Hearing Stuart, everyone around held their breath; his presence was just too intimidating.
Liam stood up. "Stuart, why do you keep bothering Josephine?"
Stuart's words were aimed at Liam, but his eyes were on Josephine. "This is between us. It has nothing to do with you."
Liam wanted to say more, but Josephine pulled him back.
Seeing this, Stuart got jealous.
"Josephine, you don't want to mess with me." Stuart said, "Come with me."
He glanced at her friends and then walked away.
Ignoring the lemon slice on his head, he looked quite handsome.
But his words made Josephine frown.
Just as she was about to move, Liam held her back. "Ignore him; I'm not scared."
"It's okay," Josephine said, "I can handle him. You guys eat; I'll be back."
Stuart went outside.
It was freezing, and the wind made his head feel even colder.
He touched his hair, which had frozen from being soaked by Josephine.
He'd never been this embarrassed.
All thanks to Josephine.
If she behaved, fine, he wouldn't hold it against her.
If not...
He was thinking when Josephine's voice interrupted. "Stuart."
Stuart looked up and met her cold gaze, feeling uneasy.
Forget it, he chose Josephine, so he has to put up with it.
He could handle a bit of embarrassment.
He'd already been humble; getting splashed with water was nothing.
"Let's talk in the car." Stuart grabbed her wrist and pushed her into the car.
Josephine didn't resist much; she knew he wouldn't dare do anything serious.
Once in the car, the driver got out, leaving them alone.
Stuart loosened his tie and took a deep breath. "Josephine..."
"What do you want?" Josephine's voice was cold. "This is pointless."
"Pointless?" Stuart didn't like that word. "I haven't done anything extreme."
"This is already extreme." Josephine looked at him. "You keep interfering in my life; that's harassment."
Stuart said, "You blocked all my contacts."
Josephine thought she heard a hint of grievance in his voice.
She chuckled. "Blocking is better than not answering; it leaves no room for guessing. You should thank me for not being crueler."
Stuart realized she was mocking him.
He explained, "I was busy with work. But I didn't ignore all the calls, right?"
"Yeah, sometimes you answered." Josephine sneered. "And remember your attitude."
Stuart said, "I admit, I was focused on work."
"Don't blame work," Josephine said. "You took your lover on a trip abroad and flew to Angela when she had a fever. You had work then too."
Stuart didn't correct her. "Are you jealous?"
Josephine didn't deny it. "I used to be. Now, it doesn't matter."
"Josephine..." Stuart frowned. "I admit I can't let go of Angela, but we're married. Give me time; I'll handle it."
Josephine took a deep breath.
Claudia had called Stuart a bad man, and Laura's words were even harsher.
Josephine knew Stuart had someone else in his heart before they married. She couldn't blame him entirely.
But now, hearing Stuart, she realized how wrong he was.
He sounded like those guys who say, "I have someone in my heart, but I still love you."
Josephine said, "I'll give you time."
Stuart's eyes lit up. He thought Josephine couldn't let him go.
But then she said, "A lifetime should be enough. I hope you two stay together forever and have kids soon!"
She tried to get out of the car, but Stuart grabbed her. "Josephine!"
"Let go of me!" she snapped.
Stuart pinned her down. "Listen, you're always so willful, pushing my limits. I've tolerated you; you can't keep doing this."
Josephine looked at him in shock.
Stuart continued, "Angela means something to me, like Liam to you. If I asked you to cut ties with him, would you?"
Josephine was furious. "That's different! I see Liam as a brother!"
Stuart gritted his teeth. "He may not see you as a sister! I know men better than you do!"
"Shut up!" Josephine glared. "Just because you have bad intentions doesn't mean everyone else does."
"I don't have bad intentions," Stuart shouted. "I said I'd explain about Angela! What more do you want?"
"I don't want anything." Josephine felt exhausted.
Arguing with Stuart was pointless. She was done with him.
"I thought you were sensible and independent," Stuart said. "Angela is different from you, she..."
"Shut up!" Josephine interrupted. "I'm not interested in your relationship with her. I hope you two get married tomorrow and stay together forever!"
Stuart said, "You can't talk like that; you should understand what I mean."
"What do you mean?" Josephine pushed him. "I'm not interested! I just want you to stay away from me!"
"Josephine!" Stuart pressed closer. "I apologize. I promise to live well with you in the future; don't be so unreasonable, okay?"
Josephine found it ridiculous.
"Stuart, you think I'll live with you? You actually have the nerve to say that. I hate you; you disgust me. When I see your face, I want to vomit..."
Before she could finish, Stuart, breathing heavily, kissed her.