Chapter 103
"Ms. Kennedy can rest assured." After a long pause, Gideon forced a smile. "Starlight Group's technical capabilities are well-known. Completing adaptation in three months is no problem."
"Good." Josephine nodded, turning to Aiden. "Aiden, this afternoon, send the detailed technical integration checklist to Starlight Group's technical lead."
"Will do."
The next two hours involved an extremely professional technical discussion. Josephine's expertise left everyone present secretly impressed. She knew Starlight Group's existing technical architecture inside and out, and every improvement point she raised precisely hit their weakest spots.
The bespectacled man from Gideon's team was Starlight Group's Technical Director, Garrett Howard. His initial skepticism had transformed into earnest consultation. "Ms. Kennedy, if we implement this data encryption layer algorithm optimization, won't it affect transmission efficiency?"
"There'll be a slight impact, but we can solve it by adding a caching mechanism." Josephine grabbed a whiteboard marker and quickly sketched a flow chart. "The specific implementation is detailed on page 27 of Appendix 3."
As she explained, her logic was clear, pace steady, and she adjusted her terminology based on the comprehension levels of other Gideon team members.
Throughout, she didn't glance at Gideon once.
Yet precisely this version of her made it impossible for Gideon to look away. He suddenly realized he'd never truly known his wife—hadn't known she could be so captivating.
At 4:30 PM, the negotiation basically concluded.
"My assistant will send you the specific cooperation agreement for review within a week." Josephine packed her things and stood. "Thank you all for your hard work today."
Gideon also stood. "Ms. Kennedy, shall we have dinner together tonight? To celebrate our companies' partnership."
His tone was natural, like a casual suggestion.
Josephine checked the time, her first instinct was to refuse, but then she glanced at Aiden and the others.
Every team member's face said, "exhausted but free food."
Looks like they'd worked themselves ragged today.
Since they'd be partners, future meetings and dinners were unavoidable. No need to be precious about such things. And the last team gathering had been when the project first launched—everyone had been running nonstop since then. They really did deserve to relax.
"Alright." Josephine nodded. "Then we'll trouble Mr. Getty."
An imperceptible glimmer flashed in Gideon's eyes.
...
The restaurant was a high-end establishment in the city center. Gideon booked a large private room.
The long, round table seated twenty. Josephine's team sat on one side, Gideon and his technical team on the other.
Food came quickly, and the atmosphere gradually livened up. Being technical teams, the conversation inevitably circled back to the project.
Emma said excitedly, "Josephine, you didn't see Garrett's face today! At first, he was questioning our standards, then he started taking notes!"
Aiden laughed. "Mainly because Josephine prepared so thoroughly—she even predicted their three-year technical upgrade roadmap."
Garrett, sitting beside Gideon, also smiled. "Indeed, Ms. Kennedy's professional capabilities have our admiration. If we'd known Mr. Getty's..." His words stopped halfway as he suddenly realized the awkwardness.
He'd been about to say, "If we'd known Mr. Getty's wife was so talented, we should have recruited her to the company ages ago," but those words were clearly inappropriate in this setting.
As a core member deeply trusted by Gideon, he knew more than others—and seeing today's strictly professional dynamic between them... he knew something was off.
The private room fell briefly silent.
Other Gideon team members looked curiously between Garrett and Josephine, eyes full of speculation. They knew Josephine was technically brilliant but weren't clear on her personal background.
Meanwhile, Josephine's team—Aiden, Emma, and Kenneth—exchanged knowing looks. They all knew the inside story, but no one intended to bring it up.
Josephine sipped her tea with perfect composure. "Garrett worked hard today. Eat more."
She proactively defused the awkwardness, tone light and natural.
"Right, right!" Garrett quickly took the out. "I'm so hungry I'm dizzy, brain's not working, mouth's spouting nonsense—Ms. Kennedy, please don't take offense. I actually thought Ms. Kennedy was just a pretty face with no substance before, but now my eyes are truly opened."
Emma couldn't stand anyone looking down on Josephine. "Our Josephine is incredibly capable—whether working or resting, she keeps up with every paper, every technical development!"
Aiden smoothed things over. "Let me toast everyone."
Everyone raised their glasses.
Gideon watched Josephine across the table, complex emotions churning inside. He'd never seen her like this—confident, professional, radiant.
Those "little hobbies" he'd once dismissed as having no practical value—they'd hidden such brilliance all along.
He even remembered long ago when Josephine had said she wanted to do AI medical research, but he'd been busy with company expansion and casually said, "As long as you're happy," then dropped the subject.
If he'd been willing to spend just a bit more time understanding her...
He suddenly wanted to say something—not as Starlight Group's CEO, but as Gideon. Wanted to ask how she'd been lately... wanted to tell her that recently he didn't even want to go home anymore, that Clearwater Ridge had become cold and hollow, that he could only fall asleep holding her clothes.
But how could he say any of that here?
Midway through the meal, Josephine stood to use the restroom. After a few seconds' hesitation, Gideon followed.
The corridor outside the private room was long, with soft lighting.
Josephine emerged from the restroom to find Gideon leaning against the wall, waiting.
Her steps paused, then she continued forward.
"Jojo," Gideon called out.
Josephine stopped, turned back, and looked at him calmly. "Does Mr. Getty need something?"
"Can we... talk properly?"
"Work matters were already discussed."
Gideon stepped forward twice. "Personal matters."
Josephine was silent for two seconds, then smiled. "This is work hours. What personal matters would I discuss with you?"
Seeing her distant demeanor, Gideon felt something viciously twist in his chest. "Jojo, do you have to talk to me like this?"
"If that's what you want to discuss, I don't see the point. I've already signed the agreement, the lawyers are handling it—in two weeks you sign, and we'll see each other in court."
Leonard had long since negotiated with Gideon and revised the agreement, but Gideon kept refusing to sign.
Josephine was out of options.
"I won't sign," Gideon said, suppressing the ache in his chest.
This corridor had excellent soundproofing, but Gideon's voice still drew curious glances from adjacent private rooms.
Josephine frowned. "Keep your voice down."