Chapter 112
The kitchen door stood open. Cedric's gaze passed over Chloe toward the doorway, somewhat distracted, tone cool. "Why are you asking?"
"Just curious." Chloe ate her cake, words slightly muffled. "I mean, you're getting up there in age. Why not find a girlfriend? Or are you waiting for me?"
She leaned toward Cedric. He pressed a finger to her forehead, forcing her back. But she didn't get angry, her face still smiling.
"Just tell me. What's our relationship? When I was little, I stayed at your house all the time. I remember your mother even said she wanted me to be your wife."
Cedric's expression cooled. "Even food can't shut you up."
He left the kitchen.
Chloe held her fork in her mouth, watching him leave. The smile gradually faded from her face. She casually tossed both cake and fork into the trash.
Strawberry.
Josephine probably liked it, but she didn't. Sweet and tart—absolutely hated it.
Josephine stood before the balcony railing, gazing at distant rolling clouds. Steady, measured footsteps approached from behind. She didn't turn around, but strangely, she knew who it was.
Cedric reached her side. "Not hungry anymore?"
Josephine touched her stomach. "Not hungry. I ate some snacks on the way here."
No response came. She looked up to find Cedric's gaze meaningful.
Josephine spoke confidently. "I said I didn't eat a meal. Never said I didn't eat snacks."
That actually stumped Cedric.
He turned to lean against the railing, head tilted, gaze falling on her delicate profile. "You don't seem to like Chloe much."
"What makes you think that?"
Josephine didn't believe she'd shown dislike toward Chloe. In fact, she genuinely didn't dislike her.
Chloe was generous, beautiful, polite, and warm to people. No reason to dislike her at all.
Cedric spoke flatly. "She took your favorite strawberry cake."
At that, Josephine laughed helplessly. "I'm not a child."
She wouldn't get angry over a piece of cake. Besides, she wasn't even hungry.
Cedric studied her for a moment, nodding. "Good that you're not upset. It's windy here—go inside soon. Don't catch a cold."
He walked toward the door, but stopped at the threshold, turning back. Under her puzzled gaze, Cedric asked a question. "What did Gideon say to you?"
Josephine didn't know how to answer properly. Repeating those words would seem like trying to sow discord between them—though they had no relationship to speak of anyway.
Josephine chose a white lie. "Just discussing divorce matters."
Cedric stared at her.
His gaze carried immense pressure. When he looked at people so directly, it always created inexplicable tension. Josephine was no exception.
She turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. "Why are you staring at me like that? Our divorce discussion has nothing to do with you. Stop prying."
Cedric adjusted his cuffs, speaking deliberately. "Actually, I know even without you telling me."
Josephine was stunned.
"He probably told you to stay away from me. Maybe said I'd hurt you. Or perhaps... that I have ulterior motives, that I want to get close to you to use you."
He'd guessed everything!
Josephine said nothing, but her microexpressions weren't so well controlled.
Cedric nodded with certainty. "Seems I guessed correctly."
Josephine couldn't help complaining. "Are you a mind reader?"
"Your greatest understanding always comes from your enemies."
Cedric had first met Gideon not at the Getty family, but at a club across from Starlight Group. He'd been there for business negotiations.
The person he was meeting had rejected Gideon's overtures the day before.
The look in Gideon's eyes then—he probably wanted to kill.
"I'm going back."
Cedric turned and left.
Josephine watched his retreating figure, lost in thought, sighing inwardly. These brothers would probably never reconcile in this lifetime.
Still, that wasn't her concern.
She just wanted to end this marriage quickly and completely leave this twisted family. Only by leaving could she move toward a new life.
At dinner, David, Cedric, and Chloe sat on the left side, while Gideon, Briana, and Josephine sat on the right.
Cedric sat directly across from Josephine.
David seemed in good spirits, his face rarely showing a smile. "Tonight's dinner serves two purposes—first, to welcome Chloe back to the country. Second..."
He paused, his gaze shifting between Cedric and Chloe. The implication couldn't be clearer.
"Second, I wanted you young people to spend more time together. Cedric, Chloe was close to you growing up. Before she went abroad, you two always went to and from school together. Now you're in the same industry—you can exchange ideas more often."
Everyone at the table understood the subtext.
Chloe smiled graciously. "Mr. David Getty, you're too kind. I'm still in the learning phase with much to consult Cedric about. I hope Cedric will guide me in the future."
"You're too modest." Briana picked up the conversation, beaming at Chloe. Chloe held a director position at Wilson Group—not through connections, but by concealing her identity and relying purely on ability.
"For a woman to reach your position in this industry shows your capabilities far exceed most people."
As she spoke, her gaze flickered meaningfully across Josephine's face, carrying indefinable implications.
Like mockery. More like schadenfreude.
Even if Cedric intended to support Josephine, as long as he got together with another woman, this secondhand goods Josephine would have absolutely no chance!
So she absolutely had to make this happen.
As for inheritance rights, she wasn't worried. Even if Cedric got together with another woman now, he couldn't immediately produce a child.
The baby in Lorelei's belly existed in solid reality. Just a few months until delivery, and David would have to honor his promise to make Gideon the family heir.
While her thoughts ran chaotically, Josephine kept her eyes lowered, focused on cutting the steak on her plate.
Josephine was quite the actress. Briana silently ground her teeth before suddenly smiling. "I've watched Chloe grow up. She stood out even as a child. Now she's blossomed beautifully, plus she's a top student from a prestigious university. If you ask me, this kind of woman is worthy of the Getty family name."
David nodded with satisfaction. "Rare that your judgment is sound. Chloe is indeed excellent."
Gideon's lips curved slightly as he poured Josephine a beverage, though his gaze fixed on Cedric. "I imagine Cedric thinks so, too."
All eyes turned to Cedric.
Josephine also looked up at Cedric across from her.
Cedric set down his knife and fork, dabbing the corners of his mouth with his napkin, movements elegant and unhurried. He raised his eyes to Chloe, deep gaze revealing no emotion.
"Chloe is indeed excellent."