"Josephine!" Roy's voice was shaky as he hugged her tight. "You okay?"
Josephine gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Yeah, I'm good."
Stuart stood off to the side, his eyes filled with pain. Just moments ago, he was the one holding her. But now, Roy could rightfully hold her and comfort her.
Stuart's hand balled into a fist, trying to keep his jealousy in check. He used to be her husband, the one who belonged by her side. But he messed it all up.
Josephine gently pushed Roy away. "Why are you here? Where's Jeffery?"
"Jeffery said you were almost done and wanted to come find you. He fell asleep in the car waiting, so I came down to check. Then I heard someone was stuck in the elevator."
"I'm fine," Josephine said, seeing the worry in Roy's eyes. "Sorry for making you worry."
"As long as you're okay." Roy then glanced at Stuart. "He's here too? I knew it! You must've gotten stuck because of him! Josephine, stay away from this guy!"
Josephine tugged at Roy. "I'm fine, let's go."
She turned back to give a few instructions to the others before leaving. Roy shot Stuart a nasty look before they walked away.
Stuart hesitated, then pulled out his phone. "You still around? Let's grab a bite."
Jair sighed on the other end. "I only have two days off, and I'm spending them with you."
"You don't have a girlfriend," Stuart said, "And your family doesn't need you around."
"Alright, alright," Jair replied.
Stuart got to the restaurant first, and Jair showed up not long after. He shrugged off his coat. "I think I saw Claudia in the lobby, having dinner with someone."
Stuart nodded. "I'll say hi to her later."
Jair raised an eyebrow. "After the Howard Family went bankrupt, she probably hates your guts. You're still gonna say hi?"
"She's one of Josephine's best friends," Stuart said.
"She won't back you up," Jair warned. "Don't waste your time."
"No," Stuart shook his head. "I'm not looking for her support, I just..."
He just felt guilty about a lot of things. The Howard Family would've gone bankrupt even without his interference. They just didn't know how to run a business. His actions only sped up the inevitable.
But Claudia's family still had some wealth and were living okay now, even if it wasn't like before. If someone else had taken over, they might be in debt and homeless.
Still, Stuart was the main reason for their downfall, and nothing could change that. Jair was right; trying to make amends was probably pointless.
"You'd be better off trying to win over Laura," Jair said.
Stuart shook his head again. "I messed up a lot in the past, and now I get that love doesn't have shortcuts. All I can do is show them I've changed, let them see I'm sorry, and hope Josephine gives me another shot. That's enough for me."
Jair sighed. "With you guys like this, I'm scared to fall in love."
First, there was Robin, who was nuts about Josephine and did all sorts of things to mess things up. Then there was Stuart, with his beloved Josephine right beside him. After more than three years of marriage, he still hadn't seen into his own heart.
Was love just weird, or were they going about it all wrong? Either way, what happened to these two made Jair wary of love.
After chatting for a bit, Stuart stood up. "I'm gonna go say hi to Claudia."
Jair couldn't help but ask, "You sure about that?"
Stuart nodded and walked out of the private room. Jair, worried that something unpleasant might happen between him and Claudia, followed him.
As they stepped out, they saw a girl across from Claudia pick up a cup and splash its contents in Claudia's face.
"Who do you think you are!" the girl screeched. "You still think you're some big shot from the Howard Family? They went bankrupt ages ago! Now you're just a nobody! How dare you act all high and mighty here?"
This place was fancy, with high prices. The people dining here were all wealthy and influential. Even eating in the lobby was mostly reserved for the wealthy.
The girl was decked out in the latest luxury fashion, while Claudia's clothes were simple, with no accessories. Soaked from the drink, Claudia was stunned.
She quickly recovered, trembling with anger. She wiped the liquid off her face and said, her voice shaking, "If my designs don't suit you, then don't hire me. But if you do, you need to respect my design philosophy."
"Don't think you're so great! What designs? You're just a seamstress! Do you really think you're a designer?"
Claudia bit her lower lip hard, her eyes red. Humiliated in public, her whole body started to shake.
Seeing her like this, the girl felt even more triumphant. "You're just here to serve me. Do what I say and stop making demands!"
"I refuse to work with you." Claudia struggled to keep her emotions in check, trying not to cry. "Find someone else!"
"Trying to leave?" The girl's expression grew even more arrogant. "If you dare leave, I'll make sure you can't work in the design industry anymore!"
"Not gonna happen."
The sudden male voice startled both of them. Claudia looked over and saw Stuart and Jair. It was Jair who had spoken.
Jair strode over and draped his coat over Claudia's shoulders. The drink had soaked her clothes, and she was drenched.
Claudia bit her lip, holding back her emotions. "Thank you."
The girl glared at Jair. "Who are you? Mind your own business!"
Stuart demanded as he walked over. "Apologize to her for what you just did!"
He had quickly sent a brief message to Josephine.
Stuart: [Claudia's in trouble, come quick.]
Then he sent the location.
He walked over, glanced at Claudia to make sure she was okay, and then looked at the girl. "Otherwise, you'll regret it tonight!"