Before Josie had a chance to respond, Shirley smirked. âCould it be that you got in through some other connections?â
She was quite adept at turning the tables.
In an instant, all eyes turned to Josie. A few who knew her wanted to step forward and defend her, but they were surrounded by the crowd, unable to make their way out.
The night wind rustled. Josieâs complexion was fair, so she was particularly conspicuous and elegant as she stood amidst the crowd in a gown.
She chuckled softly, mockery showing on her face. âAt such an event, only you would rely on connections to get in. In all my years, Ms. Ross, this is the first time Iâve encountered a mistress standing up for the wife. Youâve certainly broadened my horizons.â
Shirley tensed all over, never having expected Josie to put that out in the open. She stomped her foot. âWhat nonsense are you spouting?â
Josie glanced in Lauraâs direction. âYou know, Iâm probably closer to Laura than you are. As the other woman, donât you find it repulsive to stand up for her before me?â
Her voice was deep and authoritative, causing a moment of silence to fall over the crowd. Shirleyâs arms trembled. âWhat right do you have to label me as the other woman?â
Indeed, Josie had no proof, but she could tell from the womanâs interaction with Zach. She looked around and asked the crowd, âIsnât that the truth?â
The crowdâs silence served as the most genuine answer, forming a closed loop of unspoken truth.
It seemed that the matter was a deeply taboo subject in Wavery.
Everyone knew that Lauraâs husband, Zach, was a notorious womanizer in Wavery.
âWhat is the meaning of this?â Shirleyâs eyes turned red-rimmed. Faced with Josieâs questioning from the moral high ground, she couldnât help but tremble. âWhat right do you have to question me about something even the wife canât be bothered to care about?â
That remark was the crux of the matter.
Josie countered sternly, âShe doesnât care because she canât be bothered. As her friend, Iâm stepping in today. Ms. Ross, itâs important to have self-awareness. Everything you received falls under marital property, and youâll be demanded to return it all when the time comes.â
For a moment, all attention was on Shirley, so everyone momentarily forgot about the matter regarding Josie.
Shirley glared in Lauraâs direction, her eyes brimming with tears.
Not long after, Laura managed to squeeze her way through the crowd. She took Josieâs hand and whispered, âLet it go. Donât take offense with her.â
Josie held her back. âI know you donât want to talk about it and arenât interested in getting involved in such matters. I merely want to tell those scheming women not to be delusional.â
In the face of everyoneâs gaze, Laura found it hard to stay for long. âThe poor girl is quite pitiful. She might have been deceived by Zach, so letâs go easy on her.â
She was rather magnanimous.
Josie snorted. âYouâre really good-tempered. If it were the old you, you would have probably slapped her by now.â
Laura turned her face away. âJust let it go. You donât want to draw attention, right? Letâs go.â
However, the crowd began to speculate in hushed voices upon seeing that Josie was really acquainted with Laura. They found her beyond familiar, but they couldnât quite place her.
When they reached a corner, Josie was still upset and excused herself to the restroom. Laura patted her on the shoulder. âDonât be angry anymore. There will be a hands-on segment later, so remember to come back quickly to watch it.â
Nonetheless, Josie remained disinterested.
In a dimly lit corner, Shirley fought back tears. âWhat do you mean to allow her to humiliate me like that? Donât forget you were the one behind it back then!â
The other womanâs voice was icy cold. âDid I tell you to provoke her?â
Shirley was left without a retort.
The other woman continued, âWhat is Josieâs status, and whatâs yours?â
âI wanted to draw scandal to her, but she simply wouldnât take the bait.â
âWhat a fool!â
After exiting the restroom, Josie touched up her makeup before the mirror. Her phone buzzed with a message from Dexter. It read: Where are you?