The room was filled with various items, creating a cluttered atmosphere. Dexter clenched his fist and coughed lightly, moving the object aside. “The photograph.”
“What photograph?”
“The group photo from our childhood. I can’t find it anymore.”
Dexter’s voice was soft, revealing his embarrassment when facing the person whose identity had been revealed.
Josie found it amusing. “Didn’t you order someone to throw it away?”
“I… I didn’t know back then.” He didn’t know it was her. In fact, Josie herself didn’t know, let alone realize that the person who had always been jealous was her younger self.
Seeing her remain silent, Dexter asked if she had eaten, deliberately avoiding any mention of the shares.
Josie stood before him, noticing his tightly clenched hand as if he was holding back something. “Why didn’t you come looking for me?”
Dexter was taken aback but quickly regained his composure. “Even without that one percent, I can still bring down Mr. Harrison.”
“I would’ve believed you in the past. However, now that Old Mr. Russell has passed away, do you still have the confidence?” Josie asked bluntly.
Dexter’s confidence in the past was inevitably influenced by Henry’s presence behind the scenes. Important figures would certainly harbor some apprehension.
Since the old man had passed away, things would become even more difficult for Dexter. Dexter turned his face to the side. “That equity was given to you by me. There’s no reason for me to take it back.”
“Are you saying that even if Russell Group changes its leader, it’ll continue to exist?” asked Josie. He prodded his cheek with the tip of his tongue, still stubborn. “Yes.”
An inexplicable fury welled up in Josie’s heart. She said, “I cannot accept this favor that the CEO of Russell Group has bestowed upon me. I will have my lawyer handle the procedures soon and return the equity to you. You’d better keep Russell Group intact!”
“What about you?” He asked quickly, catching Josie off guard.
In the next moment, he had already pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “What about you? Will you come back?”
Josie froze entirely. She attempted to struggle free for a moment, but she couldn’t break free. “Dexter.”
“Regarding the incident at the wedding, I never intended to coerce you into giving me anything. Everything I did was of my own volition. You need not feel guilty.” The night was filled with darkness, and Josie heard the man’s hoarse voice slowly whispering in her ear, causing a flutter in her heart.
Such humility was exactly what she desired, yet when she truly obtained it, she found it embarrassing.
“These past few days, I’ve missed you greatly.” He articulated each word, clearly suppressing the longing emotions he had held back for so long.
Josie’s gaze fell on the cup on the tea table, noticing the several cracks on it. “You’ve lost your temper again.”
Dexter neither admitted nor denied it, holding her tightly, unwilling to let go.
“I’ll have the lawyer handle the paperwork tomorrow,” Josie finally pushed him away with exceptional calmness.
“I said I didn’t need it!” Dexter was like a provoked beast, his eyes bloodshot.
Seeing her seemingly frightened, he lowered his voice. “If the paperwork is done, what’s next? Do you want to settle your debts and sever all ties with me? Is that it?”
Josie looked at him, uttering a heartless phrase, “What does it matter if we part ways?”
In the silence, Dexter remained speechless, his eyes filled with crystal-clear tears. He had never realized that those words could carry such devastating power.
After a long silence, he said, “Whether you are Josie or Liana, I never thought of parting ways with you.”
“You’re too agitated right now. I don’t want to talk to you, Josie said, unusually calm. She picked up a pen from the table, pulled out a tissue, and wrote down a string of numbers on it. “This is my current number. When you’ve calmed down and thought things through, give me a call.
She thought to herself, if it had been her past self, she would have definitely given in to his persuasion.
