Chapter 15
"Here are this month's financial reports and the resumes the company shortlisted," Randy said, placing a stack of documents on the desk.
Cedric flipped open the resumes and his gaze froze. On the page was a standard 2x2 inch ID photo of a woman with sharp eyes and refined features.
Randy Carter noticed him staring at the photo and lowered his eyes, saying nothing. He wondered if Cedric would approve Josephine's application... After all, Cedric had once offered her a high-paying position, only to be flatly rejected.
"Hire these two," Cedric said coolly. Out of three resumes, he kept two and set aside the third—the one with Josephine Kennedy's name prominently displayed.
---
Two days later, having received no phone call, Josephine knew she hadn't been hired.
"Looks like someone's holding a grudge..." she murmured.
That evening, a black sedan pulled up outside a club. Cedric and his entourage exited the building. Randy opened the car door for Cedric, but before he could close it, someone quickly slipped inside.
Randy froze. "Mrs. Getty."
Josephine gave a slight smile. "Close the door. I need to talk with your CEO."
Randy looked at Cedric, who neither approved nor objected, which was as good as consent. Randy closed the door and tactfully remained outside.
Inside the car, Cedric looked at Josephine. She wore a white coat with her hair down, looking casual—more like someone out shopping than someone planning an ambush.
"Something on your mind?" he asked.
"Your documents." Josephine tossed the file beside him.
"Thanks." Brief and to the point, not a single extra word.
Josephine didn't leave. "Give me a reason."
"I once tried to recruit you."
Six years ago, "lone" had burst onto the scene, becoming a young genius in the scientific community. Though no one knew her identity, her achievements had shocked the world. No one knew that lone was Josephine.
Cedric had figured it out. He hadn't exposed her. After careful consideration, he'd suppressed his dislike for Gideon and extended an olive branch to her. But Josephine had refused.
Josephine understood now. "So the great Mr. Getty holds grudges, I see."
But Cedric said, "I'm not that childish."
"Then why?"
"Six years ago, you shocked the world. You were a genius everyone wanted to recruit. You developed countless groundbreaking scientific innovations. But now, who are you?"
His question caught Josephine off guard. lone and Josephine were the same person, physically speaking. But...
"You're Gideon's wife, the Getty family's daughter-in-law. Are you still lone, the person willing to dedicate her life to research?"
Josephine had never considered this question. Two names that seemed compatible were actually filled with conflict and contradiction.
"I don't want to hire you only for you to turn around and go back to family life," Cedric said bluntly. "Besides, you've been away from research for a long time. Do you still remember the knowledge? Do you still know the procedures?"
---
That night, Josephine tossed and turned in bed. She thought about many things. Cedric's words weren't pleasant—they were downright harsh—but they struck at her core, raising questions she had never considered or had actively avoided.
Before leaving, she had told Cedric: "I'll prove to you that I can reclaim everything I gave up." Both her abilities and her patents.
Cedric had replied: "I look forward to it."
---
The moon rose slowly, its gentle white light illuminating the surrounding stars.
Cedric stood on the balcony with a glass of red wine. Behind him, his friend Adam Nelson asked, "What are you looking at? What's so interesting about the stars?"
Cedric took a sip of wine. "The clouds have cleared."
"Clouds?" What was so fascinating about clouds?
Cedric finished his wine and placed the empty glass on the table, leaving only a soft sigh. "The moon... is coming out."
Adam couldn't help looking at the sky. The clouds had indeed dispersed, revealing a crescent moon. It was beautiful, but... since when did Cedric enjoy watching the moon?
---
Josephine gathered her former colleagues together with Aiden's help. Everyone was happy to sit together again.
"Josephine, can we really start over?" Emma Delgado, the youngest, was the first to speak up.
Aiden smiled. "Of course it's real. From now on, we'll always be together, reclaiming our former glory."
Kenneth Garner, the quiet one who usually just listened, simply nodded, indicating he would stick with the group.
Josephine looked at these familiar faces with mixed emotions—touched, happy, and guilty. "I'm sorry I abandoned you all back then."
But Emma said, "It's not your fault. You got married, and Gideon wanted you to focus on family life. We all understood."
Despite the hardships they'd endured, no one blamed Josephine. If they blamed anyone, it was Gideon.
"Right, we don't blame you," Aiden agreed.
Kenneth, a man of few words, squeezed out just one: "Right."
Looking at her familiar teammates, Josephine extended her hand. "Here's to our success." Their hands stacked together, and everyone smiled.
Josephine suddenly felt renewed hope for the future. She bought some things and went to visit Sophia at the hospital. Sophia had just finished her shift and was about to eat dinner. Seeing Josephine, she immediately smiled.
"Looks like you're recovering well."
Josephine handed her the gift. "All thanks to you, Dr. Moore."
Sophia laughed. "Oh, stop it. You look so cheerful—did something good happen?"
"You could say that."
"What is it? Tell me."
Josephine wasn't sure how to explain, since she only had a plan but didn't know if it would work out. "I want to... return to Starlight Group."
"Why? Don't tell me you've had a change of heart?"
Sophia had witnessed Gideon's care and affection for Josephine lately, but that was a separate issue. "Jojo, cheating is cheating. It's unforgivable. If it happens once, it'll happen again. If you don't stand your ground now, he'll be even worse next time!"
"Don't get worked up. I'm not planning to reconcile with him."
"Then what...?"
"I want to start over." Both in life and career. It would be a difficult path, but also full of challenges.
Sophia didn't know exactly what she planned to do, but said sincerely, "I support you. Whatever you do, go for it. If you need me, just say the word and I'll help!"
"Thanks." Those words were enough to make Josephine smile with satisfaction.
---
Late that night, Josephine returned to Clearwater Ridge. As soon as she opened the front door, something felt off. From the corner of her eye, she caught a dark figure approaching from behind. Her heart skipped a beat.
It was... a man's shadow.