“Or are you worried about hurting Ms. Yowell? Rest assured. I am absolutely confident that I can bring about Josie’s demise!”
Arnold closed his eyes. Should I let her die? This woman, who’s so full of herself, yet ironically the one who understands me best in the entire world? How laughable. As death looms, I’m surprisingly feeling a tinge of reluctance.
The entire ship was in panic mode. Josie stood at the end of the light, her demeanor calm and resolute, as if she was prepared to face death with grace.
No one saw it, but beneath the deck, Dexter sat in the lifeboat, looking up at the person he loved most above him. She was resolutely risking her life, yet he was unable to reach out and save her.
“Mr. Russell, we must leave now. We can’t disappoint Ms. Warren and let her sacrifice go to waste.”
Dexter’s heart palpitations grew increasingly severe, to the point where he could hardly catch his breath.
“How much cash has been transported?”
“Only a quarter was left. We tried our best.”
“That’s enough.”
The sniper spoke incessantly. “Mr. Carter, think it through. If something goes wrong with this escort mission, what will you do? Mr. Dalton will definitely hold you accountable, not to mention Rivodia’s-”
“Enough.” Arnold spoke up, his gaze fixed on Josie. Suddenly, he pulled the trigger. The bullet whizzed past Josie’s leg, the searing pain forcing her to her knees. Josephine found liberation from Josie’s shackles.
Just when everyone was ready to strike, Arnold was the first to stride forward. He helped Josie, who had fainted and fallen to the ground, to her feet. He handcuffed her and called out, “Men!”
Josephine fell onto the deck, watching helplessly as the man she loved walked past her, moving toward another woman.
After Josie was led away by someone, Arnold finally approached Josephine. His tone was gentle as he reassured her, “It’s okay now. She wouldn’t have actually shot you.”
What about his hesitation earlier, then? Josephine couldn’t bear to think more about it. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “It seems like you two understand each other very well.”
Arnold crouched down. “We were once friends through life and death.”
“Friends through life and death…” Josephine murmured. “What’s your name?”
Arnold came clean. “Arnold Carter. Your father knows.”
Josephine looked up. It all makes sense now. No wonder Father had been so worried before. This man, even his name was a lie.
She felt drained. After what seemed like an eternity, she grasped Arnold’s warm hand. “Do you love me?”
The sea breeze was brisk, and Arnold revealed a tender, sympathetic smile. He reached out, cradling her face in his hands. “Of course. You will be the only woman I ever marry.”
Josephine was moved to tears of joy after listening to his response. “Is this a proposal?”
Arnold brushed her hair. “If we can survive tomorrow, I will propose to you in a grander manner.”
The fear and anxiety that had consumed her throughout the night dissipated at that instant.
When Josie awoke, her gaze met the wooden ceiling above her. Turning her head, she saw the broad silhouette of a man standing by the window, the ship still sailing on.
As Arnold turned around, she immediately shut her eyes and continued to feign unconsciousness.
He sat by her bedside, lifting her face gently. “Are you done pretending? That bullet didn’t even hit its mark. Why are you even pretending to pass out?”
Josie didn’t bother pretending anymore. She leisurely opened her eyes. “You could have hit the mark. Why didn’t you? Are you afraid of hurting me?”
Arnold pinched her cheek. His bullet packed a powerful punch. If it had truly hit her, she could have kissed walking goodbye for the rest of her life.
He lowered his voice and said, “Josie, I yearn to tear you to pieces!”
Josie was not only unafraid, but she even laughed. “It seems I’ve won this bet.”
“The boat hasn’t yet reached the shore. How could there be talk of win or lose?” She had put him in a tough spot. Arnold exerted more force and asked, “Tell me. How did you summon those people?”
“I don’t understand.”
