Chapter 38
"Why can't I join them?" Josephine countered.
"You know perfectly well that Cedric and I don't get along."
"And?"
Josephine wore a faint smile that sent a chill down Gideon's spine.
"You're my wife. You should be on my side, not tangled up with him, and definitely not helping him poach my talent."
He couldn't figure her out anymore. "What are you trying to do? Get revenge on me?"
"You haven't done anything wrong, so why would I need revenge?" Josephine asked with an enigmatic smile.
Gideon had no response. For a moment, he wondered if she somehow knew everything. Why else would she be acting so strangely lately?
He stepped closer, eyes locked on hers. "Jojo, have you already..."
"You're overthinking this." She couldn't let him finish that question. Leaning against the car, she forced a smile. "I left your company because I watched you put someone with zero research background in charge of R&D. That disaster proves your department can't compare to Getty Group."
Nothing infuriated him more than being compared to Cedric. Especially by Josephine!
"You think he's better than me? Is he suddenly some research expert?"
"Maybe not an expert, but at least he hires professionals." Josephine silently apologized in her heart.
Now wasn't the time to reveal everything. With Gideon's temper, if he knew she understood the truth, he'd probably lock her away without hesitation.
"If you really want to outdo your brother, stop focusing solely on operations. Learn to judge people better." To distract Gideon, she praised Cedric relentlessly. "Cedric has exceptional judgment with talent. He doesn't act like a dictator or think he knows everything."
Gideon unconsciously twisted his wedding ring, laughing bitterly. "Dictatorial, stubborn... so that's how you see me."
Josephine looked away coldly. "Maybe add 'arrogantly ignorant' to the list."
Gideon stared at her, his expression dark. "You drove straight at me just now. Was that confidence in your driving skills or indifference to my life?"
"I wouldn't have hit you," Gideon explained.
"Oh, so you were just trying to scare me." Josephine let out a mocking laugh. "I guess I better not cross you anymore. If I don't obey, you'll just use this trick to terrify me. And I'm rather fond of staying alive."
"You're changing the subject." Gideon wasn't easily fooled. "You haven't answered why you joined Cedric's company. Your explanations don't hold up."
Having seen her love for him before, he immediately noticed when that love changed. "You used to defend me, even curse at Cedric for me. You said you'd always stand by my side." His frustration and jealousy built with each word. "So why are you doing this now?"
"Gideon, I won't revolve around you anymore." Her cool eyes reflected his stormy face while she remained calm as ever.
Gideon hated that cold, detached expression of hers. Suddenly, he stepped forward and scooped her up, forcefully placing her in the car. Josephine couldn't fight back, but anger flickered in her eyes.
"What are you doing?"
Gideon trapped her in his arms. "You're my wife. What do you think I'm doing?"
He desperately needed to confirm her presence, by any means necessary. Even in this inappropriate place, he just needed to feel she was still his.
As he unbuttoned her collar, cold air rushed against her skin. Josephine gritted her teeth. "Have you lost your mind? This is a parking garage. People could come by any minute!"
"Shh, don't worry." His voice was soothing as his lips trailed down her neck, leaving a visible mark. He chuckled softly. "There, honey. I've stamped you as mine."
Josephine couldn't take it anymore. She raised her hand to slap him, but Gideon caught her wrist with lightning speed. "Don't be angry, love. I promise, just this once..."
His voice was gentle, but his actions remained forceful, showing no intention of letting go. He lowered his head to kiss her.
Josephine clenched her jaw, resisting his invasion. Knowing her weak spots, Gideon pinched her waist. Her body tensed, and her lips parted slightly.
She felt almost hopeless. After years of marriage, they knew each other's bodies too well. He knew every sensitive spot on her.
Yet in this intimate moment, all she could see was the scene from the hotel—naked bodies entwined, passionate coupling...
Josephine couldn't help it. She gagged.
Gideon froze instantly, looking at her in disbelief. "I disgust you?"
Josephine looked at him with reddened eyes. "Gideon, are you trying to rape me right now?"
His expression changed dramatically. In his mind, this was just intimacy between spouses. How could she use such a horrible word?
His grip on her waist loosened slightly. Josephine immediately seized the opportunity, moving away from him. The car door was locked; she couldn't escape, so she pressed herself against it.
"I want to get out."
When Gideon reached for her, she glared at him. "I said I don't want to have sex. Are you incapable of understanding basic English?"
Gideon's movement stopped. After a moment, he slowly withdrew his hand.
"I won't force you, but I have one condition."
Josephine remained silent.
Knowing she didn't want to engage, he continued anyway. "Leave Cedric's company."
"Not happening."
"Then return to Evercrest Manor." Gideon's voice carried a warning. "You have two choices. If you can't decide, I'll choose for you."
If he chose, it definitely wouldn't end well.
Josephine took a deep breath, mentally writing one word to herself: Endure.
"I need to go back and pack my things first."
Gideon finally smiled. "What's there to pack? If you need anything, I'll buy it for you."
"No need. Just some basic clothes."
Gideon took Josephine's hand. "Jojo, let's not fight anymore, okay?"
Just as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the car window.
Gideon lowered the window. Cedric stood outside, looking down at the scene inside. His eyes caught their interlocked hands.
He raised an eyebrow. "Seems I've come at an awkward moment."