Chapter 534

chapter534

Paul sighed in relief when he heard that Skylar would arrive in a few minutes. He closed the door and stood guard outside. He had already called Joe’s doctor to describe his condition. The doctor had been blunt: “He’ll be fine. Isn’t Skylar arriving soon? Her presence will be more effective than any medicine. You should focus on dealing with those responsible rather than worrying about Joe.”

Paul was well-versed in such matters. In the past, the process of recovery in these situations had been grueling for Joe. Thankfully, he had Skylar now.

Before long, Skylar arrived, looking breathless. “What’s going on?”

Paul had no time for lengthy explanations. Sensing the urgency, he opened the door and ushered Skylar inside. “Mr. Martin has been targeted with an illicit substance,” he said simply before the door slammed shut.

“What?” Skylar’s confused exclamation was cut short by the sound of the lock clicking.

She walked into the suite slowly, her heart pounding against her ribs. The sound of running water echoed from the washroom, and she realized the gravity of the situation. The bathroom door was ajar, a clear sign of the haste Joe had been in.

Skylar gently pushed the door open. There was no steam in the room; the air felt chilly, indicating Joe was taking a cold shower to counteract the effects of whatever he had ingested. Through the spray, she could see his powerful silhouette—broad shoulders and a sharp, disciplined jawline. Even in this state, he looked like a king looking down from a mountain, yet his eyes gleamed with a desperate, cold intensity.

“Annie?” Joe’s voice was hoarse and strained as he spoke.

Skylar’s heart sank instantly. Annie?

She recalled seeing Annie in the parking lot earlier with a middle-aged couple. She had been in too much of a hurry to see Joe to think much of it then. But now, Hearing Joe utter that name in such a vulnerable state felt like a physical blow.

Did Joe actually care for Annie? If so, why had he been so ruthless toward the Silvers in the past? Was there a history she didn't understand? To Skylar, the name a person calls out in their moment of greatest need is the one they cherish most.

“I’ll call her for you,” Skylar said, her voice trembling as she turned away. “Give me a few minutes.”

Annie had likely just left the hotel. If she called now, the woman could be back quickly. Swallowing her own bitterness, Skylar began rummaging through her bag for her phone, ready to leave the room to the person she thought Joe truly wanted.