Chapter 51
Josephine and Kenneth are running themselves ragged.
Oscar's return was by invitation—joining the Getty Group should've been a done deal. Josephine and the others had already prepared a welcome ceremony, but for some reason, two days ago, he suddenly changed his mind.
And in the two days since, Oscar refuses to see anyone. He simply put out word—there'll be a project exchange meeting in half a month.
Even now, Josephine can't figure out why. Kenneth tries calling their mentor again, but no luck. "Still not going through."
Josephine pulled an all-nighter crunching data last night. Her back's killing her now.
"Then stop trying. Whatever our mentor's doing, he must have his reasons."
Cedric's call comes through.
"Josephine. My office. Now."
...
Cedric seems to have been waiting. His office door isn't even closed.
Josephine walks in, shutting the door behind her.
"Mr. Getty."
Cedric shows her a photograph.
It's the entrance to Oscar's current apartment. Someone's captured Gideon's back as he enters the building.
"Taken two days before Oscar put out that announcement."
It was supposed to run in a financial magazine, but Cedric bought it first.
If this photo gets published, it'll cause a shitstorm. News of Oscar and Gideon collaborating will spread like wildfire.
True or not doesn't matter. Publishing allegations isn't illegal.
Josephine considers this for a moment. "So my mentor suddenly changed his mind because Gideon went to see him. But what could Gideon have possibly said?"
At the banquet, Gideon and Lorelei had been dressed down by her mentor for their incompetence and practically thrown out.
How could they have won Oscar's favor so quickly?
Did they both go for advanced training or something?
Her mind's spinning wild theories when Cedric calmly states, "You shouldn't be asking me. You should be asking yourself. You're the person who knows him best in this world."
That comment snaps Josephine back to reality.
Oscar has already achieved fame, fortune, and honors in this lifetime. Those things can't move him anymore.
To make him change his mind, there's only one way.
Research. And not just any research—something world-shaking.
Josephine suddenly feels a crushing sense of urgency. But also confusion. "How could Gideon possibly complete a research project in half a month?"
Cedric reminds her, "Frank Baldwin."
Frank's a rising genius in the research world. Add Prometheus Laboratory's resources...
Actually, it's not impossible at all.
She shoots to her feet. "We need to accelerate our timeline. Now."
The GNRAS project has been progressing slowly. Originally, nobody was worried—quality work takes time. But they can't afford delays anymore.
Josephine returns to the lab and calls everyone together for a meeting.
After two hours, the entire team throws themselves back into work with renewed vigor.
That evening, Josephine's phone rings. She's so busy she doesn't check the number before answering.
It's Gideon.
"Do you know what time it is? Still haven't left work?"
"I'm busy working."
"I'm downstairs waiting for you."
Josephine rubs the bridge of her nose. "We're not even living together right now. Why are you waiting for me?"
"To drive you home."
"I have a car."
"I don't feel comfortable with you driving back alone." Gideon's voice gradually deepens. "Unless you think I've lost the right to pick up my wife from work?"
Josephine doesn't want a confrontation. Seeing it's almost 10 PM anyway, she relents. "Fine. I'll wrap up and head down."
After gathering her things and rushing downstairs, she spots his car parked nearby.
She gets in, rubbing her hands together.
Gideon naturally takes her hands in his, trying to warm them. Josephine starts to pull away, but suddenly, thinking of something, she restrains herself.
Gideon's pleased by her compliance. "Stay at Evercrest Manor with me tonight."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?"
Gideon starts the car, glancing at her questioningly.
"We're competitors right now. The Getty Group's project behind me is GNRAS. And you... You must have your own ace in the hole."
Gideon gives her a look somewhere between a smile and a smirk.
"So that's why you're being nice to me today. You're here fishing for information."
Josephine shrugs. "So will you tell me?"
"You're my wife. There's nothing I can't tell you." A red light appears ahead. Gideon brakes, bringing the car to a smooth stop.
"However, this particular matter is an exception."
"Then you might as well have said nothing." Complete waste of breath.
Gideon takes her hand, his tone loaded with meaning. "I don't dare tell you now. But if this were before..."
He doesn't doubt his former wife would never have betrayed him.
But now...
"Then definitely don't tell me. That way, when I'm in a bad mood, I won't accidentally leak your secrets." Josephine smiles tightly.
Gideon sighs. "Could you really bear to ruin your husband?"
"If this were before, of course not."
She's turned his own words back on him.
Gideon falls silent for a long moment before asking, "So what's the difference between us now and before?"
"How should I know?"
He should know damn well what the biggest difference is.
Josephine doesn't want to continue this pointless exchange. She closes her eyes and stops talking.
Gideon keeps hold of her hand, not allowing her to pull away.
Eyes closed, Josephine grits her teeth and bears it.
When the car finally stops at Clearwater Ridge, she practically bolts out—like escaping a cage.
"It's late. You should head back."
She tosses the words over her shoulder and hurries away.
Gideon takes a deep breath, sitting there for a long time. He truly doesn't want to compete against Josephine like this, but circumstances have forced them to this point.
Then again, thinking it through, this could work in his favor.
If he wins, Josephine will lose her value at Cedric's company. She won't be able to stay by Cedric's side.
Then she'll come home to him like a good girl.
Gideon's mood considerably lifts. So when Lorelei's call comes through, his tone isn't as cold.
"Got it. I'll be there in half an hour."
He gets back in the car and drives away.
...
Time flies. Half a month later.
The Getty Group's research department staff have been running themselves into the ground lately. Everyone's working insane overtime. Josephine included—she's been sleeping at the office for four or five days straight.
They've even laid out sleeping bags on the floor.
The last day of the two weeks arrives. GNRAS has been confirmed problem-free and is finally being implemented in hospitals again.
The moment the confirmation goes through, everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief.
Josephine drops into her chair like a stone. It's been forever since she's experienced this kind of brutal work schedule. Her thoughts are completely scrambled.
Her phone on the desk rings. She stares blankly into space, as if she hasn't heard it.
Kenneth comes over and glances at the screen. "It's our mentor calling."
That jolts Josephine upright. She hits accept.
Oscar asks, "I haven't contacted you or checked on your progress these past two weeks. Feeling confident?"
"Absolutely confident, Mr. Carter. Don't worry."
Josephine radiates certainty.
Oscar hums in acknowledgment. "Good. I'm very much looking forward to working with you all again. But you know me—I don't play favorites, I don't consider profit. Whether I end up in the same lab as you depends entirely on merit."
"Mr. Carter, don't worry. I'll definitely win you over to our side."
Josephine's like a sponge that's been dry for too long, desperate to soak up ocean-deep knowledge. And Oscar is a massive sponge in his own right.
He's the best person she could possibly learn from.