Mosesâ grip was firm and forceful, causing the man to let out an immediate shriek. He turned his head to see a strangerâs face, which instantly angered him, âWho are you?â
Moses showed a look of disdain, tilting his head in a gesture. âCare to step outside and show me what youâre capable of?â
The man winced in pain but remained defiant. âSo, youâre her knight in shining armor, huh? Good for you, Josie. Thereâs no shortage of fools around you. I wonder if Dexter knows about this.â
Josie raised her hand and rubbed her forehead.
The paparazzi by the manâs side gently nudged his arm, signaling him to turn around.
The person seemed to sense that something was off about the atmosphere, a chill running down their spine. They turned around in surprise and then froze completely.
âD-Dexterâ¦â Even before the name was fully pronounced, the voice trailed off.
The cliché of a hero saving a damsel in distress⦠Josie would have been moved by that two years ago. However, now it was different.
In the backseat of the Maybach, the air was thick with the stench of cheap alcohol. From behind came the pitiful cries of someone being beaten up, causing Josie to tighten her shawl around her.
âHow did you know I was here?â
Dexter lifted his gaze. âHow many friends do you have in Wavery?â
Josie was taken aback for a moment, then she returned to her senses, chuckling. âYes, it seems like no one in this world understands me better than you do.â
The man looked up, gazing at her profile. âHow much did you hear?â
âNot much. I heard youâre planning to send me abroad. Nalanica, huh? Indeed, itâs a great place.â
âJosie.â Dexterâs voice carried a hint of fatigue and laziness. âI can protect you today, but I may not be able to do so in the future. The days to come will be more dangerous than today.â
Josie listened and looked out the window.
The womanâs profile was superior, her gaze particularly resilient and independent. âEven if you hadnât come today, I would have found a way to escape.â
âHow so?â
âThereâs Laura.â
A cold smirk appeared on Dexterâs lips. âWhere is she, then?â
A single question stumped Josie, and she fell silent. Yes, so much time had passed, and Laura hadnât appeared. Where could she have gone?
Before she could react, Dexter gripped her wrist, forcing her to look at him. âAs long as youâre willing, I can pave a bigger and better path for you. You can do anything you want. You donât have to be confined in Wavery.â
The manâs gaze was too intense. One could even say it brooked no argument.
âI believe in you, Dexter,â Josie said calmly. âIf you can create a new world for me, I trust you.â
Dexter narrowed his eyes.
âBut I donât want to. Everything I have is in Waveryâmy job, my friends, my resources. I donât want to give it all up.â
âAll of these can be regained.â
âWhat about the feelings?â Josie responded quickly, watching as Dexterâs expression subtly darkened.
âWhat feelings?â
Josie paused. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. âI was talking about friendship. What did you think I meant?â
Seeing his face quickly turn sour, Josie felt a lump in her throat. She took a few deep breaths before asking, âWhatâs your plan if you send me abroad? Marry Heather and then sneak off to Nalanica to meet me in secret?â
She looked at his expression and added, âOr should we say, is this where we part ways?â
The following sentence shattered the manâs psychological defenses. A surge of resentment welled up within him. He grabbed Josieâs head, pulled it close to his own, and drawled, âDonât even think about it.â
Josie trembled in his arms. âYou still want me to be your lover.â