Juliette didnât notice his unusual behavior, continuing to chat about trivial matters. However, Dexterâs phone lit up, and he immediately lowered his head to look at it.
However, it wasnât Josie. It was a push notification for insignificant news.
Suddenly, a wave of defeat surged in his heart.
Juliette waved her hand. âDexter, are you listening?â
Dexterâs voice turned slightly solemn. âItâs about time. Iâll have the driver take you home.â
âI brought my driver along. Heâs waiting downstairs, but Iâm still waiting for a friend. Whatâs the matter? Do you find me bothersome and want me to leave?â
Juliette cupped her chin, looking composed and relaxed, a hint of a teasing smile playing at her lips. The color of her lipstick complemented her lips perfectly.
Dexter spoke lightly, his gaze still lingering on the blinds. âIs your friend coming back?â
Unbeknownst to Juliette, as she was caught off guard, her phone conveniently buzzed. It was a message from Josie: Something unexpected came up, Iâm afraid I wonât be able to provide you with the proof. I have to leave now, Juliette.
Juliette stared at the message with a sense of loss. âI wasnât finished talkingâ¦â
Dexter observed, appearing nonchalant. âWhatâs the matter?â
âMy friend is a woman of great talent, who happened to align perfectly with my project. I was planning on persuading her to take over, but before I had the chance to speak, she left.â
It sounded indeed unfortunate.
Dexter leisurely picked up his coffee, holding it under his nose to take a light sniff. He spoke with a hint of teasing. âWell, it seems Iâve been holding up your important matters.â
Behind the blinds, Josie leaned against the wall, a wave of guilt inexplicably rising within her.
D*mn you, Dexter.
âNo.â Juliette laughed, scrutinizing the man before her. âWe havenât seen each other for more than half a year, and youâve lost even more weight. Still having trouble with your appetite?â
âSame old, same old. Nothing much has changed.â
âI obtained herbal tonics from an experienced traditional medicine practitioner. Itâs beneficial for your health. During my stay in Wavery, Iâve arranged for it to be delivered to you.â
When Juliette spoke these words, there wasnât a hint of flattery or appeasement. Instead, she was forthright and candid, as if she was simply conversing with a perfectly normal friend.
âThereâs no need for all this. Iâve troubled you.â
âI didnât realize you were the type to neglect your medication when youâre busy,â Juliette said, rising from her seat. âSince youâre not keeping up with your medicine, weâll have to focus more on your diet. In any case, Iâll have Mr. Peeple ensure you eat properly.â
Dexter said nothing and simply escorted her to the door. Juliette turned her head and suddenly reached out to fix his collar.
She sighed softly. âEven for the sake of us, your friends, you should take good care of your health.â
They claimed to be just friends, yet their demeanor and conversations clearly held a certain intimacy. It was as if they knew everything about each otherâ¦
Such intimacy left Josie feeling confused.
âAll right. Be careful on your journey,â he said.
Juliette simply nodded, choosing not to linger.
She knew where to draw the line.
Dexter stood in the hallway, his back to the light. The polished floor reflected his stoic and indifferent expression. He remained there for a moment before turning around and heading straight for the small room, pushing the door open to enter.
The room was bathed in a cozy light, with the soft little child sound asleep in the small bed. The woman leaned on the side, one hand propping her cheek, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, utterly bored.
Her bare ankle, resting to the side, was so pale it was almost translucent, lightly tapping in an absent-minded manner.
The enticing blend of a womanâs perfume and the comforting scent of a childâs milk mingled, drawing Dexter in.
âWhen did you arrive?â