“You even have informants here. That’s quite a broad network you have,” Josie mocked without hesitation.
Dexter’s tone softened. “Is the orange sweet?”
Immediately, Josie gripped the fruit tightly, defensively saying, “It’s mine.”
Dexter wore a half smile, his features laced with affection.
After a while, the door to the private room was pushed open. A portly man entered, surrounded by his subordinates. Upon recognizing the person inside, he was pleasantly surprised. “Mr. Russell! It’s been a long time!”
When Josie saw that man, she was quite surprised. The newcomer was Eugene, whom she had previously met during the Rivodia conference.
He had gained quite a bit of weight.
After exchanging pleasantries, it was only then that Eugene noticed the figure of Josie. He slapped his forehead. “You, you are that, first love! No, ex-wife!”
With a helpless smile, Josie said, “Mr. Jablon, it’s been a long time.”
It seemed that the events of the past had left a deep impression on him.
“It’s been two years since we last met, and Mr. Jablon has been steadily rising in rank. We even have to make an appointment just to see you now. Such a big shot.” Dexter personally poured the wine, his words ambiguous.
“What are you talking about? If it weren’t for your support, I wouldn’t have stayed until now, Mr. Russell. I must also thank you for giving me a hand.” Eugene leaned forward. “I hold you in high esteem, Mr. Russell. If it were me, I would never have been able to retreat so rapidly.”
Dexter wore a half smile. “It was merely for self- preservation.”
“That’s indeed foresight. Mr. Bastille is no longer the person he used to be now,” lamented Eugene.
Dexter did not voice his opinion. “You’re now the third-in-command in Rivodia, Mr. Jablon. Being in such a high position, you should understand the difficulties that come with it.”
There was an underlying message in those words, and Eugene’s enthusiastic response gradually cooled down. He shifted the topic to Josie. “You must be Ms. Warren. I heard that you’re now handling the La Oriele project.”
Josie nodded. “I’m just designing the sketch. Mr. Jablon, you’re flattering me.”
“Mr. Jablon, you’ve heard about Mr. Kaufman from Russell Group being investigated recently, haven’t you?” Dexter leaned in, pouring Eugene another glass of wine.
Cornered, Eugene uttered reluctantly, “I did not instigate this.”
“Oh, who did that, then?”
Eugene glanced around, seemingly wanting to speak, but hesitated.
“There are no surveillance cameras in this private room.”
Eugene had no choice but to lower his voice. “I only heard about it when I was at a meeting in the state. It was a directive from the mayor. Charles disobeyed some rules, and someone deliberately planned to deal with him.”
“The mayor.” Dexter lightly tapped his fingers on his leg. “Samson Maxwell.”
Upon hearing that, Eugene shook his head profoundly in silence. “If there’s no trouble, he should be released soon.”
“The fear is when one creates trouble out of nothing,” Dexter said solemnly. “I can’t control Charles, but you must save Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Jablon.”
The atmosphere became stagnant at once. At that moment, caught in a difficult position, Eugene found himself unable to drink his glass of wine. “That’s no different from asking me to oppose the mayor.”
“Some things don’t require one’s direct involvement, just like when I initially supported you to your current position, Mr. Jablon. I didn’t personally intervene. Mr. Jablon, some things are matters of one’s effort.”
Dexter emphasized the latter part of his sentence.
As the sense of oppression washed over him, Eugene realized that Dexter was exploiting the past favors to coerce him.
Dexter handed Eugene the glass of wine. “I won’t insist. Whether to retreat in the face of adversity or to forge ahead indomitably, the choice is yours, Mr. Jablon.”
As the words fell, Eugene closed his eyes for a moment, then picked up the wine glass and drained it in one gulp. “I’ll help you take care of this matter, Mr. Russell.”
Dexter curved his lips.
After Eugene left, Josie generally wrapped her mind around the situation. She was surprised. “Did you help him years ago because you knew this day would come?”
Dexter’s expression relaxed a bit. “A just person attracts much support, an unjust one finds little.”
