Blind Date Turned Proposal

When Mark called, Josie was sitting in the courtyard, watching Grape and Pepper playing around.

Perhaps Pepper had a special affinity for Josie, as it particularly liked her.

"It was my negligence, Josie. I personally punished Maverick and the others, demoting them by three levels. They won't trouble you again, and such incidents won't happen in the future." Mark's voice was firm, indicating his anger.

Dexter was reviewing documents. Seeing Josie's eyebrows furrow slightly, he paused and silently questioned her with his eyes.

Josie gestured that everything was fine, then got up and walked to the side.

"They were just trying to put me in my place. Mr. Olsen, I can't believe you demoted them by three levels."

They might never recover from the punishment in their lifetime.

Mark naturally sensed the sarcasm in her words and quickly said, "Since they dared to treat you like this, they can't blame me for being heartless. They took advantage of their previous merit to pull this off on my daughter. They deserve it!"

He was indeed harsh.

Josie wasn't particularly concerned initially, as Dexter had already stood up for her. But Mark's actions now surprised her. She felt his protection and concern.

"Understood."

"Then, when are you coming back? Your mother said you went back with Dexter, so, are you two...?"

The underlying message in his words wasn't lost on Josie. However, what intrigued her more was another thing. "How did she know?"

Laura was present at the scene, so her being aware wasn't surprising. But how did Claudia come to know?

"Well, before Laura rushed over, she was out shopping with your mother. Laura deliberately kept it a secret and didn't say anything until she saw you come out." So Claudia was there that night too.

Josie remained silent.

The silence on the phone tormented Mark, and he even became a bit cautious.

"I'll be back tomorrow." She glanced at the playful Grape. She had only requested a day off from Juliette.

Hearing a definite answer from Josie, Mark felt relieved.

Dexter finished handling the documents and handed them to Maverick who was waiting on the side He closed the cap of the pen. "Mark?"

"Yeah, he said Maverick and the others have been punished."

Dexter's lips curled up. "That's quite sincere."

Grape had finished playing and ran over to cuddle with Dexter, saying she wanted some water.

Dexter deftly opened the water bottle for her, gently reminding her to drink slowly.

Watching this scene, Josie suddenly

felt that he could take care of Grape very well now, and the latter's dependence on him was increasing every day.

Their blood tie was a dead end.

In fact, the deadline of one hundred days was almost approaching.

Seeing her lost in thought, Dexter asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Josie pursed her lips, then suddenly asked, "Didn't we say we should give Grape a formal name? Have you thought of one?"

Dexter frowned. Delegating the naming decision to him wasn't Josie's style.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

"What's wrong with you?"

He understood her well. Josie couldn't say what was on her mind. "I just want to finalize it sooner."

"I've thought of several, but none

seemed quite right." Dexter lifted et

Grape's chubby face and smiled

gently. "Philomena, how about this

name?"

Philomena?

It did sound rather appealing and seemed fitting for a girl. "What does it mean?"

"Our child, naturally, is our beloved. I hope you can feel the depth of my affection for you."

Dexter tilted his head back, his eyes and brows expressing a gentle warmth.

"Of course, you decide which surname she takes, be it Olsen or Warren."

Josie frowned. She hadn't expected him to be willing to let the child take her surname, without mentioning the Russell family at all.