Chapter 320

Joe’s cold, aloof stare sent shivers down everyone’s spines. The group of men who had initially wanted Skylar’s contact quickly backed off, intimidated by his stern gaze.

After snapping some pictures, Skylar hurried back to retrieve her phone. Seeing the photos Joe had taken, she blinked in disbelief. After checking the others, she suspected he had done so intentionally.

“Mr. Martin, your photography skills are truly… something else!” Skylar exclaimed. Joe had somehow made her look out of shape, like she was only five feet tall instead of her actual five feet eight inches. She appeared flattened against the ground.

Joe hadn’t paid much attention to the photos, but hearing Skylar’s critique, he glanced at them. His expression turned serious as he examined them. Determined to redeem himself, he suggested, “Let’s take them again.”

Skylar glanced at the now-long queue and shook her head. “Let’s find another spot. I just wanted a nice keepsake photo.”

Skylar wondered if Joe’s mind was preoccupied with the hospital situation.

“Let’s go for a walk by the beach,” Joe offered, slipping one hand into his pocket while holding Skylar’s with the other as they strolled.

Skylar was surprised. “There’s a beach nearby?”

It was already dark when she’d arrived at the hotel. Her top-floor suite offered a panoramic view of Korel City, but Skylar hadn’t noticed the beach amidst the skyscrapers and neon lights.

It took them about ten minutes to reach the beach. The sea breeze greeted them, prompting Skylar to kick off her shoes and enjoy the sand between her toes. The tiny grains made her feel carefree, like a child again.

Skylar turned to Joe, exhilarated. “This is wonderful! I want to come back tomorrow to catch the sunrise and sunset.”

Beneath the night sky, the vast sea seemed infinite, like an everlasting night. Skylar’s infectious joy seemed to rub off on Joe, who wore a bright smile as he watched her. In his deep voice, he responded, “Alright.”

An hour later, they returned to the hotel. Skylar assumed Joe would leave, given his matters in Korel City. But, to her surprise, he stayed. After she finished her shower, he went in to take his.

Skylar didn’t dwell on it. She leaned against the bed, checked her phone, and was startled by the dozens of missed calls. Had Joe called her that many times?

As Skylar opened the call log, she saw Joe had called her about eight times. The rest were from unknown numbers, a few of which she recognized from previous calls. Skylar didn’t need to think twice to figure out who they were: the Williams family, with their twisted logic and crooked stances.

Skylar blocked the numbers and then checked her Amazon shop. Even on a trip, she didn’t miss a beat with her work. She was so engrossed in a conversation with a client that she didn’t notice Joe coming out of the bathroom. By the time she sensed his overwhelming presence, he was already leaning over her. In a deep, persuasive voice, Joe said, “Tell them you’ll get back to them…”