Early in the morning, Grape woke up and scampered around the living room. Paul watched her with a hearty laugh, Nowadays, he couldn’t remember much, but it did save some trouble that his attention was completely captivated by the little one.
Josie leaned against the door, watching for a while. Dexter walked up to her side. “Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.”
Her own daughter healing her father she owed for many years was, in a way, a form of compensation.
Josie felt a pang in her heart, unable to articulate the complex emotions within.
“Daddy! Mommy!”
Upon seeing Josie’s figure, Grape rushed over immediately. Josie’s expression changed instantly, but Dexter stepped in front of her, scooping up Grape. “Can you smell it? There’s the scent of alcohol. Mommy has been drinking. Go play with Grandpa and the servant first,” he said.
Grape looked at Josie with wide eyes. “Mommy, you’ve been drinking again.”
Josie raised both hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I’ll go take a bath right away!”
Grape’s attention was diverted by the servant, who provided Josie with the opportunity to hobble away unnoticed.
However, her room was on the second floor. She struggled to reach the staircase, only to be supported by Dexter, who had returned from his departure. Without allowing any objections, he swiftly turned a corner and said, “Sleep in my room for now.”
“I…”
“I’ll sleep upstairs.”
Dexter’s bedroom was neat and tidy, unlike her room which was in a constant state of disarray.
The doctor had cautioned that the wound must not come into contact with water, so bathing was a tormenting ordeal for Josie.
When Mallory arrived, Josie was in the bathroom, debating whether or not to ask a servant for help.
“Goodness, the rumors are true. You’re really hurt.” Mallory took in Josie’s disheveled appearance from head to toe.
She had just arrived at Russell Mansion with Calvin when they were promptly invited upstairs by the servants.
“Stop making fun of me. Help me out.” Josie was truly exhausted.
After Josie took a rejuvenating hot bath, Mallory helped her dry her hair. “You know, the news of you getting beaten up at the country club has already spread throughout Rivodia.”
“Why?” Josie didn’t understand, as her status wasn’t exactly great.
“Dexter hurt someone. The news spread like wildfire within the circle. No one expected it was all for you. Your reputation has skyrocketed.”
Josie had a headache.
“Speaking of which, who did it? Who had such audacity?” Mallory added.
“I’m not sure.” Josie was pondering the same question. “It probably wasn’t Arnold. He had no reason to do so. The person who could mobilize the security of the country club should be someone from the management.”
Upon hearing this, Mallory found her direction. “I understand now,” she said. “Wait for my message. Whoever gets suspended will be revealed in due time.”
Surprised, Josie asked, “Is it really that accurate?”
“What do you think? Every single one of those people under Arnold’s command gradually started showing their true colors.”
“So, you came looking for me because you heard this news?”
Mallory gave an embarrassed smile. “Well, I heard that Justin was also there. He was once my apprentice, so I came to see him.”
Inside the lounge, Calvin was admiring Dexter’s treasured collection on the bookshelf.
“Aren’t you being too reckless? You’ve taken over Mr. Dalton’s territory. Aren’t you afraid he’ll retaliate for real?”
“He should have foreseen this day when he decided to mess with Preston,” Dexter said nonchalantly, slightly bending over to carefully brew some coffee.
“When I was coming from Wavery, I received news that Preston was already out of danger.”
Dexter nodded. This did not come as a surprise.
“The crux of the matter now lies with Charles. This incident is too peculiar, and Mark has already begun to intervene in the investigation,” Calvin added.
Dexter asked, “How’s his health these days?”
