Dexter always had a way. He knew exactly how to manipulate her. Facing the mirror above the sink, Josie took a deep breath. She longed to resist, but she was helpless.
Dexter seemed to sense her emotions, his tone softening. “I’m not threatening you. I simply want to provide you with a better life. I want to make up for past mistakes with you. Give me a chance.”
Josie held her phone tightly, her palms breaking out in sweat. Images from the past flooded her mind uncontrollably, her eyes welling up with tears. “I’ve trusted you many times before.”
On the other end of the phone, there was a brief silence. No one knew the magnitude of the storm raging in Dexter’s heart.
“Why should I believe you this time?” she asked.
“Justin.” Dexter responded swiftly, “For the past two years, Justin has been laying low in Rivodia in order to find Paul. My people have been secretly protecting him. Now, he has found a lead, confirming that Paul is indeed in Rivodia, alive and well.”
As the last few words were spoken, a sharp pain gripped Josie’s heart. “Really?”
“We are doing everything in our power to rescue him, but it might not be that simple. You have to return to the country,” he answered.
She was his daughter, so naturally, she had to return to her homeland.
“Why is it Mr. Dalton…” Josie reminisced about the past. She had clearly ruled out Wayne first. After a moment of contemplation, Dexter said, “You should know the story of Rivodia better than I do.”
“Fly to Rivodia when you return to the country. We’ll meet there,” Dexter said.
After hanging up the phone, Dexter sat by the picturesque lake. His mood was heavy, yet filled with hope. They had a child, and that was enough to smooth over the past.
After Josie emerged from the restroom, Grape had already woken up, quietly being held by Lachlan.
“Are you alright?” Lachlan asked, filled with concern.
Josie washed her face, droplets of water clinging to her skin. She shook her head wearily, “I will resign from my position as a judge with the organizers later. I’m returning to my country tomorrow.”
Lachlan was astonished. “So soon? Will you have enough time to get your documents in order? Where are you going back to? Wavery?”
“Rivodia.”
For the past two years, she had been relentlessly searching for Paul. Now that she finally had a solid lead, she couldn’t afford to waste a single moment.
As for the documents, since Dexter had made this request, he was certainly capable of resolving it.
“What about Grape?”
Josie stepped forward, picking Grape up. “She’s coming back with me.”
The woman’s departing figure was resolute. As Lachlan watched her, he suddenly had an ominous premonition. Perhaps the serious words he had spoken to her that night were about to be indefinitely shelved.
“Mommy, are we going back?” During the night, Grape’s innocent eyes darted around, oblivious to the ways of the world.
Josie glanced at the neatly packed luggage. All the important belongings from the past two years were inside.
A news alert about the e-sports circle popped up on the phone. It was indeed a major headline about Helena joining Stardust. A girl participating in the competition stirred up quite a buzz in public opinion.
“Yes. We’re going back to see Mikey and Hellie. Do you still remember them?”
“I do! Once we return to our homeland, will we still be able to see Mr. Russell?” Grape was filled with melancholy.
Josie sighed when she heard that. That’s for sure. At that moment, the memory of that sweltering afternoon came to mind.
On the expansive rooftop of Olsen Residence, he tightly grasped her, issuing threats. He warned her that if she dared to be with Morgan, he would make sure they had a child together.
Ultimately, they did conceive a child.
Perhaps even he hadn’t expected it.
Josie averted her eyes, gently kissing Grape’s forehead. She would never reveal to Grape that her arrival was unexpected.
