Chapter 231
Josephine grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the office.
The corridor echoed with her hurried heels, startling several passing colleagues who turned to look, but she didn't care about any of it.
The car practically flew down the street. Josephine's knuckles were white as she gripped the steering wheel.
Was it because of her defiance that she'd angered David?
Had he suddenly accelerated the demolition schedule to teach her a lesson?
A crowd had already gathered at the entrance to her parents' neighborhood. Several temporary tables were set up with demolition office workers in uniform seated behind them. Preston and Gemma stood in the crowd, Gemma clutching Preston's arm tightly, her face pale.
Josephine parked and hurried over, pushing through the neighbors blocking her way.
"Dad, Mom."
Preston saw his daughter and said in a low voice, "They suddenly showed up saying they're demolishing, gave us no preparation at all, and want us to sign immediately. Something about giving us a large sum of money."
Gemma added from the side, "That's our home. Money can't replace it."
A middle-aged man in a light blue shirt stood up and adjusted his glasses. "Miss, we're from the city demolition office. This area has been included in a priority redevelopment project. The directive came down the day before yesterday. Immediate demolition is required."
"Where's the documentation? I want to see it."
The man picked up a paper from the table and handed it to her. "This is the demolition notice. It has the official seal and responsible party's signature."
Josephine took the document, her eyes quickly scanning the contents. It was indeed official—seal, signature, everything present.
Josephine bit her lip. "Even if you're demolishing, you can't force it, right? You have to give us some time."
"Don't worry, we're not forcing anything. This is just advance notice, and we're doing some preparatory work. Of course, demolition requires everyone's consent." The man pulled out a stack of consent forms. "The demolition compensation is generous. We hope you'll cooperate and not delay the project timeline."
"Get lost!"
An angry shout came from nearby.
Josephine and her parents rushed over to find a dispute in progress. Several men in security uniforms were roughly clearing street vendors, and a conflict had erupted with one of the stall owners.
In the shoving, the vendor's apples rolled everywhere.
The vendor cursed, "When you weren't here, everything was fine! What's wrong with me selling apples? I sell to the residents—we're all neighbors! You show up and shut me down—what gives you the right?!"
Preston couldn't stand watching. He and the apple seller were neighbors and friends. He stepped forward to question them. "What are you doing? If you have complaints, talk it out. What's with the pushing and throwing things?"
A young man walked over, wearing an armband labeled [Demolition Office]. He looked Preston up and down. "Demolition office business. Unrelated persons should not obstruct official duties."
Josephine didn't want conflict. She pulled Preston and Gemma to leave.
But the workers blocked them.
"What's the meaning of this?" Josephine demanded. "Didn't you just say this wasn't forced demolition? Why won't you let us leave?"
"During demolition, safety comes first. Unauthorized persons not permitted." As the worker spoke, his eyes roved lewdly over Josephine's face.
Josephine's expression turned icy. "Then I'll call the police. I'd like to see if there's any justice in this world—why can't I even go to my own home?"
The worker smiled lightly, his attitude strangely pleasant. "Don't get upset. No need for police. Even if you call them, they can't stop us from working, right? But you seem like a reasonable person. Don't be angry. Why don't we have a nice chat, find somewhere for tea, have a good..."
The implication was heavy. Josephine's expression was cold. "You're bold. Aren't you afraid I'll report you?"
If she reported him, the worker would face punishment.
But the worker wasn't afraid. "I haven't done anything. Report what? We're doing legitimate work. You're the one delaying us right now, affecting a government project!"
Preston's face darkened as he stepped in front of Josephine. "I've put up with you long enough. Talk if you want to talk, but keep your eyes to yourself."
This man had been leering at Josephine's figure the whole time. Admiration was one thing, but that sleazy, lecherous look was disgusting.
The worker didn't like hearing that. Having his face slapped in front of so many people, he immediately reached out and shoved Preston. "Who the hell do you think you are! You dare lecture me!"
Preston stumbled backward. Right where his foot was landing was a piece of rebar. He hadn't seen it, but Josephine had. Without thinking, she reached out to pull Preston away, but he was a grown man—she couldn't move him.
She strained until the veins on her forehead bulged, only managing to pull Preston slightly to the side. Her own arm, however, was grazed by the sharp rebar, instantly tearing through skin and flesh. Blood gushed out, staining the fabric red.
In searing pain, Josephine clutched her arm, but blood still flowed through her fingers.
Preston's eyes immediately turned bloodshot. "You bastard! You dare lay hands on her!"
He'd had a fiery temper in his youth and couldn't stand seeing his daughter hurt. He immediately moved to confront the man, but Gemma held him back.
"Take her to the hospital first!"
Just then, a car stopped not far behind the crowd. Gideon got out, pushed through the crowd, and saw Josephine's bleeding arm. His expression turned frigid. He stepped forward and grabbed the worker by the collar. "You did this?"
His eyes were fierce. The worker jumped in fright and tried to struggle, but Gideon's assistant stepped forward to block him.
"Mr. Getty heard the demolition was underway and came to take a look."
The assistant deliberately emphasized the name Mr. Getty.
The other workers exchanged glances. The leader stepped forward. "We didn't recognize you. So it's Mr. Getty. We've heard so much about you. First time meeting..."
Seeing that Gideon was about to strangle the man, the team leader looked at Josephine. "Ms. Kennedy, please tell him to..."
Josephine didn't want someone dead, and she didn't want to be publicly associated with Gideon in any unclear way. "Gideon, I'm fine. Let him go."
Gideon glanced at Josephine and released his grip.
The worker immediately clutched his throat and backed away, coughing dramatically.
Gideon said coldly, "Get lost."
"You! This is legitimate demolition..."
The worker was panting and trying to argue back when the team leader punched him from behind, immediately silencing him.
The leader smiled. "Don't be angry. We'll leave right away."
He waved his hand, and the group retreated like a tide.
Gemma hurried over, eyes already red. "You say you're fine when you're bleeding this much. Come on, let's bandage that up."
Josephine followed her parents home. Gideon followed closely, but he didn't go upstairs—he stopped at the ground floor.
In the living room, Josephine let her mother apply medicine, then stood and said, "Mom, I have something to do. I'm going downstairs for a moment. You and Dad stay home and don't go wandering around."