NovelEnglish
Skylar shook her head. “Your timing’s perfect, cause I’m afraid I’d be labeled as a liar on Christmas if
you didn’t show up.”
Skylar caught Eva’s shell-shocked expression at the corner of her eye. There was probably no way the
latter could ever conceive that all these could be true.
As much as Skylar disliked the notion of playing a damsel in distress, or instrumentalizing her man to
inflate her own prestige, she felt like she had to make a compelling statement in response to the years
of repression she had endured.
This time, it was Skylar’s moment in the sun. She wrapped her hands around Tobias’ arm and
proceeded to introduce him. “Everyone, meet my boyfriend, Tobias Ford. He is the CEO of Ford Group
as well as Eva’s boss.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTobias understood Skylar’s intended role for him here as a living prop.
Eva smiled awkwardly as her world came crashing down around her, while the relatives who laughed
along earlier all clammed up.
When Tobias settled down next to Skylar, Miranda astutely relocated herself to make way. Her face
was beyond smug. “That’s what I’ve been telling you all along. Believe it or not, Tobias and Skylar have
been together for a long time. And Eva, you have your cousin to thank for being so well treated by him.”
Eva felt a tightness in her own chest and nearly died inside.
Skylar held Tobias’ hand and placed it upon her own thigh. “Have you been taking good care of my
cousin? You know, you really don’t have to worry too much for her, cause she’s actually very
independent and has her entire future planned out and all that.”
“What are you suggesting, Skylar?” Eva finally broke her silence as this was driving her nuts.
Skylar looked perplexedly at Eva. “I wasn’t saying anything. Just making conversation, that’s all. Isn’t
that what you said so yourself? That you always have a plan for everything? I was just reminding my
darling here not to be too nosy.”
The manner by which the word “darling” rolled off Skylar’s tongue bordered on shamelessness.
Tobias said staidly, “Not sure how you’d define good, but I treat all my staff equally.”
Eva was rather sheepish in her reply. “Maybe I didn’t quite express myself properly. What I meant to
say is that Mr. Ford has never made things difficult for his employees.”
“I’d never make things hard on anyone for no reason. Anyway, I’m just here for a friendly visit as well as
to acquaint myself, so let’s not talk about work, shall we?”
His move to wrap up the topic finally saw the mood see some reprieve.
Tobias’ appearance was a significant face-saving gesture for Skylar. Be it liquor or beer, he did not turn
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmdown a single offer from her elders.
Skylar tried umpteenth times to stop him from continuing, but Tobias insisted that he was fine.
After a few rounds, the clock struck twelve to rapturous cheers, and the glamorously dressed hosts
lined up to thank Ford Group for its generosity.
It felt surreal for Skylar to have the biggest sponsor for the televised Christmas Eve Special sit smack-
dab in the middle of the old manor’s living room and drink in the company of her own family.
Wesley asked, “How much did it cost to sponsor the program, Mr. Ford?”
After a brief pause, Tobias replied, “Not much. Around twelve million, maybe? I’m not exactly sure.”
There was a unified and audible gasp from those listening in.
Tobias laid slump upon the table with a hand on his abdomen. She had never seen him this smashed
before.
Skylar placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in softly. “Are you okay? Stop drinking and let me
send you home.”
Only then did Tobias prop himself up right. “I want to go over to your place tonight.”
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