Chapter 712 Confirming He’s Still Alive
“Just sit back and wait.” Dexter’s words to Josie were concise, yet they held the weight of a mountain’s assurance. Josie had been compelled to return to Mason Garden to rest, but her mind was too agitated to find solace.
“We spent today at the shore together. He confided many things to me. He said as long as I’m happy, he’ll be at ease,” Josie sat by the bedside, hugging her knees, tears welling in her eyes. Dexter took a seat beside her.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Paul said those as a farewell…
The thought pained her deeply. Just as she had begun to experience her father’s love, he was taken away again…
That night, Dexter’s phone rang incessantly. He didn’t return to the bedroom until dawn, bathed in the morning light, and he told Josie. “We know for sure that he didn’t wander off on his own.”
Josie’s delicate expression faltered. Her body felt weak, and Dexter reached out to steady her. “And he’s still alive.
To say such a thing hinted at slim chances. “I don’t just want him to be alive for the moment. I want him to continue living now and beyond this.”
Josie gripped his sleeves, her desperation evident. “Who did this, Dex? Tell me, who did this!”
His hand landed on her head, guiding her into an embrace.
Dexter held her tightly, offering comfort. “We’re still investigating, Jo. Once we find out, I won’t let them get away with it!”
“I can’t lose my dad, Dex…” Josie’s voice trembled, resembling a wounded kitten, growing fainter with each word.
All Dexter could do was embrace her, his presence a silent reassurance.
“Our leads are dubious, and the scope of involvement is wide. Let me handle this, Jo. I’ve got it under control,” he spoke, each word deliberate. “Trust me.”
Josie closed her eyes in weariness.
The internal conflicts within the Russell Group inevitably escalated and ensnared the family members into the midst of a feud.
Before departing, Dexter instructed the servant to watch Josie closely. “Make sure she doesn’t leave the house.”
Half a day after he left, a call came from Scott. He shared nearly the same information Dexter had acquired.
“The key question now is whether you have any enemies, Ms. Warren. Being completely forthcoming will help us move faster.”
Josie rested her forehead in her hands, her head throbbing painfully.
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She remained quiet for a long while, her words caught in her throat, coming close to spilling out several times before halting, eventually fading into silence.
“Ms. Warren?”
Dexter had urged her to trust him.
“No, Officer Buncho. We don’t have enemies.”
There was a note of disbelief in Scott’s voice as he probed, “None? Are you absolutely sure?”
“…Yes, I’m sure.”
There was a pause at the other end as well.
“From what I understand, Mr. Russell heads the Russell Group. Given the size of such a corporation, it’s hard to believe there are no adversaries.
Josie felt uneasy about lying, especially considering her father’s disappearance. But Dexter seemed to have information that even the police didn’t possess. He must have a way to track her father.
Thus, she chose not to divulge the complexities within the Russell family, not wanting to burden Dexter further.
“None at all.”
Failing to get the response he wanted, Scott had no choice but to end the call. However, before doing so, he left a reminder, “Your father is hours away from hitting the full day mark as missing. If you recall. anything, please let me know at once.”
The servants at Mason Garden prevented Josie from leaving the premises. So, she went into her father’s. spotless and neat room. The box she had brought earlier was neatly placed on the bedside table.
Opening it, Josie examined its contents again. Everything remained unchanged, and her attention was drawn once more to the medical certificate.
