Chapter 25
"I'm not going." Josephine opened her door and walked inside.
Briana squeezed in behind her. "Don't be like that. You know how important this family dinner is. Gideon's grandfather will be there, along with all of Gideon's father's relatives. How would it look if you didn't show up?"
Josephine sat on the sofa and gave her an amused look.
Briana shifted uncomfortably. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"This polite tone from you is quite the surprise, Ms. Hughes."
"What's with the 'Ms. Hughes'? I'm your mother-in-law! You should call me Mom!" Briana glared at her. The friendly mask hadn't lasted even thirty minutes before cracking.
"Let me tell you, you're going whether you want to or not. As Gideon's wife, if you don't attend the family dinner, what will his grandfather think?"
"I'll go on one condition." Josephine rubbed her thumb and index finger together in the universal gesture for money.
Briana looked disgusted. "You're just a gold digger!"
She pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and—$50,000 transferred to Josephine's account.
Josephine frowned slightly. "That's it?"
"You think that's not enough?" Briana was furious. How had she never seen her daughter-in-law's true face before? "That's all you're getting. Take it or leave it. If you really don't show up, I won't cover for you. When Gideon's grandfather asks, I'll tell him you chose not to come."
"Don't worry. I've got the money, so I'll be there. Now if you don't mind..." She was already showing her out.
Briana stomped away angrily. The door slammed behind her.
Josephine didn't care. Looking at the new balance on her phone, she called Emma.
Emma: [Josephine?]
[Use this for your mom.]During a previous conversation with Aiden, she'd learned that after being fired and unable to find decent work, Emma couldn't afford her mother's medical bills.
[It's not much, but it'll help for now. If you need more later, I'll figure something out.]
Emma: [Josephine... thank you.]
[Don't mention it.]
She had no use for the money right now anyway, so she might as well give it to Emma.
As for Briana...
In the past, Josephine had always tried to maintain a good relationship with her. But Briana was the type who took a mile when given an inch. The more Josephine tried to please her, the worse Briana behaved. It got to the point where Josephine felt depressed just seeing her, almost developing psychological issues.
Lately, she'd realized Briana wasn't scary—just kind of stupid.
With David, the family patriarch, present, of course she would attend the dinner. Yet Briana had paid $50,000 to ensure she'd come...
If that didn't smell fishy, Josephine would walk on her hands.
But this family dinner—she had to go.
---
The Bugatti pulled up at the Getty Manor entrance. Gideon walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and offered his arm to Josephine.
Though reluctant, she took it.
In the living room, David sat on the sofa, surrounded by the younger Getty family members.
Gideon brought Josephine over to greet him.
"Grandfather."
He was completely respectful toward David.
Josephine followed suit. "Grandfather."
David looked up, his eyes old but shrewd, examining them both. His gaze lingered on Josephine's bare finger.
She wasn't wearing her wedding ring.
Before leaving that morning, Josephine had searched everywhere but couldn't find it. She had no idea where she'd thrown it.
No one spoke. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Gideon subtly positioned himself in front of Josephine.
David slowly began, "You two—"
At that moment, Cedric walked in.
His arrival was like an invisible drop of water instantly breaking the tension.
"Grandfather."
David grunted when he saw him. "So you remember to come home."
"How could I not when you asked me to?"
Despite his words, Cedric hadn't shown up last year, which had left David unhappy for the entire year, making him hypercritical of all the younger family members.
He seemed displeased with everyone, though by now they were all used to it. Everyone knew Cedric was his favorite.
"Let's sit down."
His favorite grandson had successfully diverted David's attention.
Josephine breathed a sigh of relief.
David was the Getty family patriarch and the previous head of the Getty Group. He was known for his thunderous methods, decisive character, and rigid, serious demeanor.
All he cared about was the Getty family reputation, family rules, and group interests.
To him, people were either useful or useless.
She glanced at Gideon.
In the roomful of people, he looked the most unhappy. No matter how outstanding someone was, they always paled in comparison to Cedric.
During dinner, everyone was stiff and formal. Josephine hated this atmosphere, which was why she avoided coming back whenever possible. Unfortunately, family dinners were unavoidable.
After the meal, David went upstairs with Cedric accompanying him.
Everyone else finally relaxed, like schoolchildren freed from the principal's watchful eye.
Josephine was about to step out to the garden for some air when she spotted Lorelei following behind Briana.
She instinctively looked at Gideon, who appeared surprised.
"This is a family dinner," she said coldly. "Is it appropriate for your mother to bring your secretary?"
Gideon turned to block her view of Lorelei. "I didn't expect Mom to do this. Maybe she felt lonely and wanted Lorelei's company."
"If your mother felt lonely, shouldn't her daughter-in-law be the one to keep her company?"
The legitimate daughter-in-law was right there being ignored while a secretary accompanied the mother-in-law. What would people think?
Gideon tried to pacify her. "Alright, I'll talk to Mom. Don't argue with her, and don't get upset."
With a gentle smile on his face, he walked over to Briana and Lorelei, but his words were ice-cold.
"Who said you could come?"
Lorelei felt a chill. "Your mother brought me."
Briana quickly defended her. "Gid, I brought her. She's carrying your child—she's part of the Getty family. Why shouldn't she attend the family dinner?"
Gideon looked down at his mother, his gaze frigid.
"Are you trying to make sure Jojo finds out? What good does forcing me to divorce do for you?"
"I wasn't—"
"Enough. I don't want to hear excuses." Gideon turned to Lorelei. "Stay away from Jojo. If she hears any rumors, I'll hold you responsible."
Despite Lorelei carrying his child, he showed no mercy.
Lorelei's face turned pale.
Briana wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say. She could only curse Josephine. "It's all that bitch's fault. I don't know what kind of spell she's cast on Gideon, but after all these years, he still can't let her go!"
Lorelei forced a smile.
Gideon returned to Josephine's side. "I've spoken to Mom. She won't do this again."
"I don't care if she's close to Lorelei, but she needs to consider the setting."
She and Gideon weren't divorced yet, and Briana had brought Lorelei to a family dinner—a clear slap in the face!
In the past, Josephine would have just let it go.
Now she wasn't about to take it.
"I know. It's my fault. Don't be angry."
Her temper had been getting worse lately.
But he was willing to indulge her.
With David gone, someone suggested dancing and played some music. The young people found their partners, and Gideon led Josephine onto the dance floor.
Josephine wasn't eager to dance with him, but when she turned her head, she caught Lorelei's jealous, hateful stare.
Suddenly, she changed her mind.