“If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to investigate Southern Wavery right now and see if there’s anything suspicious,” Josie tried to dispel his doubts. “But I advise you to act quickly, as Dexter might become aware at any moment.
Arnold stood up and approached her. He picked up an unopened bottle of beer and a lighter from the ground. With a casual flick of the lighter, the bottle cap fell to the ground with a clink.
“Care for a drink?” he asked, still playing the role of a good host.
Josie turned her head away, her hatred and resentment evident.
Arnold didn’t insist. Instead, he lifted the bottle and took a few sips.
“The reason I came to see you so early is because I’m afraid of being discovered. My child and my father are still waiting for me to return,” Josie explained, observing his brutish demeanor.
Arnold didn’t respond. He finished his drink and threw himself onto the couch. As he did so, his sleepwear slid upwards, revealing his scar- covered skin.
He covered his head with a bolster. “Why did I start the tender early?”
This has nothing to do with her father.
“Dude,” Josie said with a smile, “I still have a job. La Oriele is currently the talk of the town. Go and ask around, which designer wouldn’t want to be a part of it and make a name for themselves?”
“Fame?” Arnold moved the pillow aside, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Others might be after fame, but not you.”
Josie wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or something else. Her voice softened as she said, “Two years have passed. I’ve changed too.”
The mention of two years struck Arnold like a hammer to the back of his head. He was momentarily stunned, then he smirked and said, “Two years.”
Josie couldn’t help but ask, “Two years ago, whether it was the higher-ups or Dexter, they all invested significant resources in searching for you. How on earth did you manage to disappear and survive?”
Upon hearing the question, Arnold briefly zoned out. He clicked his tongue and said, “Only in desperate circumstances can one make a miracle happen.”
He might as well have said nothing, but when Josie saw the scars on his body, she had an epiphany. He must have gone through unimaginable hardships to become the Robyn of today.
She didn’t want to delve further into the matter. “Let me know if you want to start the tender early after you’ve finished investigating Southern Wavery.”
Josie walked to the foyer, gripping the doorknob tightly, and kept muttering to herself in her mind. Say something, hurry up and say something!
“It seems you’re quite confident,” he remarked.
She steeled her heart, opened the door, and left without hesitation.
Dexter’s car remained where it was earlier. As she approached, the car door swung open. With an air of calm and composure, Dexter said, “Eighteen minutes and nine seconds. Your timing is impeccable.”
Josie still felt somewhat uneasy. “Will it work? Judging by Arnold’s demeanor, he might not believe me.”
He gestured for her to get in the car. “Since he has found you, he will definitely believe you because he has no other choice.”
He still had a good understanding of his former rival.
The dawn light fell upon Dexter’s brows and eyes, his demeanor composed and serene.
Josie recalled the awkwardness they both felt during the recording last night. In fact, they had to do several takes.
At that time, he held his forehead with his hand. “With you, I can’t pretend to be indifferent.”
Josie felt a mixture of annoyance and anxiety as she urged him, “Please hurry up, why are you still laughing?”
Observing her reaction, Dexter’s smile grew wider. After a moment of silence, Josie, who stood by his side, watched with a sense of helplessness and sentimentality. He had always been so serious that it was surprising to see him so relaxed.
“Josie?” Dexter called out to her, bringing her back from her reverie. Josie responded, “Oh, I’m coming.”
