It’s laughable, Paul thought as he stood calmly outside the Martin Group building. Annie thought a mere million dollars could scare off the woman chosen by Madam Gloria?
The diamond ring Joe had given Skylar alone was worth over a hundred million dollars. If Skylar had really been a gold digger, she would’ve aimed much higher—perhaps at Gloria herself.
Annie’s crude attempt at a bribe wasn’t just insulting—it was downright foolish.
Annie stood there, visibly embarrassed but still trying to maintain composure.
“Mr. Ziegler,” she said, lowering her tone, “surely you understand. I only want to clear up a few misunderstandings. It’s not something I can explain over the phone. Joe and I grew up together. Doesn’t that count for anything?”
Paul’s smile faded into something more formal. “Ms. Silver, you’ve already crossed a line. Interfering in Mr. Martin’s personal matters only invites misunderstanding. You hold no position in his life now. And frankly, threatening Ms. Sullivan—what possible explanation do you have for that?”
His tone had turned blunt, even cold.
People often tried to use their so-called history with Joe as leverage. But Paul didn’t sugarcoat the truth—he was the last person who would.
Annie’s face turned ashen. “Have you investigated Skylar?” she asked sharply.
Paul’s expression darkened further. “And now you’ve crossed another line.”
His tone made it clear: Annie had looked into Skylar’s background. But if she thought she could dig up anything useful, she was terribly mistaken.
Because the truth was something few knew—Skylar wasn’t just Joe’s lover. She was his wife.
Annie froze. For the first time, it truly hit her—whoever stood beside Joe would be thoroughly vetted. Joe knew everything about Skylar and still chose to protect her. That realization was suffocating.
Paul turned and entered the building without looking back, his calm demeanor unwavering.
Annie stood there in silence, defeated. There was no more room to negotiate.
Just then, her phone rang. It was her mother.
“Mom,” Annie answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
“How did it go? Did Mr. Martin at least hear you out?” Sabrina Madison asked casually. “Don’t worry, it’s just a fling. He won’t actually oppose our family over some woman.”
Annie’s voice trembled. “He won’t see me. There’s… nothing left to discuss.”
“What? He refused to even meet you?” Sabrina’s voice rose. “Is he really going to throw away a lifelong friendship for that woman?”
Without waiting for Annie’s reply, Sabrina continued, “I still have Mrs. Martin Senior’s number. I’ll call her and explain everything. She’ll see reason.”
Sabrina didn’t wait for Annie’s permission. She hung up and immediately called Gloria.
“Mrs. Martin Senior, it’s Sabrina Madison—Grayson Silver’s wife. We met at Gardner Manor a few years ago,” Sabrina began in a friendly tone.
Gloria barely looked away from her TV. Calls like these were nothing new. People only reached out when they wanted something.
“I remember,” Gloria replied coolly.
Sabrina pressed on, her tone honeyed. “Well, something happened recently. My daughter Annie and Joe have known each other since childhood. They even went to university together. There may have been some feelings between them…”
“But now, some girl named Skylar Sullivan suddenly appeared. She’s a homewrecker. Even her own parents don’t like her. Annie’s just worried Joe might be misled—so she…”
Sabrina detailed her version of events, hoping to sway Gloria’s opinion.
At first, Gloria remained indifferent. But as the conversation went on, her face hardened. Edgar, sitting nearby, immediately noticed the change in her demeanor.
“A homewrecker?” Gloria finally snapped. “So now the Silver family thinks they can judge my granddaughter-in-law?”
Her voice grew icy. “Looks like you’ve failed to raise Annie with any sense. How dare you interfere in our family’s affairs?”
Without another word, she hung up.
Fuming, Gloria immediately called her grandson.
Joe answered with confusion, “What’s wrong, Grandma?”
“What’s wrong?!” Gloria barked. “Annie’s mother just called me to slander Skye! What are you doing, Joe? Are you letting the Silver family bully my granddaughter-in-law? Is this what it means to be a man?”
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