Chapter 237
Josephine immediately walked over and picked up the document. It detailed the development plans for that plot of land, demolition compensation standards, and even contact information for several officials in charge.
"How did you..."
"Since we're partners, naturally I can't be the only one benefiting."
Josephine felt a complicated mix of emotions, but more than anything, joy and excitement. She'd been agonizing over how to bring this up with Cedric, never expecting...
She put away the document and touched her stomach. "I think... I'd like some soup."
Cedric raised an eyebrow, smiling. "All right, I'll get you some."
He quickly returned with the soup. Josephine sat at the table, sipping it slowly, feeling the soup was especially delicious and the moon outside particularly bright.
Eventually, Josephine was too full. "I can't drink anymore."
A bit remained in the bowl. Cedric naturally took it and finished it in one gulp.
Josephine stared at him in shock. "You, I..."
She couldn't even form words properly.
Cedric simply said, "Don't waste food."
Josephine was speechless.
But... wasn't this a bit too intimate?
"I'm going to shower." She fled in disarray.
She even forgot to take the demolition documents when she left.
After a quick shower, she came out drying her hair to find the aromatherapy candles and sleep spray Cedric had prepared for her on the table.
She remembered getting up for water last night and seeing the light still on in Cedric's study. The fatigue under his eyes this morning was probably from staying up late handling her matters.
Josephine lay on the soft bed, her mind replaying the details of these past two days with Cedric. Those subtle approaches, perfectly calibrated thoughtfulness, the boundaries he never crossed...
She had to admit, two days married to Cedric had been anything but difficult.
She suddenly felt grateful she'd made the right decision.
No worrying about her parents' house being demolished, no worrying about being made difficult at work—even daily life was thoughtfully arranged.
Just... a bit dangerous.
Josephine closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.
This was just a partnership. Each getting what they needed.
Cedric needed her to deal with David's marriage arrangements. She needed Cedric to resist David's suppression.
That was all.
Gideon stood in Starlight Group's top-floor office. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows lay the city's nightscape, lights brilliant yet unable to illuminate the darkness in his eyes.
Since learning that Josephine and Cedric had registered their marriage, he'd felt completely hollowed out. The pain spreading from his heart through his limbs made it almost impossible to breathe.
But he'd thought of something.
Gideon grabbed the phone on his desk and dialed a number.
"Find me someone. A woman, around twenty-eight years old. Tell her she just needs to play a role. The pay is one hundred thousand dollars."
"What specifically does she need to play?" the voice on the other end asked.
A cold smile curved Gideon's lips. "This woman needs to smell of gardenias, know how to blend gardenia essential oils or use gardenia perfume, and have had a one-night encounter with someone at a bar several years ago..."
Hanging up, Gideon lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his fingers, but he felt no relief whatsoever.
He absolutely would not let Cedric and Josephine be together.
Josephine was his. Would always be his!
A week later, a young woman in a cream-colored dress appeared at Getty Group's front desk.
"I'm looking for Mr. Cedric Getty." Saskia Fuller's voice was soft and gentle. "Please tell him I'm Saskia. He may have been looking for me."
The receptionist froze but, seeing Saskia's refined bearing, called the executive office.
Minutes later, Noah came down personally to receive her.
In the office, Cedric was reviewing documents when he heard the news and frowned slightly. He had Saskia shown in.
Saskia wore a cream dress, carrying a faint scent of gardenias, entering with elegant bearing. "Mr. Getty, hello. I'm Saskia Fuller."
Cedric looked up, his gaze sweeping over her face without any reaction. "You say you're the person I've been looking for?"
"Yes, Mr. Getty." Saskia smiled, voice gentle. "Years ago at the Grand Vista Hotel, I had the privilege of spending a night with you."
A barely perceptible gleam flashed in Cedric's eyes.
"Back then, I'd just gone through a breakup. After getting drunk, I... I didn't want to cling to you or cause misunderstandings, so I chose to go abroad to escape." Saskia was beautiful, lowering her gaze as she explained softly. "Coming back this time, learning you'd been searching for that person, I also wanted..."
"What do you want?" Cedric asked.
Saskia raised her eyes. "To give that night's events a resolution."
Cedric was silent for a moment before asking, "What year, what month, what date, what time at night?"
Saskia froze slightly but quickly recovered. "It's been so long, I don't remember the exact date. Roughly a few years ago, in a hallway at the Grand Vista Hotel. I'd just attended a friend's birthday party. The corridor lighting was dim. I'd had too much to drink and accidentally entered the wrong room, so..."
She turned her face away somewhat embarrassed.
Cedric's fingertips tapped lightly on the document. The lighting that night had indeed been dim—he hadn't seen the person's face clearly either.
But...
"Leave your contact information. I'll have someone reach out to you."
Saskia's face lit up with joy. She pulled a business card from her bag and placed it on the desk. "This is my contact information. Mr. Getty, I'm truly happy to see you again."
"Noah, show Ms. Fuller out."
After she left, Cedric picked up the business card, his gaze resting on the name and phone number.
Soon after, Noah returned. "Mr. Getty, that woman is clearly Ms. Kennedy... I mean Mrs. Getty. Where did this Ms. Fuller come from?"
Cedric's eyes turned cold. "She knows everything about that night in detail. Clearly someone coached her well."
Noah pondered. "That Luna from before..."
"One wasn't enough, so they sent a second." Cedric's low voice carried mockery.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Investigate." Cedric said only one word.
Noah nodded. "Yes."
Whoever was behind this, daring to fool their Mr. Getty like this—they had to be taught a lesson.
That evening, Josephine and Cedric ate dinner together. As usual, Cedric cooked and washed dishes. He seemed to dislike hiring help, doing everything himself. Josephine had felt guilty at first but gradually got used to it.
Cedric carried the dishes into the kitchen, leaving Josephine alone in the living room. She curled up on the sofa watching TV when she suddenly heard a phone vibrating on the coffee table.
It was Cedric's phone. He'd left it charging in the living room.
Josephine didn't want to look, but the vibration continued persistently, seeming urgent. She hesitated before picking up the phone to take it to Cedric.
Her fingertip accidentally touched the screen, and the call connected.
A soft female voice came through the receiver. "Mr. Getty, you're finally willing to answer my call..."
Josephine's movements froze slightly, her gaze falling on the screen.
An unfamiliar number.
On the other end, Saskia's voice carried a hint of flirtation. "After I got home today, I thought a lot about many details from that night. Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to... talk with you in person again."
A woman inviting a man to talk in person—Josephine didn't want to delve into what they'd discuss. She instinctively resisted the question and was about to say she'd relay the message when Saskia spoke again. "The gardenia scent in the hotel corridor that night—I actually blended it myself with essential oils. I've kept the formula all this time. If you like it, I can let you smell it. I guarantee it's exactly the same as back then..."
Gardenia scent...
Josephine's brow twitched. Was Cedric still pursuing this investigation?
Just then, Cedric's voice came from behind her. "What are you looking at?"
Josephine whipped around. Cedric was emerging from the kitchen, hands still damp. She held up the phone. "Your call. I accidentally touched it..."
Cedric walked over, took the phone, and spoke directly into it. "I'm busy now. We'll talk later."
He hung up immediately, movements decisive.
Josephine's lips moved. "I heard her mention something about gardenia scent..."
Cedric glanced at her and suddenly said, "Yes, I've been looking for someone. This person uses gardenia perfume."
Josephine's throat felt bitter. "Now... have you found her?"
"I have." Cedric smiled.