Dexter shook his head, wearing a faint smile. “I don’t have the authority to decide that.”
Josie sat rigidly, her expression unpleasant. If he had answered affirmatively, she would have immediately turned and left. Thankfully, Dexter didn’t.
Grape observed her mother’s expression and softly said, “Mommy, don’t blame Daddy. It’s because I missed you.”
Josie’s rigid expression softened slightly as she gently patted Grape’s head.
Laura was probably fine now. She had sent Josie a message, informing her that everyone had dispersed and asking where she was.
Josie couldn’t tell her that Dexter was there, so she had to make up an excuse, saying she had something to attend to and left early.
Dexter skillfully turned the lazy Susan and asked again, “Would you like more to eat?”
After pondering over things all night, Josie hadn’t really eaten enough. She decided to accept his offer, reasoning that she could upset anyone but not compromise her own sustenance.
Annoyed, she picked up her fork.
Dexter curved his lips and instructed the attendant to prepare a small plate. He filled it with some food that Grape could eat before attentively feeding her.
Grape wasn’t picky and ate whatever food Dexter fed her.
The people around were stunned by the scene before them. Never in a million years would they have expected Dexter to have such a personal side. He was the epitome of a perfect father.
In contrast, Josie didn’t mind at all. She believed that since he had brought the child, he should naturally take full responsibility.
As she ate, she asked softly, “Do you know who took Laura away?”
Dexter was playing with Grape. “I don’t know.”
“But you just pulled me!”
“All I knew was that you were in danger, and I couldn’t let you be in danger.”
Josie fell silent.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
She deeply pondered Laura’s situation. “I find it quite strange. Laura has always been evasive, not telling me who that man is. But why do I feel a sense of familiarity? Could it be that I actually know him?”
“By the way, that man isn’t treating her well! He hit her!” Josie added, agitated.
“Josie,” Dexter interjected.
“What?”
“A year ago, there were foreign investors who attempted to forcefully establish themselves within the Olsen family, intending to dismantle them just as they had done to the Bastille Group. At that time, only Laura from the decision-making body opposed it. She stood against the majority, and it was her efforts that saved the Olsen family. It was after that incident that Mark granted her a higher position.”
After Dexter finished speaking, word by word, Josie still didn’t understand what he was trying to tell her. “And then?” she asked.
“Don’t you understand yet? She’s not a woman who can be easily manipulated. Unless this man can offer significant assistance to her personally or to her career, to the extent that their rise and fall are linked.”
Josie began to understand. Indeed, Laura isn’t a hopeless romantic. Yet, she chooses to stay despite the way she is treated. This indicates that the man is of great importance to her.
Josie was still curious. “Who could it be?”
Her thoughts raced, and halfway through, she blurted out, “You’ve hit me too”
Dexter’s action of feeding Grape abruptly froze. He saw Grape staring intently at him with her large, bright eyes. He softly said, “I’m sorry.”
If he had known that his decision would cause her such great pain, he would never have done it.
Although Josie no longer cared as much, every time she thought about that incident, a dull ache would arise in her heart. She spoke with a sarcastic tone, “You slapped me and abandoned me in the rain, all for a fake Liana. I remember waiting for you all night, but you never returned.”
As she uttered those words, the pain in her chest grew stronger. It became evident that the matter had never truly been resolved.
Dexter felt equally distressed, although he believed he had no right to feel that way. Gripping his spoon tightly, he confessed, “I am a monster.”
Josie found it amusing and moved closer to him, speaking slowly. “Do you know why I waited for you?”
He lifted his gaze, filled with remorse
“Back then, I already knew I was Liana. I wanted to tell you, but you never gave me the opportunity.”
Dexter’s guilt intensified.
