Chapter 227
The butler looked at her, his eyes carrying a complex emotion. "I've been by Mr. David Getty's side for twenty years. I understand him. When he wants to achieve something, he'll use every means available. What happened to you this time—it's just a warning."
"I've already been following—"
The butler cut Josephine off. "But you're still at Getty Group."
Josephine fell silent.
She understood now. David didn't just want her to keep her distance from Cedric—he wanted her to leave Getty Group entirely. Maybe even... leave the city.
Seeing her face go pale, the butler couldn't help but offer one more hint out of sympathy. "Leaving here might not be a bad thing for your future. But staying—I can assure you, you'll be stuck forever. And that would be the lightest punishment."
David's power was overwhelming. Destroying someone would be effortless for him.
The café fell silent. Outside, the wind howled.
Josephine closed her eyes, finding it all bitterly ironic. When she'd been a Getty daughter-in-law, David had never protected her. Now that she'd left, he was making things impossible.
The Getty family really was an abyss.
"Ms. Kennedy," the butler's voice carried a trace of reluctance, "I've watched you go from being a Getty daughter-in-law to where you are today. Honestly, I admire your ability and resilience. But..."
He turned to look out the window, his voice distant and aged, tinged with reflection. "In the Getty family's vast web of interests, personal feelings and abilities mean nothing. Mr. David Getty has his considerations. He has things he must protect."
"Nothing more than family interests always outweighing personal feelings." Josephine spoke mockingly. The coffee in front of her had gone cold. She downed it in one gulp, her throat full of bitterness, but her mind exceptionally clear. "Thank you for telling me this."
She turned and walked toward the door.
The butler watched her retreating figure and suddenly spoke. "Ms. Kennedy, if possible... send your parents away soon. They deserve to enjoy their golden years in peace."
Josephine's steps faltered. She didn't turn back, just waved her hand.
Back home, Preston sat on the sofa reading the newspaper while Gemma bustled in the kitchen, occasionally calling Preston over to help.
The couple was as loving as ever.
For as long as Josephine could remember, her parents had been like this—never fighting. When her mother got upset, her father would humble himself and coax her. Male dignity, saving face—none of it mattered.
In his heart, only his wife and daughter existed.
This home was so warm and precious. She would never allow anyone to destroy it.
Josephine lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment before looking at her parents. "Dad, after the professor sees you, I want to send you and Mom abroad."
Preston and Gemma both froze.
"A trip?" Gemma set down her knife. "Why the sudden idea?"
"Not that sudden," Josephine tried to make her tone sound natural. "You've worked hard your whole lives. I've always wanted to take you traveling. Now's a good time, and I've saved enough money for you to go for a while."
Preston frowned, looking at her suspiciously. "Did something happen? Tell me the truth."
"Nothing happened," Josephine forced a light smile. "I just want to be a good daughter. Haven't you always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower? And Venice, the snow-capped mountains..."
Her voice slowed, unconsciously taking on a hint of choking emotion. "I want you to enjoy yourselves, to see the world outside."
Gemma came over and sat beside her, gently taking her hand. "Jojo, we know you're a good daughter. But bringing this up so suddenly... we can't help feeling uneasy."
"Really, it's fine." Josephine squeezed her mother's hand back, trying to make her smile look more genuine. "I just realized—life is short. We should seize happiness while we can. You've worked hard your whole lives. You should enjoy life now."
Preston was silent for a long while. He wanted to say something, but Gemma nudged him. He swallowed the words and finally sighed. "All right. Since you're thinking of us this way, we'll go."
A weight finally lifted from Josephine's heart.
That lunch was unusually relaxed.
After the meal, her parents went out for a walk. Josephine pulled out her phone and called Jagger.
The phone rang for a long time. No answer.
She tried again. Same result.
So Josephine called Jagger's assistant instead.
This time, the phone rang five or six times before being picked up.
"Hello?" The assistant's voice sounded tired.
"It's me, Josephine." Josephine said quickly. "My father is ready. When does Mr. Phillips have time? I'd like to start the psychological intervention treatment as soon as possible."
Silence on the other end.
The assistant's voice carried apology. "I'm very sorry. Mr. Phillips is currently... unable to provide psychological treatment."
"Why?" Josephine's heart sank. "Did something happen to him?"
The assistant didn't plan to explain. He just said, "I apologize, but I can't tell you about Mr. Phillips' private matters."
"But didn't we agree before?" Josephine said urgently. "I can pay more, I can work around his schedule..."
"Ms. Kennedy, this isn't about money. It's Mr. Phillips' own arrangement. I'll be honest with you—not only is he unavailable recently, he won't have time for the foreseeable future."
The assistant hung up directly.
Josephine stood there, her mind in chaos. The phone slipped from her fingers and crashed heavily to the floor.
The screen shattered, like her current state of mind.
She slowly bent down and picked up the phone. The screen was completely black, unable to turn on.
Her face reflected in the cracked screen.
The agreed-upon arrangement had suddenly changed. She couldn't accept it. If they wouldn't explain over the phone, she'd go demand an explanation in person!
Josephine drove to Jagger's hotel.
However, the front desk staff stopped her. "Ma'am, are you here to see Mr. Phillips?"
Josephine nodded.
The staff member smiled. "I'm sorry. The professor said he's not receiving visitors."
Josephine had mentally prepared for this before coming. If it had been too easy to see him, that would have felt unreal. "Then I'll wait here until he does receive visitors."
She entered the lounge area, found a sofa, and sat down. She glanced out the window—the sky was overcast, clouds heavy. Soon, snowflakes began to drift down.
The year's first snow.
She sat quietly, waiting from afternoon into evening, then into nightfall.
People came and went through the hotel lobby. Some looked at her curiously, but she remained unmoved.
When the sky had gone completely dark, a black sedan stopped at the hotel entrance.
The driver got out first, opening an umbrella, then opened the back door. David emerged first, leaning on his cane, his gait steady, his bearing authoritative.
Next came Jagger, who nodded to David as he got out, a faint smile on his face.
Behind them, Gideon also got out.
When he saw Josephine sitting in the lobby, his steps faltered, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Josephine stood and walked toward them. "Mr. Phillips!"
Jagger saw her and frowned slightly.
David narrowed his eyes at her but said nothing.
Jagger spoke, his tone polite but distant. "I have important guests today, so I'm not receiving visitors. I believe my assistant told you."