“What's the matter?"

Maria inquired, surmising that he must be in the headquarters of the esteemed Sky Group, given the seriousness etched across his face. She straightened her posture, adopting an air of gravity in response.

“Nothing of great importance. I merely found myself missing you, but it would be unwise to come to the Jenkins family's home. Hence, this video call,"

Anthony replied in a seemingly serious tone, yet his eyes betrayed a playful glimmer that he couldn't conceal.

Obviously, even his “serious tone" was just to match Maria's fuss.

“Is that so? Humph!"

Maria scoffed playfully, her beautiful countenance now tinged with an uncontrollable blush.

Seeing her hand placed upon her chest, Anthony furrowed his brow in concern.

“Are you experiencing some heart problems?"

"Yes," Maria confessed honestly, though she wished to assuage Anthony's worry and thus adopted a casual tone.

“Allow me to take a Look,”

Anthony requested his words carrying an air of strangeness.

Although an unusual request, the two shared an unspoken understanding. Maria unfastened her clothing, revealing her skin.

There was no romantic undertone to the moment, for their intentions remained pure and innocent.

As the fabric parted, Anthony's gaze was drawn.

The sight in his eyes, though, was profound and tinged with anguish. He didn't see alluring, smooth skin but a harsh scar etched deeply across Maria's torso as if rending her upper body asunder.

Maria's scar ran almost vertically down her entire body.

It then moved to the left as if it was supposed to slit Maria in half horizontally!

The scar was a remnant of past two surgeries, its fiercest appearance softened by the passage of time.

Yet, Anthony knew all too well that this scar had marred not only Maria's physical beauty but also inflicted upon her a ceaseless and excruciating agony.

"May I button my clothes now?" Maria spoke in a subdued voice.

“Yes," Anthony answered immediately.

As Maria buttoned up her clothes, an uneasy smile graced Anthony's lips, concealing the depths of his somber emotions.

The two locked eyes through the screen, yet neither spoke a word.