Chapter 651
Jenny winked at Joe, “Yeah, I got the job through an interview. I was ready for the possibility that I might not get hired and would have to apply elsewhere. But to my surprise, I was hired. So, I hope you can pretend not to know me at the company.”
Jenny’s playful demeanor made her seem cute rather than calculating.
Joe asked calmly, “What made you decide to work here?”
“Didn’t you mention wanting to start your own business before?” Paul
added.
Over the years, Joe had been giving Jenny a monthly allowance. As a young woman, she had more than enough left after her expenses. Starting a small business, even if it lost money for several years,
wouldn’t have been a problem for her.
So, Paul wondered why she chose to work at Martin Group. He could guess her reasons.
Jenny replied, “I need more real–world experience first. I want to gain. some practical knowledge before pursuing my dream.”
She then turned to Joe and said, “Joe, I hope my working at Martin Group won’t put you in a difficult position. I didn’t mention knowing you or Paul during the interview, so I competed on a level playing field.
Her explanation seemed evasive.
Joe’s expression was cold and unreadable. He seemed indifferent to Jenny’s presence.
Before the elevator doors opened, he said, “Since you’re working at Martin Group, make sure you act like an employee of the company.”
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Jenny pursed her lips and nodded. “Alright, Joe. Don’t worry.”
When the elevator arrived at Jenny’s floor, she exited, giving Joe one last look that revealed a hint of disappointment.
As the doors closed, Paul said, “I’m not entirely sure of the details. But it’s true that we’ve been hiring recently. Jenny went through the
regular interview process.”
Getting a job at the company meant Jenny had some skills. Paul recalled that Jenny had always been at the top of her class in high school.
Joe responded briefly with a hum.
Paul said no more. Recently, he had noticed some of Joe’s thoughts.. He realized Joe was aware of some of Jenny’s intentions and seemed to be deliberately distancing himself from her.
Joe had done more than enough for Jenny over the years.
The accident years ago had been intentional, and Jenny’s mother had died protecting Joe.
Skylar saw Jenny’s post on Instagram during her lunch break. It showed Jenny’s Martin Group employee ID card with sun emojis and a caption about starting work that day and giving it her best effort.
Jenny’s cuteness was on full display, and her joyful mood was evident in the photo.
Skylar was surprised to see Jenny working at Martin Group. Her gaze lingered on her phone for a few seconds before she turned off the
screen.
“Skylar, Simona invited us to lunch across the street. She’s treating,” Caleb said to Skylar..
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Given the abundance of new delivery choices lately, they had almost settled on takeout, so Simona’s lunch invitation came as a surprise.
Skylar seemed a bit distracted. “Sure, let’s go.”
Caleb noticed her preoccupation. “Is something bothering you?”
“It’s nothing,” Skylar said, putting her phone back into her bag.
Simona had asked her and Caleb about lunch a few days ago, mentioning that she would be treating.
With two tasks completed last night, Skylar was down to her final
She aimed to finish it in the next few days, and then she could. finally relax and take a break.
one.
“Has Joe been giving you a hard time?” Caleb asked quietly.
To Caleb, Joe was a daunting presence. He wasn’t regarded as a good person, and getting along with him was no easy task. Caleb admired Skylar’s courage in marrying him and was curious about how they handled their daily interactions.
“He hasn’t been hard on me,” Skylar replied.
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Chapter 652
Caleb didn’t quite believe Skylar’s words. If Joe hadn’t been hard on Skylar, he wondered why she seemed so troubled. But since Skylar didn’t want to discuss it, he decided not to press further. After all, if Joe didn’t appreciate her, there would be plenty of others who would.
Inside the Wiscadian restaurant, Simona had already ordered some of the chef’s
specialties and was waiting for Skylar and Caleb to arrive. It didn’t take long before they showed up.
Tve already ordered some dishes. Take a look and see if there’s anything else you’d like,” Simona suggested.
Skylar shook her head. “I’m not very hungry.”
“I’ll take a look,” Caleb said, never one to hold back.
He ordered a few more dishes from the menu, and soon, the food arrived at the table one by one.
They chatted casually about various topics.
Toward the end of the meal, Simona hesitated before speaking, “I’ve heard you’re skilled at authenticating antiques, Skylar. My family has received several antiques from relatives, each claiming immense value.
“This makes it difficult to select suitable return gifts. We’ve brought them for appraisals but they haven’t been reliable. Could you possibly come to our house and take a look?”
Simona felt embarrassed after speaking.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
“What’s the point of telling you? Can you even tell real from fake? Didn’t you say you’re not interested in antiques?” Simona retorted, rolling her eyes.
“I can ask my grandfather,” Caleb said confidently.
Simona rolled her eyes again. “Mr. Gardner Senior is so overwhelmed with work that reaching out to him would be a nuisance, and the people who gave us these items might be acquainted with him.
“Skylar, on the other hand, is someone I trust. The problem is she’s been really busy lately, and I feel a bit uneasy about bothering her.”
“I can check them out after work today,” Skylar offered, glancing at the time, noting she could leave at her usual hour that day.
Simona was pleasantly surprised by Skylar’s prompt agreement. “Skylar, you’re so kind!”
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She picked up her phone to check the time. “I just explore the mall and wait for you to finish work,” Simona said.
“That sounds good,” Skylar replied.
The mall, with its multiple floors and vast selection, provided ample opportunity for browsing. Hours slipped away unnoticed.
After finishing work, Skylar texted Joe that he didn’t need to pick her up. Then, she headed to Parkinson Residence with Simona.
On the way, Simona opened up about her family. It was just her and her brother, Aiken Parkinson, living at home. Their parents had died in an accident ten years ago.
Aiken had been the one who kept the family going since then.
Simona usually followed Aiken’s advice, but he was often too busy to spend much time with her. As a result, she envied those who had grown up with their parents around, like Caleb, who had the benefit of both his parents and his grandfather and uncle spoiling him since childhood.
Simona’s grandparents seemed indifferent to her and Aiken. Perhaps they didn’t prioritize them because they had so many grandchildren.
After listening to Simona, Skylar was about to offer some words of comfort when Simona nonchalantly said, “Even though I didn’t get much affection from my grandparents, Aiken, dotes on me. No one in Jipsburg dares to bully me.
“My grandparents can’t assert their seniority over me. I don’t care. They even tried to arrange a marriage for Aiken last year. What a joke!
“When Aiken was at his lowest, they stood by and did nothing. Yet now they want to interfere in his affairs? Dream on!
“I can’t believe I’ve been talking the entire time. I’ve never opened up like this before, but with you, Skylar, it’s easy to share my secrets. Anyway, we’re here at my place.”
Simona opened the car door and stepped out.
Parkinson Residence was quite large, resembling a mansion.
It was similar in size to George’s mansion. Quite a few maids were at the mansion, and each one greeted Simona respectfully as
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“Are there ripe grapes in our orchard? Pick a few bunches and bring them in,” Simona instructed one of the nearby maids.
Skylar followed Simona. She mentally calculated the time, figuring she wouldn’t get home until around eight or nine o’clock in the evening
During the drive, Simona mentioned the sheer volume of items, implying she would need to dedicate time to inspecting everything.
Once inside the mansion, they went upstairs. The third floor wasn’t divided into rooms but filled with antique pieces.
The array of items, big and small, was overwhelming. They ranged from paintings and antique pocket watches to bronze artifacts, emeralds, and emerald charms.
“There are quite a few things,” Skylar remarked, surprised.
Simona felt slightly embarrassed. She explained, “My brother’s birthday was a few days ago, and he received a lot of items. I haven’t been up here for a couple of days and didn’t realize how much had accumulated.”
Skylar began examining the items systematically. With so many to assess, it would be a time–consuming task.
Not wanting to disturb Skylar, Simona quietly observed. It was her first time seeing Skylar at work, and she was captivated by Skylar’s focus and professionalism.
Even as a woman, she found Skylar’s focused demeanor incredibly charming. She thought that the men around Skylar must be even more entranced by her–Caleb being a prime example. He was willing to be Skylar’s assistant now.
Skylar pointed to several items. She instructed, “Take pictures of these first.”
Simona immediately began taking photos.
Half an hour later, a maid brought in washed grapes, other fruits and tea.
“Skylar, would you like to sit down, have some tea, and eat some fruit? I’ve just asked them to prepare dinner,” Simona offered.
She expected Aiken home soon. He had called that morning to say he would join her for dinner. Originally, she hadn’t anticipated Skylar’s visit today, thinking she would come in a couple of days.
“No need, I’m not hungry yet. Let’s finish looking through everything first,” Skylar replied, her eyes
fixed on the paintings she was examining. They were well–preserved and clearly
valuable.
At that moment, a voice interrupted. “The maid mentioned you brought a friend over?”
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Simona spun around at the sound of Aiken’s volce. “Aiken!” she exclaimed.
Aiken looked at Skylar, concerned after hearing Simona had brought someone directly to the third floor. The third floor contained incredibly valuable items, making it a tempting target for greed. Simona’s kind nature made her easily deceived, and Aiken was
determined to protect her.
As his gaze fell on Skylar’s profile, he paused, recognizing a familiar look.
Upon hearing their conversation, Skylar turned to face him directly. Aiken’s eyes widened in surprise. No wonder she seemed familiar.
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Aiken had seen Skylar’s photo an hour ago. He had seen pictures of her from every angle- side profile, full face, and everything in between.
Skylar nodded at Aiken before turning back to examine the antique paintings in front of her. There were only a few left to check.
Simona approached Aiken and said, “Aiken, why are you back so early? I was just about to introduce you to my friend. She works on Mr. Gardner Senior’s team and is incredibly talented. I invited her today to help us determine if our family’s antiques are genuine and estimate their value.”
Her confident tone implied knowing Skylar was a significant accomplishment.
Aiken lowered his voice, ensuring only they could hear. His expression grew serious. “When did you meet her?”
Hearing the sternness in Aiken’s voice, Simona raised her brow. Suddenly, she giggled. ” Isn’t Skylar just stunning? Did you fall for her at first sight? Compared to those women around you, she’s in a completely different league.
“Aiken, if you really care about me, win her over and make her my sister–in–law. If she becomes my sister–in–law, I promise to always listen to you.”
A beauty like Skylar could indeed leave a lasting impression at first sight. Even just seeing a photo of her had mesmerized him.
Those who brought him her photo had also named a high price.
Aiken glanced at Skylar again. She seemed focused, undisturbed by her surroundings and had a unique presence. Despite her youth, she possessed a deep understanding of these intricate objects.
No one on Alexander’s team relied on mere luck or seniority to get by.
Noticing Aiken’s involuntary gaze, Simona felt a surge of hope. This could work. Skylar as her sister–in–law would be fantastic.
“Aiken, say something. Don’t tell me you’re struck dumb. Let me tell you, don’t act up in front of Skylar, and don’t scare her off. Though, she isn’t that easily frightened,” Simona
reminded Aiken.
Aiken snapped back to reality. He frowned slightly and asked, “Do you know her well?”
“It doesn’t matter if I know her well. What matters is that Skylar is a good person and not someone who would take advantage of us. Moreover, Mr. Gardner Senior chose her for his team. Do you think he’d pick someone with questionable character?
“I trust my instincts. Skylar is the sister I’ve always wanted. And let me tell you a secret. Caleb likes Skylar, but she sees him as a brother. I think you’re more her type,” Simona
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said. She suddenly recalled some of the bossy CEO novels she had recently read.
While those novels were often exaggerated, Skylar truly had the charisma to captivate anyone, and those who did would willingly give up everything for her.
Aiken remained silent, deep in thought.
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Skylar walked over and sent Simona a few photos from her phone. “Simona, the items in the photos I sent you are all fakes. The rest are genuine, but their true value is far from being priceless. The most expensive paintings among them are worth at most 10 million dollars.”
Simona’s eyes widened when she saw the photos. “Are these all fakes? I remember this vase was said to be a thousand–year–old antique worth at least 50 million dollars, and it’s fake? Aiken, someone’s definitely trying to con us,” Simona exclaimed. She turned to Aiken.
Aiken’s expression darkened.
“Maybe it’s not intentional deception. These fakes are very convincing,” Skylar suggested.
Although Simona was upset about being deceived, she wasn’t too concerned about a few tens of millions of dollars. There was something more important now. “Skylar, this is my brother, Aiken Parkinson.”
“Hello,” Skylar greeted Aiken.
Aiken and Simona shared similar eyes but different personalities. Simona was straightforward and candid, living her life with a carefree and unrestrained attitude. In contrast, Aiken was enigmatic and had a daunting presence that made people hesitant to look him directly in the eye.
Chapter 655
Aiken fixed his gaze on Skylar. “Hello,” he said, and thank you for your efforts.”
“Skylar, are you tired and hungry? Let’s have dinner now. It’s the perfect time for it,” Simona said.
She watched their polite exchange, eager for them to connect. Simona was delighted with her choice of a future sister–in–law.
Charming women always surrounded Aiken, but none had captured his interest enough for marriage. Simona hoped to change that; she didn’t want him to remain single forever.
While others couldn’t influence him, she believed Skylar could.
Skylar checked the time. It was already 7:00 pm.
“No need. I have other plans for the evening. Let’s have dinner another time,” Skylar said.
Just then, a WhatsApp message from Joe popped up on her phone. The text read, “Where are you? I’ll pick you up once I’m done.”
Skylar sent her location to Joe. “No need. I’m far from home.”
Joe replied, “Parkinson Residence?”
Skylar responded, “Yes.”
Looking up from her phone, Skylar saw Simona’s disappointed expression.
“Skylar, you’ve done me a huge favor. I can’t let you leave without a meal. Please stay for dinner,” Simona pleaded.
Aiken also spoke up. “Skylar, please stay for dinner. I’ll have the driver take you home afterward.”
“Yeah, Skylar. Stay and have dinner with us. I usually eat alone, and it’s rare for my brother to be home early. It’s a special occasion with you here. It’s been ages since the house was this lively,” Simona added. She was still using her charming tone.
Reluctantly, Skylar agreed. “Alright.”
Joe knew Skylar was at Parkinson Residence because of Simona, not Aiken. But Simona was connected to Aiken, a complex man.
“Has Aiken been busy lately?” Joe asked Paul.
Paul shook his head. “Aiken is extremely secretive about what he does, but he’s definitely busy with something. Speakin of which, how did Aiken’s sister come to know Mrs. Martin? She might not be aware of how complicated Aiken is. Should we let her know?”
Simona produced two amulets when the conversation shifted to amulets and similar items. “I spent a lot to have these made, but I’m not sure if they actually work. Aiken doesn’t believe in them, so he left them with me.”
“Do you know why we’re so shocked, Skylar? It’s because Aiken and I couldn’t figure out why I was struggling in my studies. We finally have an answer. I used to excel in my studies.
Fear gripped Simona as she continued, “Wouldn’t Aiken also be affected if he had one of these? This could endanger everything the Parkinson family possesses.”
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