NovelOnlineChapter 164
"What the hell are you doing?!" Megan yelled as the cold drink drenched her from head to toe.
Josephine replied without missing a beat. "Right back at you, you psycho! Why'd you chere just to harass
people? What's your problem?"
Megan narrowed her eyes. "Do you know who this guy is?"
Josephine shot her a bright grin. "Sure do. He's my bestie. If you've got an issue with him, you'll have to deal
withfirst."
“He's a scammer—a total gigolo! He trashed his ex-wife's company out of petty jealousy because Jessica Hilton
treated him like a toy boy. Ask him if I'm lying!" Megan pointed a furious finger at Alex.
Josephine placed her hands on her hips, meeting Megan's glare with a fearless smirk. "I don't believe a single
word coming out of your mouth. So scram, crazy woman."
Megan opened her mouth to retort, but all that cout was a frustrated hiss.
Her cheeks burned with anger. "Oh, so that's how it is, huh? Alex, big man that you are, always hiding behind a
woman."
She shot him a bitter sneer. "Don't think you'll escape your problems. I've already called the whole Lancasters.
You'd better not run."
Josephine lunged forward, ready to tear into Megan again, but Megan spun around and stormed off before she
could say another word.
Alex broke the tense silence with a low laugh as Josephine walked back.
"Thanks," he said, lips curling into a half-smile.
She sighed, frustration still vibrating through her. "Next time, protect yourself from these nutjobs."
"Gentlemen don't fight with women-especially the crazy ones."
Josephine rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, you give them an inch, and they'll take a mile. You can't just let people like
that walk all over you."
She groaned, rubbing her temple. "Ugh, she completely killed my appetite."
Alex chuckled, trying to shake off the encounter. "Tell you what-since you saved me, I'll treat you to sextra
brisket. Sound good?"
She brightened instantly. "I'm a bottomless pit when it comes to good food."
He raised an eyebrow, amused. "How about a cold beer, too?"
"Perfect."
They laughed together, letting the tension of the encounter slip away.
In no time, they were back to chatting, sharing a second round of food and enjoying chilled beers
A few minutes later, Josephine's gaze wandered, landing on a woman stepping out of a sleek car. "Hey, Alex...
check out that girl."
Alex followed her line of sight. The woman wore a designer outfit, her posture as polished as a runway model.
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Chapter 164
Josephine heaved a small sigh. "Look at her bag. Probably costs a fortune. Must be nice to be so rich you never
have to think about money.
She frowned. "I'm up at dawn every single day. Cook for the kids, then run to the restaurant, work till I drop..."
Alex leaned back in his seat, fixing her with a sincere look. You're more gorgeous than she is."
Heat rushed to Josephine's checks.
She swallowed hard and quickly took a swig of her beer, unsure how to respond.
11
Sure, people said she was pretty, but she never believed them, always assuming they were just messing with
her.
Nobody had ever said something like that in such a straightforward, honest way.
It lodged in her chest, made her heartbeat quicken.
Before the moment could settle, a voice cut through the air.
"So... here you are, Alex."
Josephine stiffened, realizing the poised woman she'd been admiring was now standing right before them.
Sophia Lancaster.
"What do you want?" Alex asked, his tone chilling the atmosphere.
Sophia hesitated, clearly unsettled by his cold reception. "Iheard what Megan did.
| wanted to apologize on her behalf. She was out of line."
Alex shrugged, staring off into the distance. “No need. It doesn't bother me."
The mood shifted into an awkward hush.
Sophia looked like she was searching for the right words. Josephine could sense
her anxiety-like something big was riding on this encounter.
In a small voice, Sophia asked, "How's the brisket?"
Alex didn't respond, so Josephine answered instead. "It's really good."
Sophia gave a soft, polite smile. "Thanks."
She ordered a plate from the food truck, then returned, standing there with eyes lowered like she was gathering
her courage.
"May | sit with you?"
Josephine scooted closer to Alex, opening up space. "Sure."
The three of them sat in a heavy silence that drowned out the usual hum of the afternoon.
Eventually, Sophia inhaled, her voice tight with apprehension. "Alex... can | ask for your help?"
Josephine, feeling Alex's reluctance, nudged him. "Seriously, she's right here asking for help ignore her?"
Alex let out a slow breath. "What is it?"
Sophia's eyes flickered with a mix of desperation and relief.
d you're gonna
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"Lancaster Group employs over a hundred people. If things go south, all of them lose their jobs. I'm begging you
-please help me."
Alex's jaw tensed. "Remindagain-wasn't | just a fake a braggart with nothing to offer? You didn't exactly trust
contract... and instead, you backed Charles. How'd that work out for you?"
Sophia's gaze fell.
She looked like she was trying to steady herself. "I know... we made a mistake. We shouldn't have doubted you.
But right now, we have no other options."
Alex studied her for a heartbeat that felt like an eternity.
"What do you want?"
"Talk to Jasmine." Sophia replied.
"You wantto talk to Jasmine?"
Sophia's shoulders sagged.
Swallowing what was left of her pride, she nodded. "Yes. | need you to ask Jasmine to help us."
There was a bitterness in her voice, like the mere thought of depending on Jasmine stung her pride.
But the stakes were too high-Lancaster Group was on the brink, and she was determined to save it.
Alex regarded her carefully, then pulled out his phone. "I'll try. But no promises." Sophia breathed a trembling
"thank you" as Alex stepped away to make the call. "Alex? Wow, you actually dialedfirst. What's the
occasion?" Jasmine's voice was light and playful, that teasing note that usually made him smile. But Alex
couldn't bring himself to laugh this time.
He let out a long breath, shifting his gaze to Sophia, who looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on
her shoulders.
"Jasmine," he said softly, "Sophia cto me, asking for help with Lancaster Group."
Instantly, Jasmine's tone went razor-sharp.
"If you're askingto call off the police investigation, unfreeze their assets, and drop my accusations against
my dear brother Charles, then yeah-that's the only way this whole thing blows over." She paused, her voice
turning cold.
"You know that means I'd be sacrificing a lot, Alex. So tell me... is this really what you want?"
Alex glanced at Sophia-her eyes were hollow, desperation etched on every line of her face.
He felt a tightness in his chest, knowing how much he was asking. "Then... | owe you one, Jasmine,” he
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmmurmured, voice thick with guilt.
He heard a quiet sigh on the other end. "No need," she replied softly. "You know
I'll always say yes to anything you ask... even if it hurts me."
Alex swallowed, suddenly at a loss for words.
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"Just givestime, okay?" Jasmine added, her voice gentler now.
"Thanks..." he whispered before ending the call, feeling like he'd just signed away
a piece of himself.
He ended the call and walked to Sophia.
"I made the call, but | don't know if it'll help you or not. Let's wait for the good
news."
They ate in silence, the air between them heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Half an hour passed.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke through the quiet.
"Sophia, step away from that deadbeat!"
Everyone turned. Florence and Megan were marching toward them, faces set with
grim determination.
Sophia stood, eyes darting between them. "What's going on?"
Florence's voice was clipped with urgency. "You don't need that loser's help
anymore. We've found a better way to save Lancaster Group."
Sophia felt her stomach twist. "And what exactly is that?"
A deep voice spoke from behind Florence. "I'll help you."
Sophia's eyes flickered with confusion. "Charles?"
Florence nodded, stepping aside to reveal Charles Kingston, looking far too self-
assured.
"We visited him in the hospital. His mother used that miracle pill, and now he's
fully recovered. When we explained what was happening at Lancaster Group, he offered to help."
Sophia stared at Charles. Memories of betrayals and regrets surged through her. "...But-"
Florence lifted a hand to silence her. "No buts. Marco and Chris were the real culprits. The investigation proved
Charles wasn't to blame. Jasmine pulled out of the accusations half an hour ago, so now everyone knows he's
innocent." Charles moved closer, determination in his eyes. "I'll fix everything. For you."
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