Taking a deep breath, Josie berated herself internally. Is it really that hard to take the initiative?
In her mind, she recalled the words Arnold had once spoken. He had told her that on the night she left Wavery, Dexter had attempted to give up on his own life.
Such decisiveness, it even took her by surprise, leaving her astounded.
Is the reason for his poor health and heart issues related to that night? Josie’s mind was a tangled mess. After some thought, she decided to give up and dialed Justin’s number. There was no answer for a long time. Just as she was about to hang up, Justin picked up, sounding somewhat flustered, “Hello.”
Josie was puzzled. “Why did it take you so long to answer? Where’s Grape?”
“There was a bit of a situation just now… As for Grape, she’s already asleep. It’s late already..”
Glancing at the clock, Josie understood clearly, “How has she been these past few days? Has she missed me? Is she adapting well?”
Justin coughed lightly, speaking slowly as if carefully choosing his words. “She’s doing well. Whenever she misses you, she looks at your picture. She’s very obedient.”
“Did you take any pictures? I’d love to see them.”
“You didn’t mention wanting to take a picture. Maybe next time. By the way, when are you coming back?” Justin changed the subject.
Josie hesitated, then spoke the truth. “I’ve been injured, and I’m currently at the Olsen residence in Wavery. I might have to stay here for a few days.”
Justin wasn’t sure if he had fully understood, but he responded anyway. “That works too. Stay where you are, then. It’s getting late. I’m hanging up now.”
Josie felt something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Suddenly, she asked, “How are things in Rivodia? Have you seen Dexter? How is he?”
Meanwhile, in Rivodia, across from Justin, there sat a man whose emotions never reflected on his face, his pupils pitch black.
After Justin finished speaking with his lips, Dexter wrote three words on the paper. “All is well.”
“Everything is fine. Don’t worry yourself over it. I’m going to hang up now,” Justin said on the phone.
After hanging up the phone, Justin finally let out a sigh of relief. With a look of dread on his face, he turned to Dexter and said, “The third group has returned as well, but they still haven’t found her.”
Dexter capped his pen. “The reinforcements from Wavery will be here soon.”
As he rose to leave, he felt exhausted and was travel-worn. Larry happened to walk in. Matching his pace, he followed and said, “We’ve arrived, and everyone is assembling. If Mr. Dalton doesn’t want to risk everything, he won’t lay a hand on Grape. Don’t worry too much.”
However, Grape was Dexter’s daughter, so how could he not worry?
Dexter rubbed his forehead, his voice already hoarse. “If anything happens to her, I don’t know how I would face Josie, let alone myself.”
With difficulty, Justin apologized, “I’m sorry. If I had been more vigilant, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“What I want isn’t an apology but remedy.” Without breaking his stride, Dexter declared, “If we can’t find her before dawn, we’ll have to contact the state authorities directly.”
Wayne was not yet driven to such extremes.
There were still six hours left until dawn.
Larry sat in the driver’s seat, not starting the car. He turned around and said, “Regardless, you should take your medicine first. Mr. Russell, you don’t look well.”
Dexter was pale from overexertion.
Feeling unwell all over, Dexter reluctantly accepted the medicine handed to him. He swallowed it dry, closing his eyes to alleviate his discomfort.
Outside, Justin received an unexpected phone call. With a thrill of excitement, he rolled down the car window and announced, “We’ve got news. She’s in an abandoned village east of the city.”
Dexter cast a stern glance at him. “Take two groups of people and head straight there!”
In the abandoned village, a place devoid of people, it was hard to fathom the hardships Grape must have endured.
