He began to laugh. Right then, his assistant knocked on the door. “Mr. Mills, there’s a call for you. They said they’re almost here.”
The city leaders were due to arrive, and Arnold was waiting at the restaurant entrance with Josie. As the leaders got out of their cars, they were taken aback. “Ms. Warren, what happened to your leg? It was fine the last time we met.”
Josie let out a sigh. “I was unlucky. I got beaten up for no reason while walking down the street. Rivodia doesn’t seem too safe.”
“Who’s so audacious to hit someone in broad daylight?”
Their faces were filled with anger.
Standing behind Josie, Arnold scoffed, “I bet you’ve stirred up some trouble, haven’t you? It’s left someone displeased. Ms. Warren, you better think carefully, who have you offended?”
Josie gritted her teeth in frustration. “I’ve always been upright and honest, yet I can’t figure out how I got into this mess. I suppose I must be stuck with some bad luck as if I’ve upset the gods and brought misfortune upon myself.”
Without changing his expression, Arnold kicked her from behind.
The leaders exchanged glances. One of them kindly asked, “Have the person who committed the assault been apprehended?”
Arnold chimed in, “Yeah, have they been caught?”
Josie glared at him, knowing he was referring to Dexter. “They’re still at large.”
Arnold smiled, patting her shoulder, “It seems we need to step up our efforts.”
After the meal, Arnold indeed called in a professional to check, ensuring there were no issues. Once the people at the table clinked glasses, it signified that they could start work.
As they chatted casually around the table, Josie was busy eating when she heard them say, “The second half of the month is going to be busy.”
“There’s no hardship in doing one’s duty. It’s just that this time, we’ve finally got something on Vipera. I hope there won’t be any mistakes.”
Josie glanced at Arnold. She noticed he was absentmindedly toying with the food on his plate, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
“Vipera has been in Rivodia for many years, always acting with caution. You must be careful not to harm our brothers.”
“In this line of work, who hasn’t been hurt before? It’s a minor issue.”
At this moment, Arnold raised his glass. “Vipera? Are you referring to Mr. Vipera who was once from La Oriele?”
“Mr. Mills, you know him?”
“When I took over La Oriele, he had already left. However, I’ve heard rumors that he’s a formidable figure. Have we found any leads?”
Josie lowered her gaze, admiring Arnold’s ability to lie with a straight face.
“Suppose so. I can’t disclose the specifics. If you have any leads about him, you must share them with us.”
Arnold nodded with a smile.
Josie could no longer sit still. She pushed her wheelchair, announcing she needed to use the restroom. Arnold responded leisurely, “Do you need my help, Ms. Warren?”
“You should really mind your own business, Mr. Mills.”
She couldn’t bear to stay in the private room any longer. The news was almost earth- shattering. She took out her phone, intending to share the news with Dexter, but remembering their cold war from the day before, she typed a line of text only to delete it.
Never mind, let’s head back first.
When she emerged from the restroom, she was no longer in her wheelchair. Her face was made up, adding a touch of color to her complexion.
However, as soon as she stepped out, she saw Arnold leaning against the wall, which startled her. “Are you sick or something? Do you have some sort of fetish, like hanging around outside women’s restrooms?”
Arnold gave her a glance. “So you can walk now, no need for the wheelchair anymore?”
