After finishing her speech, Josie knelt on the ground, motionless. Scar immediately stepped forward, intending to force himself on her, but Josie pushed him away, grabbed the wine from the table, and downed it in one gulp.
Due to drinking too quickly, she choked on the wine as it went down her throat and coughed for a long time, looking as disheveled as a soaked dog.
Arnold simply observed as the woman beside him lit a cigarette for him. He opened his mouth to take the cigarette, took a puff, and blew a cloud of smoke around him.
After finishing a bottle, Josie felt the alcohol rush to her head and started to feel dizzy. She forced herself to stay alert, staring at Arnold as she asked, âWhere is Mallory?â
He responded with a mocking glance.
The woman beside her handed her a second bottle of wine. âOne bottle is not enough.â
Arnoldâs gaze shifted to the woman as he said, âYouâre quite clever.â
The woman accepted the compliment, snuggling into his arms. âThatâs because you taught me well, Mr.
Carter.â
Josie clenched her teeth and knew she had to play along for now. She grabbed the second bottle and forced herself to gulp it down. The strong liquor burned her throat, feeling like needles pricking her.
Before she could finish drinking it, however, she coughed and spat out half of it, dirtying the womanâs foot. The woman jumped in shock, exclaiming, âWhat are you doing? Thatâs so disgusting!â
Josie furrowed her brows tightly. Instinctively, she reached for a tissue to wipe it off, but the woman immediately pulled away and nestled into Arnoldâs arms. âShe did it on purpose, Mr. Carterâ¦â
Arnold finished his cigarette and emitted an aura of hostility as he asked, âWhat do you want?â
âShe caused this mess with her mouth, so she should clean it up with her mouth,â the woman replied.
Although she appeared wronged, her expression clearly showed that she was waiting to humiliate Josie.
Arnold stared at the woman and asked with a smile, âDo you know who she is?â
The woman was momentarily taken aback, but quickly responded, âI know that no one who comes here is ordinary, but donât they all have to listen to you, Mr. Carter?â
Upon hearing her response, he maintained his smile and asked, âDo you know Dexterâs ex-wife?â
The womanâs expression stiffened momentarily upon hearing him mention Dexter, but she quickly regained her composure and replied, âSheâs just an ex-wife.â
âYou think youâre so clever,â Arnold said, looking away from the woman.
Josie had already withdrawn her hand and was meticulously wiping each finger clean with a tissue. Her eyes were filled with newfound fearlessness as she met his gaze.
The woman then picked up the third bottle of wine and handed it to Arnold. âYou give it to her.â
If you canât read a manâs thoughts while working in a place like this, then youâre just wasting your time.
He glanced at her, casually took the bottle, and handed it to Josie.
She snatched it from him and gulped it down. After finishing the third bottle, she picked up the fourth.
The expression on Arnoldâs face darkened slightly, and he shot Scar a glance in response.
The door to the private room was swiftly pushed open, and a few people shoved a woman inside. She was none other than Mallory herself. Her hands and feet were bound, and a rag was stuffed into her mouth to keep her quiet. She could only whimper and make muffled noises.
Josieâs eyes widened upon seeing her. âMallory!â
She wanted to rush over, but was stopped by Arnoldâs men.
âThis woman is stubborn. She wouldnât tell us the truth even after being beaten. Little did she know, weâve already brought her sister-in-law over,â Scar reported.
Malloryâs muffled sobs grew louder.
Arnold glanced over. âSheâs Calvinâs woman.â
âI heard theyâve already broken up, but this woman owned half of Heaven on Earth before that.â
Arnold chuckled. âCalvin has interfered with so many of my business opportunities for so many years.
Every wrongdoing has a perpetrator, and every debt has an owner. Itâs time to settle the score.â
Scar understood what he meant and signaled his men to take action. They opened bottle after bottle of wine, pouring it all into Malloryâs mouth.
âMmph! You monster!â Malloryâs face contorted in agony as they forced hard liquor down her throat.
Josie couldnât bear to watch any longer. She crawled toward Arnold on her knees and pleaded, âPlease spare her! Iâll drink it, okay? Iâll drink it!â