Chapter 219
Cedric noticed Josephine seemed distracted. Without making it obvious, he picked up a glass of wine and took a sip. "Did someone give you trouble just now?"
"No." Josephine looked puzzled, not understanding why he'd ask. Had he seen something earlier?
Cedric studied her. "I saw someone come over and talk to you."
At the mention of this, Josephine's expression turned hesitant. "She..."
"What?"
Josephine rarely showed this kind of expression—like she wanted to say something but found it hard to voice. Cedric was curious. "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to."
"It's not really a big deal."
Just as Josephine was about to explain, someone else approached to speak with Cedric. The words on the tip of her tongue went unspoken.
As soon as Cedric left, Sloane Medici returned.
The woman in the black dress. Though they'd only chatted briefly, they'd already exchanged names. Sloane was just that direct.
This was Josephine's first time meeting someone so straightforward—saying exactly what she wanted, never beating around the bush, speaking her mind without filter.
Sloane leaned in. "So? Did he agree?"
Josephine covered her face.
Earlier, Sloane had asked for her help setting up a date with Cedric.
Sloane's exact words had been: "I think this guy is really handsome. I heard he has some first love or whatever, but I don't care. Once he's been with me long enough, he'll definitely forget about her!"
She was very confident.
But Josephine was in an awkward position. Sloane was wonderful—beautiful, elegant, warm, and straightforward.
But Cedric liked men!
And she'd promised Cedric to keep his secret.
Her silence went on too long. Sloane grew suspicious and started guessing. "What happened? Did he reject me? Or did you not even ask him?"
Josephine told the truth. "I didn't get a chance to say anything before someone called him away."
Sloane relaxed. Even the boldest woman still felt a little nervous about someone she had feelings for. "That's okay, I don't blame you. You can find another chance to talk to him when he comes back."
Josephine really didn't want to get involved in this, but how could she decline tactfully...
Looking at Sloane, she suddenly had an idea.
"Actually, I think for something like this, you shouldn't go through someone else." Josephine said.
"Why not? I'm just a bit embarrassed. Plus, I don't really know him. Asking him out the first time we meet—I definitely need a go-between."
Josephine could see it now. This girl was bold about everything except matters of the heart, where she was surprisingly shy and reserved.
She coaxed gently, "If you ask through me, what if he thinks you're not sincere? You'd be better off telling him yourself. You're so beautiful—it's not like you're lacking admirers. Whether he accepts or rejects you won't really affect you either way."
Sloane thought about it and couldn't find any logical flaws in this reasoning. It seemed workable. "Okay then. I guess it is kind of awkward for you being in the middle. I'll go myself."
Thank goodness this girl was so understanding!
Josephine smiled as she watched her leave, genuinely relieved. Cedric's attendance at this so-called matchmaking event was really just going through the motions. Whenever a woman approached to chat, he'd respond politely with a sentence or two, then decisively end the conversation.
The ladies weren't foolish either. Seeing his lack of interest, they naturally wouldn't press their attention where it wasn't wanted.
Compared to talking with them, Cedric preferred conversing with their parents. He'd turned a matchmaking party into a business networking event.
On his way to find Josephine, Cedric was intercepted by Sloane.
She'd picked a good spot—not many people around. A wall on the left, a lounge area on the right. Everyone was mingling in the main hall, making the lounge quiet by comparison.
"Can I help you?"
Sloane got straight to the point. "I'd like to ask you out."
Cedric paused, remembering something. "Is this what you went to talk to Josephine about?"
"How did you know?"
This girl couldn't hide anything—whatever was in her heart showed on her face and in her words.
Cedric casually set his wine glass on a table. "Did she send you over?"
"Yes. She said if I want to ask you out or confess my feelings, I should do it myself."
Cedric's eyes grew cold, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Can you see her?"
Sloane looked up. There was Josephine. "What about her?"
Just then, Josephine looked over, her eyes showing curiosity, inquiry, and nervousness. The words on Cedric's lips went unspoken.
Forget it.
Why hold it against her? She was naturally oblivious.
Cedric said flatly, "She's a good person. If she promised to keep something secret for me, she won't tell you. For instance, I don't like women."
Sloane was stunned. It took her a while to process this seemingly bland statement that was actually information overload. She stammered, "What do you mean you don't like women?"
"Literal meaning." Cedric didn't look at her, his gaze passing beyond her to land somewhere else, saying calmly, "Sometimes I often wonder why I wasn't born female. Then I wouldn't have any burden... This party tonight is particularly painful for me, because it's not what I want."
The first part was lies, the last part entirely true.
Half-truths mixed together—Sloane couldn't distinguish at all. She swallowed hard, trying to accept this news that sounded both crazy and shocking.
The Getty family's eldest son liked men?
"Are you sure?" Sloane asked with difficulty. Looking at his strikingly handsome face, she couldn't help trying once more. He really hit all her aesthetic preferences. "Maybe, maybe you're just mistaken about yourself. Or you could try—maybe you'd discover that compared to men, you actually prefer—"
"I've tried." Cedric said lightly, completely unconcerned about Sloane's crumbling expression. "I'm very certain. I'm not interested in any of the women here."
Sloane stammered, "Oh, oh, okay. Then I won't bother you anymore."
She fled in embarrassment.
She'd finally worked up the courage to express interest in a man, only to hear this earth-shattering news.
For a moment, she was in a daze.
Josephine watched from a distance, not knowing what they'd discussed but somewhat concerned about Sloane's state. Just then, Gideon appeared silently behind her.
He held a glass of red wine and offered it to Josephine.
Regardless of everything else, this was a public setting. Josephine accepted the wine.
Gideon's lips curved in a smile. "Looks like those two are hitting it off pretty well. Maybe the Getty family will have good news soon."