Chapter 246
Josephine turned her gaze toward Gideon, whose face had turned ashen as he stared at Lorelei.
Gideon seemed to sense it and met her eyes.
"You once said you felt guilty and regretful about me. Now is your chance to atone."
The air in the hall froze.
All eyes focused on Gideon. Yes—Gideon was the other party involved. He was right here. His words would be more convincing than anything else.
Everyone waited for Gideon's answer.
Lorelei's hands clutched the swaddled baby so tightly she must have hurt him. The infant suddenly began wailing, his cries instantly shattering the silence.
Briana hurried over to help Lorelei soothe the child, speaking meaningfully to Gideon. "Think carefully before you answer. I know you regret some things from the past and the decisions you made. But what's done is done. This is your only child."
Even for the child's sake, he shouldn't humiliate Lorelei.
"You don't want this child to end up like you, do you?"
A bastard. Despised. Criticized from childhood. Even after Gideon returned to the Getty family and became one of its heirs, the fact that he was illegitimate could never be changed.
Gideon's fingertips curled slightly at his sides.
The baby in Lorelei's arms was still so small—not even two weeks old. Being premature made it worse. He'd heard other babies crying in the hospital—loud and vigorous.
But this child's cry was so weak, like a tiny chick.
But...
Standing before him was the woman he'd loved for so many years. He still loved Josephine now. At any moment, that love had never thought to disappear.
Gideon closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, all hesitation had vanished.
"Josephine," his voice rang especially clear in the silent hall, "was my wife. Legally recognized, acknowledged by the Getty family as my spouse."
As his words fell, the venue erupted again.
Gideon continued, his voice not loud but each word distinct. "I wronged her first. I cheated. I betrayed our marriage."
So Lorelei was the third party?
The tables had turned. The reporters' cameras immediately swung toward Lorelei. The pitiful victim of moments ago had become the universally despised homewrecker.
"Ms. Kelly, is what Mr. Getty said true?"
"You were the third party, yet you turned it around and accused Ms. Kennedy of being the third party. Your ability to twist the truth is quite impressive."
"Ms. Kelly, don't you feel ashamed?"
"So this child was born while Mr. Getty was still married to Ms. Kennedy?"
"Then this child is illegitimate."
Lorelei's hands holding the baby trembled. "Gideon, how could you..."
"I'm stating facts." Gideon's voice was calm. "From beginning to end, the only person I've loved is Jojo. Even after our divorce, she's always been the only person I've ever loved, still love."
A reporter couldn't help interjecting. "Mr. Getty, if you still love Ms. Kennedy, why did you divorce?"
Mentioning the past struck Gideon's painful spot.
He was silent for a long time before saying only one sentence.
"It was my fault."
Lorelei's face had turned white as paper.
Gideon actually admitted all this publicly. Had he gone mad? His words made this child a bastard—a despised bastard just like him!
Briana's expression was equally ugly.
But at this moment, there was nothing she could say.
"As for this child..." Gideon's gaze fell on the infant. He paused for several seconds before slowly continuing, "I'll raise him. Because I'm his father. But I have no feelings whatsoever for his mother. Not in the past, not now, not in the future."
He finished and looked at Josephine, his eyes full of devotion and regret.
"Jojo, I'm sorry." His voice carried a clearly audible catch. "I was too stupid, too arrogant. I didn't cherish you. I deserved to lose you. I'll do everything I can to make amends, to pay the price for my mistakes."
A reporter whispered, "Mr. Getty at least takes responsibility..."
"He spoke sincerely, at least he didn't deflect blame."
"Just wonder what Ms. Kennedy thinks."
Gideon straightened, looking at Josephine with deep longing and remorse. "I don't expect your forgiveness. I just want you to know—I've always loved you."
The words were so heartfelt that many female reporters sighed.
After speaking, Gideon didn't look at anyone's reaction. He walked straight to Lorelei and grabbed her arm. "We're leaving."
Lorelei still wanted to struggle. Briana also didn't want to leave like this. "Gideon, you..."
"Mom, you're coming with me too." Gideon's tone brooked no argument. "This is the Getty Group's press conference. You brought Lorelei here to cause a scene—you're embarrassing the Getty family."
He forcibly pulled Lorelei away. Though Briana was unwilling, under everyone's gaze, she could only follow.
The three left the venue in disgrace.
Onstage, Josephine watched their disappearing figures, her grip on the microphone loosening slightly.
Emma, as host, quickly stepped up to smooth things over. "Everyone, that was just a small interruption. Let's continue with the conference..."
But a reporter asked:
"Ms. Kennedy, although Mr. Getty made mistakes, he's reformed. Will you reconcile with him?"
"A reformed rake is worth his weight in gold—does Ms. Kennedy think there's truth to that saying?"
Mockery flashed through Josephine's eyes. After just a few apologies, the reporters changed faster than weathervanes. "Today's press conference should be about the NGRAS project, about countless frontline medical workers, about every patient who might benefit in the future. Not about me."
Her voice carried through the microphone across the venue. "Regarding personal matters, I have no comment. But I can tell everyone—all my energy right now is focused on work. I hope this project better serves society and patients."
The venue fell silent.
Clearly, her perspective completely outclassed the gossip reporters.
Josephine said methodically, "Today, please allow me to continue introducing this project in my capacity as project director."
After she said this, who could still gossip about their personal lives?
The reporters redirected their attention back to the project.
The press conference continued according to the original schedule.
Near the end, the atmosphere relaxed.
The reporters' questions showed more interest in Josephine herself.
How she'd emerged from a failed marriage, how she'd successfully launched the project in such a short time, how she dealt with workplace gender discrimination...
Josephine answered each question gracefully and confidently.
When the press conference finally ended, Emma and the others saw off the reporters and guests.
Cedric had Noah arrange a celebration dinner.
The colleagues were all excited, cheering and celebrating as soon as they entered. Josephine also played along, drinking one glass before finding an excuse to go alone to the hotel's terrace.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice someone approaching from behind.
Cedric made his footsteps heavier to avoid startling her.
Hearing the sound, Josephine turned to see Cedric holding two glasses of champagne, offering her one.
Cedric leaned against the railing, turning his head to look at Josephine. "Why are you hiding out here alone?"
Josephine accepted the champagne and took a sip. "Too noisy inside. Wanted some quiet."
She looked at the stars. Cedric looked at her.
"Actually, I find it quite laughable." Josephine said softly. "Gideon was clearly the one in the wrong, but as soon as he apologizes, the reporters think he's responsible and even praise him. This world is always extraordinarily lenient with men."