Arnold offered a smile that seemed more like a veiled threat than a friendly gesture, “I just caught a glimpse of your little one. As adorable as the photos suggested, with eyes that mirror yours.”
The words struck Josie as an unmistakable threat, igniting a fierce glare from her as she muttered under her breath, “Dare to lay a finger on her, and you’ll regret it.”
Arnold, however, appeared to ignore her words, continuing with an air of entitlement, “Given the family ties, she really ought to be calling me ‘mister.’ I’ve been back on home turf for a while, so it’s high time I presented her with a proper welcome gift. Lead the way; I want to meet her.”
Downstairs, Laura was caught up in conversation with Grape when Josie obstructed. Arnold’s view. With a determined tone, she addressed him, “Arnold, the child has done nothing wrong. If you’ve got a beef with anyone, take it up with me. Leave my child out of your machinations.”
Her bravery seemed to envelop her with the aura of motherhood. Arnold paused, a hint of reminiscence in his gaze, before abruptly changing the subject, “You were but a little girl when we first crossed paths.”
Josie turned away, refusing to engage further in this unsettling dialogue. As she began her descent down the stairs, Arnold couldn’t help but probe about a sensitive topic, “You haven’t spoken to Dexter about that incident, have you?”
He was alluding to the unnerving episode involving Vipera.
Josie pressed her lips tightly together before replying with a simple, “No.”
“That’s probably for the best,” he noted.
Turning back toward him, Josie implored with a sense of desperation, “Promise me something. Once all of this is over, you’ll keep supplying the medicine.”
Arnold’s response was delivered with a carefree smile, “Of course, no problem at all.”
All the way home, Josie couldn’t shake off the unease that clung to her following Arnold’s unexpected appearance.
“Mommy, you seem distant. What’s on your mind? I’ve been trying to get your attention,” Grape expressed, her face etching a look of slight distress as she sought comfort in her mother’s embrace.
“Sorry, Grape. Would you mind repeating what you just said?” Josie requested, making an effort to shake off her worries and adopt a more tender demeanor.
“I was saying how much I really liked Aunt Laura. She’s always been so nice to me.”
Josie let out a soft chuckle, “And what about Ms: Whiteford? Don’t you care for her as much anymore?”
“I do hold a special place for Ms. Whiteford, but she hardly ever visits or spends time with me,” Grape responded.
In the innocent eyes of a child, those who make time for them are cherished the most.
Upon their return to the mansion, several pairs of shoes scattered across the foyer caught Josie’s attention. She inquired, upon entering, to Justin, “Who’s visited us?”
As Justin took over Grape, he hinted with a tight-lipped expression, “Seems to be one of the underlings.”
They made their way to the study to delve into their discussion.
Approaching the study, Josie could overhear a discussion unfolding within, “Our inside source has reported that Vipera’s operations have extended to Wavery. They’ve suddenly pulled ten cash counters from Bank of Wavery. It looks like this ship is doomed to sink sooner or later.”
Then, Dexter’s voice emerged, albeit with a weary tone, “There’s a railway renovation underway in Rivodia facing a shortfall of four hundred million. If Mr. Dalton is out of the picture, that gap could easily be bridged. Quite a strategic move.”
“But, is success guaranteed?”
The room fell into a momentary silence.
The recollection of encountering Arnold earlier that day flashed through Josie’s mind. It struck her that Arnold’s visit to the construction site wasn’t just a casual drop-by; it felt more like a deliberate distraction.
Her heart raced as she pushed the door open, stepping into the room to the surprise of everyone present. Without hesitation, she blurted out, “I just… I just ran into Arnold.”
The room went quiet, the sudden revelation leaving everyone momentarily speechless.
Directing her focus to Dexter, Josie speculated, “Could it be that the shipment scheduled for the end of the month was a decoy? Perhaps Mr. Dalton caught wind of some rumors and decided to act preemptively.”
The revelation seemed to stir Dexter from his contemplations.
Furrowing his brows, he stood up, quickly making a decision. On his way out, he instructed Larry, “Get on the line with Moses. I need him to rally our guys and head to the docks, stat.”
The evening was setting in, the skyline painted with hues of the fading sun. Josie hastened to match Dexter’s pace as he took it upon himself to drive. Climbing into the passenger seat, she insisted, “Let me come with you.”
After a brief moment of consideration, Dexter pressed the accelerator.
Yet, Larry was outside, desperately knocking on the window, warning, “It’s too dangerous, Mr-”
Ignoring the caution, Dexter accelerated away, steering the vehicle onto the freeway.
