Chapter 129
Kenneth froze. He had considered this issue but hadn't found a perfect solution yet.
He could only be honest. "I'm... still optimizing the algorithm."
"Algorithm optimization is necessary." Cedric's fingers tapped lightly on the table. The slow tapping inexplicably stirred a trace of tension. "But more importantly, you need to understand what the module's core value is."
Cedric's words were direct and sharp, but each one hit the mark.
Kenneth's expression shifted. He had to admit Cedric was right.
"Mr. Getty is right," Josephine spoke, her voice gentle. "How about this—Kenneth, first conduct a detailed feasibility analysis, then we'll discuss it."
Kenneth nodded. "Alright, I'll do it when I get back."
The food arrived. Josephine had ordered a salad and soup, Cedric a steak, and Kenneth pasta. The three began eating, and the atmosphere grew silent again.
Josephine ate two bites of salad, pulled out a napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth. "I'm going to the restroom."
She stood and left. Only Cedric and Kenneth remained at the table.
Cedric methodically cut his steak, his movements elegant and composed. He cut a small piece, placed it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, as if savoring some delicacy.
Kenneth ate without relish, his fork unconsciously stirring the pasta.
"I thought you were going to give up." Cedric suddenly spoke, his voice calm and even.
Kenneth's hand stiffened. "Give up work? I'm not that foolish."
"You know what I'm talking about."
Of course, it wasn't just about work. Cedric's words carried another layer of meaning.
They both knew what Kenneth wanted most.
Kenneth pressed his lips together, suppressing the irritation of being called out, and looked up at Cedric directly—only to find that Cedric was also looking at him.
Those icy eyes held scrutiny.
Cedric was like an iceberg—steady yet cold. Meeting his gaze tested one's ability to withstand pressure.
Kenneth took a deep breath, bearing the pressure, and said with self-mockery, "I won't give up. Sorry to disappoint Mr. Getty."
The corner of Cedric's lips curved in a barely perceptible arc, though the smile didn't reach his eyes.
He looked at everyone this way—lightly, faintly, as if looking at others but never truly seeing them.
"Nothing to be disappointed about." His tone was as bland as discussing the weather. "You're talented. Your willingness to stay benefits the company more than it harms it."
Kenneth's heart jolted.
He suddenly understood.
Cedric didn't care at all whether he was a romantic rival, whether he had feelings for Josephine.
Because he never considered him a threat—just an employee who created value.
This man was truly arrogant!
Or rather, it was absolute confidence born from strength and status.
"Mr. Getty is very confident," Kenneth said, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness he himself hadn't noticed.
Cedric set down his knife and fork, picked up his napkin to wipe his mouth, his movements unhurried.
"Confidence comes from strength." Cedric looked up, his gaze calm and still, though undercurrents churned in the depths. "You have it, too, but I believe your strength should be used in the right places."
Kenneth gripped his fork tightly. He wanted to argue, to say his feelings for Josephine weren't "incorrect", but the words stuck in his throat. Before Cedric, any defense seemed pale and powerless.
Just then, Josephine returned.
As soon as she sat down, she sensed the atmosphere was somewhat off.
Had they argued?
Josephine leaned toward Cedric, asking softly, "What happened?"
"Nothing." Cedric turned his head to look at her. She herself hadn't noticed how close they were—clearly, Josephine didn't resist being near him.
Cedric's lips curved slightly upward. That pressure dissipated silently, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
Kenneth watched them whisper, slightly clenching his back teeth. "Josephine, there's a tech expo this weekend. I heard there'll be many cutting-edge technology demonstrations, especially in AI and big data. I was thinking... our team could go together. Maybe we could gain some inspiration that would help the NGRAS project."
Josephine thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure, I'd like to learn about the latest technical trends anyway. The NGRAS project could use some new ideas."
Kenneth's heart leaped with joy. "Then this weekend, we can..."
But Cedric spoke up. "This weekend won't work."
Josephine looked at him. "Why not?"
"I need to meet an important client this weekend." Cedric turned to look at her, his voice low. "I need you to come with me."
Not "you must come," but "I need you."
He even employed negotiation techniques to avoid making others uncomfortable.
Josephine hesitated slightly. "But the tech expo..."
"The expo runs for a month."
Sunlight fell on Josephine's profile. Cedric's gaze could even see the fine downy hair on her face. "This client is an overseas tech giant. They're very interested in our AI technology. This meeting relates to the company's strategic layout for the second half of the year. It's very important."
Josephine ultimately nodded. "Alright then, I'll go with you."
Cedric never joked. If he said it was very important, then the opportunity truly was.
The expo would last a month anyway—going later would be fine.
Kenneth's heart sank. He'd hoped Josephine would insist, would at least say she needed to think about it, but she only hesitated briefly before agreeing.
Josephine looked at Kenneth apologetically. "Then we'll go to the tech expo another time."
Kenneth felt pathetic. Just moments ago, he'd felt hurt, but with one smile from her, he felt it didn't matter. "It's fine, work is more important."
Cedric glanced at Kenneth coolly, his gaze calm and still, but Kenneth felt a chill.
After eating, the three parted ways outside the restaurant.
Cedric opened the car door. "This afternoon's meeting is at the client's company. We'll head straight there."
Josephine nodded, saying goodbye to Kenneth. "Kenneth, go back to the company first. Organize the plan we just discussed and send it to me."
"...Okay."
Kenneth watched Josephine get in the car. Cedric waited for her to settle in before closing the door, then walked around to the other side to get in. The whole process flowed naturally, as if they'd done it countless times.
The car slowly pulled away, merging into traffic.
Kenneth stood in place, watching the black sedan disappear from sight, bitterness surging in his heart.
The first confrontation—he'd lost.
Lost completely and thoroughly. But he would never give up. Did Cedric truly like Josephine?
He wasn't so sure.
After all, Cedric was from the Getty family. The Getty family men were famously ruthless, treating women like beautiful clothes or interesting toys.
Like Gideon—he loved Josephine so much, dragging out the divorce, as if he couldn't live without her.
Yet he still cheated.
And someone like Cedric, a golden child, could effortlessly lift someone to the heavens while also crushing them into hell with a snap of his fingers.
He would only be more terrifying than Gideon.