Josieâs tolerance for alcohol had been improving. She didnât even need a hangover remedy anymore.
When Laura went to pick her up from the convenience store downstairs, she was carrying a bag of yogurt, only to see this woman, who said she needed a place to stay, walking over calmly.
âDidnât you say you were drinking?â Laura asked.
âIâm not drunk.â Apart from her hair being slightly tousled by the wind, Josie looked incredibly good.
âI thought I could drown my sorrows in alcohol,â Laura said with a disdainful glance at the yogurt, before. leading her upstairs.
Inside the elevator, Josie teased, âThereâs no man hiding in your room, is there?â
Laura casually showed her the watch. âAt this hour, if there was a man here, I wouldnât even let you in.â
The two people looked at each other and both smiled.
âI heard you met Zach today. Did he give you a hard time?â Laura opened the door..
âYour information is becoming increasingly accurate.â
-Josieâs casual remark made Laura pause for a moment, then she smiled and said, âRegardless, I am now the favorite in front of Mark.â
Josie somehow produced a pack of Marlboro, the slender cigarette elegantly held between her long fingers, a pleasing sight to behold.
She tried to imitate Dexterâs way of smoking but ended up choking and coughing for quite a while.
Suddenly, Laura said, âHeather holds ten percent of the shares, and Dexter intends to help her acquire more.â
Without realizing it, Josie furrowed her brows, unexpectedly recalling the words Heather had mentioned not long ago. Celebration gifts?
She let out a sigh, and by the time she came back to her senses, Laura had already fallen asleep on one side.
The phone was extremely quiet.
Suddenly, a vibration sound rang out, lasting only a second. It was from an unknown number.
She picked it up and glanced at it, then dialed back, but no one answered.
She tried calling again, but the other end had turned off their phone.
Before leaving, Laura left an invitation for Josie the next day, âIf you still want to compete for that project, you can go there on my behalf.â
Upon opening it, Josie saw the name âLauraâ prominently written as the host of the charity dinner.
She lazily lifted her eyes. âLaura, when you persuaded me to set up the studio, you were more passionate than you are now.â
Laura paused in her actions. Without turning back, she said. âI am being pushed forward by reality. As for the irrational dreams, you can fulfill those for me.â
The banquet was held in a quaint antique hotel. The event kicked off with a charity auction. After exchanging pleasantries with Peter, Josie focused on Arthur.
Right then, Laura called and said, âSince itâs for charity, bid on anything you like, and put it on my tab.â
Josie laughed helplessly. âYouâre truly extravagant.â
Dexter wasnât present that day, but Heather was. She was dressed in light colors, resembling a white magnolia in summer. Every move she made carried an enticing fragrance. In a short span of time, several gentlemen had taken turns occupying the empty seat next to her.
She was not as delicate as before. Her demeanor and image were completely different from the girl next door who was making soup when Josie first saw her.
It was clear that she didnât want to live an easy life anymore, which was why she had been actively getting out and about.
A charity dinner was scheduled for later, but Josie didnât plan on staying long. After being in a confined space for an extended period, she felt a certain discomfort in her chest.
Wherever she was, she could always hear whispers and see unfriendly glances, like thorns in her back.
Josie was under tremendous pressure, but she was surrounded by familiar faces from Waveryâs upper-
class society.
Unexpectedly, someone dared to come forward and cause trouble. The person clinked his glass with hers and said, âMs. Warren, Iâm glad to finally meet you.â
Josie smiled politely and tilted her head slightly. âAnd you are?â
He was a young man.
âMy name is Zachariah Shaw.â He handed over a business card.