It was Leanne!
Why was she given permission to be here, standing with Dexter in such a sensitive situation??
In her astonishment, Josie endured Dexterâs scrutiny.
âI believe I handled it well, wouldnât you say, Mrs. Russell?â
Arnold chuckled, his query directed beside him.
Josie shot him a furious look, her expression shifting to one of seriousness and embarrassment.
Leanne caught Josieâs gaze and instinctively lowered her head, addressing Dexter, âMr. Russell, should I excuse myself for now?â
Leanneâs approach to Dexter was strictly professional, conveying a forthcoming demeanor that implied any inappropriate interactions.
This transparency was at least public.
Unexpectedly, Dexter raised his hand, signaling her to stay, âStay right here.â
Leanne was puzzled, briefly glancing at Josie.
Josie pressed her lips together, withholding any response.
Dexterâs expression grew stern. âArnold, your underling had zero manners, crossed the line, and provoked my family. Seems only right I give him a taste of discipline.â
No respect whatsoever in that sardonic gaze.
âOf course, you were right. He had it coming.
Arnold strode up to Scar and quickly glanced at him, saying, âBut Iâm curious, who did he tick off that got you so riled up?â
âWith the hefty cost of Wyatt being in the ICU, youâre definitely not holding back,â Dexter spoke candidly and named the person directly.
Arnoldâs understanding seemed hazy at first, but then it clicked suddenly.
âAh, Wyatt⦠but you canât just put the blame solely on Scar. Wyatt came to my turf uninvited, created a scene, and criticized you in and out, Dex. Naturally, I couldnât let it slide, so I allowed Scar to put him in his place. Whe wouldâve thought itâd escalate to a cerebral hemorrhage out of the blue?â
In simpler terms, Arnold meant that Scar causing Wyattâs hospitalization wasnât premeditated. It was an unfortunate accident.
Dexterâs knowing smirk held an air of intrigue. âAnd why did you keep me out of the loop on this?â
It appeared he received the news almost simultaneously with Josie. Now, the second lead to Paul had gone cold.
âTsk, I was worried youâd hear what he said about you and lose your temper. Plus, Yanis has already gone to keep my old man company behind bars. For someone like Wyatt, I took it upon myself to give him a reality check. Sounds reasonable, doesnât it?â
Arnold was crafty, subtly implying multiple things with just one sentence.
âEvery life carries value. I should get something in return,â Dexter asserted, revealing his reluctance to be on the losing side.
A shudder coursed through Josie as she witnessed Dexter and Arnold discussing life and death with ease and smiles as if it was a casual subject.
Scar tugged at his restraints and shouted, âMr. Carter, save me!â
Everyone was well aware that Dexter didnât show mercy when he chose to act. Should he go through with it, Scar might end up paying with his life.
âQuiet down! Make sure this lesson sinks in. Keep your eyes wide open and never cross Mr. Russell again!â
Turning to Dexter, his tone shifted, âDex, go easy on him, will ya?â
The bodyguards had their whips poised, ready to strike with force.
âThatâs enough!â
Josie cut through the chaos, advancing towards Dexter. âWyatt had a cerebral hemorrhage due to excessive drinking; it had nothing to do with them.â
Her gaze was unwavering, as if she fully grasped the cause behind Wyattâs condition. Dexter sensed this to some extent; his voice remained calm, âHow did you manage to get out?â
Josie didnât mention she had tried contacting him earlier. âClimbed over the wall. No need to blame the servants.â
Dexter chuckled, âHow forthcoming of you.â
He caught a strong whiff of alcohol from her, and a glint of fierceness flashed in the corner of his eyes.
âJo, youâre a little troublemaker, arenât you? Mustâve given Mr. Carter a run for his money again. You really donât make it easy for me, Dexter said calmly, a touch of underlying turmoil in his words. He lifted his hand and placed it on Josieâs shoulder, asserting his claim.
âItâs not like itâs the first time. A couple more wonât hurt,â Arnold added with a smirk, fanning the flames.
âI came to look into Wyatt,â Josie said in a hushed tone, addressing Dexter.
âYou sure do have a knack for getting involved in my business,â Dexter commented, motioning for his bodyguards to step back. âLet him go.â
Scar was set free, landing hard on the ground. He clung to his tough exterior, issuing a menacing threat. âDexter, mark my words. Iâll make it my lifeâs mission to get back at you and make you pay in the future!â