Blind date turned proposal (Josie and Dexter)

Though she claimed to visit Paul, she simply left the living room with Claudia.

It was raining again outside, the downpour knocking most of the magnolia blossoms to the ground, painting a picture of desolation.

"It's cold during autumn. You need to wear more clothes and keep yourself warm in the Russell Mansion." Claudia spoke softly, standing under the eaves and gazing out at the rain.

Her tough and aloof demeanor back at the police station was replaced by softness and resignation.

Josie pursed her lips. "I won't stay in the Russell Mansion forever like how I'll leave the Olsen Residence once the project is over."

Claudia did not turn around. "I haven't told Mark about the child. Let me repeat what I said. There's still room for negotiation if you willingly give up on the idea of having the child take the Warren family name. However, if you don't-"

"What if I don't?" Josie interrupted.

Only then did Claudia turn around, locking eyes with her. "If you remain stubborn, you can forget about leaving Wavery."

Josie scoffed. Indeed, the influential Olsen family is capable of pulling that off. But intimidation and threats don't work on me.

"What should I call you?"

Josie's sudden question caught Claudia off guard. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Mother? Or Ms. Hadey? I believe, no mother in this world would threaten her own daughter like this. A mother would only wish for her child's happiness, and the Ms. Hadey I knew would never stop me from making my own decisions. She would simply smile and encourage me to do whatever makes me happy." Josie wore a pained expression, for she no longer knew the woman standing before her. Claudia had become strange to her.

Claudia was in equal pain. "Things have changed, Leanne. Ever since you disappeared, I've spent every moment searching for you, missing you. Now that you're back, I can't bear to let you go again. Is the Olsen family not good enough? The Olsen family's resources are more than enough for you and your child to live a stable, peaceful life!"

Josie stared into Claudia's eyes, which resembled her own, struggling to understand her viewpoint.

"To be honest, Leanne, I don't share a bond with your child." Claudia stepped forward, taking Josie's hand. "But she's your child, and because I love you, I will also care for those close to you. I want the best for both you and her. You've said it yourself; you're a mother too. Don't you want what's best for her? As long as she takes the Olsen family name, everything can be resolved."

The warmth of Claudia's palm made Josie momentarily fall into a daze. She almost believed Claudia.

"Are you still hoping that the Russell family would pave the way for you, Leanne? No matter how much Dexter loves you, he'll never love you as much as your parents do. Do you understand?"

Those very words snapped Josie back to clarity. She frowned as she brushed Claudia's hand off. "No, it's not like that. If you truly wish the best for me and my child, why must you insist on her taking the Olsen family name? Are you not going to love her anymore if she takes a stranger's last name?"

Josie couldn't help trembling as she continued, "All you care about is your own interests. All you want is to continue the Olsen family's bloodline!"

This statement was borderline disrespectful, and Claudia began trembling, too, yelling, "That's not true!"

Josie didn't want to argue anymore. Dexter had advised her to stay calm as much as possible, but the resentment in her heart kept piling up, making it impossible for her to calm down.

"You call upon me when I'm needed and cast me aside when I'm not. That's all I've ever been to you, isn't it? Just a tool," she uttered.