Chapter 217 "I think He's Been Planning This Long Ago!"
Josephine went back to Celestia Springs for business, needing to sign contracts and handle some old patents.
She left Claudia and Laura behind.
Even though they weren't busy, they couldn't always be with her.
Plus, she was worried Laura would drag her to some wild places again.
It was just a two or three-day trip to Celestia Springs.
The contracts were with her old research institute, and two patents needed their authorization.
Other patents involved different partners.
Josephine thought signing contracts would be a simple office task, just signing and stamping.
But to her surprise, they wanted to invite her to a hot spring resort.
She asked the research institute, and they said the other party wanted to use the opportunity to build a good relationship with her.
So, she had to agree.
She wasn't wrong; usually, contracts are signed in the office.
But Rex was one of the investors. No one would argue with him.
He wanted to invite Josephine to the hot spring resort. Even if it wasn't the resort, they'd find a way to get her there.
So, Josephine was respectfully taken to the hot spring resort.
Regarding the necklace Rex gave, not only was he not thanked, but Steven ended up being scolded by Laura.
Rex didn't gain anything from it.
He didn't mean to make Josephine feel a certain way about him, but it shouldn't have hurt her impression of him either.
However, this incident showed Josephine wasn't a vain person.
Anyone else would have been thrilled by expensive jewelry, but Josephine had Laura return it.
Rex sat by the window smoking.
This resort was his, and he made the rules. No one dared to say anything about him smoking.
Rex was tall, rugged, and well-built. Even at his age, he still had a certain charm.
His smoking had a unique style.
While waiting for Josephine, many young girls tried to chat him up.
Some he knew, some he didn't.
Rex wasn't very patient, and his stern face was intimidating.
He drove them away, waiting for Josephine in peace, hoping for a chance encounter.
Thinking about it, he smiled.
He didn't expect to be learning to be romantic at his age.
But he couldn't help it; he liked Josephine, and she was worth it.
Josephine arrived and could check in directly.
As soon as she entered the lobby, she saw Rex, mainly because his behavior stood out.
In the large hall, he was the only one sitting there. With a bright "No Smoking" sign above him, he was still smoking.
Rex posed for a while, then pretended to notice her, standing up with a surprised face. "Dr. Kalmien? What a coincidence?"
Josephine didn't think it was a coincidence; she didn't believe in such things now.
She said indifferently, "Mr. Armstrong."
"Mr. Armstrong sounds so formal," Rex smiled, "Just call me Rex."
"I wouldn't dare." Josephine coughed lightly. "I have something to do. I'll be going now."
She said this, pulled her suitcase, and turned to leave.
Rex frowned.
Josephine got into the elevator, and Rex raised an eyebrow, looking at the front desk staff. "Notice anything?"
A clever girl at the desk said, "She seemed to dislike the smell of smoke."
Rex glanced at the cigarette in his hand. He'd been smoking for twenty years and couldn't quit. He took another puff and left.
No rush, there'd be other chances.
Not ten minutes later, another guest checked in.
Stuart was tall, with long legs, a good temperament, and an even better figure. He looked like a movie star but more noble and imposing.
After checking in, Stuart took his room card and went upstairs. He timed it right; his room should be close to Josephine's.
He was right. Rex didn't dare give Josephine the best room, fearing she'd suspect something, which worked out for Stuart.
Stuart stepped out of the elevator and saw Josephine's door open. She was on the phone with Laura, not paying attention until she saw him.
"Stuart?" She was shocked. "Are you stalking me?"
Stuart showed her his room card. "Wrongly accused. I'm here for business, just checked in. Even if I were stalking you, how could I know your floor and room?"
First Rex, now Stuart. She was in no mood.
Josephine didn't want to talk. She held her phone, glanced at Stuart, and walked toward the elevator.
Laura asked on the phone, "Stuart? Is he still stalking you?"
"He doesn't admit it," Josephine said, "But it doesn't matter. I won't pay attention to him."
Laura said, "You're at the hot springs. Even if you ignore him, just wearing a swimsuit and letting him see is already a benefit for him!"
"I don't want to go out to soak," Josephine said, "There's one in the room. I'll just use that."
"Yeah," Laura said, "Don't let him take advantage. By the way, be wary of Rex in Celestia Springs; it's his territory."
Josephine sighed. "I've already seen him."
"Damn!" Laura cursed, "What's going on?"
Josephine explained.
"Not a coincidence at all!" Laura cursed, "I think he's been planning it long ago! Wait, I'll call you back!"
She hung up and asked Steven, "Is the hot spring resort Josephine went to owned by Rex?"
Steven felt the pressure from both sides.
In the end, he decided to betray Rex. After all, Laura looked very angry.
He pulled her over. "Yes. But don't be mad, Rex really likes her. He's a bit older and doesn't know how to be romantic like young people. Getting to this point is already very difficult for him."
Laura shouted, "Steven, you're so bad! Josephine is my best friend, like a sister to me! And you set her up?"
Steven said, "It's not that serious."
Laura continued, "It's his territory, the hot spring resort, and Josephine is a single woman Steven, I know what Rex is up to!"
Steven smiled wryly. "Laura, Rex doesn't have such strong desires, and he never forces anyone. You said Josephine is your best friend; he has to respect that."
She said, trying to get up, "I'm telling you, if anything happens to Josephine, I won't let you off!"
Steven held her. "Where are you going?"
Laura replied, "I'm going to find Josephine!"
