Josie observed him finish eating and then examined herself.
He asked, “Would you like some?”
Josie shook her head. “Your appetite is larger than I expected.”
After consuming the mushroom soup that Heather had delivered from Russell Group, he could go home and have another serving. Who wouldn’t find that ironic?
Dexter ignored her passive-aggressive tone. As Julie cleared the dishes, Josie leaned back in her chair and said, “I’ll leave this place once you’re married, so there’s no need to bring Mrs. Carroll back.”
She was used to being independent. Having another person around felt like a hassle, even if it was only for a few days.
Dexter continued to ignore her, playing with his phone and seemingly replying to a message. She watched his slender fingers glide over the phone case, her heart pounding like thunder as if those fingers were tracing over her forbidden areas.
She wasn’t sure if Dexter had actually noticed the bug. After finishing replying to the message, he looked up and met her conflicted gaze.
Squinting his eyes, he asked, “What are you looking at?”
Josie composed her expression. “Your phone case has oxidized. Why haven’t you replaced it?”
Dexter casually flipped his phone. “I have a fondness for old things.”
“Didn’t see that coming,” Josie retorted quickly, scoffing coldly right away.
She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw a hint of a smile on his face. It was a relaxed expression. Before she could take a closer look, Larry walked in from outside. “Mr. Russell, Mr. Lockhart is here.”
The relaxed expression on Dexter’s face quickly faded.
Josie considerately went upstairs to give them space for their meeting.
Seth had always been part of Dexter’s faction within Russell Group. After Henry’s death, Russell Group’s administration was in turmoil, with reformists and conservatives at odds. Dexter was not in a favorable position during that period.
A reformation was inevitable. His ambition was to expand the business, and cooperation with the Olsen family was also necessary.
Josie entered her room and turned on the computer. The conversation from downstairs reached her ears, every word clear as a bell.
“We just received news that Mr. Harrison is already gathering scattered shares, aiming to surpass our equity in order to achieve impeachment.”
Dexter asked casually, “How much have we collected so far?”
“The amount we can confirm at the moment is thirty percent.”
Russell Group had always been a one-man autocracy. Over the years, Dexter alone held forty percent of the shares, overpowering everyone else. Later, when Yanis was incarcerated, Dexter bought back the shares at a very low price. He currently held forty-six percent of the shares in total.
Once Isaac collected more shares than Dexter, there would be a significant change within Russell Group.
Dexter let out a cold laugh. “Those people in Russell Group, their intent to harm me never dies.”
Seth was very anxious. “Mr. Russell, what if he really succeeds-”
“That’s why the project needs to progress quickly, and our expansion abroad must be steady.” Dexter stated assertively, his tone sharp and resolute.
Seth expressed his understanding, but he couldn’t help but worry. “However, this step is too big. The funds required are more than we expected. For now, we can still rely on the bank, but in the long run, this capital chain will be a major problem.”
If the chain broke, it was game over, and there was a good chance that Dexter would have to step down.
Dexter remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Seth quickly reassured, “However, your wedding with Ms. Olsen is just a couple of days away. Once that’s settled, funding will no longer be an issue.”
Listening in, Josie could discern that they were being driven to resort to drastic measures Perhaps Dexter’s insistence on forming a marriage alliance with the Olsen family is not solely due to Liana’s identity, but also due to the binding of interests. He has no way out.
