Chapter 1057

chapter1057

这是为您精心润色、校对并优化排版后的第 1057 章（及 1064 部分内容）。

在本章中，剧情达到了一个充满张力的转折点：Skylar 直播征婚试图以此宣告独立，却被突然出现的 Joe 搅乱了局。我修正了原稿中的 OCR 错误（如 well–managed、six–packs），并强化了两人对峙时那种剑拔弩张却又暧昧不明的氛围。

Chapter 1057: The Live Stream Intruder

“I’m looking for a new partner,” Skylar announced calmly to the camera. “If anyone is interested, feel free to DM me.”

Skylar was broadcasting from her store’s official account, which had been meticulously managed over the months. As soon as the notification went live, a steady stream of regular customers tuned in. However, the moment she dropped the bombshell about seeking a partner, the viewer count didn't just climb—it exploded into the tens of thousands. Her popularity reached an all-time high in a matter of seconds.

Almost immediately, her inbox began to overflow. Numerous elders looking for daughters-in-law and potential suitors flooded her DMs with polished photos and detailed personal biographies.

Even Janine, who had just hung up with her, began peppering her with questions in the family group chat. Even Harvey, despite being buried in exam prep, chimed in to support his sister. Skylar took screenshots of the most impressive profiles and shared them with her family.

“See? I’m still quite sought after,” Skylar messaged them. “Now you can all rest easy, right? A divorce doesn't mean the end of the world for me.”

It seemed only fitting: Joe was celebrating an engagement while she was actively searching for his replacement. Her family rallied behind her, their messages of support coming in fast and thick.

After chatting with them, she began casually scrolling through the private messages, critiquing the photos of the handsome men. There truly were plenty of fish in the sea; there was no reason to keep herself tethered to a sinking ship.

Tomorrow was the day the divorce would finally be official. A wave of relief washed over her. Regardless of whether Viola’s mysterious letter played a part or not, the end was in sight.

Just as she was mentally counting how many six-packs were currently sitting in her inbox, a man’s face suddenly blurred into view behind her on the screen.

“Darling, is the bathwater ready for us yet?”

That one line sent a literal shockwave through the live chat. The comments scrolled so fast they became a blur.

Skylar nearly jumped out of her skin. She spun around to find Joe standing directly behind her, looking remarkably composed. As she stood up, her body inadvertently blocked the camera lens.

“Joe! What are you doing?” she hissed, before quickly turning back to the mic to perform damage control. “Ignore him, everyone! He’s just a friend who thinks he’s a comedian. Don’t you know you have the face of a celebrity, Joe? I can’t have people thinking I’m dating a star while I’m trying to find a real partner!”

Without waiting for a response from the audience, she slammed the "End Stream" button. She stared at him, wondering if he had finally lost his mind.

Joe had just appeared on a public broadcast on the very day of his engagement. Didn't he fear the scandal? Didn't he care if his new fiancée saw him playing house with his soon-to-be ex-wife?

Fortunately, since he had only appeared for a split second, the viewers hadn't had enough time to take clear screenshots. Skylar’s quick comment about him being a "celebrity lookalike" seemed to have diffused the immediate suspicion. She didn't know that, moments after she logged off, a professional streamer hired by Janine took over the channel and turned the incident into a joke, successfully distracting the masses.

Skylar turned her glare back to Joe. “Aren’t you afraid your fiancée will see you acting like this?”

Joe’s expression darkened instantly. “We aren’t even divorced yet, and you’re already in such a hurry to replace me?”

“The tables have turned, Joe. You’re the one who started this game,” Skylar countered. She knew that arguing with a man as sharp and calculated as Joe—a veteran businessman—was usually a losing battle, but she wasn't backing down tonight.

Seeing her flustered demeanor, Joe paused. Then, to her utter confusion, he broke into a wide, genuine smile.

Skylar frowned. Why was he so cheerful? He hadn't smiled like that at her in weeks. This wasn't a smirk or a polite mask; it seemed to come from deep within. To her, that smile felt like a cruel joke, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil she had been battling.

With a cold, stern expression, she declared, “Let’s just get to the courthouse first thing in the morning and finalize this. Let’s stop wasting each other’s time.”

Instead of retreating, Joe leaned down, bringing his handsome face inches from hers. He looked deep into her eyes, his gaze heavy with an emotion she couldn't quite decipher.