Dexter maintained his bowed posture, his expression calm. “Mr. Olsen, do you suspect that I deliberately orchestrated this?”
“Arnold set a bomb in the car, and you almost lost your life. It doesn’t seem intentional. However, Dexter, the purpose is too obvious. You acted too hastily!” Mark didn’t release his grip on Dexter’s hand. “I think the cooperation between the Russell family and the Olsen family should be delayed. Let’s wait until you learn to be patient.”
Heather had been waiting outside for a long time without hearing a sound. Anxiously, she knocked on the door. “Father, please don’t make things difficult for Dex!”
Dexter relaxed his brows, unbothered. “What did the police say about this?”
“Didn’t you just come out of the police station with that woman?” Mark stared at him. Dexter remained composed. “You suspect that I confronted Arnold for Josie’s sake.”
“If it wasn’t for that woman, why would you go? Xanthe was just a smokescreen.”
Dexter forcefully pulled his hand away. The wounds reopened, and the blood stained the bandage. He didn’t mind and stood upright.
“You misunderstand. I did something to stop the goods from leaving the country, but I didn’t order Arnold to kidnap anyone. If he hadn’t pulled this stunt, he might have come out unscathed. Blame him, not me.”
Mark stared at Dexter’s calm expression, sensing a hint of helplessness.
Dexter’s scheming ran deep, as if everything were under his control. He couldn’t tell if the incidents were intentional or coincidental.
“He caused such trouble for the Olsen family. Even if he stayed, he would’ve messed things up. What do you think?”
Dexter went behind Mark to massage his shoulders. “With the investigation into the Carter Group and Arnold’s disappearance, you don’t have to worry about filling the void. It’s a win-win situation.”
Mark’s frustration hadn’t subsided. “Summer.”
Dexter interrupted, “Summer is not biologically related to the Olsen family. As long as she quits drugs, it won’t have much impact on the Olsen family.”
He spoke as if discussing the weather, without emotional fluctuations.
Mark turned slowly. “You knew.”
Dexter smirked. “I know everything you know.”
As they remained silent for a long while, Heather continued knocking on the door. “Dex! Father!”
Mark softened his tense expression. He sighed and took a paper to wipe the blood from the cane.
“Leanne is a good girl. She isn’t as scheming as Summer or that woman. Think it over. Don’t cause trouble after getting married.”
Dexter remained unfazed. In his mind, he saw Josie’s pale face on the brink of death. She was telling him, “Let’s die together.”
She sounded so resolute.
“Yes, I know my limits.”
Only then did Mark feel a bit relieved. He looked toward the door. “Go comfort Leanne. She was terrified last night when she found out you were on the scene.”
Just as the young man approached the door, Mark suddenly called out, “Dexter.”
Dexter stood still, waiting for his next words.
“From a young age, I could tell you were extraordinary,” he said, his gaze warm and lingering. “After all these years, I never thought you would actually win. Now that you have, don’t let me down.”
These words served as a different form of affirmation. Dexter unlocked the door and stepped out. When Heather saw him, she rushed into his arms. “Are you okay? Did father make things difficult for you?”
The woman was petite, wearing her usual white dress. Dexter used to find her stunning, but having seen Josie in the same dress, he now thought of Heather as ordinary.
In his mind, there was only the figure of that woman, standing in the rain, looking vivid yet lonely.
