Chapter 151
"No way!"
Josephine's response was almost reflexive.
Gemma couldn't help but glance at her daughter, then raised her eyes to study Cedric in the distance. "I think this young man seems pretty great. Good-looking, excellent presence—standing there like some movie star." A good match for her daughter.
Josephine didn't want Cedric to see her, much less overhear this conversation. She covered her face with her hand and lowered her voice,"Can't you stop trying to marry me off? Wouldn't it be nice if I just spent more time with you and Father?"
She had to admire her mother's talent—of all people to point at, she randomly picked Cedric.
But...
What was he doing at the hospital anyway?
Gemma caught on,"You know this person, don't you?"
Josephine stiffened.
Before she could decide whether to tell a harmless little lie or come clean—Cedric had already walked over.
"This must be Mrs. Kennedy." Cedric looked at Gemma and said evenly, "Mrs. Kennedy, hello. I'm... Josephine's boss, and also a friend."
From a distance, Gemma had already thought he looked quite handsome and had an impressive bearing. Now, up close, she discovered his face was even more exceptionally blessed.
She beamed,"What a coincidence today—running into so many colleagues at the hospital. Jojo, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
Josephine's lips moved slightly. Resigned, she said, "His name is Cedric Getty."
Getty.
Hearing that surname, Gemma's expression paused briefly. But scrutinizing Cedric carefully, she found he didn't resemble Gideon—probably just a coincidence. "Are you here for a checkup too?"
Cedric nodded. "Yes, company-wide employee health screening."
"Was the policy allowing family members for checkups your idea?" Gemma asked.
"Yes."
Gemma nodded approvingly,"That's wonderful of you, thinking so comprehensively. Jojo, having a leader like this is truly your good fortune."
Josephine gave a dry laugh. "Yeah..."
What else could she say? She could hardly expose Cedric's identity in front of her mother—that would make Gemma turn cold immediately.
Gemma hated Gideon and despised the Getty family.
Shortly after, Preston emerged, having completed his battery of tests. He looked completely deflated. When Gemma suggested going for a nice lunch, Preston hadn't recovered yet, his face the picture of existential despair.
Josephine felt like laughing but held back. "Father worked hard. Lunch is on me—let's all go have a feast."
Preston snorted,"You should be treating. If you hadn't insisted, I never would've come to this place."
He'd even gotten a colonoscopy!
Now he clutched his backside, his expression indescribable as he walked.
As his words fell, he turned and saw Cedric. Preston's brow furrowed slightly. "And this is...?"
"Hello, Mr. Kennedy. I'm Cedric Getty, Josephine's boss and also her good friend," Cedric took the initiative to greet him.
Josephine couldn't help glancing at him, feeling he was unusually talkative and exceptionally polite today.
Preston nodded. "Then join us."
He wanted to help his daughter maintain a good relationship with her boss—that way work would go smoothly.
Cedric's lips curved slightly. "As you wish."
The group left the hospital for the restaurant. On the way, their party of four gained another.
Kenneth.
Walking out of the hospital entrance, Josephine spotted him and invited him along.
Kenneth wasn't much of a talker—most of the time he just listened in silence.
So along the way, only Cedric and Preston's conversation could be heard.
Cedric was skilled at conversation. He didn't actually speak that much, but every sentence picked up on the other person's topic. His mind worked quickly—no matter what Preston said, Cedric could always respond appropriately.
Talking with him was a comfortable experience.
Before Kenneth realized it, he'd fallen behind them.
He felt somewhat superfluous.
Reaching the restaurant entrance, Josephine looked back at Kenneth and noticed he'd lagged behind. "Kenneth, keep up."
Kenneth looked up. The disappointment in his heart was instantly swept away as he quickly picked up his pace.
Cedric glanced at him, then pushed the door open ahead of him, letting Josephine enter first.
Preston and Gemma followed.
That left Kenneth. Cedric's expression remained neutral as he still held the door.
Having his boss hold the door for him filled Kenneth with a heavy feeling. He trudged through with heavy steps when Cedric's voice unexpectedly came from behind. "Are those data adjustments done?"
Kenneth stiffened.
Of course, they weren't. He'd planned to finish them after returning from the checkup.
Hearing this, Josephine turned back to intercede. "For the data, we still need to hold a meeting when we get back. We can make changes after we discuss it."
Cedric looked at her. "Alright."
He paused, then asked, "What do you think of Daryl's technical skills? Are they useful?"
"He really is a genius..."
Without realizing it, they walked side by side, continuing their quiet conversation. Kenneth walked behind them. When Josephine had intervened for him, his heart had actually been quite happy.
But now he suddenly realized something.
When Josephine and Cedric stood together, there seemed to be an invisible wall around them, excluding everyone else.
No one could enter the intimate space unique to them.
Entering the private room, Josephine removed her coat. Cedric casually took it and draped it over a nearby chair.
Josephine didn't think much of it, but Preston caught the entire exchange.
He found it interesting.
His daughter appeared easygoing, but she didn't actually let just anyone get close. If you couldn't open her heart, she wouldn't allow anyone near.
Gemma nudged him, whispering, "You're being a bit too obvious..."
What kind of person stares so blatantly?
If it were any other young man instead of the composed Cedric, they'd be squirming with discomfort by now.
Preston scratched his head, lowering his voice,"I genuinely think this young man is excellent. Good-looking, highly capable, knows how to talk without being slick..."
Perfect without a single flaw.
Preston had always been exacting in evaluating potential sons-in-law. Even Gideon hadn't met his internal standards—if Josephine hadn't liked him, he absolutely wouldn't have let Gideon become his son-in-law.
Now though, the more Preston looked at Cedric, the more satisfied he became.
Preston cleared his throat. "Cedric, how old are you this year? Do you have a suitable marriage prospect? Would you like me to introduce you to someone?"
"Thank you for your kind offer." Cedric smiled faintly. "I'm just a bit older than Jojo. As for marriage prospects, I hadn't thought about it before—always wanted to focus on my career first."
Hadn't thought about it before—meaning he had thought about it now.
Preston caught the linguistic loophole. "Actually, I took a liking to you the moment I saw you. I really do have a suitable candidate in mind..."
He looked toward Josephine.
Josephine was looking down at her food, completely oblivious to their conversation.
Kenneth's heart jumped.
"I think you and—"
A loud clatter interrupted Preston's words. Everyone's eyes turned toward the sound.
Kenneth forced a smile. "Sorry, I accidentally knocked over the utensils..."
He bent to pick them up, placing the fork beside his plate as if he couldn't feel Cedric's intensely oppressive gaze.
His Adam's apple bobbed. The phone screen beside him suddenly lit up.
It was a trending news notification.
The cover image featured Gideon and Cedric together.
Kenneth slowly raised his head, looking at Cedric.