Josie didn’t believe it, yet she felt it was something he could have done. “You still haven’t woken up?”
With a soft chuckle over the phone, Dexter said, “I was busy dealing with some matters until noon, and I only managed to get two hours of sleep.”
Josie couldn’t help but recall his beastly behavior in bed, leaving no trace of sympathy for him. “Serve you right.”
“Jo, Josephine’s father has been released,” Dexter suddenly whispered.
“Why?” Josie’s attempt to pour another cup of peppermint tea came to an abrupt halt. She was taken aback. The evidence of corruption should be irrefutable before an investigation is initiated. How could anyone possibly be released unscathed?
“Do you remember Summer? She was in cahoots with Arnold and managed to get involved with someone at the state level. I’m not surprised that things have escalated to this point.”
“It’s absurd that he’s just released like this.”
“Officially, they say he’s suspended pending an investigation, but with his daughter involved, it’s unlikely he would be let off the hook easily. So even though you’re in Wavery now, you must always be mindful of your safety.”
Dexter rose, his sleepiness completely gone. From a distance, the distinct click of a lighter could be heard.
“I understand your concerns about my status. Hence, the Olsen family is the most visible source of security for you.”
At this point, Josie understood. Even if she was reluctant to admit it, she had no choice but to accept it.
“I’ll balance out the pros and cons.”
She sat there for a while, not uttering a word, merely staring blankly at the peppermint tea before her. Time had passed, and the tea had grown somewhat cold. The herbs in the water resembled floating duckweed.
“Send Paul over here and make sure Justin stays by his side. That way, he’ll feel more at ease,” Josie said.
Dexter paused in his smoking, seemingly surprised that she agreed so readily. “He probably has some prejudices against you.”
Josie tilted her head back, suddenly letting out a scoff. “Forget about him… Even a random passerby would have prejudices against me.”
An ordinary woman, who could hardly be called a daughter of an elite family, had managed to offend everyone she could offend in Wavery a few years ago. Therefore, she didn’t mind what Justin thought about her.
Halfway through his cigarette, Dexter heard an apologetic voice from a staff member on his end. “Mr. Russell, we still have something this afternoon-“
Josie didn’t wait to hear the end, immediately hanging up the phone.
On a bright autumn day, bathed in the perfect warmth of the sun, one could already sense the solitude and melancholy brought about by the approaching winter.
In her mind, she once again saw the airport from two years ago, where Nathan had handed her a card. “Ten million. It’s from Claudia. She insists that you take good care of yourself when you’re out there.”
She remembered she had broken that card, leaving it scattered on the ground.
The sound of knocking interrupted Josie’s train of thought. It was Emily, the one who took care of her daily needs, standing there apologetically. “Ms. Olsen, Mrs. Olsen sent me to clean your room,” she said.
Josie leisurely lifted her gaze, casually raising her hand with a flick.
Emily approached her and said, “Yes, Ms. Olsen?”
“Emily, how long have you been staying with the Olsen family?”
“I came here after I graduated. It’s been three years.”
Josie seemed to grasp the idea, but not completely. Looking at Emily, who was quite young, she said, “Working as a servant in a wealthy household, that’s a burgeoning profession, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so…”
“Find a way to help me find a copy of Mark’s medical report,” Josie requested.
Emily gasped. “Ms. Olsen, you must be out of your mind. That’s-“
“What’s wrong with Mark? He’s my father, after all. I’m concerned about his health, but he refuses to tell me the truth. I can only ask for your help to fulfill my duty as a devoted child.” Josie seemed calm and composed even when she lied.
Emily was terrified. “If they find out, I’m going to get fired.”
“As long as you can find it, I’ll give you an amount.”
