Dexter moved swiftly. “Another matter has come up. Where’s Mr. Dalton?”
“We couldn’t find anything on him. The merchandise was a feint, so we had no choice but to let him go.”
Dexter walked straight to the car. “I need to head back to Rivodia immediately. I’m leaving Wavery in your hands.”
Caleb looked puzzled. “What? Something wrong with Arnold?”
Dexter didn’t have time to explain further. Seeing the situation, Calvin, who was not far off, promptly took the driver’s seat. “I’ll drive you there.”
Once he got in the car, Dexter noticed several missed calls from Justin. He took a few deep breaths before returning the call. “What’s going on?”
When Justin finally got through, he said, “Grape is missing. She was insisting on seeing you guys. I thought I’d take her out for a bit of fun. We had three or four bodyguards with us, but she vanished in the blink of an eye. We can’t even find her on the surveillance footage.”
Leaning back, Dexter closed his eyes in exhaustion. “I’ll be right back.”
“My sister-” The call had already been disconnected.
Calvin glanced at the man in the rearview mirror, a sense of foreboding washing over her. “The flight’s already booked, the earliest one available. You don’t look well. You should take your medicine first.”
Dexter didn’t respond, nor did he make a move. His mind was filled with the images and laughter of Josie and the child, Grape. He thought he must be a loser. He failed to protect the two most important people in his life at the most crucial moment.
A wave of intense self-reproach and guilt washed over him, threatening to drown him.
The plane swiftly touched down in Rivodia. Justin and his group were close to the airport. He was quite clever, remarking, “Everyone who was present when Grape went missing is here now.”
Dexter swept his stern gaze over everyone present, his pale face commanding respect without showing anger. “Think carefully about how you answer my question. One slight mistake, and you can kiss your ability to speak goodbye.”
beyond the border, the ship was moving at an unusually slow pace due to its damage. As if fearing something might happen to Josie, Mark remained steadfast, keeping watch from his original position. “Under such a blazing sun, it’s hard on an old man like me to keep you company here, enduring the scorching heat.”
Arnold sat down where he was, letting out a wry laugh filled with emotion.
Josie’s emotions were a tangled mess as she watched Mark’s figure. She was suddenly reminded of the night she left Wavery. She had wanted to see them one last time, but her wish wasn’t fulfilled.
“Mind your own business. Do you think Mr. Dalton will spare you once you leave the country?” Her gaze fell upon Arnold’s bare arm, where the scars still lingered.
“You’re so certain that I would get hurt?” said Arnold.
“Didn’t you say it yourself? The mission wasn’t completed. You were even willing to blow up this ship. However, it seems Mr. Dalton hasn’t made his move yet. It appears he’s chosen to protect you.”
She’s indeed smart. Arnold’s lips were unusually pale as he spoke. “Of course he would protect me. After all, Mr. Vipera’s goods were never sold, and the cash being transported on this ship was nothing more than a cover.”
“A cover-” Suddenly, Josie rose from the ground. Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed blood trickling from Arnold’s waist, staining his clothes a dark brown. Not far off, Josephine also noticed and, with a gasp of surprise, moved forward, only to be stopped by a raised hand from Arnold.
Arnold tilted his head back to meet Josie’s gaze. “Only a fraction of that cash was real. The rest was all counterfeit.”
Josie’s brows furrowed in concern. She shook her head. “I don’t understand. Why would you take such a risk?”
“It’s entrapment. Didn’t I manage to get you and Dexter?”
Josie wished nothing more than to slay that man on the spot.Josephine simply couldn’t interject into the conversation between the two. She could only observe as their lengthy back-and-forth unfolded.
Her voice was faint. “Robyn, you’re injured…”
