Chapter 126
Josephine's gaze swept over the documents, asking coolly, "What use are you bringing it?"
"Gideon already signed." Briana's tone carried urgency. "Once you sign, this matter is settled."
Josephine's brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Gideon signed?
Based on her understanding of Gideon, he wouldn't sign so easily. Even if he had signed, he wouldn't have Briana deliver them.
Josephine spoke slowly, her eyes carrying scrutiny. "Have him come find me himself. I've never heard of divorce papers being delivered by proxy."
If it were a lawyer, that would be understandable, but what were these two supposed to be?
Briana's expression immediately darkened. "What do you mean? Don't you trust me?"
Josephine's gaze shifted to Lorelei, her eyes sharp as a scalpel. "Divorce is serious business. A lawyer needs to be present to ensure the agreement's content is legal and valid."
Briana glanced at Lorelei.
Lorelei's eyes immediately reddened. She stepped forward two paces, her voice tearful. "Ms. Kennedy, I know you hate me... but the child is innocent. Gideon already signed. Please fulfill us."
Her tears came on command, sliding down her cheeks, glittering in the sunset.
Josephine watched her performance without any ripple in her heart. These days, she'd seen enough of Lorelei's tears and hypocrisy.
A woman's tears were precious, but Lorelei's tears were merely weapons.
"Whether you love Gideon or not is between you two." Josephine's voice cooled. "As for divorce, Gideon and a lawyer—bring one of them. Besides that, I won't sign any agreement with anyone else."
After going to such lengths to obtain divorce papers, only for Josephine to refuse, Briana exploded in anger, pointing at Josephine's nose. "Josephine, stop putting on an act! I think you never planned to divorce at all—you're just dragging Gideon along!"
Josephine nearly laughed aloud. "Ms. Hughes, have you forgotten? Your son cheated first. The Getty family wronged me. Now it's somehow become me dragging out the divorce?"
"You..."
"Go back." Josephine glanced at them dismissively. "Stop embarrassing yourselves here."
Briana was left speechless, her expression somewhat stiff.
Josephine rubbed her temples. She'd worked all day and was truly exhausted. Not wanting to entangle with them further, she prepared to close the window and leave.
"Wait!" Lorelei suddenly stepped forward, placing one hand on the window, tears flowing harder. "Ms. Kennedy, I'm begging you...please just sign it. Even if you won't think of me, think of the child..."
Her voice choked, while her other hand steadily pressed the phone in her pocket.
Josephine looked at her, eyes devoid of warmth. "Ms. Kelly, please have some self-respect. Your child has nothing to do with me. I have no obligation to consider your child."
"How can you be so heartless?" Lorelei cried more miserably, her body trembling slightly. "Gideon treated you well all these years. You couldn't bear children, yet he never blamed you. Can't you give him one step back now? If you're unhappy, you can hit me, scold me, make me kneel—anything. I just hope you can treat Gideon better, set him free."
The picture of a devoted woman deeply in love with Gideon.
Briana chimed in from the side, her voice shrill. "Exactly! Josephine, don't go too far! Lorelei's pregnant—treat her better!"
Josephine was almost laughing from anger. She directly pulled out her phone, too lazy for nonsense. "If you keep harassing me, I'm calling the police."
"Call the police?" Briana sneered coldly. "Go ahead! I want to see what the police say when they arrive! You're bullying a pregnant woman, and you think you're right?"
Lorelei cooperatively clutched her stomach, pain crossing her face. "My stomach hurts a bit..."
"Josephine, look what you've done!" Briana immediately supported Lorelei, her voice rising several octaves. "If anything happens to Lorelei, I'm not done with you!"
Just then, urgent engine sounds approached. Another black sedan raced up, stopping abruptly nearby, tires screeching against pavement.
The door opened. Gideon strode out, his face terrifyingly dark, eyes harboring suppressed fury.
"Mom, Lorelei, what are you doing?" His voice was cold as winter wind.
Seeing him, Briana immediately complained first. "Gideon, perfect timing! Josephine is bullying Lorelei. Lorelei's stomach hurts—what if something happens to the baby!"
Gideon walked to Josephine's car. His gaze lingered on her face briefly, seemingly confirming she wasn't injured, before turning to Briana and Lorelei, voice colder still. "Who told you to come?"
His eyes were too cold. Briana felt momentarily guilty but quickly straightened. "I came to deliver divorce papers."
"Did I sign them?" Gideon asked, each word seemingly squeezed through clenched teeth.
Briana choked.
Lorelei said softly, voice carrying grievance. "Gideon, Ms. Hughes means well... Ms. Kennedy keeps dragging out the divorce—it's bad for you and the company..."
Gideon looked at her coldly.
Lorelei couldn't continue.
Gideon looked away, voice cold. "My affairs aren't for you to meddle in."
He looked at Briana, eyes unprecedentedly severe. "Mom, take Lorelei back."
"But..."
"Back." Gideon's eyes were icy.
Though unwilling, Briana didn't dare say more, helping Lorelei into the car.
Before getting in, Lorelei looked back at Gideon, eyes full of reluctance and grievance.
Unfortunately, Gideon didn't spare her a single glance.
After the car drove away, Gideon looked at Josephine again. Twilight fell across his face, making his expression seem complex.
"Sorry for the trouble." After speaking, he himself froze slightly.
He didn't know when they'd stopped being so close, when "sorry" became his most frequent word.
Josephine ignored the apology on his face, stating with certainty. "So you didn't sign."
Otherwise, Gideon wouldn't have asked that question.
Gideon was silent for a moment. During this period, he seemed to have lost weight, his jawline sharper, shadows under his eyes deeper. "Yes, I didn't sign."
Josephine wasn't surprised. If Gideon had truly signed, this wouldn't be his reaction. "When do you plan to sign? Dragging this out isn't good for anyone."
It was precisely because he kept delaying signing that gave Briana and Lorelei opportunities, forcing them to desperate measures.
This time it was fake divorce papers. What would be next? Probably even filthier tactics.
"I didn't look at the agreement, but I'm sure what's inside isn't any normal agreement. You'd better control them. If they scheme against me again, don't blame me for being merciless."
Gideon smiled bitterly. "Yes, I know. Don't worry, I'll control them."
Then he had nothing more to say. Silence spread.
Actually, he had much to say, but he also knew Josephine wouldn't want to hear it.
"Do you want the divorce so badly?" he asked with difficulty.