Chapter 113
Chloe's face instantly bloomed into a radiant smile. "You're too kind, Cedric. My little achievements can't compare to yours. I heard you just secured several major projects for the company and made a killing. I'm truly envious."
Cedric's expression remained indifferent. "Speaking of those projects, the credit isn't mine."
"If not you, then who?" Chloe asked curiously.
The smile on David's face dimmed slightly.
Cedric looked straight at Josephine, who had been keeping her head down, eating diligently, maintaining zero presence.
Everyone else turned to look at Josephine, too.
Josephine lifted her head, her expression a bit bewildered. "What's wrong?"
Did she have food on her face?
Cedric subtly curved his lips. "Cleo, bring Josephine another bowl of noodles. I think she's truly hungry."
Soon, the maid Cleo efficiently cooked a bowl of noodles and brought it over.
But with this bowl of noodles placed before her and everyone staring at her, Josephine couldn't possibly eat it. Yet she couldn't refuse either.
She forced herself to eat the noodles.
Inwardly, she cursed. This Cedric, why did he have to draw attention to her? Was he using her as a shield?
Seeing the conversation veer off topic, David steered it back, this time more directly. "Young people of similar ages should spend more time together. Who knows, you might rekindle your childhood friendship. If you two could be together, Chloe's grandfather and I could rest easy."
"Dad's right." Briana quickly chimed in. With David present, she wasn't afraid of Cedric and even dared to assume an elder's authority. "Cedric, you're not getting any younger. How can you not have someone close by your side? Chloe comes from a good background, she's sensible—much better than those people of unknown origins out there."
As she said this, her eyes deliberately swept over Josephine.
Josephine's grip on her knife and fork tightened slightly.
Gideon glanced at Josephine. Under the table, his hand unobtrusively grasped hers, domineering and refusing her resistance.
"Cedric should consider his personal life, too. Jojo and I have been married for so many years, yet Cedric is still single. Grandfather's worried about you. Today's a perfect opportunity, don't you think, Grandfather?"
His implication was clear—why not settle it today?
David looked thoughtful after hearing this.
Cedric lifted his gaze toward Gideon, his tone flat. "How touching that you care so much about me."
If he hadn't said this with a completely expressionless face, it might have been slightly more believable.
But Gideon was happy to play along with the pretense. "We're brothers, of course, I care about you. Your lifelong happiness is something everyone in the family is concerned about."
Josephine kept her head down, frowning.
Under the table, she kept trying to free her hand from Gideon's grip, but she couldn't make any large movements. Constrained as she was, she never succeeded.
Cedric noticed their subtle movements beneath the table. He narrowed his eyes and said casually, "So what are you suggesting?"
"Of course, I hope you can be as happy as Jojo and I are." Gideon raised an eyebrow. Not only did he not let go under the table, but he became even more outrageous, pulling Josephine's hand onto his thigh.
He turned his head, looking at Josephine tenderly. "Honey, isn't that what you think too?"
Josephine clenched her teeth slightly, not understanding what game he was playing. Was he deliberately performing for David? But David already knew they were getting divorced.
What exactly was Gideon trying to do?
As if oblivious to her confusion and anger, Gideon added food to her bowl, saying softly, "Try this. I remember you love it."
His movements were gentle, as if he were still that considerate husband.
Josephine looked at the food in her bowl but had absolutely no appetite. Her hand, gripped by Gideon, was practically sweating.
David watched their interaction and frowned slightly, but now wasn't the time to worry about their issues. Cedric was what mattered most.
"I actually think Gideon has a point. Cedric, you've been single for years. You should find someone to take care of you. Chloe, I've spoken with your grandfather. He's very supportive of you and Cedric being together. If you have no objections..."
Chloe glanced at Cedric, but saw him only lowering his eyes, seemingly not intending to refuse. She curved her lips. "I'll follow Mr. David Getty's wishes."
David nodded with satisfaction. His gaze then fell on Josephine, and he squinted slightly. "What do you think?"
Josephine froze.
She didn't understand why the topic had suddenly shifted to her.
Cedric's affairs—where did she have any right to interfere? Yet David clearly needed her to take a position.
Why?
Had David misunderstood something?
Josephine suddenly looked at Briana, catching the gloating expression she hadn't managed to hide in time. In that flash of insight, she understood everything.
It was Briana.
She must have said something to David, which was why he'd asked her to come back. This dinner wasn't simple at all.
Everyone was staring at her.
Josephine felt like she was being roasted over a fire. Should she speak or not?
If she did, she might offend Cedric.
He hated being manipulated by others most of all, and hated even more when people interfered in his private life.
If she didn't, she'd offend David.
Just as she hesitated, a light sound rang out at the dining table.
It was Cedric putting down his fork.
Under everyone's gaze, Cedric said coolly, "Since when do others get to make decisions about my affairs?"
Cedric looked at no one in particular. For a moment, David couldn't quite tell whether this remark was directed at him for meddling, or at Josephine.
Cedric said calmly, "I appreciate Grandfather's concern, but my romantic life is my private matter. I won't trouble Grandfather to worry about it."
David's expression darkened.
Today, Briana had told him that Cedric and Josephine were getting too close. He hadn't believed it at first, but now he felt a few doubts creeping in.
But at that moment, Cedric's gaze shifted to Chloe.
"Grandfather was right about one thing—your family and mine go way back, and we had a childhood friendship. So... from now on, I'll look after you like a sister."
The dining room instantly fell deathly silent.
Even the serving staff standing by held their breath.
Chloe's smile froze on her face.
David frowned. "Nonsense!"
Cedric responded neither humbly nor arrogantly. "You've always doted on her like a granddaughter. If I acknowledge her as my sister, she'll truly be your granddaughter from now on. You won't have to worry about anyone bullying her."
David's face looked terrible.
What he wanted wasn't a granddaughter at all, but a granddaughter-in-law with an excellent family background and outstanding character and abilities!
Briana looked utterly shocked and immediately objected. "But anyone can see that Chloe feels—"
"Ms. Hughes." Cedric lifted his gaze.
Briana's voice cut off abruptly. Under the scrutiny of those dark, profound eyes, she felt an inexplicable chill down her spine and couldn't say another word.
"You should still be careful with your words. After all, Ms. Wilson is single. Don't say anything that might cause misunderstandings and damage Ms. Wilson's reputation." Cedric's detached tone carried a hint of warning.