Chapter 225
The hospital room fell silent instantly.
Briana stood by the bedside. When she saw Josephine enter, a flicker of discomfort crossed her face, but she quickly regained composure and even forced a smile. "Jojo's back. I was just talking with your parents."
Preston lay in the hospital bed, face somewhat pale but conscious. Seeing his daughter return, he visibly relaxed.
Josephine ignored Briana and walked straight to her father's bedside, setting the fruit she'd bought on the nightstand. "Dad, how are you feeling? Still dizzy?"
"Much better." Preston waved it off, his gaze falling on Briana with undisguised distaste. "This... person said she came to visit me, but from what she's been saying, it doesn't sound like she cares about my condition at all."
The statement was remarkably blunt.
Only then did Josephine turn to look at Briana. "My father needs rest. If there's nothing else, please leave."
Briana's expression soured. When had she ever been shown the door like this? "Josephine, what kind of attitude is that? I came out of kindness to visit your father, and this is how you treat your elders?"
Josephine laughed coldly. "If you were genuinely here to visit a patient, I'd treat you with courtesy. But if you're here to gawk at misfortune or have ulterior motives, I don't mind being rude."
Her eyes were sharp, her expression icy.
Briana's face shifted. "What are you implying?"
"Implying?" Josephine took a step forward, standing face to face with Briana, voice lowered but every word clear. "I'm just curious—someone who normally wouldn't spare my parents a glance, why the sudden kindness?"
Briana looked at her with disgust. "Ungrateful! Your father deserved to be beaten. Your whole family is unlikable!"
In the past, after being cursed at like this, Josephine might have endured it.
But now...
"You're not exactly likable yourself. Otherwise, how come after all this time, you still haven't married into the Getty family?"
Briana hated—absolutely hated—when people brought up her failure to marry into the Getty family.
It was like stabbing straight into her heart.
She laughed bitterly, her face nearly contorting. "At least you married in—but didn't you get divorced? You think you can marry into another wealthy family? No man will treat you as well as my son did. Especially not Cedric."
"Why are you bringing him up?"
"What, I mention him and you get upset?" Briana smiled. The more the other person didn't want to hear it, the more she wanted to say it. "Do you think because Cedric protects you a little, you can rest easy? Let me tell you—if you want your parents to be safe, stop daydreaming! Today was just the beginning!"
With that, she grabbed her bag and swept out.
Gemma trembled at those words. "Jojo, what did she mean by that?"
"Don't worry, Mom. She's just got a vicious tongue. I'm going to buy something."
Josephine hurried out of the room and saw Briana just stepping into the elevator. She rushed in.
Inside the elevator, Briana hadn't expected her to follow. She cursed furiously, "Are you insane?"
The elevator doors slowly closed, trapping them both in the confined space.
Josephine's voice was unnaturally calm. "That little performance in the room just now—what were you trying to tell me?"
Briana's eyes flickered before she lifted her chin. "What could I possibly tell you? I came in good faith to visit your father, only to be treated like an enemy by you and him!"
Josephine's gaze was frosty, each word deliberate. "How did you know my father was attacked?"
From the incident until now, only she, her mother, and Cedric knew. "Don't tell me Cedric told you."
Her eyes were piercing. Briana unconsciously stepped back, her back pressing against the cold elevator wall. "What are you implying? You think I had someone attack your father?"
The elevator descended slowly. Josephine stared Briana down. "I think it's very possible."
Briana's expression changed. She hadn't expected Josephine to be so direct.
The elevator dinged, stopping on the first floor.
Briana tried to exit, but Josephine blocked the door with her arm.
Josephine's eyes were cold. "We're not done talking. Where do you think you're going? If you don't explain yourself, even if you leave this hospital today, I'll come find you."
Crazy!
Briana suddenly realized—this woman was insane!
"Since you've already guessed, I won't bother pretending." Briana straightened her collar, her posture returning to haughty pride. "I came to tell you—some people aren't for you to touch. Some family thresholds aren't for you to cross."
"You mean Cedric?" Josephine asked.
"You think because Cedric's nice to you, you can be with him? Let me tell you, Mr. David Getty would be the first to oppose it. Someone like Cedric will only marry a woman who's his equal, pure, who can bring benefits to the Getty family. Not someone like you..."
She looked Josephine up and down, eyes contemptuous and critical, as if examining a piece of meat at market, her tone dripping with disdain. "A divorced woman."
Josephine's heart felt like it had been stabbed. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm, but a terrible suspicion surfaced. "My father's injury—was it Mr. David Getty..."
"Shh." Briana pressed a finger to her lips. "I didn't say that. You said it yourself."
The elevator doors opened. Briana stepped out. This time, Josephine didn't stop her.
As they passed each other, Briana tossed out a light, mocking comment. "Mr. David Getty was right. Your biggest weakness is your filial devotion. As long as he controls your parents, you can't escape."
Josephine's hands clenched at her sides, nails digging deep into her palms.
After her emotions settled, Josephine returned to the room. Gemma immediately noticed something was wrong. "What happened? What did that woman say?"
Josephine shook her head. "Nothing. Just idle talk."
But Preston and Gemma knew her well. They could tell immediately when she wasn't being truthful.
"Jojo." Preston's weak voice spoke up. "Whatever she said to you, don't take it to heart. What happened to me isn't your fault. It's no one's fault."
Josephine's heart ached. She walked to the bedside and gripped her father's hand. "Dad, I'm sorry. This is because of me."
"Don't talk nonsense." Preston squeezed her hand back, comforting her as gently as he had when she was a child. "I may not be capable of much, but I won't let anyone bully my daughter. If anyone dares hurt you, I'll fight them with everything I have. No matter what happens, don't be afraid."
Josephine's eyes reddened. Tears nearly fell.
She quickly turned away, not wanting her father to see.
"You're getting on in years and still talking about fighting people..." Her voice was hoarse despite her efforts to control it. "Dad, Mom, don't worry. Whatever wrongs you've suffered, I'll make them pay!"
Evening. In the cramped rental apartment, the air reeked—a mix of unfinished takeout, cigarettes, and alcohol. The whole place stank unbearably.
But Beau seemed oblivious, sprawled on the couch with his legs spread wide, unable to close them.
"Damn, it hurts..."
He wanted to go to the hospital, but had no money.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Beau didn't want to deal with it, but the knocking persisted. He cursed a few times. The person outside seemed deaf.
The soundproofing here was terrible!
Left with no choice, Beau limped to the door.
He opened it to see Josephine's beautiful face and jumped in fright, instinctively covering his crotch.
The pain flared again.
"Wh-what are you doing here again?" Beau looked at her warily, voice trembling.