Chapter 1227
It was difficult to imagine the conditions Jeremy and Skylar now faced. Both were acutely aware of the situation's gravity.
After a brief moment of hope, Skylar's anxiety returned. "Their situation must be dire. We need to find them as quickly as possible," she said.
Jeremy nodded. "I will ensure that happens. You can trust me."
"Could they still be in Murida? I have two trusted friends there who could help. Please let me know immediately if you find any information on their whereabouts," Skylar said firmly.
"Understood."
Skylar glanced back at the photograph. The surroundings offered few recognizable landmarks. "Joe, I know you're alive. You have to be!" she thought, her heart pounding.
A few minutes later, as Skylar was about to leave, Jeremy called out, "Wait." Skylar stopped and turned. "Is there anything else?"
"Does Natalie... like Austin?" Jeremy asked.
Over the past three years, he had barely contacted Natalie. He knew, however, of her success; she had opened a cafรฉ and expanded it into several franchises. Meanwhile, Austin had left the entertainment industry and Jipsburg years ago. He'd hoped time would heal everything, allowing Natalie to find peace and enabling them to plan their future. But now Austin was back, filming at Natalie's cafรฉ.
Skylar looked at him in disbelief. "Haven't you moved on from Natalie yet?"
Some things, once experienced, were impossible to forget. Natalie possessed strong emotional integrity and couldn't accept infidelity. Even though Jeremy felt wronged, Skylar believed he could have corrected his mistakes with Annabelle, but hadn't. If he hadn't wavered initially, he wouldn't have been so easily swayed.
Jeremy's face paled.
Chapter 1227
"It's hard to let go," Jeremy said, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his voice.
"Mr. Hughes, you should look forward. You know Natalie better than I do," Skylar advised gently.
Jeremy paused, then said, "You're right. I do know her better." That understanding was precisely why he suffered so. Whether Natalie had feelings for Austin seemed less important now.
Skylar noticed his torment and felt helpless. She knew he'd heard this advice before; nothing she said would change his mind.
"I should take a step forward, too," Jeremy stated. It was time to consider marriage and family, to bring stability to the Hughes family.
Leaving Hughes Group, Skylar remained silent in the car, appearing deep in thought, her heart heavy. Natalie, sensing something was amiss, couldn't shake her concern. She suspected Jeremy had spoken to Skylar and texted him, demanding an explanation.