Chapter 110
"You've absolutely lost your mind!" Briana seethed, teeth gritted. "She's discarded trash nobody wants, a useless woman who can't even have children! You want her?"
The words were viciously cruel. Even Aiden, drunk and drowsy nearby, frowned at them, forcing his eyes open to see what kind of person could say such ugly things.
Cedric frowned, instinctively looking at Josephine, then suddenly froze.
She wasn't angry.
Josephine wasn't the type with such a good temper that she let others knead her like soft dough. On the contrary, to some degree, she believed in settling scores.
When Lorelei stole her design, she'd rather spend time and energy ensuring the woman got her comeuppance, even complete ruin.
Her indifference toward Briana couldn't possibly mean she didn't care inside. Which left only one possibility—
She'd heard such words too many times. Eventually, you go numb.
Cedric moved calmly, positioning himself in front of Josephine. His tall frame and broad shoulders easily blocked her completely.
Briana couldn't see her at all anymore.
"You—"
"Briana Hughes," Cedric spoke, tone ice-cold. "Do you think because you've had it good for so long, you can rest easy forever?"
In the darkness, Briana's face went white—whether from the cold wind or his intimidation.
"You can stand here now, drive luxury cars, wear expensive jewelry—that's Grandfather's tolerance." Cedric's cadence was slow, part warning, part threat. "If I were you, I wouldn't stand here spouting nonsense. I'd be careful, because once everything you hold is taken away, you'll have nothing."
A woman without even legitimate status. A mistress who didn't even deserve to enter Getty Manor's gates.
Cedric's lips curved as his gaze swept over Briana's bloodless face. "Now, shut your mouth and leave immediately. Can you do that?"
His voice was almost gentle, yet Briana felt bone-deep terror.
She stumbled away.
Back in her car, Briana turned on the heat before the icy chill surrounding her seemed to dissipate somewhat. She clenched her hands tightly, expression dark and uncertain.
Josephine, you want to be with Cedric? Absolutely impossible!
...
In the end, Cedric drove, dropping off Aiden, Emma, and Kenneth at their respective homes. Finally, only Josephine and Cedric remained in the car.
They drove in silence until the car stopped at Clearwater Ridge. Before getting out, Josephine remembered something. "Why is Briana so afraid of you?"
She knew Briana feared Cedric, but having never witnessed them interact before, she hadn't realized the extent—one sentence had sent her fleeing.
Cedric's left hand rested casually on the window edge, right hand on the steering wheel. At her question, he looked at her. "As long as someone's human, they have weaknesses."
Weaknesses could be exploited.
"Her weakness is... Gideon?"
Cedric shook his head. "Guess again."
Josephine thought. "Your father?"
Cedric shook his head again.
Wrong again. Josephine pressed her lips together, truly unable to think what else could be Briana's weakness. Her peripheral vision caught the bracelet on her wrist.
A branded piece. Not outrageously expensive, but not cheap either.
She loved wearing it.
Suddenly, enlightenment struck. "The luxury cars and jewelry. It's money."
Cedric gave her an approving look. Since she was so clever, he'd teach her a bit more. "When fighting someone, it's not about reacting to what they do to us, but finding their weakness and striking a killing blow."
Giving opponents room to breathe or counterattack was superfluous—only putting yourself in danger.
Josephine listened thoughtfully.
Cedric didn't rush her. The car's ornament swayed gently with passing time until Josephine came back to herself, looking at Cedric. "I understand. Thanks for the lesson."
She paused. "You're truly a capitalist. Impressive."
With that, she opened the door and fled.
Cedric blinked. Capitalist... that wasn't exactly a compliment.
He shook his head helplessly, watching Josephine enter Clearwater Ridge before driving away.
...
Morning. Josephine was woken by a phone call from the Getty family butler, asking her to come for a meal.
Josephine found it strange. She and Gideon were about to divorce—what meal was there to attend? But she still had to go. Until the divorce was finalized, she needed to show David respect.
Getty Manor was enormous. But the larger it was, the more hollow it felt. No matter how luxurious and grand the decor, Josephine always felt oppressed returning here.
She braced herself and entered, crossing the long courtyard into the living room. At a glance, she saw Briana sitting on the sofa with an unfamiliar woman.
The girl was beautiful, dressed head to toe in designer brands, exuding refined elegance.
Seeing Josephine return, schadenfreude flashed through Briana's eyes. "You're back. Let me introduce you—this is Miss Wilson from the Wilson family, Chloe Wilson."
Josephine nodded. "Ms. Wilson, hello."
Chloe smiled. "Hello. I've heard your name before and heard about some of your accomplishments. Truly, reputation precedes reality. Very pleased to meet you."
"Likewise."
First impression—Josephine actually didn't dislike Chloe. She even found Chloe's temperament quite straightforward.
Briana laughed lightly. Josephine could still smile now—later, she probably wouldn't be able to. She took Chloe's arm affectionately. "You young people have things to discuss. I won't disturb you. Remember to come down for dinner later."
"Sure, Ms. Hughes."
Briana left.
Chloe looked at Josephine. "Could you show me around upstairs?"
"Of course."
Josephine wanted to see what game she was playing.
The two walked upstairs one after the other. The fourth floor was the entertainment area. David wasn't interested in young people's activities, but he didn't restrict the Getty family's younger generation's entertainment, so the fourth floor was dedicated to them.
Wine tasting room, tea room, billiards room... everything fully equipped.
Josephine didn't frequent most areas. She led Chloe to the billiards room—the place Gideon used most. He disliked Briana's nagging and David's lectures.
So every time Gideon came to Getty Manor, he hid here.
Later, seeing her face pressure about having children, he'd bring her here to hide together.
Josephine was very familiar with this environment.
"Do you like billiards? I can—"
Josephine's words cut off when she noticed Chloe staring fixedly in one direction. She looked up—it was Gideon.
Gideon seemed to see Josephine, too, but only watched quietly.
Josephine was about to look away when she saw Cedric emerge from behind Gideon.
For a moment, she couldn't tell who Chloe was looking at.
Chloe asked, "Who is he?"
Josephine countered, "Which one?"
Before Chloe could answer, Gideon walked over, gaze flickering briefly over her before he grabbed Josephine. "Come with me."
Josephine froze, being pulled away.
In front of outsiders, she didn't want any conflict—too embarrassing. Only outside the billiards room did she break free of Gideon's grip.
"Speak plainly."
Gideon watched her deliberately create distance, his gaze dimming momentarily. But quickly, he said quietly, "Don't get close to Chloe."
"Why?"
"Just listen to me. And don't get close to Cedric either." Gideon spoke rapidly, voice low. "Whether you're divorcing me or whatever else—listen to me. Cedric will only bring you danger. You have to believe he won't love you."
He seemed to have other business. Without waiting for Josephine to question him, he hurried off.