Chapter 125
Josephine had no choice but to step forward to explain for Kenneth, but she didn't know why Kenneth hadn't come, why he'd taken such a long leave, and didn't dare make something up for fear the lie would be exposed later, making things even worse.
She could only speak ambiguously. "I apologize, Mr. Getty. The previous person in charge had some family matters and took two days off. Since I was hospitalized, I temporarily handed the project to colleagues. Please give us some time to organize the materials. I guarantee we'll give you a perfect response."
She spoke very sincerely and apologized earnestly.
The others couldn't help but look toward Cedric.
Everyone knew Cedric was famously strict, absolutely not allowing anyone to be absent from meetings, much less tolerate work errors.
Any mistake would be punished.
But correspondingly, if you did well, you'd certainly receive generous rewards.
Cedric sat at the other end of the long conference table, flipping through documents. After a long time, just when everyone thought he'd explode, Noah, behind him, suddenly spoke. "Mr. Getty, Ms. Kennedy was injured protecting data this time and spent two days in the hospital. Even without accomplishments, she deserves credit for effort. Why not let her return to properly manage the project and make amends through merit?"
Cedric glanced at her, a flash of realization in his eyes, as if only just remembering she'd been injured.
"Meeting adjourned."
Everyone watched wide-eyed as he left the conference room, only then realizing this matter had been handled leniently.
Josephine also breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Noah. "Thank you."
But Noah smiled. "Even if you want to thank someone, you can't thank me."
"What do you mean?"
The meeting ended, everyone gradually filing out. This wasn't the place for talking, and Noah couldn't speak plainly, so he hinted obliquely. "Mr. Getty has always been clear about gratitude and grievances."
Josephine stood in place, pondering the meaning of those words.
So...
Cedric had instructed Noah to say that?
That afternoon, Josephine first returned to her department to organize project materials. Having spent two days in the hospital, she'd missed many details and progress updates.
She made up for everything intensively.
Before the workday ended, she briefly tidied her bag and clocked out the moment quitting time arrived.
She went to find Kenneth.
She and Kenneth were the backbone of the project and the department—both were indispensable.
Kenneth lived in an apartment building. Standing below, she could see some windows still lit.
Josephine immediately spotted Kenneth's window.
She went upstairs.
Kenneth opened the door and froze upon seeing her. "You've been discharged?"
Josephine first examined his complexion, discovering he didn't actually seem ill, then casually swept her gaze around the room. "May I come in?"
"Yes, of course." Kenneth quickly stepped aside, fumbling to pour her water before sitting on the sofa, his gaze somewhat cautiously fixed on her.
He wanted to look but didn't dare.
"Why didn't you tell me you were discharged?" He could have picked her up.
Josephine sipped her water, speaking flatly. "I spent two days in the hospital without seeing your shadow even once. How could I have the nerve to tell you? I assumed you were too busy to bother with me."
"No, actually I..."
Josephine didn't wait for him to finish. "But what surprised me was that you didn't even go to the company. When I wasn't there, the project was clearly entrusted to you. If you don't go, what are the others supposed to do?"
Kenneth lowered his head.
Josephine took a deep breath. This junior of hers—he was smart, knowledgeable, capable, and willing to work hard.
Except for one unbearable point. His personality was too withdrawn, poor at expressing himself. When encountering problems, he'd maintain silence, refusing communication. Truly maddening.
"Are you planning to respond to me with silence?" Josephine had ways to deal with him. "If you don't trust me and don't want to talk, that's fine. I won't force you. I came today just to get one answer from you—are you still doing this job or not? Are you still taking on this project or not?"
The project had just started, and everyone was already busy beyond measure. It would only get busier later. If Kenneth, as a key member, took leave for various reasons every few days, the project couldn't continue.
Kenneth hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Josephine. I didn't mean that. I just..."
He just felt very confused inside.
"I've entrusted the project to Emma. She's excellent. With help from department colleagues, there won't be any problems with subsequent project progress."
Josephine sipped her water, quietly watching him. "You've arranged everything—are you planning to resign?"
Kenneth smiled bitterly.
Josephine was as sharp as ever.
He had indeed initially had this thought. He himself wasn't someone good at pursuing things, nor someone who persisted easily.
He looked at Josephine, then immediately lowered his head. "I feel working here might not be very suitable for me... I've considered resigning, but haven't confirmed yet."
Josephine felt she couldn't understand him anymore.
In fact, she'd never really understood this junior. She and Kenneth had a good relationship, but he'd never been willing to open up to her.
Josephine thought for a moment. "I'll give you time to consider—whether to return to work, complete the project together with colleagues and me, fulfill our unfinished dreams, or resign now and let everything stop here. After you've decided, give me a definite answer. If you choose the former, then I hope you won't take unnecessary leave in the future."
Moreover, this wasn't even taking leave—he'd simply stopped going to work.
Though no problems arose at work, other colleagues didn't know why he wasn't coming, causing minor troubles regardless.
"...I choose the former." Kenneth thought he'd hesitate, but in fact hesitated less than three seconds.
Josephine nodded. "Then remember my words. Don't be willful again in the future."
"Don't worry, I understand."
After Josephine left, Kenneth slowly slid down along the door to sit on the floor. He thought he'd already decided to leave.
To fulfill Josephine and Cedric.
But at the moment of seeing Josephine, he suddenly recalled their first meeting, when Josephine stood on stage, spiritedly debating with others.
She was dazzling like the sun, attracting everyone to draw near, even if they'd be burned, unable to stay away from the sun.
He suddenly felt ashamed of himself.
Josephine hadn't become despondent despite marital problems, yet he wanted to give up after encountering just a small setback.
He really was...
Useless.
Josephine drove back to Clearwater Ridge and noticed a car at the entrance. She was too familiar with it. Parking on the roadside, she didn't immediately get out.
Then that car opened its door—Lorelei and Briana stepped down.
Josephine frowned slightly.
They'd already reached her car. Briana knocked on the window. Josephine noticed she held documents.
Could it be divorce papers?
Josephine rolled down the window. "Is there something?"
Briana couldn't stand her cold demeanor, thinking she was putting on an act. "Didn't you always want to divorce my son? I've brought the divorce agreement."
"What use are you bringing it?"
The agreement required both parties' signatures—Josephine and Gideon, neither could be missing.
But Briana said, "Gideon signed it."