Chapter 123
Kenneth had no choice but to enter.
With two more people entering, the originally spacious ward seemed crowded. Josephine said helplessly, "I'm really fine. If you have nothing else, go back. Someone needs to watch the lab."
Emma was somewhat exasperated. "You're injured like this and still worried about the lab?"
Kenneth also said, "You should be hospitalized."
"Hospitalized for what? It's just a minor injury."
Josephine didn't think it was that serious. As long as the test results came back confirming her heart was fine, it was just superficial wounds.
Her mind was full of experimental data, but then she saw Cedric looking at her, his eyes profound, his tone brooking no argument. "You must be hospitalized."
Josephine looked at him, then at Kenneth and Emma. All three wore identical expressions. She was outnumbered, her vote overruled.
"Fine, I'll stay."
Cedric's tone softened. "You're now a key member of the lab. Everyone depends on you. If something happens to you, the project stops. You wouldn't want me to bear such losses, would you?"
The reasoning was sound. Josephine couldn't refute it.
"Fine, you're all right. I'll leave the lab matters to my junior and teacher. I'll stay peacefully in the hospital."
Whatever.
She'd consider it rest.
Thinking this way, she felt less resistant.
Kenneth watched their interaction, a sour feeling rising in his heart. He'd known Josephine for years, from university until now. He'd always thought Josephine was the kind of independent, strong woman who didn't need anyone's care.
But now...
"Kenneth, you should go back." Josephine's gaze fell on him. "The lab still needs someone watching. Only you can put my mind at ease."
The others on the team each had their shortcomings. Undeniably, they were all excellent scholars, but in handling matters and personnel coordination, they weren't quite mature yet.
She feared that once she left, everyone would panic.
She trusted him. This made Kenneth happy. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately just nodded. "Alright, Josephine. Rest well. Leave it to me—don't worry. You don't need to think about anything, just recover."
After he and Emma left, the ward fell quiet.
Josephine leaned against the headboard, thinking about today's experimental process. This was her way—repeatedly reviewing every detail of what happened.
Looking up, she saw Cedric had already settled on the sofa with his laptop, handling work.
This made her feel rather embarrassed.
"You really don't need to stay here with me. There's so much at the company..."
"Noah can handle company matters." Cedric didn't look up from his computer, fingers tapping lightly on the keyboard. "What you need now is rest, not worry."
He stood to pour warm water, then returned to sit beside the bed, handing her the cup.
Josephine reached to take it, but with her right hand injured, her left wasn't as coordinated. The cup wobbled.
Cedric directly supported her hand, bringing the cup to her lips.
"I can do it myself..." Josephine felt somewhat awkward.
"Don't move." Cedric's voice was gentle but carried an undeniable meaning.
Josephine had no choice but to drink from his hand.
Just then, the ward door burst open!
Gideon stood in the doorway, his face ashen.
The scene he witnessed—Cedric sitting at Josephine's bedside, one hand supporting her back, holding a cup to feed her water. Josephine tilted her head back slightly.
She didn't refuse.
In the past, Gideon had always been the one caring for Josephine.
The scene looked particularly jarring.
"What are you doing?" Gideon's voice was cold as ice.
Josephine startled, nearly choking.
Cedric patted her back, expression unchanged, continuing to hold the cup to her lips. "Finish it."
Josephine hurriedly drank the last mouthful.
Only then did Cedric set down the cup, looking at Gideon. Compared to Gideon's fury, he was much calmer. "Why are you here?"
Gideon walked in slowly, standing at the bedside, eyes darkly fixed on Cedric. "My wife is injured and hospitalized—I can't come?"
He deliberately emphasized "wife".
The two men stood on either side of the bed, somehow forming a confrontational stance.
Josephine had a feeling she was the battlefield these two were fighting over.
It didn't feel good.
Cedric said flatly, "She needs rest now."
"I think you're the one who needs rest, since your head doesn't seem too clear." Gideon sneered coldly. "My wife—how dare you trouble yourself to care for her?"
Cedric's expression was impassive. "But when the accident just happened in the lab, you weren't by her side."
Gideon immediately retorted, "Now I'm here."
The implication: you can leave.
Josephine frowned. "Gideon, you..."
"You be quiet." Gideon looked at her, his eyes complex but his attitude particularly firm. "Jojo, what you need to do now is lie here and rest obediently. I'm your husband. Don't forget—we're not divorced yet."
Josephine's expression cooled.
Gideon said coldly, "Cedric should leave. Your words at the gala have already made many people speculate about your relationship. You don't want the conflict to escalate again, do you? Even if you don't care, Jojo will be gossiped about because of you."
Cedric's lips curved in a shallow smile that seemed more like mockery. "If you care so much about outside speculation, you shouldn't have gotten involved with Lorelei in the first place."
One sentence struck Gideon's sore spot.
He instinctively looked at Josephine, but she turned her face toward the window, seemingly unwilling to look at him even once. Her cold attitude made him uncomfortable.
"That's our business. No need for your concern." Gideon suppressed his fury, but his hands hanging at his sides trembled slightly as they clenched into fists.
Cedric said lightly, "I'm her boss. I have a responsibility to care for her."
"I'm her husband!"
"Not for much longer."
The two faced off, the air in the ward seemingly frozen.
The wound on Josephine's arm was already throbbing with dull pain. Now she was even more irritated. Unable to bear it any longer, she said, "Please, both of you, leave."
Gideon and Cedric looked at her simultaneously.
"I want to rest." Josephine's voice was calm but carried an undeniable resolve. "Please close the door on your way out. Thank you."
Cedric glanced at Gideon, then instructed Josephine, "I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
He turned to leave.
Gideon looked like he didn't want to leave yet. Without saying a word, Cedric hooked his shoulder and led him out. The door slammed shut.
The ward finally fell quiet.
Josephine leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling.
Gideon's unreasonable behavior today had actually helped her think through some things.
Gideon's words were harsh but had a point.
She shouldn't depend on anyone. She needed to be independent, needed to be strong.
But reality was—she was still weak now. She needed Cedric's help, needed his resources, needed his... protection.
Josephine closed her eyes.
Getting rid of Gideon was only the first step. She still needed to reclaim what belonged to her, still needed to make those who hurt her pay.
And she couldn't do all this alone.
At least not now. Her cooperative relationship with Cedric seemed stable on the surface, but was actually insecure. If one day Cedric suddenly gave up, she'd become extremely passive.
Their relationship needed to become more solid and equal. That agreement might be the best solution.
She pulled out her phone and found Cedric's number.
[Tomorrow, remember to bring the agreement.]
[Okay.] A minute later, Cedric replied.
Conversations between intelligent people were simple and straightforward. No need to be too clear or explicit. Josephine's lips curved slightly upward.
Perhaps this partner wouldn't disappoint her.