Chapter 538 Found the Hidden Basement Dexter moved away from Heather after Josie entered the room and said, âYouâre right, but thatâs the extent of my gratitude.â
Heather was left stunned by his coldness.
After they entered the study, Josie took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. âWhy did you request to enter the study room?â
Arnold took off his coat and covered the security cameras. He then started to search the room. âI lived in the Olsen residence in the past and found a secret basement that sounds like the one youâre talking about. Iâm not sure if itâs the same one.â
Josie raised her eyebrows in surprise and started to search around.
Arnold spoke in a hushed tone, âHow long has Laura been physically abused?â
âItâs been happening for a while. I thought she was getting better after introducing her to a therapist, but I never imagined that Zach would still abuse her.â
Her fury rose as she described what had happened to Arnold.
Arnold scoffed, âYou should have introduced the therapist to Zach.
He tried to move a plant in the corner, but it was too heavy.
âI never thought someone so kind could have such a violent side to him,â Arnold added. He would never hit a woman, despite his flirty personality.
Josie was feeling extremely pressed for time. She knew that Laura was in greater danger with each passing moment.
The garden downstairs was a different world. Everyone was lost in conversation, the music providing a backdrop to their chatter.
They spent twenty minutes trying to find the way to unlock the stairway to the hidden basement, but they were unsuccessful. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door-it was Claudia. âArnold, is everything alright? Do you need any assistance?â
Arnold exchanged glances with Josie.
After a moment, he opened the door. âAunt Claudia, weâre still working on the issue. It might take some time Claudia paused for a moment, mulling over his words. She peered through the small opening of the door and saw Josie typing on the computer nonstop, Oh, I was just wondering if you would like me to call your uncle over âTheâs no need to get Uncle Mark involved I can handle this myself Arnold replied Meanwhile Summer had changed into a new dress and noticed her mother speaking to Arnold She frowned and aked. âWhat are you doing, Mom!
ry wide with fear, as she heard Summerâs voice Found the Hidden Basement âNothing much. Iâm just chatting with Arnold.â
Summerâs brow snapped together as she directed her question to Arnold. âWhat are you doing in the study room?â
âWork,â he said curtly.
Josie sprang to her feet when the door closed. âDo you think Claudia knows about Laura being abused?â
Arnold shook his head. âSheâs probably not aware of it. She wasnât here for their wedding, and sheâs not the type who would turn a blind eye to something like that Hearing Arnoldâs reassurance of her character, Josie sighed in relief.
The two of them continued searching for the hidden basement entrance. As Josie looked around the bookshelf, she noticed that one of the books wasnât an actual book. Her forehead creased as she tried to turn the book around. To her surprise, the bookshelf began to slide open, and a door appeared before them.
Arnold and Josie exchanged glances. âItâs the hidden basement,â he muttered in awe.
The lights in the hidden basement were dim, and the air was stale. It took them five minutes to reach the bottom, where they found a large space well-stocked with food and water. As they walked deeper into the basement, the lights became dimmer.
Arnold gripped a bat, keeping an eye out for danger.
âLaura?â Josie called out cautiously.
All of a sudden, she heard someone panting from a distance.