Annie was thrown into a state of panic. She had never expected Skylar to call Joe during their conversation—let alone let him hear everything she said. Now, her carefully crafted image had completely crumbled. All that remained was the harsh sound of her own threats echoing back through the phone line.
“Joe, please… let me explain,” Annie said hurriedly, her voice trembling. “I just thought… her background seemed complicated, and I assumed she had ulterior motives for approaching you. I was only trying to protect you. What I said earlier—it was just thoughtless, nothing more.”
She tried desperately to sound innocent and well-meaning. The composed and elegant persona she had cultivated over the years was unraveling fast, and she knew it. The image she had hoped to present to Joe—a bright, graceful woman—had been shattered in seconds.
Joe’s voice came through the phone, low and cold. “Are you trying to meddle in my woman’s affairs, Annie?”
The bluntness of his question stunned Annie. In Jipsburg, almost no one dared to get involved in Joe Martin’s personal matters—not even those closest to the Martin family. People knew better.
Skylar, too, was caught off guard. When did I become “his woman”? she thought, slightly bewildered. But she didn’t dwell on it. Clearly, Joe was only saying that to put Annie in her place.
Annie tried to pull herself together. “I’m sorry. I acted recklessly today.”
“A moment of recklessness?” Joe’s tone remained icily calm. “Trying to drive Skylar away with a mere one million dollars is an insult—not just to her, but to me. You’ve been getting a little too bold lately, Annie Silver.”
His voice wasn’t raised, but each word landed with weight. Skylar had rarely heard this side of him. There was something about his detached tone that sent a chill down her spine.
Annie’s complexion had gone pale. Skylar, however, felt nothing—not pity, not sympathy. Annie had threatened her and her family. If it weren’t for the call and the recording, there was no telling what Annie would’ve done. She had crossed a line that couldn’t be forgiven with an apology.
“Mr. Martin, please… this was entirely my doing,” Annie said quickly, her voice growing more desperate. “My parents had no part in it—nor did Rowan. And I thought you might not fully understand Skylar’s background. That’s why I approached her. If necessary, I’ll go to the Martin Group now and explain everything to you in person.”
She clutched her bag tightly, sensing the real danger of this spiraling out of control. Her family had always supported the idea of her and Joe together—her parents, even her grandfather. But she hadn’t expected Joe to go so far for Skylar. Would he really retaliate?
Before she could say more, Joe cut her off. His tone suddenly softened as he said, “Skye.”
The moment he used that name, Annie’s face turned ashen.
“I’ll take care of this,” Joe said gently. “Don’t worry.”
Skylar responded quietly, “Okay. I understand. Sorry to bother you with this today.”
“If something like this ever happens again,” Joe continued, his voice firm but concerned, “call me directly instead of handling it yourself.”
He understood the kind of people Annie represented—cold, calculating, and willing to do anything to achieve their goals. He suspected Skylar had been shaken by the experience, even if she didn’t show it.
A flicker of darkness passed through his gaze.
Skylar gave a soft reply, then ended the call. She slipped her phone into her bag, stood up, and prepared to leave the restaurant.
But before she could take a step, Annie reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Jealousy, panic, and frustration clouded Annie’s expression. Still, she tried to keep her tone even, even pleading.
“You should explain to Mr. Martin. Tell him it was all a misunderstanding. Or come with me—we can go explain it together.”
Skylar stared at her hand for a brief moment before calmly shaking off her grip.
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