Todd hung up. Josephine tossed her phone aside. After a bit, it rang again.
Thinking it was Todd, she picked it up absentmindedly. It was Claudia.
She quickly sat up. "Claudia?"
Claudia's voice was tearful. "Josephine, where are you?"
Josephine was startled. "Claudia, what's wrong?"
Half an hour later, Josephine met Claudia at the hotel.
Claudia's eyes welled up with tears, and she hugged Josephine immediately.
Josephine, heartbroken and anxious, asked, "What happened? Stop crying."
After a while, Claudia calmed down.
Josephine pulled her to the couch, wiped her face, and applied some moisturizer. "Feeling better?"
Claudia nodded, sniffled, and said, "Josephine, I broke off the engagement."
Seeing Claudia's tears, Josephine had guessed it was about her fiancé, David.
David's childhood ex-girlfriend had shown up, accusing Claudia of interfering in their relationship.
If David had defended Claudia and explained, she might have understood. Everyone had a past.
But David comforted his ex and defended her. When Claudia asked more questions, he got angry.
Even worse, David's parents said Claudia wasn't kind and generous enough.
Claudia, though gentle, wasn't one to be bullied.
She got angry, fought with David, and ran to Josephine.
Josephine asked, "Are you sure there's something between him and that girl?"
Claudia nodded. "His parents said her family had issues, so they didn't approve. I didn't expect they hadn't broken up."
Josephine asked, "Do you regret it?"
Claudia shook her head. "No regrets! Even though I'm not rich anymore, I want someone devoted to me. Is that too much? He treated me well before, and my parents pressured me, so I agreed to the engagement."
Josephine said, "Good. A man like David isn't worth it. If he defends his ex now, marriage won't be easy."
"True, but it still hurts," Claudia said. "He pursued me for over a year. I thought he was a gentleman. I didn't expect him to sleep with his ex while dating me."
Josephine was furious. "Did you sleep with him?"
Claudia shook her head. "I was planning to after the engagement, but who knew..."
Seeing her about to cry again, Josephine hugged her. "Good thing you didn't let that jerk take advantage! Don't cry; he's not worth it! Pack up, and I'll take you to Celestia Springs!"
Claudia gasped. Josephine patted her. "I'll take you to relax. Don't worry, bad men get what they deserve!"
After comforting Claudia to sleep, Josephine called Laura.
Laura, with her fiery temper, was furious. "Don't worry. You two go to Celestia Springs. Leave this to me. Since he dares to cheat, I'll make sure he never gets the chance again!"
After hanging up, Steven, who was holding her, spoke up. "Should I handle this?"
Laura kicked him. "Eavesdropping on my call!"
Steven felt wronged. Being so close, Laura didn't even try to hide it. How was that eavesdropping?
Steven's hand was on Laura's smooth skin. He moved closer and said, "I'll make sure you're satisfied."
Laura glared at him. "Do it well, or you'll regret it!"
Steven asked, "Is there a reward if I do it well?"
"I knew you had an angle!" Laura pushed his hand away. "Get lost!"
Steven called her, "Little Laura."
Laura snapped, "I told you, don't call me that! We're not that close."
Steven wanted to strangle this woman who ignored him after they slept together. But he was smitten and had no choice but to keep coaxing her.
Josephine didn't know Laura had found Steven. With Steven involved, Claudia's ex-fiancé David would probably have a tough time.
Early the next morning, Josephine and Claudia got into Otis's car, heading to Celestia Springs.
Hustalia wasn't far from Celestia Springs, just a three-hour drive.
As soon as they hit the highway, Otis said, "Ms. Kalmien, a car is following us."
He wasn't sure in the city, but now it was clear.
Claudia was startled. "Why follow us?"
Josephine glanced back and said, "It might be Stuart. I can't think of anyone else who would follow my car."
Claudia, unaware of what happened yesterday, asked, "Did you see him?"
Josephine nodded.
Claudia frowned. "What's his deal? Why follow us?"
"Ignore him," Josephine said, then told Otis, "Just keep driving."
After two hours, Otis pulled into a service area, and the car was still following them.
Claudia went to the restroom, and Josephine got out, glancing at the luxury car.
The next second, the car door opened, and a pair of long legs stepped out.
It was Stuart, that jerk.
Josephine looked away and said a few words to Otis, who was smoking, then got back in the car.
Otis looked up and met Stuart's cold gaze.
Otis was unafraid, glanced at him, then walked to a nearby trash can and stubbed out his cigarette.
Stuart walked over and asked, "What's your relationship with Josephine?"
Otis knew he was Josephine's ex-husband. He looked like a good guy but was so rude.
Otis doubted Josephine's taste. Did she only look at faces? He smiled.
Stuart saw his friendly gesture and was about to ask another question.
However, Otis's smile faded, and he said coldly, "None of your business."
Otis was used to being a lone wolf and had a fiery temper. He feared nothing. If Josephine hadn't saved his life, no one could control him.
Hearing those words, Stuart was furious.
Otis didn't want to talk to him anymore and got back in the car.
Before Stuart could react, the car drove off.
Seeing Stuart's livid face from the car, Josephine smiled and asked Otis, "What did you say to him?"
Otis asked, "You're not planning to remarry him, right?"
Josephine shook her head. "Never thought about it."
"That's good," Otis said, "He looks good but has no manners."
Stuart had always been arrogant. Josephine said, "Don't mind what he said. We won't see him again."
Otis said, "Not necessarily. He's following us again."
Josephine didn't expect Stuart to be like this now.
He followed them to Celestia Springs. Though he didn't cause trouble, he followed Josephine everywhere she went.