Chapter 243
Gideon's expression remained unchanged, completely unaffected. He walked straight to Josephine and handed her the bouquet of white roses.
"I passed a flower shop this morning and thought these would suit you."
Josephine glanced at the white roses. They were beautiful—delicate petals still glistening with dewdrops.
The fresh, sweet fragrance filled the office.
"I don't like white roses."
"I remember you used to love them." Gideon was certain he hadn't misremembered. Every time he'd given Josephine white roses before, she'd accepted them happily and treasured them.
"That was before." Josephine had never actually liked white roses. She'd only accepted them, only treasured them, because they came from him.
Any gift from the person you love is worth keeping safe.
Gideon's eyes dimmed. He slowly set down the flowers, but quickly rallied. "It's okay. If you don't like them, I'll bring you flowers you do like from now on."
"That won't be necessary. Did you need something?"
Gideon smiled bitterly to himself. He knew if he said he had no reason for coming, Josephine would throw him out immediately.
"I know you have a press conference coming up. I compiled some materials for you."
He placed a folder on her desk, but his eyes stayed fixed on Josephine, drinking her in.
They had so few chances to see each other now. Every meeting had become precious to him.
Josephine merely glanced at the materials, her expression still flat. "Thanks."
But she made no move to touch them.
Gideon had expected this. "I'll be attending the press conference in a few days too."
"Suit yourself."
If he wanted to go, what did it have to do with her?
Why bother telling her about it?
Josephine checked the time and politely hinted he should leave. "I have a meeting in twenty minutes."
"Then I'll wait in your office."
"Wait for what?"
"To take you to lunch after your meeting. We can catch up. We haven't seen each other in days."
Josephine stared at Gideon in disbelief. He seemed different from the day he'd learned about her marriage—no rage, no jealousy.
But this behavior felt strangely familiar.
It was like... that first year they'd met. Gideon had pursued her exactly like this—persistent, always finding ways to be near her, constantly appearing at her side.
Josephine had been pursued by him before. She knew better than anyone how stubborn he could be.
If she didn't agree to his requests, he'd keep at it.
But his persistence had limits—not harassment, just appearing in front of her from time to time.
Back then, she'd found it sweet. Now she just found it annoying.
She had to play her trump card. "Even if I were going out to lunch, it should be with my husband, not you. My husband wouldn't be happy about it."
Gideon's expression changed instantly.
His jaw tightened. His face remained relatively calm, but his tone was strained. "Are you that afraid of making him angry?"
"It's not fear." Josephine explained seriously. "I just don't want him upset over unimportant things."
That consideration made Gideon's chest tighten.
She cared that much about Cedric!
Gideon took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He said something that made his own heart bleed. "Setting aside the fact that we were once married—since you chose to marry my brother, you're my sister-in-law. Is it really so wrong for me to have lunch with my sister-in-law?"
Josephine looked at him like she'd seen a ghost.
He was actually admitting she was his sister-in-law?
"Of course it's wrong."
A man's voice drifted from the doorway. "After all, your brother isn't dead yet. It's not your place to keep your sister-in-law company."
Gideon turned, fury burning in his eyes.
Cedric!
"If you're worried, you can join us."
He was determined to provoke Cedric.
Whether they actually had lunch didn't matter. He just wanted the other man to know he'd always stand between them.
Cedric walked to Josephine's side. Under Gideon's blazing stare, he calmly took Josephine's soft hand in his.
He lowered his head, his voice gentle. "I made reservations at your favorite restaurant. Let's go."
He took the documents from Josephine's hand and gently pulled her up from her chair.
Josephine played along. "Perfect timing. I'm hungry."
The two walked out side by side, neither acknowledging Gideon standing there.
But as they reached the door, Gideon's phone rang.
Josephine wasn't trying to eavesdrop. Gideon's phone was too loud—or the person on the other end was too loud—and she couldn't help hearing the familiar voice.
"Gideon! Your wife and child are still in the hospital! Where did you run off to? Are you expecting me to take care of them?"
Briana's furious shout.
Gideon instinctively covered the speaker, but it was too late. He gave up and removed his hand, speaking into the phone. "I hired a nurse."
"Your wife and child—you won't take care of them yourself, you let a nurse do it? What kind of sense does that make? Get back here right now!" Briana hung up.
Gideon stood there staring at his phone. After a moment, he shoved it in his pocket and strode after Cedric and Josephine.
Cedric frowned slightly. "Didn't your mother just call you?"
Gideon's tone was flat. "I hired a nurse."
Nurses, nannies, the best doctors, the best staff—he'd hired them all.
He didn't see what good his presence would do. He didn't know medicine. He couldn't treat anyone.
Josephine lowered her eyes, thoughtful. She'd been so busy with the press conference these past few days, she'd almost forgotten about Lorelei.
Now it came back to her.
They walked out of the building. Cedric went to get the car while Josephine waited at the curb. Gideon stood beside her, staring. His gaze was so intense it was impossible to ignore.
But Josephine ignored it anyway.
When Cedric pulled up, she got in the car. Looking at Gideon still standing on the sidewalk, she said, "Let me give you some advice. Don't waste your time on me. You should pay more attention to the people around you."
Gideon's face darkened.
He thought Josephine was telling him to cherish the people in his life.
But her next words were different. "The people around you aren't necessarily trustworthy either."
Long after the car disappeared from view, Gideon still stood motionless.
What did that mean?
At the hospital.
Lorelei lay in bed, pale and weak, her whole body radiating illness. Briana sat on the nearby sofa scrolling through her phone.
Maybe it was postpartum mood swings, but just looking at Briana irritated Lorelei. Still, she forced herself to ask patiently, "Mom, when is Gideon coming back?"
"Your husband—when's he coming back? You're asking me? How should I know?" Briana thought she was useless.
She'd already had the baby, but still couldn't keep a man by her side.
Leaving Briana to make call after call.
"If you miss him, call him yourself. I have a card game later. I don't have time to stay here. Oh, and Mr. David Getty wants to meet the baby. In a couple days, I'm taking the child back to the Getty Manor."
"No!" Lorelei immediately objected.
Briana frowned at her, mocking. "What right do you have to say no? Don't forget—it's because of this child that you have everything you have now."
The house, the car, the money.
The best hospital, the best room, the best doctors and nurses.
Which of those didn't require money and power?
Lorelei forced a stiff smile. "Please don't misunderstand. I know Mr. David Getty wants to see the baby, and I'm willing to let him. But this is a premature baby. The child's health isn't good. He needs more time recovering in the hospital. Once the baby's better, I'll take him to the Getty Manor right away."
Briana looked at her knowingly. "Don't take everyone for a fool."
Was Lorelei really saying this for the baby's sake?
Hardly.
Lorelei was just worried that if someone else took the baby, she wouldn't be able to marry into the Getty family herself.
Briana saw right through her little scheme.
"The Getty Group press conference is approaching. Rumor has it the event planner is project director Josephine. Word is she joined the company recently but has already developed medical technology with significant contributions..."
The news suddenly broadcast this story. Both Lorelei and Briana froze.
Their fight instantly ceased.
Lorelei stared at the screen, jealousy crawling through her chest like a snake gnawing at her heart. "Did Gideon go see her today?"
How would Briana know?
Almost as soon as Lorelei finished speaking, the door pushed open. Gideon had arrived.
Briana blurted out, "Did you go see Josephine?"