Charles Douglas said angrily, "I am going to say it, and I want the whole world to know, let’s see if that brat Skyler Jones can still be so carefree..."

"Daddy!!!"

Seeing his daughter’s pleading eyes, Charles Douglas finally restrained his anger and said softly, "Alright, alright, Daddy can’t win over you, do as you like, but you must not worry yourself over that brat Skyler Jones!!"

"I’m not." Jennifer Douglas linked arms with Charles Douglas as they walked out of the café.

"Not? Last time when you saw Skyler Jones get hurt, you even personally went to find Uncle Turner, Daddy’s good friend, didn’t you want Uncle Turner to check Skyler Jones’ leg injury?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"That was just concern for a friend..."

The atmosphere in the car was tense.

Mrs. Geoffrey and Christine Quinn, sitting in the back seat, kept watching Skyler Jones, who was driving.

Skyler Jones remained silent, yet his back exuded a chill, clearly showing displeasure.

"Sky...Skyler, why did you suddenly come?" Mrs. Geoffrey tried to break the awkward silence.

Skyler Jones did not respond.

Mrs. Geoffrey glanced at Christine, but Christine shook her head at her, prompting Mrs. Geoffrey to close her mouth.

When the car stopped at the traffic lights, Skyler Jones finally spoke coldly, "If you have any questions, you can ask me. If you don’t trust what I say, don’t pretend to trust me."

It was clear that Skyler Jones was speaking to Christine Quinn...

Christine Quinn was slightly startled, wanting to explain, but the words stuck in her throat.

Mrs. Geoffrey didn’t understand the underlying meaning of Skyler Jones’ words, instinctively feeling he was accusing Christine. She was about to defend Christine, but Christine held her hand tightly.

Mrs. Geoffrey swallowed back the words, seeing Christine gently shake her head at her.

Mrs. Geoffrey said nothing more, only leaning heavily against the seat back.

The atmosphere during the drive was eerily quiet, and before they knew it, the car stopped in front of the hospital where Becca was.

The three got out of the car, each lost in their own thoughts.

Christine Quinn said to Mrs. Geoffrey, "Mom, you go see Becca first, I’ll talk to Skyler here."

"But Christine..."

"Mom...go on!" Christine gave Mrs. Geoffrey a reassuring look.

In utter helplessness, Mrs. Geoffrey silently walked towards the hospital.

When Christine Quinn turned to face Skyler Jones, his deep gaze was already upon her.

Christine Quinn took a deep breath and said, "Why did you suddenly go to the café?"

"Howard Geoffrey finished business and returned to the hospital, but couldn’t find you, so I came looking for you."

"And how did you know I was at that café?"

"Your phone has a tracking app, which lets me know your whereabouts."

"Tracking app?" Christine was quite surprised.

Skyler Jones answered honestly, "I was afraid you’d leave me without a word like last time, so I installed such an app on your phone."

"When did you get to the café?"

"I saw you talking to Jennifer Douglas the moment I walked in."

"So..."

Skyler Jones stepped forward and gently held Christine’s frail shoulders, "Christine, I thought the question you asked me last night was a casual one, but now it seems it wasn’t... I heard your conversation with Jennifer. You were pressing her for the truth about that night, but I explained it to you clearly last night. So you went to Jennifer today to clarify things because you don’t believe me?"

His words reminded her of what he said in the car...

At that time, his tone seemed to be the most genuine reaction, now just phrased more tactfully.

Christine calmly replied, "I went to see Jennifer not to question her about that incident, I..."

"But I heard you pressing her repeatedly."

"Why do you think I was pressing her?" Christine’s eyes dimmed slightly, "That’s just my usual way of speaking with people, I just wanted to understand her true intentions."

"She doesn’t have any hidden motives..." Skyler stated directly.

"How do you know she doesn’t?" Christine countered.

"I trust her..."

When Christine heard "trust" from Skyler’s mouth, she gazed at him, her expression deepening with disbelief.

Realizing his words were inappropriate, Skyler quickly added, "I mean I understand her personality. She’s straightforward, not the scheming type."

"So you think I’m the scheming type?"

"Christine, that’s not what I meant, don’t be unreasonable."

"I’m being unreasonable? Then you should be with straightforward people." With that, Christine pushed Skyler away and turned towards the hospital.

Unexpectedly, after a few steps, Skyler caught up and embraced her from behind, "Don’t do this, let’s talk it out..."

Christine tried hard to break free from Skyler, but his hold was too strong to escape, ultimately keeping her in place, letting him embrace her, her voice slightly hoarse, "I only met with Jennifer to clarify things, I didn’t mean to distrust you..."

"I’m sorry... But you shouldn’t have taken Mom along, you know her personality, she despises Vivian Lindsey, so towards Jennifer..."

Christine swiftly turned, frowning as she faced Skyler, "What do you mean by that? Do you think I deliberately took Mom to confront Jennifer?"

"That’s not what I meant, I just..."

"Is it that Mom’s slap on Jennifer made your heart ache?"

Skyler released Christine, frowning, "What are you saying now?"

Christine gazed intently at Skyler, slowly stepping back, increasing the distance between them, she hoarsely said, "So, I’m the one you think is manipulative... If that’s the case, why are you still with me?"

With these words, Christine turned and ran into the hospital.

"Christine..."

Skyler chased after her.

Christine never looked back; when she rushed into the elevator, Skyler was just left behind outside.

In the elevator, Christine’s tears fell freely.

She wasn’t one to break easily, but she couldn’t endure grievance, especially when the one doubting her was the person she cared about the most.

Her heart ached faintly, fearful of worsening the actual pain in her chest, Christine took deep breaths, striving not to let her emotions affect her heart.