Chapter 117
Cedric was very busy. People at the gala were all eager to connect with him. Josephine took the opportunity to network with several influential figures.
But socializing was always exhausting. Josephine soon found a gap to retreat to a rest area for some peace and quiet, sipping a glass of wine.
Gideon approached.
He looked at the red wine in Josephine's hand. "You never liked drinking before."
Josephine took a light sip. "Just because I didn't like it before doesn't mean I don't like it now."
Those words made Gideon's heart sink.
In other words, did that mean the person she used to like didn't mean she still liked them now?
He looked at Cedric in the distant crowd, darkness flashing in his eyes. Cedric was like his nemesis.
As long as he was there, Gideon would never be the center of attention.
"Can't you see it?"
"See what?"
"He's using you."
Josephine leaned back on the sofa, gently swirling the wine in her glass. Even though she didn't like red wine, she couldn't refuse it at this kind of event.
Just like now—facing someone she didn't want to talk to, yet she still couldn't show her displeasure.
"What are you trying to say?"
Gideon stood beside her, one hand braced on the sofa next to her, leaning down slightly to look at Josephine. "Why do you think he's helping you?"
"Isn't it because he appreciates my abilities?"
"How can you still be so naive?" Gideon smiled lightly. "Cedric approached you not because you're capable. He never does anything without profit. He never helps people."
Josephine looked up at him, his eyes as deep as ever, seeming to hide some obsessive need for control.
Before, she'd thought it harmless. As long as two people stayed together for life, possessiveness didn't matter. Now she realized how terrifying that desire was.
She said flatly, "Even if I'm being used, that's my own business. No need for your concern. You should worry about your own life. As far as I know, Lorelei's baby is over three months now. Soon she won't be able to hide it. If you don't divorce me soon, the child will be born."
By then, everything would be too late.
Gideon's lips curved, the smile not reaching his eyes. "I never cared about the child that much to begin with."
Josephine laughed mockingly. "Do you even believe what you're saying?"
Gideon's lips moved slightly. "You know that what I've cared about all along was never the child. That was just a last resort."
To spare Josephine from pressure, he needed to gain inheritance rights to control the Getty family and give Josephine the best life.
Everything he did was for her.
"Before we married, you once said that if I made a mistake, you'd give me a second chance. Why won't you give me even one chance this time?"
Gideon just didn't understand.
Josephine didn't answer that question. Instead, she asked him one. "What if I told you right now that I'm pregnant—but it's not your child?"
That single sentence made Gideon experience emotional whiplash.
The first part—he didn't have time to feel joy before the second part immediately cast him into hell.
"Are you telling the truth?"
His hand gripped the sofa edge tightly, the ruthlessness in his eyes almost overflowing. "Whose is it? Your junior's or Cedric's?"
He rapidly searched through possible candidates in his mind, already planning how to deal with whoever it was.
Anyone but Cedric would be easy.
But Cedric was the most likely. Because only he didn't fear Gideon's power, and might even deliberately sleep with Josephine out of revenge.
The more Gideon thought, the more chaotic and anxious he became. "Get rid of the baby. No matter whose it is, it can't stay."
Josephine calmly watched him spiral, constructing an entire story in his head. "See? You've already given yourself the answer."
Gideon froze. "You... you're not pregnant?"
"I'm not you. I wouldn't have an affair during our marriage."
The words dripped with sarcasm. Gideon didn't dare meet her eyes, awkwardly looking away. "I just hope you'll protect yourself."
"Of course I'll protect myself." After all, she couldn't rely on anyone else. Josephine set down her wine glass and stood. "Excuse me."
Gideon stood rigidly in place. "Don't get too close to Cedric."
"Before telling me what to do, shouldn't you keep your distance from others first?"
Josephine's gaze moved past Gideon's shoulder to see Lorelei not far behind him, hand covering her belly, staring intently in their direction.
The anxiety on her face was completely undisguised, as if she were the wronged wife catching an affair.
Gideon saw her, too, but quickly looked away. "Does it bother you?"
His gaze was intense.
As if the moment Josephine said it bothered her, he'd immediately make Lorelei leave without hesitation.
Josephine's reaction was bland. "I mind."
Gideon's eyes lit up. She minded... did that mean she'd still feel jealous?
As long as she felt jealous, there was still hope!
But the next second, Josephine continued, "I mind that you've dirtied this marriage. Since I've decided to divorce you, whoever you're with doesn't matter."
Gideon stared at her stubbornly, trying to see in her face or eyes some sign—even just a tiny bit—that she cared.
But there was nothing.
As they passed each other, Josephine's voice floated lightly by Gideon's ear. "I just want to divorce you. From the day I made that decision, I never planned to regret it."
Gideon stood rigidly in place. After Josephine left, Lorelei approached. She tentatively tried to take his arm, but he dodged.
Lorelei's hand froze mid-air before slowly lowering. "Your mother sent me. She said she's worried about you being alone. She's afraid you might..."
She glanced meaningfully at Josephine. She'd witnessed their entire reluctant conversation just now.
"She's not worth this from you."
"She's not worth it, but you are?" Gideon looked coldly at Lorelei. "Lorelei, you're quite something. Even I was fooled by you."
What transaction, what fair exchange—he'd solved all the Kelly family's problems. But not only had Lorelei not helped solve his problems, she'd created more trouble.
Gideon's voice was cold. "But remember your place. Don't covet what isn't yours. Not only will I not divorce Josephine, but even if we did divorce, I'd never marry you."
Though Lorelei had always known his heart belonged only to Josephine, she'd clung to one last shred of hope. After all, she was carrying his child.
But he was this cruel and heartless.
"You don't care about me, but don't you even care about the child in my belly?"
Gideon's lips curved, his eyes frosty. "Plenty of women want to bear my children. I chose you because you were the most obedient at the time."
The Kelly family had encountered problems. Having their weakness in his hands, he wasn't worried Lorelei would escape his control.
But now, he rather regretted it.
"If I'd known you'd be this greedy, I never would have given you the chance to get close to me."
His eyes were sinister, devoid of any affection.
Lorelei bit down hard, forcing back the fury and resentment in her heart. "Do you really think Josephine will get back together with you?"
Gideon narrowed his eyes at her.
"Today I'll show you just how heartless Josephine can be." Lorelei was done waiting passively for Gideon's favor.
"What are you planning to do?" Gideon warned quietly. "You'd better not do anything you shouldn't."