âThree-quarters of the cash was stolen, and youâre saying it has nothing to do with you?â
Not long ago, when the bodyguard came to report, he was so frightened that he fell to his knees. âThe guards have all collapsed in the warehouse. T-The cash is gone tooâ¦â
No sooner had the words been spoken than Arnoldâs entire face changed color. In the end, he was almost laughing in exasperation. âYou wench. Youâre quite something!â
âYou know, Iâm just one person. How could I possibly have managed to move so much cash by myself?â
Arnold nodded. âWe had just left the port of Wavery not long ago. It seems they made their move while you were holding Josephine hostage. In Wavery, who could possibly do your bidding?â
Josie listened to Arnoldâs analysis. He immediately dismissed the idea of the police being involved. âThe Olsen family? Impossible. If it were them, they could have destroyed my boat. Considering the level of caution and meticulousness, the party involved could only be the Russells.â
As expected, he knows me like the back of his hand. Josie changed the subject. âArnold, arenât you worried now that the money is gone? Mr. Dalton will surely want you dead. It seems weâre destined to meet our end here.â
âIâm certain itâs the Russells,â he continued, affirming his speculation. âIt seems Dexter was also involved.â
âYou guessed right,â Josie responded immediately. âBut Dexter was unaware. Donât forget that before Old Mr. Russell passed away, he left me many things. Among them was the authority to command the Russells, having them do my bidding. It wasnât difficult.â
Arnold turned her face toward him, forcing her to look at him directly. âWhether Dexter knows or not isnât important. Whatâs crucial is that heâs about to find out.â
Josieâs heart sank. âWhat are you trying to do!â
Arnold had already risen. Without his support, she tumbled off the bed.
He looked down at her from his superior position. âAs long as you are in my hands, what wouldnât Dexter dare to do? Iâll make sure he obediently returns all that cash.â
Josieâs pupils dilated, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
âYou always assumed Iâd be exceptionally tolerant with you, Josie, but you were mistaken.â Arnold strode out, instructing his bodyguards, âDock the ship for a rest and throw her into the water dungeon.â
Upon receiving his orders, the bodyguard promptly stepped forward, dragging Josie toward the exit. As her skin scraped against the floor, it immediately left a trail of red marks.
The water dungeon, as the name suggested, was surrounded by sturdy stone walls. It was a two-tiered structure, with a water reservoir on one level and a prison cell on the other. Once the mechanism was activated, water from the reservoir would flood the cell, causing anyone inside to suffocate within a short period of time.
Josie was locked in the cell, the water level rising to her chest and still gradually increasing. She couldnât take deep breaths, nor could she sit down to rest. That kind of torment was nothing short of a slow torture.
She tilted her head back, the only light coming from above. Arnold was standing right there, holding up his phone to record. âDo you think Dexter will lose his mind if he sees this?â he asked.
âArnold!â Josie struggled desperately, the chains thrashing in the water, sending up sprays. âDonât be a coward! This is all my doing. He has nothing to do with it!â
Arnold crouched down, aiming for a clearer shot. âFrom this moment on, it will! You asked if I should have fired that shot. If I had really killed you, where would my leverage be?â
So, this is what heâs been aiming to achieve. Josie finally gained clarity. When it came to cunning, she would never be able to outwit him.
Arnoldâs expression was cold and indifferent, his gaze devoid of any affection as he looked at her. He instructed his bodyguard, âDonât add any more water. Let her stay just like this. I donât want her to die yet.â
âUnderstood!â
However, even such intensity was enough to ravage a personâs body and torment their will.