Chapter 405
Skylar spoke softly into the phone. “Mr. Martin, I’m sorry, but it’s that time of the month. 
Silence hung heavy on the other end. Skylar almost thought the call had dropped. 
A sly smile played on her lips. “You’ll have to handle it yourself, then.* 
There was a boat of silence, and then Joe’s voice returned, even colder than before. “See you at 9:00 pm.” 
After ending the call, Skylar returned to work. 
Only later, as Joe pulled her into bed, did Skylar realize escape was futile. His kiss silenced any questions she might have had. 
Exhaustion washed over her. Drifting off to sleep, Skylar contemplated her visiting Gloria and staying over at Pearlhall Residence for the next few days. 
The dimly lit room at Williams Residence held the aftermath of a passionate encounter. 

Despite Jeffrey and Peter being at home, Kenny and Maisy couldn’t resist each other. Maisy had left at trail of love bites on Kenny’s shoulder. 
After they finished, they snuggled back into bed. Nestled in Kenny’s arms, Maisy murmured, “When can we finally tell Dad about us? Sneaking around is getting tiresome.” 
Kenny sighed, feeling somewhat helpless. “Let’s hold off a little longer. The family situation is complex right now, and my job is on the line. They’re downsizing, and I can’t focus on research with all this going 

on. 

“I was thinking I could process my resignation in a couple of days. Either I’ll take over the family business or start something new.” 
Maisy’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “I support you completely. We could use some of Dad’s money to launch our own business. You’d be the CEO. How prestigious is that?” 
She saw Kenny as a diamond in the rough, with the potential to someday eclipse the brilliance of even Joe. 
Maisy fantasized about being the CEO’s wife, a position Skylar could never hold. She believed Joe only saw Skylar as a fling. He’d get bored eventually, and then her hopes of staying on Alexander’s team would be dashed. 
Owning a four–bedroom apartment wasn’t that impressive, Maisy thought. Only people with limited experience found it so grand. Sure, it was expensive, but to their family, it was nothing extraordinary. 
As for the millions Skylar supposedly earned in a month, Maisy scoffed. It was likely a “paycheck from Joe. If she were Skylar, she wouldn’t be bragging about it. There was nothing honorable about that kind of 
arrangement. 
Maisy, meanwhile, was about to step into the role of a CEO’s wife. But did she brag about it? Moreover, the Williams family assets would eventually pass to Kenny. 
“Yeah, we shouldn’t concern ourselves with others in the company. Let’s proceed with this decision. Kenny hesitated initially. But Maisy’s words convinced him. 
Besides, he’d also noticed Steven’s increasing competence and how his colleagues distanced themselves. Staying on seemed pointless. 
“Kenny, there’s something I’ve been debating telling you,” Maisy confessed. “I only found out yesterday, and it’s been weighing on me. I can’t be certain, but Dad and Peter went to see Mr. Lourdes and came back furious. I’m torn because Dad will only get angrier if it’s wrong.” 
“Tell me, whatever it is,” Kenny urged. “This is a safe space.” 
“Well, I saw Skylar and Joe at a restaurant. They seemed close. It makes me wonder if Joe, not Paul or John, is the one secretly supporting Skylar financially.” 
Kenny’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?” 
It turned out that it was Joe who had been backing Skylar all along. 
Suddenly, he remembered the day Skylar had returned and declared she’d be getting into Joe’s bed. Back then, they’d all thought she was crazy, spouting nonsense. 
But Skylar had gotten into Joe’s bed. And if Joe was her benefactor, then Jacky helping Skylar made perfect sense.