As she spoke, Arnold’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he too was reminiscing about the journey they had taken.
“Nevertheless, the plan to bring Rachel back to the Olsen family was successful. You had her change her name, her appearance, and even her habits. I believe a large part of those habits were learned from me right here.”
Knowing about the past bond between Dexter and Liana was what led Arnold to devise such a scheme. Josie tilted his head back. “Let me think, when did you find out I was Liana? You must have known before I did.”
Arnold leaned back into the leather chair, squinting his eyes to observe her underneath the light. She was now like a withered rose.
“Not only do you know, but Summer also knows. I still can’t figure out why she would agree to this plan, but this plan must be beneficial to her, right?”
Red wine trickled down Josie’s hair, her gaze alert yet sincere, as if her entire heart had shattered within.
“Arnold, you let Rachel steal my life away, and yet you have the audacity to say you like me. You’re even more hypocritical than Dexter.”
Every time she thought about how he had deceived her even during the good times they shared, Josie felt sick to her stomach.
Half of Arnold’s face was shrouded in shadow, his expression inscrutable. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Has he ever been pushed to the brink of death for you? When we were in Rivodia, I was tortured by Mr. Dalton just to get you out. All of that was sincere.”
“But Rachel had already returned to the Olsen family then! Your plan never stopped!” Josie looked at him disappointedly. “Throughout the entire time, have you ever thought of stopping?”
The moment she thought of this, all the guilt that Josie had been carrying simply vanished into thin air. Arnold straightened up slightly, drawing closer to her, who was reeking of alcohol. When his icy cold eyes met hers, he said, “There’s no turning back for us now.”
Josie’s body stiffened. “Arnold, you have to let me go.”
He remained silent, rising to his feet to walk past her toward the door. Josie called out to him a few times, but he didn’t stop.
Josie sprang to her feet and ran over, grabbing his arm and shouting, “I know where Edward is! You have to let me go!”
Upon hearing these words, Arnold finally stood still. He glanced at her, “Dexter would never tell you.”
Josie was taken aback but still asserted, “I overheard him making arrangements. I truly know.”
He scrutinized her. “Where is he?”
“If you want my information, you should offer something of equal value in return. Release Mallory.”
Arnold gazed deeply at her before scoffing lightly. “If I let her go, what would I use to threaten you, Jo? That’s not how business is done.”
After he finished speaking, he swiftly grabbed Josie’s hand and pulled her along with him. Josie was compelled to move forward.
Outside, a crowd of people were waiting, all from the private room earlier. Mallory had fainted and was lying on the ground, barely breathing.
Scar stepped forward to report something to Arnold. Taking advantage of the situation, Josie shook off his hand and squatted in front of Mallory. “I’m sorry to have dragged you into this.”
Mallory struggled to open her eyes, yet found the strength to reassure Josie, “I’ve spent many years at Heaven on Earth. I can handle a little alcohol.”
Josie suddenly felt a pang in her heart, as if she was stabbed by a knife. Right then, she couldn’t think of a better solution.
“Fetch the doctor, we can’t afford to lose a life here,” Arnold commanded, his eyes coldly observing the situation. Scar responded, “What about… Ms. Warren…”
Arnold didn’t respond directly. Instead, he walked over to the woman from earlier, who had already sensed something was amiss and was shaking nervously.
