Chapter 260 What Qualifications Do You Have?
On New Year’s Day, an unexpected visitor appeared. Josie received a text message from an unknown sender saying, ‘Meet me at the nearby park.”
Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to guess the purpose of the meeting. Dexter couldn’t accompany her as he was occupied with social obligations.
And it turned out to be Xanthe, who wanted to have a conversation with Josie in the park.
Xanthe lit a cigarette and stood in the wintry solitude, feeling lonely and cold. Her gaze was filled with disdain as she stared at Josie.
“Hi, Ms. Quorn. In case you didn’t know, my name is Josie,” she forced a smile.
Xanthe glanced at her from head to toe, extinguished her cigarette, and said, “Come take a walk with me.”
Though their relationship was strained, there was no pretense. Xanthe didn’t act superior or condescending, and their words and actions were on equal ground.
Xanthe asked about Josie’s family, and she answered truthfully, “I’m an orphan. My stepmother works as a sanitation worker, my father is a vegetative patient in the hospital, and I have a younger brother who does. odd jobs for a living.”
Josie didn’t hide or lie about her family. Maybe her background was worlds apart from the Russell family, but so what? Different circumstances shouldn’t give anyone the right to look down on others.
Xanthe let out a mocking laugh. “Very well.”
“Do you think you’re deserving of Dexter?”
“… It’s clear that I don’t, but since things have come to this point. I will strive to become worthy of him.”
Xanthe smiled, revealing an elusive meaning that Josie couldn’t decipher. “Then a divorce is just a matter
of time.”
Josie remained silent.
This park was an extension of Mason Garden, with fruit trees planted and nurtured by devoted gardeners. The sky had turned a deep shade, and the grapes dangling from the vines sparkled with absolute clarity.
With such devoted cultivation, they were bound to be incredibly sweet.
Xanthe stretched out her hand and plucked two grapes, her ring delicately grazing the fruit without leaving a trace of blemish.
Josie was startled. She had seen a ring similar to that on Dexter’s finger before. He had explained that the ring served as a means of testing substances for potential poisoning, be it from smoking, drinking, or eating.
It was a self-defense tool passed down through generations of the Russell family, signifying their formidable heritage. Xanthe was worried that the grapes might have been sprayed with pesticides by the caretakers, hence the test.
But the unblemished ring proved the fruits to be non-toxic and safe to be consumed. So, she handed one to Josie. “Grapes at this time of year should taste very sweet.”
Josie gingerly accepted the grape. Her chest was trembling with mixed emotions.
Regardless of the weight of the past, Josie harbored a peculiar admiration for the woman standing before
her.
Without delay, Xanthe delved into prying about Josie and Dexter’s relationship.
“Dexter is still young and naive. He may have obligations to you and the other girl. But that’s how life works, isn’t it? We all have to make sacrifices and compromises along the way. I hope that when the time comes, you’ll be the one to play the role of the villain in this relationship.”
Essentially, Xanthe wanted Josie to be the one to propose a divorce.
Taking a deep breath, Josie retorted, “Ms. Quorn, I know you’re not fond of me, and I’m aware that most of the Russell family shares the sentiment. But I don’t care. I know Dexter loves me, and that’s all that matters. Do you think you can dictate Dexter?”
Xanthe sneered. “Seems like Henry is quite fond of you and has told you everything about me.”
Despite being exposed, Josie maintained her composure. She straightened her posture and replied, “It’s not about me refusing to let go, but there’s something I need to ask you for Dexter’s sake. You’ve never bothered to care about Dexter all these years, so what makes you think you can stick your nose in his marriage and judge the woman he’s chosen?”
Xanthe’s expression shifted.
“Listen, Ms. Quorn, it’s all about knowing your place. If I were in your shoes and had decided to stay out of it, I wouldn’t return and make things difficult for him.”
Josie spoke without hesitation or reservation. She had no intention of showing respect to this woman, even if she was Dexter’s biological mother.
