Chapter 235
Gideon's face swelled and reddened rapidly, burning with pain, but his heart hurt even more. His grip on Josephine's wrist tightened slightly. "You won't? You want to be with Cedric that badly?"
Josephine said coldly, "Let go."
Gideon gritted his teeth. "I won't. I won't let you be with him..."
Josephine cut him off, unable to bear it any longer. "Gideon, leave yourself some dignity. Don't forget—you have a mistress pregnant with your child. You're about to have a wedding."
"She's nothing! I never intended to..."
Josephine looked past Gideon's shoulder.
Sensing something, Gideon turned to see Lorelei clutching her stomach, face pale, standing at the garden entrance.
She'd heard everything.
Gideon irritably loosened his tie. "Since you heard, I don't mind saying it again. I don't love you. The person I've always loved is Josephine. I won't marry you either. Our deal from the start was that you'd give me a child, and I'd plug the holes in your family's company."
Love was never involved.
Josephine didn't want to hear about their entanglements. She bit down on Gideon's hand, leaving a clear teeth mark on the web between his thumb and forefinger, drawing blood.
Gideon released her in pain.
Josephine rubbed her aching wrist and turned to leave.
Gideon moved to follow but was stopped by Lorelei. "I was passing by the room earlier and heard Mr. David Getty and Cedric talking inside. I don't know what Cedric said, but it seemed to concern you."
Gideon frowned slightly and turned toward the living room.
He wasn't actually worried. What good would it do for Cedric and Josephine to be together? David would never approve.
He was just angry. Just disappointed. That she'd actually registered her marriage with someone else.
Lorelei watched him leave, then quickened her pace to chase after Josephine, blocking her outside the garden.
Josephine frowned slightly, about to walk around her, when Lorelei spoke. "You really are like a ghost that won't leave. No hope with Gideon, so you latch onto Cedric. Josephine, I didn't realize you had such skills."
Josephine looked at her expressionlessly. "I have plenty of skills. Want to experience them again?"
Lorelei's expression shifted. "I'm warning you—stay away from Gideon!"
"Looks like you're still afraid."
Afraid she'd lure Gideon back. Afraid Gideon wouldn't want her.
Lorelei said through gritted teeth, "What do I have to fear? I have a treasure in my belly. As long as he's here, I'll get everything I want."
Josephine had no interest in arguing with her. "We'll see."
The two parted on bad terms. Josephine hadn't gone far when she saw Cedric approaching.
They faced each other. Josephine said nothing. Cedric couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're in a good mood."
This wasn't right. Given David's temper and methods, Cedric shouldn't be this relaxed right now.
Cedric took her hand. "Come with me."
"Where?"
"To see Grandfather."
See him again?
Josephine was worried they'd make David keel over. Just now, David's complexion had been terrible—she hadn't dared speak.
After all, if something really happened to David, she'd bear responsibility.
On the second floor, Cedric brought Josephine to David's bedroom door and pushed it open.
David reclined in a rocking chair. Though his face was still somewhat pale, he'd calmed considerably from his earlier fury. His gaze swept over their clasped hands, and he snorted coldly. "Since you've already registered, you're part of the Getty family now."
This surprised Josephine. She'd expected David to explode in rage, maybe even have his blood pressure spike like before. But now...
He'd accepted it this easily?
Cedric held her hand, a faint smile on his face. "Thank you for understanding, Grandfather."
"Remember what I said. I'm only not opposing this temporarily." David glanced at him sideways, though that didn't mean approval. "If you don't accomplish what you promised me, I won't let you do as you please."
Then David looked at Josephine.
"Honestly, I admire you, but I don't like you." More precisely, David didn't like any woman who could drive Getty men crazy. He considered them all trouble.
But...
This kind of thing couldn't be controlled.
David said flatly, "Since you've entered the Getty family door, you must follow Getty family rules. Cedric has a cold temperament and doesn't know how to care for people. As his wife, you'll need to put in extra effort."
Josephine froze, not knowing how to respond.
This... this turnaround was too drastic.
David didn't care about her expression and continued speaking. "Since you're already married, hurry up and quit your job. Give me a great-grandson."
Quitting wasn't an option.
Josephine's brow furrowed slightly. Before she could speak, Cedric squeezed her hand.
Josephine remained silent.
David waved his hand. "All right, get lost, both of you."
They annoyed him just looking at them.
Cedric led Josephine out, quietly closing the door behind them. As they walked out side by side, Josephine couldn't contain her curiosity. "How did you do it?"
In the study earlier, she'd clearly seen David's face turn iron-blue with rage. Yet just now, though his tone wasn't great, he'd clearly accepted the fact of their marriage—even urged them to have children!
She had reason to believe David had been possessed!
Cedric smiled faintly. "Grandfather has always liked to arrange everything, especially matters concerning me."
Josephine had heard something about this.
Since Cedric was David's most valued heir, naturally he had to be carefully cultivated and closely monitored.
Cedric looked at her and smiled. "But when I've decided on something, he won't insist on changing it. After all, he's my grandfather, not my enemy."
That... actually made sense.
Josephine hadn't spent much time with David. She only knew the old man was domineering, unreasonable, difficult to get along with, and wouldn't tolerate defiance.
But toward Cedric, he should be somewhat more lenient.
In the room.
The butler attended to David taking his medicine and placed the water glass on the nightstand.
David leaned against his pillow and sighed. "I should have realized earlier. When that boy Cedric insisted on arranging for Josephine to join the company, he had ulterior motives."
The butler said softly, "He's been headstrong since childhood. No one can change his mind."
David closed his eyes and sighed gently. "If I'd known he had these intentions, I never should have let Gideon divorce her..."
The butler was silent for a moment before advising quietly, "Things are already this way. Just let him be. I think Ms. Kennedy is quite good—smart, capable, and strong. She's worthy of Mr. Getty."
David still couldn't let it go. He opened his eyes and laughed coldly. "What choice do I have but to accept it? He's already laid down the gauntlet with me over that woman."
The butler hadn't heard the conversation and didn't know the details. He quickly soothed him. "Please don't get agitated. Your body can't handle anger right now."
David calmed down but grew angry again thinking of Cedric's words. "One after another, they're all useless! One woman has made them all lose their heads!"
He never would have dreamed Cedric would harbor a secret love!
"I'm determined to have Josephine. I used countless means to obtain this marriage. I won't let go."
"If you give your blessing, Grandfather, all will be well."
"If you don't, I won't oppose you directly. But I'll get a vasectomy and never have another woman in this lifetime."
David grabbed the glass from the nightstand and threw it to the floor. "That unfilial grandson!"
The butler rushed to soothe him.
Outside the door, Gideon leaned against the cold wall, hearing every word of the conversation inside.