Everyone could tell Rex liked Josephine.
Coincidentally, Josephine was single, and folks were happy to see them together.
Stuart showed up half an hour later.
Vincent was surprised. "So soon? Traffic in Celestia Springs is usually terrible."
Stuart walked in, his sharp eyes first on Josephine, then on Rex beside her.
Rex married young; he's just turned forty, but his daughter is already in high school.
He looked like he was in his thirties and carried himself well. To Stuart, seeing him with Josephine was unsettling.
"Mr. Haustia?" Rex recognized him and smiled. "It's rare to see you. When did you get to Celestia Springs?"
Vincent invited Stuart to sit and introduced him. "He heard about my new investment and wanted to join in."
"More investment is always good," Rex said, noticing Stuart's gaze on Josephine. "Josephine, you're also from Hustalia. Do you know Mr. Haustia?"
Josephine nodded. "Yes."
Stuart said, "No."
They spoke at the same time, surprising everyone.
Josephine didn't expect Stuart to say no.
She smiled. "I've heard of Mr. Haustia, but I don't know him personally."
Vincent stared at Stuart, confused.
Stuart asked Rex, "You seem familiar with her, Mr. Armstrong."
Rex sensed some jealousy. "Not really, but I have a sense of familiarity with her."
Stuart's face darkened.
Since he came under the pretense of investment, he had to discuss business first.
Josephine couldn't get a word in, and her phone rang. She stepped out to take the call.
It was Todd, reminding her of Emily's birthday in two days and insisting she and Stuart attend.
He hung up before she could refuse.
Turning around, she saw Stuart nearby.
Stuart said, "Stay away from Rex. He's not simple."
Josephine didn't want to engage but was curious. "You just said you don't know me."
"I'm doing you a favor," Stuart said sternly. "Don't get deceived."
Josephine walked past him. "Thanks for the warning, Mr. Haustia. I'll keep it in mind."
Seeing her indifferent, Stuart gritted his teeth. "You!"
But Josephine ignored him and went back inside.
Stuart felt frustrated and sad.
He couldn't accept Josephine being with another man.
He didn't understand how others could move on after a divorce, but he couldn't watch Josephine get deceived.
Thinking about what he said, he comforted himself, considering it a good deed.
He returned to the room, and the investment was basically settled. They just needed to sign the contract.
With Stuart there, Rex didn't talk to Josephine alone.
Before leaving, Rex asked Josephine, "Need a ride back?"
Josephine quickly shook her head. "No, I live nearby. Just a short walk."
Rex held up his phone. "Keep in touch!"
He then looked at Stuart. "Mr. Haustia, aren't you leaving?"
Stuart's face darkened. "Mr. Armstrong, please."
Rex got into his car and told his men, "Find out what their relationship is."
At the restaurant entrance, after seeing off the other leaders, Josephine started walking back to the hotel. It was less than a mile away.
Soon, she heard footsteps beside her. She turned and saw Stuart walking next to her, looking straight ahead, focused.
Josephine didn't want to deal with Stuart. She thought of walking faster but realized he could easily catch up. So she slowed down.
Stuart, with his long strides, quickly widened the gap between them. When Josephine looked up, she saw Stuart had stopped ahead, looking back at her.
Under the dim streetlights, Stuart, in his high-quality cashmere coat, looked tall and handsome. It felt like a scene from a TV drama, but Josephine felt nothing.
She looked away and kept walking at her own pace. Stuart followed her silently.
They reached the hotel, and Stuart still hadn't said a word. Josephine acted like he didn't exist, walked into the lobby, and pressed the elevator button.
Seeing her go upstairs, Stuart finally left. Vincent was waiting for him and asked, "What's going on between you two now?"
Stuart didn't answer but asked, "Has Rex had any women around him recently?"
Vincent replied, "Not for about half a year. I met the last one once, but they broke up."
Stuart said, "Keep an eye on him. If he meets Josephine alone, let me know."
Vincent was confused. "Stuart, you now..."
Stuart interrupted, "No matter what, she was once my wife. I can't just watch her get deceived."
Vincent was speechless. He thought Stuart was the one Josephine was avoiding. But he didn't dare to say it, so he just sighed. "Alright."
Josephine returned to the hotel and found Claudia eating takeout alone; Laura wasn't there.
"She went out on a date happily," Claudia said.
Josephine smiled. "You shouldn't stay in the room all the time either. Go out, take a walk, and relax."
Claudia said, "I want to create a coat for the Festive Spirit Joy collection. I have a lot of ideas but haven't started yet. I've been busy with that."
Being busy was good; it kept her occupied.
After washing up, Josephine lay on the bed and saw a message from Todd. He said if she didn't attend Emily's birthday party, he'd give all the family company shares to Emily.
Seeing Josephine in a daze, Claudia asked, and Josephine showed her the phone.
Claudia was shocked. "You're their biological daughter!"
"I don't care about his shares," Josephine said, "But it's my grandparents' hard work. I can't let it go to Emily."
"Just go. It's just a birthday party," Claudia said, "Let's see what he can do."
Josephine said, "My dad mainly wants Stuart to go. But given my current relationship with Stuart, how could I possibly let him go?"
Stuart did say last time that if she went, he would go. But now he was saying he didn't know her.
Josephine shook her head. "Forget it. I'll deal with it when the time comes."