The two of them went out together, but only Josephine returned.
Josephine didn't go back to the Haustia Manor; she went to Claudia's place instead.
Seeing her looking down, Claudia handed her a bottle of fruit wine. She offered, "Have a drink."
"I have surgery tomorrow," Josephine said, "I can't drink."
Claudia, who also didn't drink, put it away. She asked, "What does Stuart mean? Doesn't he want a divorce?"
"Impossible." Josephine said with a bitter smile. She replied, "A divorce could cause stock market fluctuations and upset the shareholders."
"So that's it," Claudia said, "So, are you not getting divorced?"
"We are," Josephine said, "I guess I have to wait until she comes back."
Claudia knew who she was talking about.
She asked, "By then, won't Stuart be afraid of stock market fluctuations and shareholder dissatisfaction?"
Josephine said, "Compared to her, what do those matter? Even if he has to go against the whole world, Stuart would want to be with her."
Claudia gritted her teeth in anger. She remarked, "What's so good about her? She's not even half as good as you!"
Josephine smiled but said nothing.
They said that everything a person liked was good.
That was true.
The more unattainable something was, the more unforgettable it became.
Josephine saw Stuart every day; they were so tired of each other that even their intimate moments had become routine. How could such a relationship compare to a first love?
Claudia didn't want to continue this topic, so she changed the subject. She mentioned, "Laura is coming back. Did she tell you?"
Laura was studying abroad and was a mutual friend of theirs.
Josephine nodded in acknowledgment. She replied, "She messaged me."
"When she gets back, let's have a good get-together!" Claudia said, "Do you have any vacation days left? Maybe we can take a trip down south during the Starlight Festival?"
"Don't even think about it," Josephine said, "I'll definitely have to work during the holidays, taking turns on duty."
Claudia sighed. She complained, "It's too exhausting."
It was exhausting, but Josephine liked it.
That night, she didn't go back and slept at Claudia's place.
Meanwhile, back at the club, after Josephine left, Stuart smoked a cigarette in the hallway.
Doris appeared beside him at some point and said, "Stuart, don't be mad. Josephine might just be in a bad mood; she didn't mean it."
"Are you still speaking up for her?" Stuart said, "Alright, everyone go back."
Doris said, "But today is your birthday."
Stuart returned to the private room. "Everyone leave. I'll treat you to dinner another day."
"What's wrong?" Robin said, "Don't let her ruin our mood. Come on, have a drink!"
"No more," Stuart said, "I'm not feeling well either. I appreciate everyone's kindness, but let's call it a night."
Doris's eyes reddened. She tried ti insist, "Stuart, I..."
"Leave." Stuart's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of authority.
No one dared to defy him. Robin saw them out and then stayed behind. He said, "Stuart, let me try to persuade you one more time."
"You leave too," Stuart said, "And don't mention the word divorce again."
"You..." Robin shook his head in disappointment. He said angrily, "Fine, I'm leaving!"
Stuart sat alone for a while. When he opened his eyes and saw the mess in the room, he called someone to clean it up.
Once everything was back to normal, he felt more comfortable.
Josephine's behavior today was something he had never seen before.
Setting aside the fact that she embarrassed him in front of his friends, this side of Josephine—sharp and aggressive—was actually...
Actually quite attractive.
He didn't want to admit it, but it was true.
Everyone's eyes were on Josephine at that moment.
Being a man himself, Stuart understood what the looks in those men's eyes meant.
Even Robin.
It was the first time he noticed the way Robin looked at Josephine.
It seemed like disdain, but not entirely.
There seemed to be other emotions mixed in.
Stuart didn't think much of it and naturally didn't delve deeper.
However, he clearly saw the amazement in the eyes of other men.
This was the most uncomfortable birthday Stuart had ever had.
In previous years, by midnight, his friends would already be celebrating with him.
Tonight, he was all alone.
The thought that Josephine had completely forgotten his birthday and hadn't prepared a gift for him made him even more upset.
After who knew how long, Stuart called the driver. He inquired, "Where did Mrs. Haustia go?"
The driver answered truthfully, "She went to Ms. Howard's place."
Stuart hung up, his face even darker.
Thinking of Claudia made him think of Liam.
Josephine's relationship with them was enviably close.
Stuart thought about these things and stayed up all night.
The next day, he went to the office, his face tense all day, scaring everyone who feared he might lose his temper.
At the end of the workday, he left directly.
This made people in the office feel like Stuart was very strange.
He loved his work so much; now he wasn't even working overtime?
When Stuart got home, he found that Josephine hadn't returned.
Even by dinner time, she was still not back.
He couldn't help but ask Andrew, "Hasn't Josephine come back yet?"
Andrew glanced at him. He replied, "You don't know? Josephine has plans with friends."
Stuart gripped his fork tightly. He asked, "With whom?"
"Are you asking me?" Andrew said, displeased, "Can't you ask her yourself?"
Of course, Stuart wouldn't ask.
After dinner, he didn't talk to Andrew and went straight upstairs.
He half-heartedly dealt with some documents; by nine o'clock, Josephine still hadn't returned.
He couldn't sit still any longer. He went downstairs, grabbed his car keys, and was about to head out.
Just as he stepped outside, he saw a black car parked at the door, and then Liam got out of the car.
Having dinner with Liam?
Stuart felt like hitting someone.
Josephine also got out of the car, but she bent down to speak to someone inside. She said, "I'm leaving now. Let Liam take you back."
Inside the car sat a beautiful woman with high cheekbones and blue eyes. She smiled charmingly at Josephine. She reminded,"Remember to come find me tomorrow."
Josephine said, "Got it."
She straightened up and saw Stuart.
Stuart walked over with a cold face, not even glancing at Liam, and said directly, "You still know how to come back?"
Liam, hearing his tone, got angry immediately. He scolded, "Stuart, what's with your attitude!"
Stuart snorted coldly, "I'm talking to my wife. It's none of your business."
Liam was about to say something when the woman in the car got out.
She stood next to Josephine, raised an eyebrow disapprovingly, and glanced at Stuart.
Stuart recognized her and said coldly, "So it's Ms. Collins. Long time no see. How have you been?"
Laura, with her arm around Josephine's shoulder, said, "Mr. Haustia, I wouldn't regret it if I never saw you again in my life. After all these years, you haven't changed a bit."
Stuart's dislike for Liam and his friends stemmed from childhood grudges.
Laura was also one of Josephine's close friends; she was sharp-tongued and flamboyant.
Besides Liam, Stuart disliked her the most.
Stuart said, "Ms. Collins, you're the same. Studied abroad for a few years and still haven't learned any manners."
Laura was about to retort when Josephine spoke up, "Stuart, that's enough. Laura is a guest. How can you talk about manners when you don't even have the basic courtesy yourself?"