Grape leaned towards her, exclaiming, “Mommy!”
Lachlan cast a warm glance in her direction, but as his gaze fell upon her standing shoulder to shoulder with Dexter, the smile on his lips froze instantly.
Subconsciously, Josie took a step back, distancing herself slightly from Dexter. “How did you all get here?”
The scene was lively. Everyone had followed Lily. Only Dexter noticed Josie’s deliberate distance. His face sank into a weary pallor.
“You seemed to be in a difficult situation. The organizer had given me a heads-up, and when I arrived, I happened to see a suspicious person trying to leave. Something didn’t feel right.” Lachlan shifted his gaze away from Dexter.
“I’m extremely grateful to you. Without you, I truly wouldn’t know how to prove my innocence.” With sincere gratitude, Josie took Grape from Lachlan’s arms and playfully toyed with her.
Dexter stood behind the three of them like an outsider.
Perhaps it was his overwhelming aura that made the scene somewhat eerie. Lachlan couldn’t ignore Dexter’s presence. He asked softly, “Who is this?”
Josie subtly glanced sideways, finding an appropriate identity for Dexter. “He’s Mr. Russell of Russell Group.”
Of course, Lachlan knew Dexter. When he returned to his country, he had already figured out who Dexter was. Dexter, who single- handedly saved the entire city, was a prominent figure in Wavery. Apart from his Russell Group, the Russell family’s influence in Wavery was unparalleled, and he had already become the head of the family.
In other words, Dexter was a very formidable and highly respected man.
However, Dexter was standing next to Josie, their interaction intimate.
Lachlan chuckled lightly, gesturing forward. “Mr. Russell, I should have greeted you properly when we last met, but unfortunately, it was too rushed. I didn’t expect to see you here today. Please forgive me.”
Lachlan was a courteous and gentle man of decorum.
As Dexter looked at him, he was inexplicably reminded of another person. However, that person’s pretense and deceit were executed far more elegantly than Lachlan’s.
“Who are you?” Dexter didn’t shake hands with Lachlan.
Lachlan’s hand froze mid-air, a hint of awkwardness lingering. He quickly withdrew it.
“I’m Lachlan Keller of Keller Group.”
The Dexter before him was clearly younger than him, yet it was hard to perceive him as a junior.
Dexter glanced at Josie. “I understand now. You’re Jo’s boss.”
Obviously, Dexter was belittling Lachlan.
“Do you know Alice?”
“You should ask her.”
Josie had been listening to their conversation, and at this point, she could no longer bear it. She stepped forward, approaching Lachlan. “Grape, say goodbye to Mr. Russell.”
Josie told Grape to bid Dexter farewell.
The joy in Grape’s heart was instantly extinguished when she saw him. “Goodbye, Mr. Russell.
Dexter squinted his eyes.
Josie said calmly, “Thank you for your help today. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first.”
She talked to him as though they were mere acquaintances. However, Lachlan could clearly sense that Josie was not afraid of Dexter, and the latter, in her presence, harbored neither hostility nor contempt.
The vibes between them were quite peculiar.
Lachlan obediently allowed himself to be led away by Josie, but not before he turned back to nod respectfully towards Dexter.
Dexter watched the scene unfold, clicking his tongue in disapproval. Larry, steeling himself, stepped forward. “Mr. Russell-”
“Did you see that?”
“What?”
“He was provoking me,” Dexter uttered in an unfazed tone.
Being a man himself, he naturally understood the other’s thoughts.
The organizers quickly resolved the issue with Lily by promptly escorting her out of the venue. It can be safely assumed that she will not be seen on the judging panel for the major awards in the future.
With just one sentence from Dexter, she was disqualified from the competition altogether. Essentially, she sabotaged her own chances.
