Ethan had just ended his call and was about to start recording a video with his phone. But right at that critical moment, the phone decided to die.
He was annoyed and muttered under his breath, "Of all times, the phone picks now to shut off."
At that moment, Andrew walked over with a calm expression, though there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You just said you were about to see something interesting?"
"You're finally here."
Ethan pointed excitedly toward where Joshua had just been. "It was Joshua. He was downstairs flirting with some woman. Look…"
Andrew followed the direction he was pointing, raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked, "Where is he? I don't see anyone."
Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. Just a moment ago, Joshua was still right there next to the woman. How did he disappear so quickly?
He spoke quickly, "Andrew, I swear Joshua was just standing there with that woman."
Andrew looked carefully again. He noticed that the woman at the booth wasn't Katherine. Without realizing it, he let out a small breath of relief, like a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.
But on the outside, he stayed calm and said casually, "Maybe you drank too much and started seeing things."
Ethan got anxious the second he heard that. "Why don't you believe me? Do you think I can't even recognize Joshua?"
"I'm telling you, the woman with him earlier wasn't her. They must've left the booth for a bit, but Joshua came back later."
"I even took a photo of them together. It's just that my phone's dead right now. I'll send it to you once I charge it at home."
He was desperate to prove he wasn't mistaken.
Assistant Ryan, standing beside Andrew, casually glanced at the woman sitting at that spot. A chill ran down his spine. He recognized her as the person who had framed Dr. Katherine.
He leaned in and whispered to Andrew, "Boss, that woman looks like the one who framed Dr. Katherine."
Andrew's face immediately turned serious. It was like a storm had suddenly hit his calm heart.
Could Ethan have been right all along?
Were Joshua and Katherine really here?
Was Joshua approaching that woman to help Katherine uncover the truth?
That thought made Andrew's mood plummet. A mix of complicated emotions filled his chest. He silently wondered:
Katherine, you actually went to Joshua for help? And you didn't come to me?
Ethan turned and saw Andrew's face darken in an instant. He couldn't help but ask with concern, "Andrew, what's wrong with you?"
Andrew didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Joshua was really here, right?"
Ethan was confused by the sudden shift. Just a second ago, Andrew was brushing off everything he said. Now he was suddenly interested?
Still, he replied honestly, "Yeah, he was downstairs when you called me."
Andrew didn't say another word. He immediately ordered in a cold voice, "Assistant Ryan, go downstairs and check if Joshua is still here. If he is, tell me right away."
Meanwhile, Joshua had already returned to the private room.
Katherine saw him come in and handed him a recording device. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she eagerly asked, "Did she confess?"
Joshua nodded slightly, the corner of his lips curling into a faint smile. "Yeah. Listen to this and see if it's enough to make her admit everything."
Katherine nodded quickly. "Okay. Thank you so much, I really don't know how to repay you."
She immediately played the recording from the beginning and listened carefully. Her face broke into a bright smile. "Joshua, this recording is strong evidence. This is perfect."
She couldn't hide the joy and admiration in her heart. Smiling, she lightly punched Joshua's chest and teased:
"Joshua, you're amazing. You got the recording in such a short time."
Katherine leaned forward slightly, her smile carrying a deeper meaning as she stared intently at him and curiously asked:
"Come on, stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me, what trick did you use to get her to spill everything so easily?"
Joshua was caught off guard by her sudden question. His ears turned red and his gaze started to shift uneasily. He stammered:
"Well… I just gave her a bottle of good wine." Along with saying some things that even he found disgusting.
Katherine noticed his awkwardness right away. She deliberately drew out her words, half-smiling as she said, "Oh? That simple?"
Joshua looked even more embarrassed and could only nod stiffly. "Yeah, that simple."
However, Katherine's eyes were already fixed on the two unbuttoned spots on his collar. Although she had her suspicions, she didn't say them aloud. She just smiled and said:
"Okay then. I'll pay you back for the wine later, as long as it wasn't something you had to trade your charm for."
With that, she turned and walked to the sofa to pick up her bag.
Joshua stood there, unsure of where to put his hands, looking slightly flustered and awkward in a rather cute way.
Katherine looked back at him, couldn't help but laugh, and asked, "Joshua, are you planning to keep playing here?"
He quickly shook his head like a schoolboy afraid of being kept after class, making Katherine chuckle again. "Then let's go."
Meanwhile, Assistant Ryan had already found out which private room Joshua was in at Dusk Lounge and immediately informed Andrew.
At that moment, Andrew was walking quickly toward Joshua's room under the guidance of the manager, his expression stern and cold.
Inside the dimly lit hallway with its slightly seductive lighting, Katherine and Joshua slowly stepped out of the private room.
Just then, a waiter pushed a fully loaded cart past them.
Katherine was about to bump into it when Joshua reacted quickly, pulling her toward him and shielding her with his body.
At that moment, Andrew's eyes casually glanced over and happened to see the man's broad, firm back.
He quickly looked away.
Joshua turned his head slightly. After the cart safely passed, he said softly, "We can go now."
Katherine nodded. The two of them walked in sync, one after the other, heading down the corridor.
Andrew arrived at the door of Joshua's private room.
As his gaze wandered, it drifted toward the corner of the hallway. All he could see was a tall figure from behind.
Yet, his eyes didn't show even the slightest hint of recognition toward Katherine.
The manager raised his hand politely and knocked on the private room door. The knock echoed in the quiet corridor, but there was no response for a long time, as if it had sunk into the ocean.
Andrew's patience, like the wick of a nearly burned-out candle, quickly disappeared.
A frown appeared between his brows. With clear irritation and determination, he raised his long leg and kicked the door open.
He strode inside, only to be met with an empty private room.
Andrew froze where he stood, his emotions mixed and hard to describe—confusion, unwillingness, and a vague sense of loss.
He spoke coldly, "Where did the person in this room go?"