In a Love Nest with the Aloof CEO
Chapter 5

Skylar ran away as if she had just seen a ghost.

After making sure that she was hidden from Tobias’ sight, she breatheda sigh of relief.

At the door to the private room, an inhospitable female voice soundedfrom behind her. “What's up with the shades? You're just an extra. Doyou really think you're some kind of a big shot?”

Skylar turned around when she heard the voice and saw her half-sister,Avery Jones.

Avery's lips twitched slightly. “Long time no see, Skylar. Why are youdressed so shabbily?”

“I'd rather we never see each other again.” Skylar broke into a lazysmile.

Avery raised her brows haughtily. “I'm afraid that will be a problem. Yousee, Jeremy invited me over for dinner, so there will be many morechances for us to meet in the future.”

Skylar's face instantly darkened. Since when did Jeremy and Avery knoweach other?

Why didn’t I know about this?

Pauline and Jeremy came over together just then, the former's faceinstantly lighting up with a broad smile upon seeing Avery.

I've never seen Mrs. Lane beamed so brightly before. Indeed, Skylar wasright; she was never lucky enough to be at the receiving end of thissmile.

Within a split second, Avery's initially sardonic smile softened into acajoling one, and her voice turned especially honey-laced. “Jeremy, Iwas talking to my sister. She doesn’t seem too happy that I'm here.Should I go back? I wouldn't want to impose.”

Jeremy's gaze on Avery was impossibly gentle; he was basically putty inher hands. “Of course you're not imposing. Today's celebration is alsoto introduce you to the family. They're definitely gonna like you.”

At the same time, Skylar's face paled, and she angrily confronted him.“Jeremy, do you know what you're doing? Since when were you thisclose to her, and why didn't I know anything about it?"

Jeremy was well aware that she had a taboo against the Joneses, andcould not stand the mere mention of them.

Thus, he explained with indifference, “Your sister is my sister. Is there aproblem? All my relatives are here today, so don't kick up a fuss withme, Skylar.”

“You-! Jeremy Lane!!"

He then gave Skylar a look of impatience and threatened. “Let's eatfirst. My body isn't all recovered yet. If I fall ill again because of you,you'll have to bear the consequences.”

Following that, he opened the door to the private room for them toenter.

However, a mocking smile played on Avery's lips.

After they went in, Avery leaned toward Skylar and whispered into herear, “Sorry for stealing your belongings again. Honestly, Skylar, what apathetic life you have, always having to live in my shadow. I'm notinterested in your boyfriend, by the way. I just thought I'd have a littlefun.”

Skylar's entire body trembled as she glared daggers at Avery.

Her mind had gone blank, and she could no longer think straight.

“You found trash and treated it as treasure, so you have only yourself toblame for this. Did you see how your boyfriend was fawning over me?Tsk-tsk. Even I feel embarrassed for you.” Avery pursed her lips andclicked her tongue.

“You...” Red with fury, Skylar was so furious words failed her.

Once Avery entered the room, the Lanes naturally flocked over andnudged her toward the center seat.

All of them knew Avery was the apple of the millionaire, Thomas Jones’eye.

Upholding her image, she pretended to be gentle and meek as shegreeted the Lanes politely.

On the contrary, Skylar remained standing by the door, without anyoneinviting her to join them.

“Skylar, why won't you have a seat?" Avery beckoned Skylar over andpointed at the vacant seat next to hers.

Jeremy shot a vexed look at Skylar. “She's just a bumpkin who hashardly seen the world. This is her first time eating in such a high-classhotel, so I bet she's embarrassed to come in.”

Turning her head over to look at her so-called boyfriend, Skylar saw thedistasteful look on Jeremy's face, still unable to believe that all of thiswas real.

She pulled herself back from the brink of having an emotionalmeltdown, not wanting to make a fool out of herself.

Then she walked through the door and sat beside Avery.

“Avery is such a beautiful girl.” Pauline liked Avery the more she lookedat her.

Indeed, as expected of the daughter of a wealthy family.

Skylar, on the other hand, has the face of a jinx. No wonder my son fellill. It was because she hoodooed him.

The Lanes’ relatives were also very hospitable toward Avery, ceaselesslyshowering her with praises

They had completely forgotten about Skylar's existence, treating herlike an outsider.

Right across them, Jeremy's younger sister was staring at Avery'sbracelet with envy. “Avery, your bracelet is so pretty. It probably cost afortune, right?”

Avery took off her bracelet and generously put it on for Jeremy's sister.His sister was absolutely delighted, but did not forget to pass acontemptuous remark. “Skylar, that hair tie on your wrist is about tosnap. You should buy yourself a new one.”

Cupping her chin, Skylar shot her a cursory glance and said with a smallsmile, “And where would I get this extra money? I spent it all on yourbrother's treatment.”

As soon as she said that, the entire room grew silent.

Jeremy's face turned several shades darker.

But Pauline came to her son's aid instantly as she countered, “What? Doyou feel victimized? With your background, do you think anyone elsebesides our family would want you? My son actually pities you... It's notlike we forced you to help us; you did it willingly.”

Avery gave a leering look at Skylar, but the smile on her face remainedcharming.

Seeing how the Lanes were treating her, especially after Pauline’scomment, Skylar felt a stab of pain in her heart.

They want to get rid of me because I've outlived my usefulness.

Her eyes reddened, but she blinked back her tears and controlled heremotions.

A short laugh escaped her before she said, “Yes, it's because I have ash*tty background and no family to rely on that I'm being bullied by allof you. As if that isn't bad enough, you're even biting the hand that fedyou.”

The moment those words escaped her lips, Jeremy's dignity wastrampled to dust.

It was as though she constantly reminded him that she was his savior.Yet Jeremy sneered. “Skylar, do you have to make us lose our appetites?Your pettiness is off-putting.”

“Yeah. It's not like she paid for Jeremy's surgery. How shameless of herto make all those claims.”

“Jeremy already treats her so well, but she’s still as unappreciative asever.”

“Some people are just worlds apart. Just look at Avery. How did the twosisters end up being so different from each other?”

The Lanes vehemently criticized Skylar, not holding back.

At that time, Skylar already had the strong urge to flip the table andcreate a scene. She had nothing to lose, anyway. Alas, it was too big forher to lift.

Hence, she decided to slap Jeremy. But the moment she raised herhand, he splashed wine all over her. “Wake up already and stop makinga scene.”

Avery enjoyed the entertaining events that unfurled then, but wassomewhat losing interest.

Stealing her boyfriend isn't challenging at all.

All of a sudden, the door opened from the outside, and a young waitercame in with a tray balanced on one hand.

When Jeremy saw the exclusive wine on the tray, he gulped nervouslyand declared, “We didn't order this wine.”

This bottle of wine cost tens of thousands, which wasn't a luxury hecould afford.

The waiter smiled courteously and replied, “Good evening, sir. This wineis a gift from Mr. Ford to Ms. Skylar.”

Tobias Ford? Skylar was shocked when she heard that.

After the waiter placed the wine down, he continued, “Mr. Ford hasalready footed the bill for the entire table. Enjoy your meal, Ms. Skylar.”