Chapter 131
"If you can't follow through, don't waste a promise," Josephine said coldly.
In her eyes, Gideon couldn't find any emotion or warmth—only mockery and distrust. A pang of hurt twisted in his chest, but he persisted stubbornly: "Jojo, I love you. For years, this love has never changed, so I won't divorce you. Call me vicious, selfish, curse me however you want, but I truly can't do it."
Josephine's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Don't insult the word 'love.'"
With that, Josephine turned and left.
Every second she stayed in this place felt suffocating.
Gideon sat on the sofa, staring dazedly at the cup of coffee. She hadn't touched it in the end—not a single sip.
His assistant came in to deliver documents and sighed at the sight of his dejected state. "Mr. Getty, why put yourself through this?"
The assistant had witnessed everything back when Gideon was with Lorelei, even helping cover for him. He'd never understood why Gideon, if he was so terrified of Josephine finding out, still chose to take the risk with Lorelei.
Gideon let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I know. I got what I deserved."
Perhaps after marriage, as Josephine settled into family life, she hadn't shown that dazzling brilliance she had before marriage for so long that he'd overlooked it. He thought Josephine wouldn't find out, and even if she did, she would ultimately forgive him.
Because she loved him.
And though Gideon had been with someone else, he hadn't changed his heart—he'd always loved her.
"I was too arrogant." So much so that he'd forgotten what kind of person Josephine was. She loved and hated with clear distinction, like a free-spirited wind. He'd been fortunate enough to have her but didn't cherish her, so now, that wind was leaving.
"Mr. Getty, why don't you..." Just let her go. The assistant looked at Gideon's expression and swallowed the rest of his words.
He didn't dare say it.
Gideon drained the coffee in his cup. Bitterness and cloying sweetness mingled on his tongue—he didn't like this taste. He only liked pure bitterness.
But Josephine liked it, so he could drink it.
"I won't give up, and divorce is out of the question."
Unless he died.
The obsession and madness on his face were alarming. The assistant trembled, not daring to say more.
Inside the conference room.
"What are you thinking about?"
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, leaving patches of light on the conference table and making eyes squint. Cedric pulled down the blinds, then looked at Josephine.
She'd been distracted throughout today's meeting.
Josephine snapped back to attention. She certainly couldn't say it was about the divorce. Now that she couldn't get divorced, all her schemes and plans for revenge couldn't be carried out.
Because she and Gideon were still bound together.
And she was stuck at the very first step.
"It's nothing, just some annoying stuff." She lowered her eyes.
"Let's call it a day." In this state, there was no point continuing. Cedric casually set his documents aside.
Josephine indeed had no interest in continuing the meeting. She gathered her notebook and was about to leave when Cedric stopped her. "There's an art exhibition tomorrow. Come with me."
Josephine turned back and met Cedric's gaze. "Okay."
Cedric sat in the car, watching Josephine leave. Noah sat in the passenger seat, turned back, and said seriously, "Mr. Getty, someone tried to leak dirt on Ms. Kennedy. I stopped them."
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "Show me."
Noah handed over his phone.
It was a video. Josephine sat in the car while Briana and Lorelei stood beside it, with Lorelei crying pitifully, as if she'd been bullied.
If this video got out, who knew how much discussion it would spark.
Cedric's expressionless face reflected on the phone screen. "Well done. Double your year-end bonus."
Noah was overjoyed. "Thank you, Mr. Getty!"
He knew his choice wouldn't be wrong. When he'd first gotten the news, he'd struggled for a while over whether to block it or report it to Cedric. But after thinking it over, he worried Cedric might think such a small matter should just be handled directly.
As it turned out, he'd done the right thing!
Of course, he couldn't even take credit, so...
A plan formed in Noah's mind. He decided to give this great and generous Cedric an assist to help him achieve his wishes sooner!
The next day.
At noon, Josephine stepped out in heels and saw Cedric's car downstairs.
She opened the door and got in.
She wore a relatively formal dress that outlined her graceful figure, her exposed shoulders adding a touch of sexiness. Cedric's gaze swept over her shoulders before shifting to the window. "Cold?"
Josephine shook her head.
But moments later, she couldn't help rubbing her arms.
She'd overestimated today's temperature. With the heater off in the car, it was rather chilly.
Cedric glanced at the driver, who immediately turned on the heater. In less than three minutes, the car became toasty warm.
Josephine noticed the temperature rise, and warmth spread through her chest.
When the car stopped outside the exhibition building, Cedric got out first, walked around to Josephine's side, and opened the door. Josephine placed her palm in his.
"The person in charge of this exhibition is Daryl Fields. He's a genius in the scientific research field but has an extreme love for paintings..." He explained in a low voice.
Josephine listened attentively, completely unaware of a car approaching on the road behind them.
The window lowered. Gideon watched their figures entering together, his expression dark and inscrutable. "Did you throw away the invitation?"
The assistant driving froze. "Not yet..."
"Give it to me."
"What?"
Gideon looked up, fixing the assistant with a cold stare.
The assistant shuddered and hurriedly pulled the invitation from his pocket. Gideon took it and got out of the car directly.
The assistant watched him enter the exhibition, his mouth twitching. Gideon had truly lost it. When the invitation was delivered yesterday, he'd dismissed it with disdain, yet today he'd changed his mind.
But what was he even going there for?
Wasn't this just rushing in to get hurt?
"Lorelei, let me tell you, this exhibition has many famous paintings, and I heard there'll be an auction. If you can buy one to give to Mr. David Getty, you'll definitely win his favor. Older people love paintings and such."
Hestia Sharp held Lorelei's arm as they entered the exhibition with their invitation.
Hearing this, Lorelei smiled slightly. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
She'd thought it through. With Gideon protecting her, she couldn't make any moves against Josephine for now at least, and Briana was incompetent anyway.
Last time she'd said she would release those videos, but somehow they'd gone silent.
But Lorelei hadn't planned to give up. Instead, she'd listened to Briana's words and received some inspiration. As long as David liked her, even if Gideon was unwilling, he would have to agree!
"Wait, Lorelei, look who that is!"
Lorelei followed Hestia's gaze.
Walking ahead were none other than Gideon, along with Cedric and Josephine.
What were these people doing here?
Lorelei suddenly remembered something. "I recall you saying the person in charge here, Daryl Fields, loves paintings like his life."
Hestia nodded. "That's right. He's naturally arrogant, famously difficult to get along with. Many people have tried to use paintings as an entry point to win his favor, but unfortunately, his standards are too high, and his tongue is merciless. So far, no one has succeeded."
Then what if his paintings were damaged?
Lorelei's lips curved slowly into a smile as she said softly, "Then we'd better be careful not to damage his paintings."
Her gaze settled ominously on Josephine.