Robin went back to his room and tried to calm down.
It was clear Josephine had just returned to Hustalia.
Stuart hadn't made any moves, so he must've been the first to know.
From the surveillance footage, there was a guy with Josephine.
Robin couldn't tell what their relationship was.
They didn't seem close from what he saw.
Robin's mind was racing. He knew Stuart had given up looking for her before.
He was sure Josephine wouldn't tell Stuart she was back.
Hustalia wasn't huge, but it wasn't tiny either; they might not bump into each other.
Still, there was a chance, like today. They could meet by accident, or someone might tell Stuart.
People might think Stuart had moved on after five years and forgotten his ex-wife. But Robin wasn't so sure.
Stuart was hard to read now.
Robin felt their relationship had changed over the years.
Stuart didn't confide in him anymore.
After a while, Robin made a few calls. Finally, he called Stuart.
Stuart's voice was cold. "What do you want?"
He didn't used to be like this. He used to sound relaxed or teasing when Robin called.
Now, he sounded distant, like talking to a stranger.
Robin didn't dwell on it and said, "Stuart, I got a big project abroad. Want to join?"
The Haustia and Bailey families had worked on many projects together.
Even though Stuart's attitude had changed, their business hadn't.
Stuart loved working, and after Josephine left, he threw himself into it even more.
Hearing Robin's proposal, he wasn't too interested and asked, "What project?"
Robin did have a project. He wanted to do it alone, but now, with Josephine back, plans had to change.
After hearing the details, Stuart quickly saw it was highly profitable.
Who wouldn't want to make money, especially when it was handed to them?
Robin said, "If you're interested, we can go abroad."
Stuart asked, "When?"
"Tomorrow?" Robin suggested. "A local tycoon is currently leveraging connections to get involved in this project. We should settle things first."
"The day after tomorrow," Stuart said. "I need to wrap up my current work."
Robin thought, 'With just one day, they probably won't run into each other.'
He agreed.
Stuart hung up and closed his eyes.
Ronald cautiously spoke, "Mr. Haustia."
Stuart waved him off.
Ronald turned to leave but paused. "Mr. Haustia, you've waited five years, and now she's back..."
Stuart shouted, "Get out!"
Ronald shook his head and left without another word.
Stuart felt extremely oppressed.
As soon as Josephine appeared in Hustalia, he knew.
These five years, Stuart didn't know how he got through them.
He was like a machine, just going through the motions.
The heavy workload kept Stuart from thinking about anything else. Whenever he had free time, thoughts of Josephine flooded in.
With the longing came the pain.
People said time healed emotional wounds, but Stuart didn't buy it. He never forgot Josephine.
Now, he finally had news of her.
When he first heard, he was stunned. He wanted to drop everything and find her.
But after a few steps, he stopped.
Five years had given him plenty of time to regret, suffer, and reflect.
Five years ago, he might have done something drastic like imprisoning Josephine. Now, he was a changed man. He couldn't even muster the courage to see her.
So, when he got the news, he felt conflicted and torn.
Robin's call to go abroad, whether a coincidence or intentional, would soon be clear.
Josephine was back; he definitely wanted to see her.
But when, how, and what to say? Stuart had to think it through.
He knew he had messed up before. This time, he wanted to show Josephine his sincerity.
He wanted to do it right.
Josephine spent the night at the hotel. Before bed, she video-called her son and arranged some work.
Her life now revolved around work and her son. Every day felt fulfilling.
Tomorrow, she would attend Claudia's engagement party, then head to Celestia Springs.
Claudia and Laura were initially upset she was leaving so soon.
But after hearing her reasons and knowing what she had been up to, they supported her.
Celestia Springs wasn't far; they could visit her.
As for meeting Andrew, Josephine wasn't ready to consider that.
Josephine sighed, turned over, and decided not to think about it. She went to sleep.
She slept until she woke up naturally.
It was winter, and the days were shorter. It was almost seven, and the sun hadn't come up yet.
After washing up and changing clothes, Josephine was ready for breakfast.
When she opened the door, Otis was standing there.
"The restaurant is this way," he said, gesturing. "If there's any local breakfast you want, we can go out instead of staying at the hotel."
"No need," Josephine replied. "Let's eat at the hotel. I have plans later..."
Otis looked over, asking, "What plans?"
Josephine waved her hand. "Take a day off today. You don't need to follow me; I have my own arrangements."
"I don't need rest," Otis said. "I need to ensure your safety."
Josephine said, "It's not as dangerous here as it is abroad. You don't need to be so tense."
They talked as they entered the restaurant.
Otis said, "There are dangers abroad, and there are risks here too."
He scanned the restaurant, then pulled out a chair for Josephine.
He handed her a hot towel.
As Josephine wiped her hands, she said, "It's not as bad as you say."
Otis sat across from her and said, "It is. Right now, at a forty-five-degree angle to your left, there's a man staring at you with an unusual look."
Josephine instinctively looked up.