âIs this the phone you mentioned?â
Ruth followed Josieâs gaze and waved her watch. âYeah! I use this to contact the bodyguards.â
Suddenly, her voice faltered. âIâm so sorry for themâ¦â
Josie knew how traumatic it would be for a young child to witness that violence.
She caressed Ruthâs head and asked tentatively, âI lost my phone. Can I make a call with yours?â
She assumed Ruth would not agree, but to her surprise, she handed the watch over. Josie looked through the watch thoroughly. There were no hidden microphones. Well, I donât suppose Wayne would be so sick as to monitor a child like that. And he wouldnât have thought that I could use this.
She trembled hopefully and quickly dialed a number, praying internally that Dexter would pick it up.
After three rings, the call ended.
Taken aback, Josie rang a few more times. Finally, the call connected, but a woman answered, âWeâre not interested in loans, thank you.â
With that, she hung up before Josie could even speak.
Her mind went blank upon hearing that. Why is she always picking up Dexterâs private phone?
She grasped her watch in her hands, overwhelmed by her emotions and thoughts. The sufferings she had been through were stuck in her throat, having nowhere else to vent them out.
âWhatâs wrong, Josie?â Ruth tugged on her sleeves, seeing her in a trance.
âNo worries. Iâll just make another call.â
Josie tried to convince herself that Dexter was always busy and that it was natural for Leanne. to answer his phone.
This time around, she called Moses. The call was picked up almost instantaneously.
âWho is this?â he piped vigilantly.
Tears flooded Josieâs eyes upon hearing the familiar voice. âMoses, itâs me.â
âMy gosh, Josie!â he exclaimed, followed by a loud thud. It seemed like he had just fallen from his bed.
âWe finally heard from you! How are you? Howâs everything?â
Josie didnât have the time for a lengthy explanation. âNot good. Iâm stuck at a place called. Southlink.
We canât get out of here, and I canât tell you much at the moment.â
âDonât worry about it. When you and Arnold went missing, we instantly reported to Mr. Russell. He flew into a rage and sent someone over. They should be on their way now. Mr. Dalton will have to let you go. Thereâs no doubt about that,â Moses explained quickly.
However, his words had no calming effect on Josie. âWhereâs⦠Dexter?â
It was never her intention to draw comparisons. Still, such words couldnât cheer her knowing how Arnold was willing to sacrifice himself for her.
What the hell is Dexter doing right now? Isnât he worried about me?
After a slight pause, Moses replied, âMr. Russell has an urgent project to deal with. But IâI believe he will be here as soon as he can!â
Josie closed her eyes and hung up the phone after saying, âWait for me outside!â
Then, she bent down and put the watch back on Ruth. âThanks a lot, Ruth. Promise me to keep this a secret, will you? It will be our little secret.â
Ruth nodded obediently. âPromise!â
âSure!â
Just when Josie was about to leave, she suddenly asked, âAre you thinking of leaving here, Josie?â
Josie didnât know what to reply. After all, Ruth was Wayneâs daughter.
âI know the way out. I can show you,â she said in her childlike voice. There are other women. trapped here. I brought them out too.â