“Your great-grandson’s room is next door,” Skylar explained calmly. “He was also affected by this traditional dress.”
Frank stared at her in stunned silence, unable to respond right away. The realization hit hard—after all, it was Nigel, his youngest son, who had gifted that dress to Grace.
“The people who made this dress did it with ill intent,” Skylar continued, her voice grave. “Over the past century, several people have died after wearing it.”
She paused, then added with a complicated expression, “What Mrs. Doherty and your great-grandson saw in their dreams were likely the spirits of those who once wore it.”
Viola had once warned her—there would always be people in the world driven by evil intentions. Where there is greed, malice follows.
Skylar thought briefly of Nigel, who had entered the room earlier. She didn’t want to interfere in Frank’s family matters, but she couldn’t shake the suspicion.
“What should we do with the dress?” Joe asked, glancing at her.
Skylar didn’t hesitate. “Burn it.”
Frank turned pale. The color drained from his face, and he seemed to age before their eyes. He looked hollow, as if all the strength had been sapped from his body. But a few seconds later, he straightened up, regaining his composure. He had been through much in his life. This, too, he would face.
A few minutes later, Skylar and Joe left the Doherty residence.
As they made their way back to Galaxy Villa, Skylar broke the silence.
“Nigel… Mr. Doherty’s youngest son… he probably knows more than he lets on about that traditional dress.”
Joe nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. “Being part of an elite family in Jipsburg isn’t as simple as it seems. Beneath the surface, there are always hidden agendas. Some of them quite dark. Are you scared?”
“No.” Skylar shook her head. “I was just thinking… that dress has caused so many deaths. And yet, it looked so beautiful. It seemed like it would suit anyone perfectly.”
She recalled the intricate patterns and shimmering pearls. The craftsmanship was exquisite—deceptively so.
Joe looked over at her thoughtfully, then glanced at the red bracelet still wrapped around his wrist. He could still feel its faint warmth.
“Mr. Doherty will take care of things. You don’t have to worry,” Joe said gently.
Paul drove in silence, expressionless as ever. But inside, he was rattled. Joe’s behavior toward Skylar was nothing like before. Hadn’t he insisted he disliked her? So why did it now seem like he… cared for her?
Just then, Skylar’s phone rang. It was Gloria.
Skylar answered right away. “Hello?”
“Skye,” Gloria’s voice was filled with tension. “Frank told us everything. That dress… it’s terrifying. I have a vintage dress, a gift from an old friend. It’s well-preserved, but now I’m afraid something might be wrong with it too…”
At their age, it was difficult to know who to trust. And if someone they trusted turned out to be hiding dark intentions, the betrayal would hurt even more.
Skylar’s tone softened. “Don’t worry, Grandma. Pearlhall Residence is safe. If anyone gives you anything new in the future, just put it in the warehouse for now. I’ll take a look at everything next time I visit. You can count on me.”
Gloria let out a nervous laugh. “You’re right. I was so spooked that I lost my head for a moment. But I have you, don’t I? There’s nothing to be afraid of!”
Skylar smiled warmly. “Yes, you have me.”
After ending the call, she noticed Joe watching her with a strange expression. His gaze lingered, deep and unreadable.
“What is it?” she asked, meeting his eyes.
“It’s nothing,” Joe said after a moment. His eyes dropped to her lips, just for a second—then he turned away and stared out the window.
Skylar blinked. He was acting strange again—distant one moment, warm the next. His unpredictability confused her. Since she couldn’t figure him out, she decided not to think about it anymore and turned her gaze to the view outside.
It was already 10:00 p.m. The streets were quiet, with fewer cars passing under the glow of the streetlights. The night air seemed calm and peaceful.
Sleep tugged at her. Leaning against the side of the car, Skylar slowly drifted off.
Noticing her dozing off, Joe glanced at Paul, who remained silent but watchful.
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