Chapter 115
The living room fell completely silent. Everyone instinctively held their breath, wishing they could vanish on the spot.
The atmosphere was so oppressive it made their scalps tingle.
Josephine's gaze inevitably fell on Cedric's back.
What was David's position in this household? He was the undisputed patriarch, someone everyone had to respect and obey.
Even Cedric.
But what was happening today?
Why was Cedric...
Josephine didn't understand.
Cedric turned to look at David, lips curving without warmth reaching his eyes. "Is Grandfather planning to banish me from the family just like that?"
David said sternly, "It seems you've grown up. I can't control you anymore. You don't even have respect for me as your grandfather, do you?"
"If that's how you insist on seeing it, there's nothing I can do."
David felt a breath stuck in his chest—couldn't rise, couldn't fall—extremely uncomfortable. He looked at Josephine. "Seeing things come to this today, are you satisfied?"
Josephine froze. She'd been watching from the sidelines, never expecting the fire to reach her. "You've misunderstood. I didn't mean anything by it."
"This conflict arose because of whom—don't you know in your heart?"
Josephine wanted to explain, but didn't know how. Because this matter had nothing to do with her in the first place. When David and Cedric's conflict erupted, she wasn't even in the dining room.
Gideon stood, extending a hand toward Josephine. "Don't leave with Cedric. Sweetheart, come back with me. Let's have a proper talk."
His expression was tender, his gaze focused. "Whatever you want to say, whatever you want to do, I'll support you."
"I want a divorce." Josephine's response was completely instinctive.
Gideon paused, then said quietly, "This is our family matter after all. Let's go home and discuss it slowly, okay? Grandfather and Cedric clearly still have things to say. Let's not disturb them here."
He simply didn't want to see Josephine leave with Cedric!
Even if they were just going to work, even though he knew clearly that Cedric wouldn't like Josephine, that Cedric had been harboring feelings for someone and searching for years.
Moreover, Josephine had been his wife—Gideon's wife. He and Cedric couldn't stand each other. The women they liked were worlds apart—couldn't possibly be the same person.
But he just couldn't stand it.
"Jojo."
Gideon stepped forward, but before he could make a move, Cedric had already positioned himself between him and Josephine.
"Where are you trying to take my employee?"
Gideon's expression tightened. He slowly lowered his hand. "She's your employee, but she's more importantly my wife."
"Yes. Soon-to-be ex-wife."
Gideon nearly choked, taking a deep breath to suppress his anger. "I don't want to waste words. Please step aside. Don't interfere in matters between husband and wife."
Cedric didn't budge an inch. "Gideon, if you're any kind of man, stop pestering her."
"Cedric!" David truly couldn't watch anymore. He felt Briana's words might all be true. "Come to the study with me. I have some questions for you."
But Cedric didn't agree. "Sorry, Grandfather. I still have things to do today. There's a meeting tomorrow with lots of preparation work. I'll come see you when I'm finished."
Having said that, Cedric pulled Josephine away.
This was the first time he'd defied David's orders in front of so many people.
Once outside, Josephine felt like she was still dreaming.
Getting in the car, she looked at Cedric, eyes full of amazement and confusion.
Cedric's movement to close the door paused slightly. He simply bent down to look at her.
Josephine held back for a long moment. "You don't have a fever, do you?"
Cedric looked slightly stunned, his expression complicated.
Josephine thought she'd hit the nail on the head, feeling his abnormal behavior today seemed to find its reason. "Should I take you to the hospital?"
Cedric's expression was indescribable. "You're concerned about me?"
"You're my boss. It's only right that I care about you." Josephine's answer came without hesitation, completely from the heart.
"Sit properly." Cedric felt helpless. "Buckle your seatbelt."
He closed the door.
Josephine scratched her head, but sighed worriedly inside.
In the past, when Gideon had defied David for her sake, David hadn't been angry at all. He'd watched like it was a joke, seeing how long Gideon would last before compromising.
But now, with Cedric...
David hadn't cared before because he'd never considered Gideon as his heir. But Cedric was the future Getty family head that David valued most.
The car soon stopped at the entrance of Clearwater Ridge. Seeing home right before her eyes, Josephine was startled for a moment. Hadn't he said they had to work overtime?
"Why did you bring me back?"
"Tomorrow's meeting materials—I'll have Noah prepare them. Go back and get some early sleep."
Cedric spoke while opening the car door.
He showed no intention of getting out himself. Josephine understood—he was determined to see her home. After getting out, she looked back at Cedric.
Cedric looked up.
For some reason, meeting his gaze, Josephine suddenly couldn't find words. Finally, she only managed to say, "Drive carefully on your way back."
Cedric glanced at her. "Go on in."
But Josephine felt somewhat worried. David had been so furious today—who knew what he'd do to Cedric...
Still, it wasn't really her place to worry about this.
The next day, Josephine received a gift box delivered by courier. Opening it, she found inside the exquisite packaging a light purple dress.
When unfolded, the dress reached ankle-length, with tassels on the shoulders that sparkled brilliantly under the light. A truly beautiful gown.
Josephine fell in love with it at first sight.
She checked the surface of the courier box but found no sender's name or contact information. Sent anonymously.
Who could it be?
Not knowing the sender, even such a beautiful dress seemed to lose its luster. Josephine didn't dare keep it, so she carefully folded the dress back into the package, preparing to return it.
But just then, her phone rang.
It was Cedric calling.
Josephine answered, unable to help complaining, "I just received an anonymous delivery. Don't know who sent me a dress."
The background on the other end was quiet. Cedric's voice came through flatly. "What kind of dress? Do you like it?"
"I like it, but I can't keep it."
Cedric raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why not?"
"I don't even know who sent it. How can I accept it?"
Josephine even couldn't help starting conspiracy theories, wondering if the sender had ulterior motives, maybe some kind of trap or scam...
"I sent it."
Josephine paused, glancing at her phone screen to confirm they were still on the call. She wasn't hallucinating. "You sent it?"
"Tomorrow I'm invited to a charity gala. Come with me."
Hearing this, Josephine finally understood. "Then why did you send it anonymously?"
Cedric paused. "Noah sent it."
He could hardly say that sending it anonymously was to see if she actually liked it. If he sent it under his own name, Josephine would definitely only have one answer.
"Like it."
But Cedric didn't want to pressure her using his position as her boss.