âAre you happy now?â Robert yelled. He looked distressed.
Arnold let him go and closed the box of cash before handing it to him. âMr. Quincy, I was mistaken.â
Robert glared at him. âNo one had ever hurt me in all my years in La Oriele. Arnold, how dare you do this to me? Iâll make you pay for what you did!â
However, Arnold smirked. âEven so, business still has to go on. Iâve brought goods from Wavery.
Please name your price.â
Robert sat on the couch and looked at him contemptuously. âI have no reason to continue business with you.â
âIs that so?â Arnold grabbed a bottle of liquor.
Robert frowned nervously. âWhat are you doing?â
Arnold smiled and filled a glass with liquor. âI know La Oriele doesnât do this kind of business, but if people discovered your business outside, you would be doomed.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âI mean, I havenât done anything yet. But what do you think will happen if I send out this clue?â
Arnold and Mr. Vipera exchanged glances.
âAll I need to do is send out a name list, and the authorities will come knocking.â
Robert panicked. âArnold, are you threatening me into doing this business with you? Wayne will never forgive you for this!â
Arnold slowly sipped some liquor and clicked his tongue. âWorst comes to worst; Iâll have to drag Wayne into it. After all, Iâm doomed anyway and have nothing to lose.â
Mr. Vipera suddenly spoke, âHave you forgotten what you promised, Wayne?â
âOf course not. Itâs not because Iâm unwilling to care for him when heâs old. Unfortunately, his subordinate. is dooming me.â Arnoldâs gaze turned cold.
âYouâre crazy! Youâre utterly insane!â Robert stood up with the help of his walking stick. He headed for the door but turned around halfway there and pointed at Josie. âThis woman is a ticking time bomb.
Youâre dooming yourself by getting involved with her!â
Seeing Robert pointing at her, Josie held Arnoldâs arm and said coquettishly. âArnold, he scolded me again.â
Josieâs bravery and wittiness amused Arnold. He turned to Robert and sneered, âMr. Quincy, Iâll pretend nothing happened today. Furthermore, Iâll return another day to apologize properly and make it up to you. I hope we can be considerate of each other. What do you think?â
Those words fanned Robertâs already burning fury.
He stormed away in anger.
Mr. Vipera pointed at Arnold resentfully, but before he could say anything, Arnold said, âIâm sorry, but can you help me to take care of Wayne?â
Mr. Vipera was exasperated but could do nothing except leave with others.
Once everyone had left, Josie immediately let go of Arnoldâs hand.
âDid you study acting in a drama school?â Arnold laughed despite his annoyance.
âWhat are the goods you mentioned?â Josieâs expression was solemn, She had heard their conversations and had a hunch about what they were saying.
Arnoldâs smirk gradually faded. He lit a cigarette and replied, âWhat do you think?â
Josie stood up immediately. She grabbed a cushion and threw it at him. âYouâre insane!â
Arnold remained still and did not seem to care about her outburst. âThey canât catch me without evidence.â
Josie felt anxious and did not know what to say. She had always thought Arnold was only competing with Dexter in Wavery. She did not expect him to dare to go this far.
Arnold took a drag of his cigarette and looked at her through the smoke. âJosie, you have seen it yourself. Too many people are pressuring me that I donât have a choice.â
Josie shook her head and asked, âWho is this Wayne you were talking about?â
âIâve never met him, but he is influential. I became his follower two to three years ago.â
Josie realized then that they had been dragged into a severe disaster.