“And what about you?” Calvin slowly spoke up after listening.
Mallory defiantly lifted her eyes, as if questioning him.
“Have you ever, even for a moment, stopped scheming against me all these years?”
At the standoff, Josie’s whiskey was already finished. Someone quickly refilled her glass, bringing her back to reality.
“Laura?” She exclaimed in disbelief.
“Do you still recognize me?” Laura, heavily made up, looked enchanting in the shadows. “Calvin is having trouble with his girlfriend. What are you doing getting involved?”
Seeing a familiar face, Josie relaxed. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been busy lately and haven’t been able to get in touch with you.”
Laura waved her hand dismissively. “It’s alright. I’m not blaming you. I thought something had happened when you called me in the middle of the night.”
“Where have you just come from?”
“The Olsen family has many social obligations, and currently, I’m the only one who can handle them. I’m working around the clock.” Laura expressed her frustration, picking up a bottle of wine to pour.
Josie’s thoughts seemed distant. “How are things with the Olsen family now?”
“Don’t you know?” Laura instinctively responded, quickly correcting herself. “Well, it’s quite lively.”
Josie thought of Summer and Zach’s identities and began to wonder how much Laura actually knew, and whether she should tell her.
However, before she could speak, she heard Laura ask first, “What happened? Why did you run out in the middle of the night? Is Dexter…”
Josie pursed her lips.
She had slipped out quietly tonight. The entire Mason Garden was being watched, so she had deliberately dressed in Julie’s clothes to sneak out without making a sound.
Dexter wanted to send her away. Mason Garden was no longer a place she could stay. But apart from Mason Garden, she couldn’t think of a more suitable place to go. Therefore, she thought of the entertainment venues, where the noise and chaos could best numb her mind.
Laura understood clearly. “I’ve heard about what happened recently. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I’m currently in charge of the liaison between the Olsen family and Russell Group. I understand that Dexter can’t get out of this unscathed now. So, just leave.”
She looked into Josie’s eyes.
She also asked her to leave.
Josie looked somewhat bewildered. “Where am I supposed to go?”
“Go somewhere else. Maybe you should go abroad. Just go anywhere, but don’t stay in Wavery.”
“I refuse to do that.” Josie turned to the side, picking up her wine glass once again.
“Why?” Laura asked, glancing in Mallory’s direction. “Calvin’s family is wealthy and powerful. Do you think she can make it with him? You and I both know that it’s just wishful thinking. You’re different from her. You’ve already achieved what many people can’t in their entire lives. Cut your losses in time, Jo.”
“Laura.”
Josie’s voice was soft, yet her gaze was firm. “I won’t be a deserter.”
Laura parted her lips, all words of persuasion came to an abrupt halt. She revealed a myriad of emotions—regret, confusion, and a hint of indignation.
The light was dim, so Josie didn’t notice everything.
At this moment, in Mason Garden.
After taking care of all his affairs, the man emerged from his study. He crossed the master bedroom in a few strides, then paused, retraced his steps, and pushed open the door. The room was empty, devoid of any human presence.
His already gloomy face now looked as if it had been dipped in ice. “Mrs. Carroll!”
The middle-aged woman hurried in from the kitchen. “Mr. Russell.”
Dexter tilted his head. “Where is she?”
Julie’s face drained of color. “I haven’t seen her. Um… I had Mrs. Russell deliver your soup, and I haven’t seen her since. I thought she was in the study…”
The more she spoke, the lower her voice became.
The chill in Dexter’s demeanor grew inch by inch, his fingertips twirling a string of rosary beads, almost crushing them.
At the bar.
It seemed that Laura could no longer bear the passage of time. “Hey, it’s about time you go home. Could you accompany me to the restroom, and then I’ll take you home?”
