Chapter 130
Starlight Group.
In the office, Gideon was reviewing documents when his assistant entered. "Mr. Getty, the lawyer is here."
"Lawyer?" Gideon looked up, noticing his assistant's somewhat hesitant expression. His heart understood immediately—this must be Josephine's divorce lawyer. "I won't see them."
"Mr. Getty, constantly avoiding me isn't good." Leonard pushed the door open and entered.
She had no choice. Without an invitation, she shouldn't barge in directly, but Gideon was simply too cunning.
Every time divorce was mentioned, he'd deflect, talking around it—never responding directly.
Eventually, he stopped seeing her altogether.
"I came twice this week, but your assistant told me each time that you weren't in." Leonard adjusted her glasses.
"I'm busy." That was Gideon's answer.
Leonard nodded calmly. She'd anticipated Gideon's reaction before coming. "Well, since you happen to be available today, let's discuss the divorce. Please review this agreement—it outlines the property division. Take a look, and if you have any concerns, we can discuss them. However, my client's requirements are clear: she won't accept leaving with nothing, as she isn't the party at fault."
If Josephine had raised this issue, Gideon might have felt some guilt and shame. Unfortunately, he was facing a lawyer.
This time, he didn't avoid the topic and actually opened the agreement to look. "I don't agree."
Leonard asked seriously, "For what reason?"
"Taking half my assets." Gideon chuckled lightly. "Ms. Jones, you must have handled divorce cases for plenty of people like me. Have you ever seen anyone willing to give up half their assets?"
"You're the party at fault. Your mistress is pregnant with your child. A simple paternity test would serve as evidence of your infidelity."
Gideon's lips curved dismissively. "Then have Josephine come talk to me herself."
That phrase again.
Leonard had heard it countless times recently. "You know very well that my client doesn't wish to discuss such matters with you. She's fully delegated this to me."
"To borrow your client's words—divorce requires the parties themselves to discuss it with sincerity." Gideon casually tossed the divorce agreement aside, turning to his computer, apparently done conversing with Leonard.
Leonard wanted to say more, but the assistant had already stepped forward, blocking Gideon. "Apologies, Ms. Jones. Please leave."
Leonard returned empty-handed once again.
Walking out of the building, Leonard dialed Josephine's number.
At that moment, Josephine and Cedric had just exited the Getty Group building. Having just finished work, Josephine received Leonard's call.
After listening to Leonard's words, Josephine fell silent briefly. "I understand."
Hanging up, she looked at her phone and sighed.
Though she desperately didn't want to face Gideon, some matters required her personal attention.
She looked at Cedric, who was quietly waiting beside her. "Sorry, I probably can't have dinner with you tonight."
They'd been in meetings all afternoon with some unfinished work, planning to discuss it over dinner.
Cedric nodded. "That's fine. I'll drive you."
"No need, I'll drive myself."
It took Josephine only half an hour to reach Starlight Group. Upon arrival, she saw the assistant waiting at the entrance.
The assistant smiled. "Mrs. Getty, please follow me."
Josephine followed him into the company, proceeding unobstructed to Gideon's office.
Gideon had been waiting. "You've finally agreed to see me."
Josephine's expression was indifferent. "Are you certain you won't sign? If I expose your affair, it won't benefit you either."
Gideon walked out from behind his desk unhurriedly. He wanted to move closer, but Josephine immediately stepped back as he approached.
Gideon's steps faltered. "Do you despise me that much?"
They'd once been such a loving couple, yet now even proximity wasn't permitted.
Josephine looked at him coldly.
Gideon gazed at her greedily. It had been so long since he'd looked at her this carefully. Every time they met, tensions ran high.
She always managed to infuriate him while leaving him helpless.
"Sit and talk."
Josephine naturally wouldn't comply.
Gideon didn't get angry either, even personally making coffee and placing it on the coffee table.
The coffee's aroma filled the air—the strength Josephine liked best, with rock sugar and milk added.
"Try it." Gideon looked at her intensely.
Josephine had no interest in coffee whatsoever. "I came to discuss divorce," she said flatly. Not to drink coffee.
When she neither sat nor touched the coffee, Gideon helplessly sat down himself, picking up the cup and slowly taking a sip. "I still don't like things too sweet."
Josephine watched him quietly.
Gideon deflated somewhat. "Jojo, I'm not lying to you. I really have considered the divorce."
"So?" Josephine didn't understand—he'd considered it, so why not sign?
Was he still dreaming that dragging this out would reconcile them?
Gideon frowned, taking another sip of coffee. "Jojo, after considering it, I think we shouldn't divorce."
Josephine's expression turned cold.
"Don't get upset, hear me out." Gideon looked at her helplessly, as if still the doting husband from before, infinitely patient. "You know I love you very much. You want my assets—I can give them to you, all of them if you want. But you can't divorce me."
Josephine's brow furrowed, seemingly wanting to argue but restraining herself.
"If you insist on divorcing me, I can't give you a penny." Gideon knew this sounded shameless, but he had no regrets. "Infidelity is a scandal for the Getty family. Even if I don't care, Grandfather won't allow it."
Simply put, David absolutely wouldn't permit Josephine to leak this matter. On the contrary, he'd suppress the news completely.
"Divorce me, and you get nothing. You'll lose out." He'd finally regained his composure. Without emotional impulses, he now resembled a persuasive businessman. "But without divorcing, my assets will eventually include your share."
Josephine had known long ago that Gideon was very capable, using every means in business.
But this was the first time he'd turned such tactics on her.
"You won't consider the child in Lorelei's belly?"
Gideon chuckled lightly, speaking with near coldness. "If the child can stay, fine. If not, there's nothing to be done."
Josephine felt shocked and simultaneously pitied Lorelei, who'd schemed so hard, getting pregnant just to secure her position.
But to Gideon, she was merely a dispensable pawn.
"Jojo." Gideon stood, walking before her. "As long as you don't divorce me, I can promise you—I'll never seek another woman again. No child doesn't matter, no inheritance rights don't matter. Just stay by my side."
"Seems we have nothing more to discuss." Josephine felt she'd wasted her time coming today and didn't want to waste more. "Since talking nicely doesn't work for you, let's each use our own methods."
With that, she turned to leave. But reaching the door, she stopped, turning to look at Gideon with mockery. "Gideon, you sound so sincere, as if you truly know you were wrong. But is that really the case?"
Gideon's expression darkened. He didn't answer.
Josephine could actually see the future clearly. If she agreed to Gideon, they might enjoy brief sweetness for a while—but only for a while.
Then Gideon would cheat again.
Because the child issue, the heir problem remained unresolved. Gideon would never be satisfied. What one couldn't obtain would forever become an obsession in their heart.
Especially for someone as obsessive as Gideon.