Chapter 37
The atmosphere in the room turned decidedly awkward. Lorelei covered her mouth in surprise. "So Mrs. Getty resigned to join the Getty Group?"
Gideon's expression remained ice-cold.
Josephine glanced at Lorelei. "How do you know about that too?"
Lorelei laughed uncomfortably. But she'd achieved her goal, so she didn't mind being called out.
---
Josephine turned to Frank. "Have you made your decision yet?"
"Not yet." Frank made no effort to hide his thinking. In his view, before committing to anything, a person should explore all options to find the best fit.
"Then it seems we'll have a fair competition," Josephine said.
Gideon's lips curved slightly. "Do you and I really need to compete?" His words carried an intimate undertone.
Josephine remained composed. "Of course we do. After all, you represent Starlight Group, while I represent the Getty Group." She seemed to draw an invisible line between them.
Gideon's smile tightened as he settled onto the sofa, crossing his legs elegantly. "Then why don't you tell us what you bring to the table?"
Ignoring Gideon's intimidating question, Josephine looked at Frank with sincere eyes. "Mr. Baldwin, what the Getty Group offers isn't just some cold position, but a partnership to create the future together."
"First, autonomy. We have an independent lab without excessive rules. You'll report directly to me. Project direction, team building, funding—we decide together with a cooperation agreement, not an employment contract."
"Second, shared success. The intellectual property you develop belongs to you and your team. Getty only gets priority investment and commercialization rights. We'll negotiate a profit-sharing ratio you'll be thrilled with."
"Third, long-term vision. I know your ideas look ten or twenty years ahead. Starlight might obsess over quarterly reports, but at Getty, I promise a long-term fund free from short-term profit pressure to support your wildest ideas. What truly changes the world is unfettered freedom."
Her conditions targeted exactly what top talent values most: freedom, respect, and long-term security.
Frank's eyes lit up. "This is incredibly attractive—I'm almost convinced."
Just then, Gideon let out a soft laugh, his deep voice carrying a chill. "Josephine offers you an ideal. I can give you utopia."
He laid down an irresistible bargaining chip. "Starlight Group just acquired all patents and the core team of Celestia's 'Prometheus Laboratory.' I know your biggest technical bottleneck is in the synthesis process of new materials. Prometheus has the world's most cutting-edge solution."
Frank's expression instantly changed. This was his research's biggest hurdle—a hardcore problem that money and autonomy couldn't solve quickly.
"Join Starlight, and the Prometheus Laboratory with all its patent data becomes your welcome gift. Plus, I'll fast-track you into the 'National Advanced Talent Program,' giving you and your team the highest level of policy support and tax breaks."
Gideon leaned forward, his tone carrying undeniable authority. "Some resources can only be mobilized from my position. Ideals are important, but breaking technical barriers requires absolute power. And this," he glanced at Josephine's slightly pale face, "I can afford. Others, for now, cannot."
The struggle on Frank's face was evident. Josephine's conditions were perfect, but Gideon offered a stairway to heaven—an instant breakthrough.
Finally, Frank looked at Josephine apologetically. "Ms. Kennedy, I'm sorry."
Gideon nodded with satisfaction, stood to adjust his suit, and extended his hand. "Pleasure doing business, Dr. Baldwin."
"Likewise."
But at an angle Frank couldn't see, Gideon's gaze swept over Josephine.
With matters settled, Josephine had no reason to stay. She left the hotel with Aiden and the others.
Standing in the sunlight, Aiden said, "Looks like Starlight really went all out this time."
"He's not a fool," Lorelei said. Her brother had been fired, and Gideon had surely discovered the lab's shortcomings. With his personality, if he didn't understand something, he'd find someone more qualified to manage it.
"Let's head back," Josephine said. She had done her homework before coming today, but hadn't anticipated Gideon acquiring Prometheus—an offer no scientific genius could refuse.
As they were about to get in the car, a matte black Bugatti approached from a distance, showing no signs of stopping as it neared them.
Aiden's face turned pale with fear.
Josephine watched the car without moving, only reaching out to push Aiden away.
Aiden landed on his backside, only to see the Bugatti stop perfectly in front of Josephine.
Gideon stepped out of the car. "As expected of my wife. You've got nerve." He glanced disdainfully at Aiden and waved his hand. "Get lost."
Aiden stood up, his face red with anger. "How can you be such a jerk! You deliberately tried to scare us with your car. Have you no decency?"
"You want to lecture me about decency?" Gideon's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Josephine said, "Aiden, go back first."
"Josephine..."
"Go back."
Aiden left reluctantly, looking back repeatedly. He couldn't help worrying that Gideon was a madman Josephine couldn't handle.
Without Cedric's number, he could only rush back to the company.
At the entrance, Noah stopped him. "Whatever it is, wait until after the meeting. Mr. Getty is busy right now."
"Can't wait!" Aiden bit his lip and shouted desperately, "This is a life-or-death matter! Mr. Getty, please come out—someone's life is on the line!"
Noah couldn't cover his mouth in time as the conference room door opened.
Cedric walked out. "Whose life am I saving?"
---
In the parking garage, they were alone except for a few scattered cars.
Josephine looked at Gideon's expressionless face. "What do you really want to say?"
Gideon frowned. "Why did you join the Getty Group?"