Josie instinctively tried to follow Hayden, but a female officer stopped her.

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“You can go home now. We’ll handle the rest. We’ll let you know when we have the results of the investigation,” the officer said.

“Come on,” Sean said, stepping out from a nearby room.

Noticing Josie’s reluctance, he gently tugged her along. “Let the police handle the investigation. Stop stressing over it, okay?”

The two of them left the police station together.

Josie turned to him. “Sean, I know everything.”

She thought, ‘No wonder that when I woke upst night, I saw him with Professor Wilcourt. He has been searching for me the whole time.’

“Yeah,” Sean said, as if he already knew what she was about to say, “It’s gettingte. Let’s go eat. Don’t keep ire waiting.”

Josie had no choice but to get in the car with him.

It wasn’t a taxi. It was Sean’s car, and it looked like it had been parked there the whole time.

“Did you drive this car to the police station yesterday?” Josie asked as she opened the door and got in.

She added, “Was it Colby who helped you look for me? Did you guys break into the surveince cameras of the nearby shops?”

Sean hadn’t wanted to bring it up again, but it seemed like Josie wouldn’t let it said something.

go

unless he

“Here, take this. I already disinfected it,” Sean said, handing Josie a pouch of silver needles.

It was the needle pouch she’d lost at the scene of the fight yesterday.

The pouch had been a gift from Delh. Josie had used it to jab that mustached guy, and then somehow lost it in the chaos.

“Sorry, I should’ve taken better care of it. Please don’t tell Professor Wilcourt, okay?” Josie pleaded.

Seeing her looking like a guilty little bird, Sean couldn’t help but feel both amused and a little sorry for her.

12:15 Tue, 26 Aug

He teased, “Why are you so silly?

“Professor Wilcourt already knew about itst night. She’s not mad at you at all.

“She even said that you using those needles to save yourself just proves her gift was worth it.

“Trust me, to her, your safety means way more than a pouch of needles.”

Josie stuck out her tongue. “To me, this is a life–saving favor. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll never forget what you did for me, either.

“A simple thank you‘ just isn’t enough. If you ever need my help, just say the word.

“As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll never turn you down.”

“Got it,” Sean said, clearly in a good mood, “I won’t be shy about it.”

ire had reserved a private room at a restaurant, and by the time they arrived, all the dishes were alreadyid out.

As they walked in, Sean gently held Josie back.

He said, “My aunt doesn’t like being called ‘Professor.‘ Just call her ‘Mrs. Wilcourt‘ from now ollion. /li/ol

“ire will probably ask you about what happened, so think about how you want to exin

it.”

ire still didn’t know about the kidnapping. Josie knew she had to tell her, but she didn’t want ire to worry. She still hadn’t figured out how to say it.

After thinking it over, Josie decided to just tell the truth.

ire had always treated her well, so Josie didn’t want to hide anything from her.

Once inside, Josie obediently sat down next to ire and poured her a cup of drink. Before ire could even bask/b, Josie blurted out everything.

She asked, “ire, I got kidnappedst night. Sean was the one who saved me.

“The five people who took me have all been caught, and we just came from the police station after giving our statements.”

“What?” ire shot to her feet,pletely stunned.

Even Sean, who had just sat down, couldn’t help but look over in surprise.

He definitely hadn’t expected Josie to justy it all out like that.

12:15 Tue, 26 Aug P

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“You two really are something! How could you keep something this huge from me?” ire paced anxiously back and forth, clearly upset.

She asked, “Are you hurt? Did those bastards hit you? I knew something was off with your face. today. Did they rough you up?

“Do you know who did it? Why would they kidnap you?”

After rattling off her questions, ire reached out and took Josie’s hand, even checking her pulse like a worried mom.

“I’m really fine, ire,” Josie said, half exasperated, half amused.

She exined, “I didn’t get hurt, and I wasn’t even scared. Honestly, it was just a scare. Those five guys looked fierce, but they were all barking and no biting.

“I handled them with my needles. They couldn’ty a finger on me.”

ire checked Josie from head to toe, only rxing when she was sure Josie was truly unharmed.