âMr. Lachlanâ¦.
Grapeâs eyes lit up, and she quickly wriggled free from Josieâs embrace, running towards Lachlan.
Josie gazed at the extravagant breakfast spread before her, feeling a sense of admiration welling up within her. âWhoever marries you in the future,â she mused, âwill surely be blessed.â
Lachlan gently embraced Grape, his gaze softening as he looked at Josie. âThen, would you like to have this good fortune?â he asked.
The words were so straightforward that Josie couldnât help but let out a mournful sigh. âBoss, this joke really isnât funny at all.â
Lachlan knew that he couldnât push Josie too hard. So, he simply turned his head towards Grape and said, âGrape, would you like for me to play with you today?â
Grapeâs eyes lit up. âYes, yes.â
After breakfast, Lachlan drove Josie to the venue of the Golden Key Awards semi-finals. Once Josie got out of the car, she went straight into the venue.
Lachlan parked the car in the garage with Grape in tow âGood morning, Alice!â
âAlice, youâre here.â
With a smile on her face, Josie greeted her colleagues.
Right at that moment, Lily arrived. When she saw Josie, Lilyâs chin instinctively lifted, and she couldnât help but let a smug smile creep onto her lips.
The two individuals inherently had incompatible auras. Josie paid her no mind, walking straight into the elevator. Little did she know that in the next moment, Lily had followed her in.
As the elevator doors closed, Lily couldnât help but say, âAlice, you came in so early today. Youâre really dedicated.â
Josieâs brows were slightly arched. She had no intention of engaging with Lily, but since the latter took the initiative to approach, she had no choice but to say, âIsnât it the same for you, Ms. Lily? When we all face our work, we do so with the best attitude, donât we?â
Lily scoffed coldly.
âAlice, weâre not the same⦠You really need to cherish this opportunity. Who knows? This might be your last chance to participate in such a large-scale event.â
Josie clearly sensed that there was more to Lilyâs words than met the eye.
Just as she was about to say something, the elevator had already arrived. Lily was the first to step out. Josieâs gaze deepened as she watched her retreating figure. For some reason, her left eyelid was twitching quite intensely.
Meanwhile, Dexter was about to step out to attend the semi-finals of the Golden Key Awards. Just then, his phone in his pocket unexpectedly rang. âMr. Russell, thereâs news from Ms. Warrenâs fatherâ¦â
Dexterâs steps faltered beneath him.
âHave they found the person?â
âYes, Mr. Russell. We have located Wayne, and itâs highly likely that Paul is in his custody⦠Our team is currently working on a rescue plan.â
âNo matter what, his safety must be ensured first and foremost. As for the benefits, we can afford to make as many concessions as possibleâ¦â
âYes, Mr. Russell.â
After hanging up the phone, Dexter quickened his steps involuntarily. He thought to himself, if Josie knew this news, she would probably be happy.
The semi-final venue was even more bustling than during the preliminary rounds. The majority of those present were leading figures in the industry, invited media, and some architectural design enthusiasts.
Josie sat on the panel of judges, exuding confidence in every gesture and movement.
âAlice, I heard that the contestant who made it to the semi-finals at the last minute, a guy named Dylan, was recommended by you?â a colleague suddenly asked from the side.
Josie glanced sideways, not recognizing the contestant Dylan. As a result, she inquired, âDylan? What has he done?â
Her colleague was taken aback. âSeriously, Alice? Donât you recall the name of the contestant? The one who designed the Saint Dezburg Bridge. Werenât you the one who highly praised his work?â