Chapter 101
Leaving the courthouse, Josephine didn't head straight home.
The late autumn wind carried bone-chilling cold. She wrapped her cashmere coat tighter and drove to the Getty Group.
The courthouse scene replayed in her mind—Gideon's desperate stubbornness as he stalled, Lorelei's seemingly conciliatory but actually provocative words...
She suddenly remembered seven years ago when they'd gone to process their marriage certificate, that youthful, beautiful joy.
It felt like another lifetime.
She opened her eyes, watching the scenery fly backward past the window.
Seven years.
Husband and wife once—now it had come to this.
When the car stopped below the Getty Group Building, Josephine patted her cheeks, quickly composing herself. She walked into the lobby and swiped her card for the elevator.
The doors opened. She'd just walked into the research lab when Emma poked her head out from behind her computer. "Josephine, Mr. Getty wants to see you in his office."
"Got it."
Josephine returned to her private office first, set down her bag, and tidied her hair and makeup in the mirror. The woman staring back had a calm face and clear eyes, showing no trace of having just endured an unpleasant divorce proceeding.
Perfect.
She took a deep breath, picked up the project report she'd prepared, and walked toward the CEO's office.
She knocked. Cedric's cool voice came from inside. "Come in."
Josephine pushed the door open.
Cedric sat behind his desk reviewing documents. Seeing her enter, he glanced up and gestured for her to sit.
"The third phase test data for the NGRAS project came in." He pushed a file toward her. "Misdiagnosis rate dropped to 7.3%—even lower than expected."
Josephine took the file and flipped through it, her professional gaze quickly scanning the data and charts. "Excellent. How's the selection process for clinical partner hospitals going?"
"Three hospitals tentatively confirmed, but they need site visits." Cedric leaned back in his chair, looking at her. "You took a half-day off today, didn't you?"
His tone was casual, like he was just making conversation.
Josephine's hands paused, then she closed the file. "Yes. Had to handle some personal matters."
Cedric's lips curved slightly. "So, you're officially single again? Need me to throw you a divorce party to celebrate?"
Josephine sighed silently. "Didn't go through. Gideon wants to review the agreement terms again."
The office fell quiet for a few seconds.
Cedric's fingers tapped lightly on the desk twice. "Well... as long as it's not you getting sentimental and backing out, it's not a big deal."
Josephine looked up at him, her expression neutral. "Why would I endure pain to continue a marriage with a husband who betrayed me?"
Cedric's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Indeed. Some people don't deserve any compromise from you."
The comment was so direct that Josephine didn't know how to respond.
Cedric watched her, some indescribable emotion flickering in his eyes before he quickly masked it and changed the subject. "There's urgent test data that needs analysis today—from our second partner hospital. The data volume is substantial. We need the analysis report ASAP."
Josephine checked the time. "Start now?"
"Start now." Cedric stood. "To the lab."
Josephine followed him out of the office, puzzled.
She remembered sorting through all the test data with Cedric just yesterday. By rights, there shouldn't be urgent data today... Had he arranged this at the last minute?
But she didn't ask.
They walked into the lab one after the other. It wasn't large, but fully equipped, with several whiteboards along the walls covered in formulas and calculations.
Cedric removed his suit jacket and hung it on a chair back, unbuttoning his shirt cuffs and rolling up his sleeves to his elbows. His forearms were lean and elegant, skin pale with faint blue veins visible beneath.
"Data's here." He slid a laptop toward her.
Josephine sat beside him and began working.
The atmosphere started out silent—just keyboard clicks and mouse sounds. But soon, as the analysis deepened, their exchanges increased.
"This section's data is anomalous." Josephine pointed at the screen. "Look—sample group 38's values significantly deviate from the mean."
Cedric leaned closer, his breath nearly brushing her cheek. "Sample contamination or algorithm error?"
"Need to cross-reference the raw data..." As Josephine spoke, she turned to look at the file in his hands and realized they were too close.
She instinctively leaned back.
Cedric seemed oblivious, flipping to the corresponding page. "Raw data's here."
His professionalism was absolute. Josephine couldn't afford to be distracted. Whether she'd convinced herself or not, she gradually accepted his unintentional proximity.
Josephine's gaze fell on the data page.
Cedric's gaze quietly, intently fell on her profile.
Time ticked by.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened. City lights flickered on one by one, casting mottled patterns through the lab's glass windows.
Josephine rubbed her aching neck. "Two more data sets to go."
"Alright." Cedric responded, then suddenly asked, "What do you want to drink? I'll get it."
"White tea, thanks."
Cedric stood and left. Minutes later, he returned carrying two cups of hot tea. He set one beside Josephine and leaned against the lab table with the other.
Josephine picked up her cup and took a sip. Perfect temperature, exactly her preferred taste.
She suddenly remembered at Clearwater Ridge—Gideon had made tea too. But then, she hadn't wanted to touch it.
Now this tea, perhaps because of who made it, tasted wonderful. When you despised someone, even the tea from their hands turned bitter.
So she couldn't understand—if Gideon didn't like Lorelei, how could he sleep with her?
Maybe—he'd developed feelings for Lorelei long ago.
At that thought, Josephine suddenly felt nauseated.
"What are you thinking about?" Cedric's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Nothing." Josephine pulled herself back, setting down her cup. "Just thinking... this tea is really good."
Cedric glanced at her but said nothing.
At 8:30 PM, all data analysis was complete.
Josephine stretched, only then realizing they'd been working nearly three hours. She checked her phone—no messages from Gideon, not even from unknown numbers. He'd probably finally given up after being blocked.
Finally, some peace.
"The report can be compiled by tomorrow morning," she said. "Tonight I need to—"
"I'll drive you home." Cedric cut her off, already putting on his jacket. "At this hour, it's not safe for you alone."
Josephine wanted to refuse, but Cedric didn't give her the chance.
"Let's go." He grabbed his car keys.
They walked out of the building into the cool night wind. Josephine pulled her coat tighter, following Cedric toward the underground parking garage.
The garage lighting was dim. Cedric's car was parked in the furthest spot. He walked to the passenger side and naturally pulled open the door, his hand shielding the top of the doorframe.
Josephine froze.
The gesture was so considerate, so considerate that it made her uncomfortable.
"Thanks." She said quietly, bending to get in the car.
And in that moment, a strained voice exploded through the cavernous garage.
"Cedric Getty!"
Josephine turned to see Gideon charging out of his black Bugatti, face flushed, eyes completely bloodshot.