Chapter 170
Cedric strolled over, followed by people Josephine knew all too well.
Aiden. Emma. Kenneth.
Her familiar team—her familiar people.
Josephine smiled. "Looks like we'll be able to get through all the data today."
"Of course. Since our team is the one that left the error, we should all share the responsibility for fixing it. We can't just leave you here alone."
Emma was naturally sociable and greeted everyone with warm enthusiasm. In just a few exchanges, she'd talked someone into bringing over a new chair, and someone even offered her their workstation.
The others settled in.
But Josephine found herself looking at Cedric, sitting to her left. The others coming to help made sense—but he was the CEO of the entire group. He only needed to hold things together behind the scenes.
There was absolutely no need for him to come in person.
"You—"
Cedric opened his computer and moved the mouse. "Focus when you're working."
Fair enough.
Josephine looked away and went back to reviewing the data.
But her mood now was completely different from before. Working alone had never felt this difficult. With colleagues beside her, everything seemed lighter.
During a break, Emma and Josephine went to the restroom together.
As they washed their hands, over the sound of running water, Emma asked, "You've been away for so long. Coming back must feel complicated."
Josephine watched the water flow between her fingers. "Why do you say that?"
"Others might not know, but I do." Emma smiled with a mix of understanding and tenderness. "Even the rest of us felt a mix of emotions coming back here."
They'd once worked here, and for a long time at that. They'd genuinely considered this company their final destination—thought they'd be here for the rest of their careers.
But they'd been forced to leave. Coming back to their old company still stirred a faint sense of melancholy.
And Josephine's feelings would be far more complicated than any of theirs.
Her hands were clean again beneath the water, carrying a faint scent of soap. Josephine turned off the faucet and moved to dry her hands.
Emma assumed she didn't want to answer and didn't press further.
But the moment they stepped out of the restroom, Josephine suddenly said, "This company developed step by step with my contribution. Sooner or later, it will come back into my hands."
Emma froze.
She suddenly realized something. Everyone assumed Josephine's goal had simply been to get a divorce, gain her freedom, and start fresh.
It turned out she had a far larger ambition.
Emma smiled to herself. That wasn't a bad thing at all. Those who betrayed genuine hearts deserved their consequences—it was only a matter of time.
The two made their way back toward the main office when Frank intercepted them at the door, his expression difficult to read. "I've arranged an office for you. You'll probably be more comfortable working there—fewer distractions."
Josephine and Emma exchanged a glance. Emma asked, confused, "Why the sudden change? Wasn't the main office working fine?"
Frank hesitated, as if struggling to say something.
Josephine picked up on his difficulty and gently tugged at Emma's sleeve. "We're flexible. Arrange whatever works."
Frank exhaled with relief.
He led them to the office and pushed open the door. Emma took in the simple décor and thought to herself that Starlight Group's offices were a bit plain.
But the next moment, she spotted a photo on the desk. Frank stood in a white dress shirt and black trousers, his characteristic arrogance evident in his expression, and what looked like mild impatience on his face.
"You don't seem to like photos," Emma observed.
Frank was starting up the computer and glanced casually at the photo. He admitted without embarrassment, "I don't. What's so great about them?"
He'd always been stiff in photos. No matter how he smiled or what expression he made, it came out unnatural.
Over time, he'd simply stopped liking them.
"Alright, the computer's on. I only have one desktop here, but I'll borrow a few laptops from colleagues for you."
"Thank you, we appreciate it." Josephine was already seated, bracing herself to continue the tedious task.
But just then, an argument erupted outside the door.
"Say that again. Don't think that just because you're a woman—and pregnant—I have to put up with you. Watch your mouth, or one day someone might just shut it for you!"
That was Aiden's voice.
He could be a little careless sometimes, but his character was genuinely good, and he rarely got into conflicts.
Emma rushed out first. By the time Josephine reached the door, Emma spun around and blocked her. "I can handle whatever's outside. You go back and keep working on the data."
Josephine raised an eyebrow at that. She stood her ground, and no matter how Emma pushed, her feet might as well have been glued to the floor.
She didn't budge.
Emma's face fell. "Please, just go back in."
"Who's out there?"
Emma met Josephine's bright, sharp gaze and felt a headache coming on. Their supervisor was wonderful in every way—except her instincts were way too sharp.
And she was impossible to fool.
Under that gaze, Emma caved. "Who else? The one we all can’t stand—the one with the baby bump."
Josephine understood.
Emma sighed. "We're on their turf right now, and she's pregnant. Let's just swallow it if we can."
She hadn't forgotten how fiercely Gideon had protected Lorelei—even divorced Josephine for that woman and whatever she was carrying.
What a lowlife pair.
She was cursing them out internally when Josephine walked straight out the door.
Emma caught up just in time to see Josephine come face to face with Lorelei.
In that instant, she didn't know how to describe it.
The atmosphere was just... off.
Josephine gave a calm nod. "Ms. Kelly, if Aiden said anything wrong or did something that upset you, I apologize on his behalf."
Nobody had seen this coming. Everyone had been braced for a verbal war or worse.
Was this really Josephine?
Aiden looked completely incredulous. "Why are you apologizing for me? She's the one who was out of line!"
Josephine shot him a cold glance. Aiden went quiet, though clearly against his will.
Lorelei was puzzled, too. She and Josephine were more or less fated adversaries—they'd clashed more times than she could count.
Without exception, she'd lost every time.
Though at least in the battlefield of love and marriage, the one who ultimately lost had been Josephine.
Lorelei spoke graciously. "You're being too formal. I wasn't angry to begin with. I think this gentleman may have misunderstood me. Since Ms. Kennedy was kind enough to apologize on his behalf, I certainly won't pursue the matter."
She spotted Gideon standing at the doorway and walked over, naturally slipping her arm through his. "Mom said you've been working so hard these past two days. She had me bring you some soup—I made it with her, just the way you like it. No green onions, the way you hate. You must have some."
She played the part of the devoted partner perfectly.
Gideon stared at Josephine's back, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The others didn't dare make a sound. In the tense atmosphere, everyone wished they could simply disappear.
Josephine, however, slowly turned around. "Now that we've apologized, Ms. Kelly—shouldn't you be apologizing to us as well?"