghetti is ready too,” Skylar said, putting down her phone and beginning to eat. However, the spaghetti was undercooked and bland. After a few bites, she stopped.

The hotel was close, so she walked back, buying pastries along the way to satisfy her hunger. Back at the hotel, Steven called from an international number. After their brief conversation, Skylar checked Instagram. Vera's latest post showed her in a hospital bed with an IV drip; a man's back was visible in the photo. Skylar recognized the casually dressed man leaning against the window—it was Joe, from earlier that day. She knew his back well enough to identify him instantly. His hasty departure, it seemed, was related to Vera.

Skylar stared at her phone, her mind momentarily blank.

In the fondue restaurant, steam rose, filling the room with the rich aroma of melted cheese. Everyone ate enthusiastically, clearly having anticipated this meal. Natalie, unrestrained, ate until full. Even the usually disciplined Austin indulged significantly.

“I wish we could come here every day during our time in Fachington,” one colleague sighed.

Natalie raised her hand. “I agree.”

“I agree too,” several others chimed in, also raising their hands.