Chapter 993

Natalie pressed her lips together, nodding helplessly. "Okay." Before leaving, Jeremy told Skylar, "Thank you for taking care of Natalie."

Skylar watched him, feeling a strange dissonance; he acted as if their divorce hadn't happened.

After he left, she turned to Natalie. Before Skylar could speak, Natalie said quickly, "We were clear about everything during the divorce. But lately, he acts like we're still together whenever we meet. No matter what I say, he continues to behave this way."

"He probably regrets the divorce," Skylar remarked, feeling emotional. It was clear Jeremy loved Natalie. The infidelity was likely due to external pressures, perhaps a bad influence. Fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke.

Natalie's eyes dimmed. She got out of bed, returned to the table, and finished her chicken soup. After a few sips, she said, "It's impossible for us to be together again. I saw the video of him with Annabelle. I can't forget it. I know I'm being selfish wanting to run away, but recently, I've let go of my feelings for him."

Perhaps knowing they weren't meant to be eased the letting go. Reflecting, Natalie felt surprisingly cold-hearted.

Jeremy then visited Austin. They stared at each other until Austin broke the silence. "Mr. Hughes, if you have something to say, say it."

"Do you like Natalie?" Jeremy asked bluntly.

Austin smiled. "Yes, I do."

Jeremy's expression darkened. "You should find someone else. Natalie is my wife."

"Ex-wife," Austin corrected. "Mr. Hughes, show some restraint. Natalie isn't someone to be trifled with, and your actions are hurting her."

Jeremy's gaze intensified, becoming oppressive. Undeterred, Austin continued, "She seems to have feelings for me now. You should step back and not become the third party."

"Austin Powell! Do you know who you're talking to? I could easily destroy everything you've built in the entertainment industry over the past decade!" Jeremy shouted angrily.

But Austin remained calm. "Why do you think I've come this far? It's because of my talent and hard work. You can't suppress me. You can't destroy me."

Feeling unwell, Natalie went to bed early. Skylar, still awake, turned on a lamp and read an ebook, also attending to some work Janine had sent.

Janine messaged, "Skye, someone sent this picture of a ring; they want us to verify its authenticity and significance. The order came days ago, but I just got to it."

Skylar managed the store for her adoptive mother, Janine. They employed several staff, and all items were authenticated, yet some customers requested appraisals. Processing times ranged from seven days to two weeks; urgent orders could be cancelled.

Skylar opened the image and zoomed in. The ring exuded antiquity—it was clearly an artifact. But…

Skylar noticed subtle, faintly visible patterns on the emerald-green stone. The low-resolution image made them unclear, preventing a definitive assessment. She couldn't sense the ring's full historical significance, despite its obvious age.