Chapter 224
Josephine listened, her chest tightening like something had grabbed hold and twisted hard. Her voice turned ice-cold. "Where is that man now?"
"He ran off. A neighbor called the police, but they haven't caught him yet." Gemma looked at her daughter with concern. "What are you planning to do? Don't go looking for him yourself. You're a young woman—what if something happens to you? Let the police handle it."
Josephine glanced at her mother. "I understand. Don't worry."
She put an arm around her mother's shoulders and looked toward the hospital room door. "Dad needs you here to look after him. I'll hire a nurse to help so you don't wear yourself out."
"What about you?" Gemma worried that Josephine hadn't given up on the idea of confronting the man herself.
Josephine helped her into a chair, explaining as she did. "I'm going back to the office, of course. Oh no! I promised someone I'd meet them for dinner, and I totally stood them up!"
"Who was it? Someone important?" Gemma asked curiously.
Josephine scratched her cheek. "My boss."
"Then it is important. You'd better go take care of it."
When Josephine still didn't move, Gemma physically pushed her toward the door. "Don't worry about your father. I'm here. If anything happens, I'll call you."
Just like that, Josephine found herself pushed outside the hospital. She stood at the entrance for a long time, sunlight spilling over her, but she felt no warmth at all.
Whoever hurt her family—she wouldn't let it slide.
Cold determination filled Josephine's eyes. But then she looked up and saw Cedric, and the ice instantly melted into embarrassment and guilt.
She'd stood him up. Again.
Cedric walked toward her. Josephine braced herself for a lecture. After all, she was the one in the wrong.
But the first thing he said was, "Is your father all right?"
Josephine froze. "You already know?"
Cedric nodded. "When you didn't show up, I took the liberty of having someone check. I found out you were at the hospital."
Before Josephine could respond, Noah beside him looked ready to cover his face.
Their Mr. Getty was terrible at this. The way he phrased it made it sound like he'd deliberately investigated her—exactly the kind of thing that would make a woman uncomfortable!
That wasn't what happened at all!
He had to jump in. "Ms. Kennedy, actually, when you didn't arrive, Mr. Getty was worried something might have happened to you. That's why he asked me to check on your whereabouts. When we learned you were at the hospital, we came here."
"You talk too much." Cedric shot him a flat look.
Noah shut up.
...And here he was just trying to help. No good deed goes unpunished!
Watching the two of them interact, Josephine almost smiled. "Don't worry, I won't misunderstand. My father got into an argument with someone and ended up in the hospital. When I heard the news, I rushed over here and forgot to tell you. I'm sorry."
Cedric's brow furrowed slightly. "So where are you going now?"
Josephine sighed inwardly. Of course nothing got past a sharp mind like his. "My father got into that argument, so naturally I'm going to find out who hurt him and didn't even bother to apologize."
Cedric looked at her for a moment, then turned and walked toward his car. After a couple of steps, he noticed Josephine hadn't followed. He glanced back at her. "Keep up."
"You're coming with me?" Even as Josephine asked the question, she'd already started following him instinctively.
"Yes." Cedric's response was casual.
Josephine knew he didn't have to go with her. But with him there, she felt more confident. If it came to a fight, two against one wouldn't be a loss.
They drove to the back entrance of Preston's residential complex.
There was a narrow alley there that people rarely used, but the surveillance footage showed the man had just passed through.
Josephine got out of the car. Cedric followed behind her.
Sure enough, someone was crouched deep in the alley, smoking. When Beau saw Josephine approaching, he froze for a second, then broke into a sleazy grin. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Kennedy's daughter. Here to see me?"
"You're the one who hit my father?" Josephine stared at him.
Beau was thin and not particularly tall. Even from a distance, she could smell the unpleasant mix of cigarette smoke and alcohol.
"Yeah, the old man stuck his nose where it didn't belong. Kept saying I was throwing cigarette butts downstairs, so I gave him a little tap..." Beau stood up, looking her over with an obscene expression, his eyes full of ill intent. "What, you here to get payback for daddy?"
Josephine's voice was cold. "Throwing cigarette butts was wrong in the first place. If you don't believe it, we can check the surveillance. But the fact is you injured someone. I'm asking you to apologize to my father and compensate him for medical expenses and emotional distress."
"In your dreams!" Beau sneered at her, flicking away his cigarette butt. He blew out a puff of smoke, bracing his hands on his knees as he stood up, his gaze leering. "I've never apologized to anyone in my life. But if you really want one, why don't you beg me?"
He stroked his chin, his eyes sleazy. "Give me a kiss and I'll think about it. How about that?"
He reached out to touch Josephine's face, his hand filthy, the tip of his thumb yellowed.
Josephine stared coldly at that approaching hand. Before it could get close, she slapped him hard across the face.
Beau stood stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage. "You dare hit me!"
He raised his hand to strike back, but the next second another hand caught his wrist.
Cedric had somehow appeared at Josephine's side, his grip making Beau's face change color.
Beau's earlier arrogance vanished. Just as he was about to beg for mercy, he let out a howl.
It was Josephine. She'd kicked him square in the crotch.
Beau's face instantly contorted. Even Cedric reflexively released his grip, watching as the man collapsed to the ground, clutching himself, body curled into a shrimp shape.
That kind of pain—probably every man could empathize.
Josephine looked down at Beau. "Assault on an elderly person, plus sexual harassment. I'm giving you three days. Either pay up or go to jail."
Beau was in too much pain to speak.
After Josephine and Cedric left, he remained on the ground for a long time, unable to get up.
Cedric drove Josephine back to the hospital. As he was about to leave, Josephine stopped him.
"I was planning to take you to dinner as an apology, but with everything that happened..."
Cedric said, "It's fine. Taking care of your father is more important."
His understanding only made Josephine feel worse, thinking about how she'd used him before...
After a moment's hesitation, she pulled a bottle of cologne from her bag. "I heard from Noah that you ran out of your men's cologne, so I bought you a new bottle. I don't know if you'll like the scent."
Cedric took it and smelled it. "It's nice."
He seemed to really like it.
The corners of Josephine's mouth lifted slightly. "I should go. We'll make plans another time."
After she left, Cedric looked at the cologne in his hand, a faint smile crossing his face. He murmured softly, "Pity it's not gardenia."
Before entering the hospital, Josephine stopped to buy some food. But as she approached the room, she froze at the door.
A familiar voice drifted out.
"Oh my, how did he get hurt so badly? Still unconscious. Poor thing."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to visit, of course. Even though Josephine and my son are divorced now, he used to be family. When I heard he was injured, I came right away."
It was Briana's voice.
But Josephine had been married to Gideon for years. She knew full well that Briana looked down on her background and her parents. There was no way she'd come out of genuine concern!
Josephine shoved the door open.
"You're not welcome here."