Chapter 185
The others also saw the woman in a hospital gown. The reporters immediately rushed after her.
Each carrying a camera, they ran incredibly fast.
The woman wasn't slow either, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye. The reporters chased to the corridor and found patient rooms on both sides—leaving no place to hide.
They wanted to search the rooms, but the alerted nurses arrived and blocked them.
"I'm sorry, but we don't allow reporters to barge around here. You're disturbing the patients' rest,” the nurse said, extending a stern hand. "If you continue making trouble here, I'll have to call security."
The reporters exchanged glances.
Continuing to pester would do no good. If the hospital blacklisted them, they would never get another chance to interview Haven. So the group left the hospital.
In another hospital room.
Josephine was pressed against the wall by Cedric, her ear against his chest where she could hear his clear, steady heartbeat—but her mind wasn't on that.
Only when the footsteps outside faded did she sigh in relief.
"Have they left?" Josephine asked.
Cedric made a sound of affirmation and looked down at her. She was wearing Haven's hospital gown—clearly planning to lure the tiger away from the mountain. He took a step back and looked her over. "Well done. You've learned to use strategy,’ he said."
Josephine tugged at her wrinkled hem. "...I always knew how,’ she whispered."
"So you put yourself at risk?" Cedric asked, opening the door and looking down the corridor. "Do you know what would happen if those reporters cornered you?"
Josephine followed him out. "I know. But I'd rather be cornered than see Haven cornered."
She was already timid, having frightened herself so badly she'd nearly thrown her life away. If she had to face reporters alone...
Josephine said quietly, "I at least have more experience than her."
The two left the room and headed toward the end of the corridor, unaware that the reporters they thought had left were actually hiding at the corridor's end.
Suddenly they were swarmed, surrounded on all sides. Cameras flashed nonstop, the lights so blinding they couldn't open their eyes. Microphones were nearly thrust into Josephine's face.
"Ms. Kennedy, you should be at work right now. Why did you come to the hospital?"
"You're wearing a hospital gown—are you sick?"
"Are you physically unwell, or did you come to the hospital to avoid public opinion?"
"What are you being treated for? Is it the maternity ward?"
"We heard your relationship with Mr. Getty is unusual. Appearing at the hospital together today—could you be pregnant?"
The questions grew more absurd. Josephine wanted to speak but was too dazzled to open her eyes. Cedric was also affected by the flashes but still stood in front of Josephine, his eyes frighteningly cold.
"Who gave you permission to come in and take photos?"
The frantically questioning reporters fell silent. Compared to their earlier excitement, they finally calmed down a bit.
"Mr. Getty, actually we didn't come today to interview you and Ms. Kennedy. We just happened to run into you here. You know your personal life has always been a subject of curiosity. Since we've met, why not say a few words?"
"The Getty Group's internal employee error that caused major data discrepancies—everyone is waiting for a satisfactory response. Why not take this opportunity to say more, to put people's minds at ease? After all, the Getty Group is involved in several medical projects."
As minutes passed, the Getty Group's medical projects faced further losses. These losses were cumulative.
Each day without a clear explanation from Cedric prolonged the damage.
"Of course I'll address this, but not here." Cedric didn't let them lead the conversation, nor did he appear intimidated. "This is a hospital. The patients here need rest. You're seriously disturbing everyone."
Josephine finally adjusted to the flashes and spoke up. "Regarding this matter, our company has been discussing it internally. Mr. Getty's intention is that we'll provide a perfect solution as soon as possible and hold a press conference. At that time, we'll announce the results to everyone, so please be patient."
Someone else asked, "Then how do you explain you and Mr. Getty appearing at the hospital together?"
"As I understand it, your previous husband was Mr. Gideon Getty, CEO of Starlight Group, and this CEO and Mr. Cedric Getty are brothers, aren't they?"
The person asking this question clearly had ill intent.
Josephine's expression remained calm. "I accidentally dislocated my arm while working. As my supervisor, Mr. Getty brought me to the hospital for examination. Isn't that reasonable?"
Her left hand rested on her right shoulder, her brow slightly furrowed. "If you still don't believe me, I can call my attending physician."
The reporters looked at each other.
Cedric said coldly, "Caring for my employees is my duty. This matter doesn't need to be explained to you."
He didn't say anything threatening—just stared at the work badge on the chest of the reporter standing in front.
"Pulse Report. I've made note of that."
That reporter's face immediately stiffened. Everyone knew Cedric's temperament and methods. Being noted by him was not a good thing.
So the reporters didn't dare ask more questions and dispersed one after another.
Once they left, Josephine exhaled a sigh of relief and sat down on a bench in the corridor. "These reporters seize every opportunity. They're truly terrifying,’ she said"
"So will you show off again next time?’ Cedric asked, standing before her, his posture making her feel small.
Josephine kept her head down, only able to see the hem of his clothes. She secretly pursed her lips. "Depends on the situation."
Which meant she might dare again.
A wave of helplessness surged deep in Cedric's heart. He pinched his slightly throbbing brow. "This hospital is no longer safe. Haven can't continue staying here."
"I'll arrange for her admission elsewhere."
Cedric continued, "But you... may need to stay in the hospital for a while."
Josephine froze. "Why? My dislocation isn't that serious, and you already set it for me. I don't need to stay in the hospital to rest."
Cedric glanced at her. "Do you want the reporters to think you were lying?"
Josephine caught on.
she had just told the reporters about her dislocated arm and hospital examination. If she checked out immediately afterward, it might arouse those reporters' suspicion and lead them to follow her.
"Fine, I'll stay for two days,’ she replied—though her thoughts drifted to work. "Regarding the external rumors, how do you actually plan to handle them? Also, weren't you on a business trip? How did you suddenly come back?"
Cedric stared at her and said something Josephine couldn't understand at all. "Sometimes, I really think... you're an idiot."
"What?"
Cedric smiled helplessly and shook his head. "I've already had someone release the news. In two days, we'll hold a press conference and give everyone a satisfactory answer."
Josephine's head shot up to look at him. "How do you plan to resolve it?"
She couldn't help overthinking. When Haven couldn't be found, he never proposed a solution. But now that Haven had been found, he suddenly said...
"I promised Haven that no matter what, I wouldn't make her take responsibility."
"I know." Cedric pulled out his phone.
Josephine immediately looked away. But Cedric glanced at her. Text clearly displayed on the screen.
Noah: [Found him.]
[Good. Keep watch on him.]
Putting away his phone, Cedric casually slipped it into his pocket. "I'll go process your hospital admission."
"I can do it myself."
"What you need to do now is go back and return that hospital gown to its owner."Cedric stood up.
"...Then I'll trouble you."