Chapter 116
Noah, working hard for his boss at the company, suddenly sneezed violently, blowing one of his documents away. He scrambled to pick it back up.
Noah rubbed his nose. "Who's that? Is someone cursing me behind my back?"
Josephine sat on the sofa, phone in hand, still on the call with Cedric. She hesitated. "But I have formal dresses in my closet."
"You don't like this one?" Cedric asked.
"It's not that I don't like it."
"Then keep it."
Cedric's voice was rich and deep. Through the phone, it seemed to carry an electric current. Josephine scratched her ear.
He really was heaven's favorite—even his voice was so blessed. Perfect for radio hosting.
As her mind wandered, Cedric remained oblivious. "You're accompanying me to the charity gala—helping me out. It's only right to give you a dress. Keep it. It's not expensive."
"Alright, thank you, Mr. Getty."
Mr. Getty...
Cedric paused, rolling down the car window to look at the plane trees by the roadside. "Tomorrow I'll send a car to pick you up."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Josephine tried on the dress. The more she looked at it, the more she loved it. She really adored this elegant yet mysterious color.
As she admired it, her phone rang.
It was Gideon calling.
Josephine didn't want to answer.
But thinking it might be about the divorce, she ultimately picked up. "What is it?"
Gideon said, "Open the door. I'm outside your place."
Josephine was still wearing that light purple dress—really not convenient to go out. "Whatever you need to say, say it on the phone. If it's about the divorce, talk to my lawyer. I've given her full authority. Beyond that, I don't think we have anything to discuss."
Gideon was silent for a long moment, his voice low and hoarse. "Even if it's about Cedric, you don't want to hear it?"
Josephine hesitated.
She actually was quite curious why Cedric and David had clashed at the dinner table. Cedric had always been outstanding and respectful toward David.
And David had never been that furious with Cedric before.
"Wait a moment."
Josephine changed out of the dress into loungewear before opening the door.
Seeing her, Gideon's lips curved, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You're certainly curious about his affairs. Quite concerned about him."
"If you can say it, say it. If you can't, leave." What was with the sarcastic tone? Who was he mocking?
"At least let me come in?"
Josephine opened the door. Gideon walked in, his gaze slowly sweeping across the room. Every detail of the décor showed thoughtful design.
Her style.
Warm and clean, with a real homey feeling.
Gideon felt a long-lost familiarity. Once, Evercrest Manor had been like this, too.
He suddenly said, "The things you threw away that day—I had people retrieve them all and put them back in their original places."
Josephine watched him quietly.
"I've already kicked Lorelei out." Gideon continued. "The room she stayed in—I had it completely redecorated. I also told my mother to try not to come to the house. From now on, only you and I can enter that home..."
Josephine couldn't help frowning. "That's not what I wanted to hear."
Who cared who could enter that house? Who cared about the room Lorelei had stayed in?
She'd stopped caring long ago.
Gideon saw her impatience, his heart clenching. Was she completely uninterested in matters concerning him now?
"If that's what you wanted to tell me, then I really have nothing to discuss with you." Josephine stood to leave.
"Wait." Gideon blocked her path, looking down at her. "Cedric and Grandfather clashed because of his mother."
Josephine's head snapped up sharply.
Seeing her expression, Gideon's heart sank. "You care about him that much?"
"He's my boss."
Josephine spoke the truth. Cedric had helped her tremendously—both in her career and in supporting her through the divorce. She was very grateful to Cedric.
Without Cedric's help, given Gideon's temperament, he probably would have locked her up long ago.
"You think he'll keep protecting you forever?"
"I don't need forever. The support he's giving me now is already enough."
Gideon's expression was unfathomable. "You think he's protecting you out of sympathy? Pity? It's because you're opposing me. Helping you is a way to strike at me. He's always enjoyed that."
Josephine remained silent.
Gideon pressed forward step by step as she retreated, until Josephine sat on the sofa, frowning up at him.
Gideon braced one hand on the sofa, his gaze sweeping inch by inch across her face. "Don't you understand yet? He's been using you all along. Once you successfully divorce me, you'll have no more use to him. He'll fire you, might even find ways to send you away. Because of you, Grandfather has already fought with him. He's not like me."
He reached out, stroking Josephine's cheek with gentle, slow movements. But Josephine felt chilled throughout, as if a snake's tongue was licking across her face.
She frowned, deeply repulsed by his proximity. "What are you doing?"
Gideon's palm gently gripped her chin, leaning close to her ear to whisper, "I can give up the family inheritance for you. I can defy Grandfather for you. But he could never do that."
Josephine bristled. "How do you know he couldn't?"
Gideon's grip on her chin tightened. "What did you say? You've fallen for him?"
Josephine's eyes widened. Without thinking, she kicked him. Gideon staggered back to see Josephine glaring furiously at him.
"What do you take me for? You had an affair during our marriage—do you think I would too?"
This wasn't just insulting her and Cedric—it was malicious speculation.
Gideon stared at her in a daze.
Josephine clenched her back teeth. "Get out of my house right now. I don't want to see you."
Gideon seemed to suddenly realize he'd said something wrong. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it... I just don't want to see you two together... I'm really panicking. You know I truly love you..."
"Enough."
How sacred the word "love" should be. Coming from his mouth now, it made Josephine's blood run cold. If betrayal, deception, and obsession was what he called love, it was terrifying.
"Please leave."
Josephine closed her eyes wearily. Despite the room being well-heated, she still felt cold.
Not wanting to upset her further, Gideon slowly shuffled toward the door. At the threshold, he couldn't help looking back. She kept her back to him.
Never once looking his way.
"Jojo, I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Josephine didn't respond or turn around.
Gideon had no choice but to leave.
The next day, Gideon received an invitation to the gala. Almost without hesitation, he drove to Clearwater Ridge, but the place was pitch dark.
He called Josephine, but no one answered.
The gala kept urging him. Gideon had to head to the event first.
At the gala, Josephine wore that light purple gown, her arm linked with Cedric's. The moment they entered, they drew everyone's attention.
Truly a handsome man and a beautiful woman—they looked stunning together.
Like a walking scenic view.
Cedric picked up a glass of red wine and offered it to Josephine, tilting his head slightly. "You look beautiful tonight."
Josephine smiled radiantly. "You look very handsome, too."
When Gideon entered, this was the scene before him: the tall man leaning down to listen attentively to the woman, who wore a brilliant smile on her face.
They really did look well-matched.