Chapter 443 Starting a Studio Together Andy was surprised. âMr. Carter, with all due respect, with Josieâs identity now, sheâs useful, but not in this.â
Arnold poured out a glass of wine. His expression made it difficult to see if he agreed. âI know what to do.â
âSeveral of our projects are under Mark Olsen. He has plans to hinder Russell Groupâs development.
Besides, heâs showing us favor now. Summer is our best option at this moment.â Andy continued.
âIâm still unsure whatâs on that old manâs mind. Letâs wait and see. Arnold paused. âMake an appointment with Summer for me tonight. Weâll meet at Sky Palace.â
âYes, sir.â
Andy turned to leave, but Arnold called out. âDid Josie go for the interview?â
âNo, sir. She requested an extension when the incident with Eileen Shaw happened.â
âKeep a close eye on them.â
Josie did not go to the design company that had extended an olive branch to her. The first reason was that her body forced her to put it on hold. The second reason was that Laura suddenly came to her and invited her to start a studio together.
âI took some time recently to observe your design styles. Although they are completely different from mine, the aura it brings fascinates me.â Laura was still acting like a diva, although she was the one making a request.
Josie flipped through the document Laura brought. She was very interested but had some concerns.
âYouâre married into the Olsen family. Will they allow you to appear in the limelight?â
Lauraâs expression turned unnatural when the family was mentioned. âThey hardly care about Zach, much less me. Iâve been saving up this money for a long time. I didnât use any of it to have my own business one day. This could be greater if my family didnât go bankrupt.â
Josie believed that Laura had skills. âWhy did you choose me?â
âYouâre affordable and useful.â
Josie did not know if she should laugh or cry at her blunt words. âWhat I mean is that Iâm in a tight spot.
Are you not worried about the backlash youâll get if you work with me?â
Laura averted her eyes. She knew that Josie was referring to Summer. âSheâs been unhappy with me many times before. This does not make any difference.â
Josie contemplated. She was interested. Laura would oversee the funds, and she would provide the skills. Laura even promised to give her half the dividends of the studio. They would both be owners. It was far better than being a corporate slave.
âThereâs not many that I can trust nowadays. Iâve never imagined you would be one of them.â As Laura said those words, her voice was cold.
âItâs my honor.â Josie put the documents back in order. âGive me two days to think about it. Iâll give you my answer as soon as possible.â
Toward the end of their discussion, Laura sipped the cup of coffee the servants had prepared. She observed the house. The well-kept space felt like home.
âDexter treats you well,â she said matter-of-factly.
âOnly the one whoâs involved would know the truth.â
Josie stared at the scar on her wrist. She hesitated but did not ask the question.
âIt looks like someoneâs dream is going to shatter.â Laura smiled and got up to leave. But when she raised her head, a man was coming toward them.
The tall, slim body was in a white shirt. The man was rolling up his sleeve as he headed toward them against the light. âLaura.â
âI see youâre here, Mr. Russell.â
He hummed in reply but turned to Josie with a questioning look.
âLauraâs here to discuss work. Iâm sending her out.â Josie began heading out, but the man held her arm as she walked by.
âWait. Thereâs some soot on your forehead.â Pulling her nearer naturally, he cupped her head and gently cleaned the spot. The tender look in his eyes was not something one could pretend to have.