Chapter 508

Skylar had a prior engagement with Natalie that evening and left early. On the way, she briefly chatted with Steven. From his words, Skylar learned that his relationship with Annie was progressing rapidly, and he was eager to commit to her and give her a home soon. He had taken Monday off to visit the Silver family with Annie.

“Annie…” Skylar lightly tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

Coincidentally, Annie called. “Do you have time for lunch tomorrow?” she asked.

Skylar, already considering meeting Annie, agreed. “Sure, just send me the time and place.” Their conversation ended after a few short sentences.

Skylar arrived early at the fondue restaurant she and Natalie had planned to meet at. Both had a fondness for fondue, a frequent choice during their college days. They arrived almost simultaneously, bumping into each other at the entrance.

“Anyone who doesn’t know us would think we planned this,” Natalie chuckled.

Skylar winked. “We did, in our hearts.”

They went upstairs. The affordable restaurant was always bustling, making it difficult to get a table without a reservation. They had pre-ordered their meals, and the proprietress served them promptly after they sat down. The fondue was savory and aromatic; its scent made both women’s eyes light up.

“It’s been so long!” Natalie exclaimed. “It tastes exactly the same—so delicious! Other restaurants can’t replicate it.” She swallowed. Having recently lost weight due to a poor appetite, she intended to indulge with Skylar.

Skylar, relieved by Natalie’s carefree demeanor, said, “I’ve ordered all your favorites. Let’s eat our fill tonight. I even brought some digestive aids.”

“You really understand me best,” Natalie said, touched.

“Oh? Nath?” A man in his early thirties, impeccably dressed in a designer suit, appeared. He looked out of place in the casual restaurant. Skylar didn’t recognize him, but he clearly knew Natalie.

Before Natalie could take a bite, she turned at the sound of his voice. Her smile vanished at the sight of Andrew Hughes.

“Well, well,” Andrew appraised Natalie. He’d recently heard rumors about Jeremy—that he was secretly involved with his secretary—and that Natalie hadn’t been home for days.

Natalie responded calmly, “What a coincidence, Andrew.”

Andrew didn’t seem bothered by her coolness. He and Jeremy had never gotten along, and he found the timing ironic.

“Why weren’t you with Jeremy? I heard you haven’t been home. Do your aunt and uncle know?”

Skylar realized he was Jeremy’s cousin. The Hughes family was prominent in Jispsburg City, with many members and associated complexities. However, since marrying Jeremy, Natalie rarely interacted with them. Encountering a Hughes family member in this unassuming restaurant was unexpected.

“You must have heard wrong. It’s best not to listen to gossip,” Natalie said calmly. Although she planned to divorce Jeremy and sever ties with the Hughes family, she didn’t want the scandal to spread and worry her parents.

Andrew smirked coldly. When Jeremy and Natalie married, Marvin Hughes, his grandfather, disapproved of Natalie’s ordinary background. Marvin had also disapproved of Morton Hughes’ marriage to Eleanor, and Jeremy had repeated his father’s mistake.