Blind date turned proposal (Josie and Dexter)

Her words resonated powerfully, causing the room to fall into silence.

Mark fell silent. This old man, who had experienced countless storms, now wore a look as if he had done something wrong.

"Leanne, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to stand up for you. Don't... don't be angry."

Claudia didn't say anything. She just picked up the kettle and poured Josie a cup of water.

Her expression remained calm.

Seeing this, Josie felt uncomfortable, especially after remembering Mark's medical report that Claudia showed her. His body couldn't withstand any more turmoil.

"I'm not angry. I just wish sometimes you'd discuss with me when you're handling my affairs?"

Seeing her soften her tone, Mark finally relaxed. "Okay, of course. I'll be more considerate in the future."

Josie looked up and met Claudia's gentle gaze. The latter smiled at her.

It wasn't surprising that Mark was angry. That morning, his daughter had shown signs of caring for him, but by evening, the fools in the company ruined everything.

It was hard not to be angry.

After dinner, Josie intended to visit Paul, but Claudia insisted she stay, wanting to speak with her alone.

"Laura has helped the Olsen family for years. Your father loves her as he would his own flesh and blood. However, when he heard of your misfortune, he was consumed with rage, and concern for you overshadowed everything else. At the end of the day, you are what matters to him most."

Josie didn't deny it. "I know."

"Then you..."

"I'll be mindful of my boundaries."

Claudia clearly had more to say than just that. She gazed at Josie. "Given your understanding of Laura, do you believe she was involved in this matter?"

Josie furrowed her brows and instinctively said, "I've told you before that she's innocent. She probably doesn't know anything."

"Probably?" Claudia seized on the keyword.

Josie was taken aback. She had no idea she'd say that out loud.

"You said it yourself that Laura has been helping the Olsen family for many years. Isn't she worthy of your trust?"

Claudia didn't comment further, remaining silent for a meaningful moment.

Josie's heart skipped a beat.

"It's just suspicion. After all, when managing so many things, it's inevitable to make mistakes. I'm reminding you to be more cautious. Don't interfere with your father's decisions anymore like what you did today as you weren't sure whether the other party was innocent. The Olsen family has come this far with one iron rule: better to kill by mistake than to let someone guilty go free."

Josie averted her gaze, finding the situation absurd. "In the end, it all boils down to the archaic ways."

After Claudia finished speaking, she didn't push further. "It's been a few days since you came back. Go see your father. He's much better."

This father, of course, referred to Paul.

At night, Josie sat in her room and opened the documents Mark had given her. She hadn't intended to look at them as she just wanted the matter to be over with.

But Claudia's words made her hesitate.

As she went through the papers, she found detailed records of every punishment Mark had handed down as chairman. And the people listed were all those who had appeared at the banquet that night. Indeed, many had been demoted, and some had even been directly terminated from their positions.

Josie read through each one, noting the positions and factions of each person. They were all Laura's subordinates.

She clenched the piece of paper tightly, her fingertips turning white.

Was it just a coincidence? While she had criticized the conservatism, every single one of them was under Laura's command, not from other factions.

Such targeting was simply too blatant.

Josie's back went cold, a feeling of unease creeping over her. If she hadn't looked at these documents today, she would never have suspected Laura. ", are you there?" The door suddenly knocked, and it was Laura's voice.