Despite all the commotion, Mallory chose not to inform Josie about the situation, believing that it was up to Josie to decide whether she wanted to know or not.
When she regained consciousness, she didn’t even look at Mark.
On the day Mark woke up, Josie arranged for his discharge from the hospital. She instructed Mallory to keep a close eye on Justin’s movements and then left alone, refusing anyone’s company.
In the early morning streets, the air carried the scent of a recently passed water truck. Josie touched her bare arm, the breeze rustling her long hair, which she impatiently pushed back.
Her wrist still hurt when pressure was applied.
Unpleasant memories of that day flooded back to her. When Mark looked at her with such intense hostility, he truly saw her as the most detestable person in the world.
She gently touched her dry eyes and found a nearby pharmacy. She bought a face mask that covered her entire face. Only then did her heart, which had been in her throat, finally calm down. She felt a sense of security and belonging.
Someone brushed past her, asking, “Hello, do you have any birth control pills?”
“Which one do you want?” asked the cashier.
“Yasmin.”
The man’s voice sounded youthful. Subconsciously, Josie turned around, catching a glimpse of a tall, slender figure. He wore a black T-shirt and a black baseball cap, exuding an air of superiority and indifference.
Josie found a rehabilitation center and dedicated all her time to recovery. Meanwhile, she submitted her resume to several construction companies in Rivodia.
Occasionally, she traveled between the two cities.
She deliberately kept this matter from Morgan, and no one else was allowed to know.
When she went for the interview, the venue was crowded. She was probably the only woman in the field of architectural design. As soon as Josie entered, all kinds of gazes turned toward her-probing, curious, surprised, and incredulous.
The middle-aged man beside her, wearing a tie, said, “Are you nervous? I’m a bit nervous.”
She remained completely still, seemingly unable to understand him. “What is there to be nervous about?”
The other person fell silent for a moment, finding the woman’s demeanor truly unique.
After the interview, Josie removed her mask in the deserted, quiet hallway. Leaning against the wall, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket. She took one out and placed it in her mouth, attempting to light it three times without success. Frustrated, she forcefully flicked her lighter a few times. She desperately needed the taste of nicotine to help stabilize her emotions.
Finally, the smoke began to waft upward, providing solace to her soul.
She had only wanted to come to the stairwell for a smoke to satisfy her cravings, but she didn’t expect to overhear a conversation.
She didn’t expect that the conversation would be about her.
“What do you think of Josie’s work?”
The sound echoed from the corner downstairs. Josie couldn’t see the speakers, and they couldn’t see her.
A somewhat impatient male voice responded, “Her ideas are good, but her hand seems unsteady while drawing.”
“You can’t deny her professionalism.”
“Every applicant was among the top hundred in the industry. She was nothing special.”
“You’re being too harsh. Considering she’s a woman, what she has achieved is already remarkable.”
The man’s voice suddenly broke into laughter. “Did you really want to keep her here?”
Intrigued, Josie quietly stepped out, trying to catch a glimpse of the other person.
“I thought this woman looked really cool,” the other person praised without reservation. “Moreover, she seemed like someone with a lot of stories. I have no reason not to keep her around. Besides, I wanted to make a big splash in the news.
Lost in her thoughts, Josie let the ash from the cigarette she held between her fingers fall. It slipped through the railing, landing on the man’s arm.
It was slightly hot.
Josie didn’t have time to dodge. A man immediately appeared in her line of sight. He wore a black T-shirt and a black baseball cap. He tilted his head slightly to meet her gaze.
