Chapter 10

The police questioned had Christopher for several hours. Even though he had presented evidence of his relationship with Skylar, the police had refused to believe him. The evidence Skylar had provided clearly stated that he had borrowed money from her. Seeing the 100 thousand dollars lying in his bank account, he loathed the thought of having to pay her back. Christopher had thought that Skylar was just throwing a tantrum. He hadn't been attentive to her lately since he had spent most of his time accompanying Maisy. She could just tell him if she missed him. Why did she have to cause such a scene? Was she unaware that such antics would only make him dislike her even more? Infuriated, Christopher called Skylar again. Skylar happened to be on the subway when he called. As she stared at the caller ID on screen, her heart throbbed in pain. Clenching her phone, she answered his call. Christopher had initially thought that she wouldn't answer his call. He had never expected her to pick up once he called. It was at that moment that he realized that she was just trying to put on an act to make him coax her. "Babe, are you mad because I haven't been able to spend time with you? I've been really busy at work lately. Where are you now? I'll come and find you. "We've been together since high school; you should know what I'm like by now. I'll be rewarded with a bonus of 300 thousand dollars at the end of the year, and I'll give it all to you by then, okay?" By the end of the year, he'd come up with an excuse not to give her any money. "My mom has always been nice to you, and you know she's ill, right? Babe, I really love you. All the money I earn in the future will be yours." As Skylar listened to his flattery, her eyes flared with hatred. She snarled, "Christopher, you better pay me back as soon as possible. Otherwise, my lawyer will come and get you." Christopher thought he had misheard. "Babe? Did any rumors get to you? Since when do you care so much about money? How can our relationship be measured by money?" His words were cut short by a sudden beep, indicating that the call had been disconnected. Skylar had hung up on him. What Christopher had said earlier had nearly made Skylar throw up. Realizing that Skylar had hung up on him, Christopher's expression soured. His grip on his phone tightened as he muttered, "Skylar, what are you playing at? Do you think I wouldn't dare to break up with you?" He inhaled sharply, his resolve strengthening. He figured he had to return the money to her. The police had already barged into his office today, and his career was going to be over if she decided to sue him. Christopher decided to pay her back first and then have Amelia call her later. Skylar would definitely transfer the money back to him again by then. He texted Skylar once he had transferred her the money. "Babe, I've transferred the money to you. Don't worry about Mom; I'll figure out another way. If you're not feeling well, I can take you out on a trip this weekend." Skylar received a notification about the transfer. Staring at the 100 thousand dollars in her account, she was momentarily stunned. She soon regained her composure. She transferred 90 thousand dollars to Janine and kept ten thousand dollars for herself. "Mom, this is the money I've saved up from working during school breaks and also from the money you usually give me. You probably need money now, so you can use it first," Skylar texted. When Janine saw the transfer notification and Skylar's text, she was flabbergasted. She called Skylar right away. "Skye, you've just graduated, and you don't have a job yet. You need money as well! I can still work, and I also get an allowance from Steven and Charles every month as well. I can't take your money. "I'll transfer it back to you. You should spend it on clothes when you go shopping. I really don't need it." Noting the genuine concern in Janine's words, Skylar chuckled. "Mom, I don't need any money now. You guys can have it instead. I'm getting off the subway now. Let's talk more when I go back in a few days." Janine stared at her phone. While she appreciated Skylar's thoughtfulness, she had a hunch that something had probably happened to her. How exactly did the Williamses treat her? Janine had to find out. She had Sadie's number saved in her phone, but she had never thought of calling her one day. Yet, this was about Skylar. She had raised Skylar, so she could certainly sense when something felt off about her. Drawing in a deep breath, she called Sadie. "Janine? Why are you calling me?" Sadie had also saved Janine's number for Skylar's sake. She had intended to delete Janine's number after that, but it had slipped her mind. It felt uncanny to have someone like Janine saved in her contacts. "It's not a big deal. I just want to know what's going on with Skye." Sensing the contempt in Sadie's tone, Janine frowned. However, what Sadie said next made her blood boil. "Now that you've asked, I must tell you. I have no idea how you raised her, but she's really disobedient and reckless. She talks back to us, and she lacks basic courtesy. "During my birthday, she gave me a painting that looked shabby, claiming that it was an ancient painting. Look at her, lying so effortlessly! "She has clearly been raised poorly since childhood. Did she think we're totally clueless? I don't expect her to be as sensible as Maisy is, but she really is an embarrassment! "She ran away from home again two days ago. Did she go back to your place? Tell her that we're not going to take her in again if she refuses to come back! "Even if she does come back, she has to apologize to us properly! She must be sincere; otherwise, we won't forgive her easily this time." As Janine listened to Sadie's complaints, her entire body quivered with rage. Her eyes turned bloodshot. She had always been kind and rarely spoke harshly to anyone. Yet, she could no longer hold back anymore upon hearing Sadie compare Skylar and Maisy and belittle Skylar as she rambled on. "Skylar has always been very sensible! You guys must have done something that made her run away from home. I raised her; I know her best! She would never do the things you said earlier! You should reflect on yourselves. And you owe her an apology instead!" Janine hung up promptly and wept. Judging by Sadie's attitude, she knew Skylar had probably had it tough at Williams Residence. Oh, her dear Skylar! … Skylar was on the antique street in Jipsburg. The street was lined with everything imaginable, and setting foot there felt like traveling back to ancient times. She had a huge bag with her today. The ancient painting she had retrieved from Williams Residence was stowed away in her bag. Back then, she had bought this tattered painting from an old man on this street for ten thousand dollars. It hadn't been properly preserved, so it had been extremely worn out and fragmented. It had taken her nearly three months to restore the painting. The old man had said that his grandfather had left the painting behind and claimed that it was from 1120 BC. Yet, it was impossible to determine the artist due to its poor state. The old man had been around this street for ages, and the highest offer anyone had made for the painting was merely a thousand dollars. But Skylar had recognized the painting as the work of a painter from 1120 BC who was known for depicting picturesque scenery.