Taken aback, Josie looked up to meet Dexter’s gaze. She hadn’t expected Grape to think that, and she found herself unable to argue. All she could do was smile and nod in agreement.
“You’ve decided to take it over?” Inside the Olsen family’s study, Mark let out a sound of surprise and delight. He repeatedly slapped the table, exclaiming, “Brilliant, just brilliant!”
Standing by the side, Laura lightly chuckled. “Jo, what made you suddenly see the light? Is this the result of Juliette’s sweet talk?”
“After interacting with her, I felt we were quite compatible, so I decided to give it a shot. You were right. Upon returning to Wavery, I needed to make a pledge of allegiance.” After Josie finished speaking, she turned to Mark and said, “However, I have one condition.”
Mark was more than happy to listen. “Go on, is it a matter of payment? That’s no issue at all.”
“I want to move out of the Olsen Residence.”
As the words fell, Mark’s expression changed. “Why?”
“My health has improved, and I now have the means to find a place to live in Wavery, so I don’t want to trouble you any longer.”
Though it was said so, the truth was, there was no desire to maintain any further contact with them.
Mark wore a troubled expression as he attempted to persuade her. “Listen, Leanne, no matter where you are, you’re still a daughter of the Olsen family, you’re Liane Olsen. It doesn’t make sense for you not to live in the Olsen Residence. Of course, I’m not against it. If you insist, I can arrange for you to live somewhere else and provide you with house staff.”
“No, I can handle it myself. I don’t need all these things you’re saying.”
Josie didn’t leave any room for courtesy.
A hint of sorrow seeped into Mark’s eyes as he gazed at her, filled with affection. “Do you have to leave?” he asked.
Josie spoke calmly. “I’m twenty-four, almost twenty-five now, and I’m fully capable of being independent. Moreover, I have yet to admit that I am Liana Olsen. It’s not right to label me so quickly.” Josie was stating her stand outright.
The atmosphere became tense for a moment. Laura, attempting to defuse the situation, spoke up. “How about this,” she suggested, “I’ll help Leanne find a place to stay. Father, you don’t need to worry.”
Mark didn’t voice approval or disapproval. Clearly, he was displeased with Josie’s decision.
Josie didn’t linger for long and headed straight out of the study. Laura followed closely behind, not quite understanding. “Why insist on leaving? You know this will upset them, even if you are Liana Olsen.”
Josie moved with an air of confidence. “I can’t control whether they’re happy or not. I just want to make those close to me happy.”
The words Grape spoke today truly broke her heart. Josie couldn’t afford to worry about everything else.
The underlying message in Josie’s words left Laura puzzled. “Are you referring to… Grape?”
“Um, given our relationship, I didn’t want to hide it from you. But regarding Grape, I don’t want the Olsens to know. I hope you could help me keep it a secret.”
Laura’s brow furrowed then relaxed, she had never mentioned it before because she assumed the Olsen family had already known about Grape.
So it turned out, they had no idea…
Upon learning that Josie had agreed, Juliette immediately gave her a call. “We’ll be working together from now on. I look forward to a pleasant collaboration,” she said.
Josie pursed her lips. “It’s an honor.”
“I’m curious, why did you suddenly decide to take over?”
Josie joked, “I’ve been completely won over by your charismatic personality.”
Juliette chuckled, and they exchanged a few pleasantries before ending the call.
Josie had packed up half of her belongings, though there wasn’t much to begin with. Most of the items here belonged to the Olsen family, which she had no intention of taking with her.
The door echoed with a knock, and Claudia’s voice came through. “Leanne, may I come in?”
Josie paused for a moment. “Sure.”
Claudia held a pot of tea and gently suggested, “Looking at the sun outside, it’s a hot summer. How about some peppermint tea?”
“Have a seat.”
