Josie returned to her seat beside Arnold and asked softly, âHave you finished negotiating?â
He frowned. âWhy is your face so pale? You look as if you have seen a ghost.â
âItâs scarier than a ghost.â Josie continued to urge him, âCan we leave??
Arnold sensed something was wrong with her. âDidnât you want to investigate Paul? We havenât asked anything.â
Josie glanced at the people in the room, noting their fierce expressions. âI can see you are all scared of Wayne. You probably wonât reveal anything even if I ask.â
Arnold leaned toward Mr. Vipera and said, âSee, my lover is obsessed about finding her father. She has been with me for many years, so I must at least help her. Can you give us some information about her missing father?â
âWhat happened back then?â
Mr. Vipera regarded Josie. He was present yesterday and knew what she wanted to know.
âArnold, Iâve warned you not to be too involved with a woman.â
Arnold nodded. âIâll only be asking for your help this time.â
Mr. Vipera fell silent and considered the matter. Then, he looked at Josie and said, âI canât reveal much.
All I can say it the past matter has been resolved, and Wayne has no reason to abduct him. At least I didnât receive any information about his abduction.â
Josie was surprised by his answer. In other words, Paulâs disappearance had nothing to do with Wayne.
She wanted to ask another question, but Arnold stopped her. âThank you, Mr. Vipera.â
They stayed there for another half an hour for Arnold to finalize the business deal. Then, he held Josieâs hand and headed outside, only to bump into Robert at the door. He looked a lot older under the dim light.
âMiss,â he said, âhave you never considered that youâre the reason why your father is missing.â
Josie freed her hand from Arnold. âWhat do you mean? Please explain.
âItâs nothing much. It looks like you still havenât discovered your past. Thatâs why youâre rushing around.
like a headless chicken.â
Robertâs words seemed to hint at something, fanning Josieâs suspicion. She plopped herself beside Robert and poured him a glass of wine. âDo you mean you know about my past?â
Robert laughed and waved his hand. âDonât ask me. I donât know anything. You fainted before the hospital -door years ago, and Paul treated you out of kindness. Unfortunately, you had amnesia and couldnât remember anything. Still, he took care of you for a month and decided to adopt you.â
âAt the time, I told him not to adopt you because youâre jinxed. He refused to believe me, and now, calamity befell him.â
Robertâs words were vague and nonsensical. Arnold felt staying was pointless and whispered, âJosie, letâs go.â
But Josie refused to move. She asked, âWhat kind of person was my father then?â
Robert pondered before answering. âHe was young and stubborn, yet freaking kind.â
Josie committed those words to memory before leaving with Arnold.
Arnold frowned upon noticing her dazed expression and held her gently. âRobertâs words are untrustworthy. Donât take them to heart.â
âBut⦠he was right about a few things. My father is stubborn but kind.â
Those few words convinced Josie that he was telling the truth.
âArnold, how did Robert hurt his leg?â
âI heard Wayne turned the hospital upside down after his sister passed away. Everyone at the scene was punished. Your father was kicked out of Rivodia while Robert crippled his leg.â
After that, Robert was dragged into the underworld and was forced to resign as a hospital director. He had no choice but to work for others.
Josie sneered, âIâm really curious about who Wayne is.
Arnold grabbed her urgently upon hearing her. âEnough! Stop meddling in this. Iâm sending you back to Wavery tomorrow!â