He couldn’t suppress his desire for her for too long. That kiss lasted a full three minutes. By the time Dexter was willing to let go, Josie’s lips had already turned a vivid, beautiful red.
She stared blankly at him. Just as she was about to raise her hand, he swiftly intercepted it.
After the kiss, Dexter’s mood had significantly improved. He reached out to wipe the corner of her mouth. “You should at least show me some sincerity in return.”
He paused for a moment, feeling that his choice of words was inappropriate. “I don’t need anything else. A single kiss would be enough.”
Josie was so appalled by his shamelessness that she couldn’t utter a single word. She leaned weakly against the wall, and Dexter straightened her disheveled collar for her, saying, “I heard it.”
“Heard what?”
“Your heart was also beating.”
“I’d be dead if it didn’t.”
Dexter slightly curved his lips. “I have arrhythmia, often experiencing symptoms of palpitations. Just now, your heartbeat was racing just as fast as mine.”
Josie fell silent.
Inexplicably, Josie’s ears turned a shade of red. She turned around and left, muttering under her breath, “Shameless scoundrel.”
Dexter strolled leisurely.
Justin’s leg injury had significantly improved, and he was clamoring to go outside. However, Moses ordered him to stay at home. That led to a bout of awkwardness between the two, with neither willing to speak to the other.
Josie found it amusing and spent quite a while leaning on the window sill, watching the lively scene unfold.
It was still night when Dexter stepped out the door to break the siege, saying, “Come with me.”
“Mr. Russell…” With a defiant look, Justin retorted, “Where to?”
Larry also disagreed, “Mr. Russell, it’s too dangerous. His injuries haven’t healed yet.”
Dexter swept his gaze over Justin’s legs. “It’s pretty much healed. This is just a minor injury. What’s that to a man?”
His tone immediately stirred up Justin’s competitive spirit. “Just say where you want to go. I can go anywhere.”
They were getting agitated. Josie strode over. “Where are you going?”
Dexter glanced at her. “We’re going to meet someone. Are you coming?”
She didn’t expect to be invited. Josie hesitated. “Given my status, is it appropriate for me to accompany you?”
“It’s fine if I say it is.”
They went together to the renowned country club in Rivodia. On the surface, it appeared pristine, but in reality, it harbored many clandestine businesses. As soon as Josie stepped inside, she sensed something.
The style there greatly resembled Arnold’s Sky Palace.
She chuckled softly. “It couldn’t possibly be a resurrection, could it?”
Larry chimed in from the side, “Indeed, that’s the case.”
Josie raised an eyebrow.
The group entered a spacious private room. As soon as Dexter sat down, a man in uniform entered from outside. He had the appearance of a young man, strikingly similar to a certain male celebrity. He respectfully greeted, “Mr. Russell.”
Dexter scrutinized him. “How long have you been working here?”
“Almost a year.”
“Over the past year, there has been a Mrs. Ruiz who often came to look after your business. Is this true?”
The man hesitated before speaking. “She can hold her liquor and is generous with her spending. She’s considered a major client.”
Dexter propped up one leg and nodded. “Mrs. Ruiz is from Wavery. She has traveled a long way to Rivodia just to patronize your business. It seems she is afraid of being discovered by her husband.”
Josie sat to one side, picking up an orange from the fruit plate and slowly peeling it.
Dexter cut to the chase, asking in a calm and unhurried manner, “Her husband worked in the urban development department, wielding considerable power. Not long ago, Bastille Group took over a project from Russell Group. What do you think? Is there some insider dealing?”
The gears in the other party’s mind turned rapidly, and he quickly grasped the situation. “I got it.”
Dexter nodded, allowing him to leave.
