After Dexter brought out Paul, Arnold didn’t make a single move, seemingly in no hurry at all. It turned out he had been waiting there all along.
“I’m warning you. If you don’t drink this glass of wine now, even if you beg me in the future, I won’t let you have any,” Arnold said with a mischievous smile.
The trials and tribulations of the past few years had stripped him of his former flamboyance.
Josie had no choice but to grasp the wine glass and drain it in one gulp. The strong liquor burned her throat, yet she didn’t even blink. “Can I speak now?”
Arnold was somewhat surprised. “It seems that you’ve really grown a lot in these past two years. I’ll say it again. Bring Edward out.”
“Why?” Josie didn’t understand. Since Paul had already been rescued, Arnold should have lost his leverage. How could he still make demands?
“The hospital probably couldn’t detect it. Your father was poisoned.”
As though struck by lightning, Josie was frozen in place. The next second, she fiercely grabbed Arnold’s collar, teeth gnashed in anger. “Say that to me one more time, you despicable person!”
He raised his hands past his ears, speaking in a measured tone. “All I did was let him take some drugs. Only people in this circle would know about this kind of poison. Don’t worry, it’s not highly toxic. However, if he can’t get the antidote, he will feel an unbearable itch in his heart, until he goes mad and faints.”
With every word he uttered, Josie wished nothing more than to kill him.
“From the time they rescued him from me to the day of my discharge today, it’s been exactly three days. It’s about time for it to happen,” said Arnold.
Despair poured from Josie’s eyes.
Arnold, however, was quite enamored with her appearance, especially the lingering scent of red wine. “That’s why I said I am the one who treats you the best. Dexter never even considered the safety of your father.”
“No wonder you’re not worried… So you’ve kept an ace up your sleeve, just to threaten me,” spat Josie.
His words slithered out like a venomous snake. “Just like you, I am determined to rescue my father. You, who have endured so many years of torment, should understand me. Josie, we are the ones who truly understand each other, aren’t we?”
As Arnold spoke, he eventually broke into laughter.
He’s mad. Disgusted, Josie released him, taking a moment to calm her emotions before she finally spoke. “What exactly do you want me to do?”
“I’ve told you before, to get close to Dexter and extract information from him.” Arnold straightened his collar. “Over the years, he’s been very cautious. Edward has been moved to an unknown location, and I can only find a way in through you.”
“Do you think you can extract information from me if you can’t even find him? Dexter wouldn’t believe me.”
“Believe it or not, you know best in your heart.” Arnold reopened the car door. “I have great confidence in your charm.”
Josie truly wished she could have killed him.
“If you don’t believe me, you can go back and see the condition your father is in due to his drug addiction. I believe by then, you will be willing to work for me.”
She clenched her fist tightly, her nails digging into her flesh. “You will get what you deserve.”
Arnold neither agreed nor disagreed.
Filled with anger, Josie got out of the car. Scar, standing as the leading bodyguard, saw her and waved with a smile. “Lads, say goodbye to Mrs. Carter!”
She shot him a glare. Behind her, Scar’s voice reverberated, accompanied by a resounding and melodious tone, “Take care, Mrs. Carter!”
Moses had been waiting for a considerable amount of time. “What did Arnold say?” he inquired.
Josie made a beeline for the rear seat, where Paul was comfortably settled, amusing himself by fiddling with his fingers like a child. Catching sight of her return, he asked cheerfully, “Miss, can we depart now?”
His smile was as innocent as a child’s, causing Josie’s heart to ache with anguish.
