Chapter 33
Before dinner, Oscar called Josephine into his study. The mentor and student talked for over an hour, and no one knew exactly what was said.
When Josephine emerged, she seemed distracted.
Kenneth, concerned, asked, "The professor didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
Josephine shook her head, leaning against the wall. "He wants me to take over his position."
"That's great news!"
"Do you think I can handle it?"
Kenneth's smile faltered as realization dawned. "Josephine, you've lost confidence in yourself."
Josephine remained silent. He was right.
"Six months ago, I gave up my research work," she finally said. "Back then, I was so confident. I thought I could put it down and pick it up whenever I wanted. I thought after having a baby, I could just continue my research..."
She and Gideon had never been in sync. Gideon wanted her to focus on family, not work. Meanwhile, she had hoped to use these six months to conceive, easing the Getty family's pressure for an heir while giving Gideon the child she knew he wanted.
No matter how convincingly Gideon talked, she'd never fully believed him. And she'd been right.
For six months, she'd tried to conceive. All while Gideon was trying to have a child with another woman. Ridiculous.
Now, after just half a year, she felt like she'd lost her former self.
"But you already agreed to Mr. Getty's proposal. Doesn't that show you still have the same determination as before?" Kenneth's voice was soft, almost gentle.
Josephine stared at the ceiling. "It's not the same."
One was a desperate gamble—succeed or die trying. The other meant starting over, picking up the pieces she'd dropped along the way. She lacked confidence, afraid of failing.
"Josephine, do you know what I thought the first time I saw you?" Kenneth suddenly changed the subject.
"The first time you saw me... was in the professor's office."
"No." Their first encounter was much earlier than Josephine remembered. "Remember that debate competition in college? The professor sent you to participate. I was sitting in the audience."
No matter how much time passed, Kenneth would never forget the impact of that moment. Josephine stood on stage, the youngest participant, facing aggressive opponents without fear. She dismantled their arguments with crystal-clear logic.
It was a brilliant debate. Kenneth wasn't good with words. He most admired those who could speak well and present arguments so logically that they were impossible to refute.
"I remember thinking: that girl is incredible."
"I wasn't that impressive," Josephine finally recalled the event—her first debate competition. Nervous and scared, she'd even crushed a mint candy between her teeth before going on stage.
But the feeling of accomplishment when she won was unforgettable.
"Josephine, before you went on stage, were you completely confident you'd win?"
Josephine paused.
"No one can be certain of victory before they begin. But victory is created by people. I believe if you've done it once, you can do it again."
"I get it now." Josephine felt like a fog had lifted. "You're right. I should have more faith in myself. Even if I don't believe in myself, I should trust the professor's judgment."
"That's more like it. Why would I make this request if I didn't believe in you?" Oscar pushed open the study door. No one knew how long he'd been listening from inside.
His face beamed with pride. "You two are my final and most important disciples—my most exceptional students. I hope from now on, you'll support each other and go far in the scientific community. Create more research that benefits humanity. No matter how far you go or how many years pass, never forget why you started."
Josephine and Kenneth exchanged glances. "Message received, Mr. Carter."
---
That evening, Oscar was in such high spirits that he opened several bottles of wine at dinner, insisting that Josephine and Kenneth drink with him.
Oscar could hold his liquor. His students? Not so much. They were both down for the count halfway through.
When Cedric walked in, he found three drunk people. He quietly stepped back, double-checking the door number. Nope, right place.
Noah used all his strength to carry the babbling Oscar to his room, then returned for Kenneth.
As for Josephine... Cedric had been standing in front of her, staring for quite some time.
Noah pretended not to notice. Was Mr. Getty falling for Josephine? The Getty family would have a scandal on their hands.
Cedric tapped Josephine's shoulder. "Wake up."
No response.
He gently poked her forehead. Josephine's head tilted to the side like a bobblehead doll, then bounced back. He poked again. She tilted, then straightened. Another poke. Another tilt.
Until Noah couldn't take it anymore: "Mr. Getty, drunk people tend to throw up."
Cedric's finger froze mid-air. "Take her upstairs."
As Noah approached, Cedric changed his mind. "Never mind. Go get some rest."
Noah nodded and headed for the door, inexplicably glancing back. Just in time to see their famously woman-avoiding boss scoop Josephine into his arms!
Noah nearly popped his eyeballs out of their sockets before making a hasty escape from the dangerous apartment.
"Put me down."
Suddenly Josephine stirred in his arms. Cedric looked down to find her eyes open but unfocused. She seemed to see him—or maybe she didn't see him at all.
"Taking you to your room to rest."
Cedric started up the stairs.
Josephine suddenly covered her mouth, about to throw up.
Cedric hesitated for a split second, then quickly turned around, heading back downstairs and setting her on the floor. He stepped back several paces.
Josephine tilted her head, looking at him, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Chicken! You're afraid I'll puke on you, aren't you? Haha!"
Her eyes crinkled with laughter. Before Cedric could react, she took off running.
By the time he caught up, Josephine was already in the snow. Everything was white except for her bright red sweater. She was cupping snow in her hands, her fingertips turning white from cold.
"Snow!"
Drunk Josephine was acting like a child. Cedric frowned, taking off his coat and draping it over her shoulders. At this rate, she'd definitely catch a cold. "Come back inside with me."
"Eat this!"
Josephine offered him a handful of snow. Cedric looked at the snow and her reddening fingertips beneath it, quietly brushing the snow away.
"Aren't you cold?"
"Cold..." Josephine suddenly shivered, her eyes closing as she started to collapse into the snow.
This time, Cedric was quick enough to catch her by the waist.
After an exhausting battle of wits, he finally got her back to her room, standing by the bed with a sigh of relief. This was more tiring than negotiating a billion-dollar deal.
He looked at Josephine sleeping peacefully on the bed, slowly reaching out to brush aside the hair covering her face. "Josephine, are you really drunk?"
She didn't answer, continuing to sleep soundly.
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "Josephine, were you at Paper Moon Bar three years ago?"