Chapter 56
"Impossible." Frank's first reaction was disbelief. "When Lorelei first brought this idea to me, it was just a rough concept—a core thought with no structure. Every data set after that, every calculation—my colleagues and I worked those out."
He grew more agitated as he spoke.
Anyone would react this way—pouring their heart and soul into research, only to be told it was built on stolen intellectual property.
"Just hold on. Hear me out."
Josephine completely understood his reaction, but some things had to be said.
She walked him through everything—how she'd resigned from the company, how the materials she'd left behind in her office had been taken by Lorelei.
Frank's expression tightened. "That doesn't prove anything. It just shows you two don't get along. It doesn't prove Lorelei took your work."
Josephine played the recording.
The audio captured Lorelei's provocative tirade in full.
After listening, Frank's face turned ugly. He couldn't reconcile the considerate woman they knew with someone capable of such vicious words.
"Now do you see? I'm not making baseless accusations. She admitted it herself."
Frank said nothing for a long time.
Josephine thought she'd planted seeds of doubt, but when he finally spoke again, his stubbornness was maddening.
"I still don't believe it. Technology's so advanced now—you can fake anything. Videos, audio recordings—AI can manufacture them at zero cost. Unless I hear her say those words with my own ears, I refuse to believe Lorelei could do something like this."
He stood and pulled money from his pocket, placing it on the table.
"Thanks for the coffee, but I'll pay for my own."
Watching him leave in a hurry, Josephine leisurely sipped her coffee.
She'd never expected Frank to turn on Lorelei immediately. She just needed to plant a seed of doubt in his mind.
And wait for that seed to take root.
……
When Frank returned to the research facility, he felt distracted. He checked on the project operations first—all the data looked normal.
Logically, with everything progressing so smoothly, he should feel relieved.
But whether it was Josephine's words affecting him or not, he couldn't relax at all.
He returned to his office to find Lorelei there.
She held a basket of fruit. "I know you've all been working late at the office lately, so I brought some fruit for everyone. You've been working so hard."
Her voice was identical to the one in the recording, yet the tone and words were completely different.
Hard to imagine those vicious remarks came from the same person.
Frank felt momentarily disoriented. "Thanks."
Lorelei noticed Frank's coldness. Usually, when she came by, he'd eagerly jump into discussions about project data.
Even though she understood none of it.
But she'd play along, offer emotional support.
Their relationship had developed rapidly—they'd become friends who could talk about anything.
How had things suddenly regressed overnight?
"Is there a problem with the project? If there's something you can't solve, just tell me. We can figure it out together."
Frank sat in his chair, head lowered. "No, everything's going smoothly."
He paused, then asked, "Lorelei, we built this project together—not just because it'll bring the company international recognition, but because this project can benefit humanity."
Which meant he absolutely wouldn't tolerate any problems with the project. Plagiarism, theft—those things could not be associated with their work.
Lorelei didn't quite follow but agreed with him anyway. "I understand completely. I'll work hard with you to make sure nothing goes wrong with the project."
Frank exhaled.
"Alright, I still have work to do. Take the fruit to the others."
"You need to take care of your health no matter how busy you are."
"Will do."
Lorelei left.
But unease gnawed at her. She happened to spot Frank's assistant passing by and quickly intercepted him. "What did Dr. Baldwin do today? He seems like he's in a bad mood."
"Dr. Baldwin went out today. I think he met with a friend, but I don't know who."
Lorelei let him go.
Whatever. It didn't matter what Frank heard or who he saw. The project had progressed this far—there was no way he could back out now.
……
While waiting for the old computer to be repaired, Josephine didn't sit idle. She had a newer laptop and logged into her account, checking cloud storage and online drives.
She searched everywhere she could think of, but found no records.
Now she could only hope the local backup on the old computer contained that file.
Before she knew it, she'd worked through the night staring at screens. Her eyes felt dry and raw.
She used eye drops, closed her eyes to rest briefly, then decided to go out for breakfast.
The moment she opened her door, she found Gideon standing outside, hand raised to ring the doorbell.
He held up a takeout bag.
"I know you've been busy lately. Worried you wouldn't have time for breakfast, so I brought you some."
Through the bag, she could see her favorite items inside.
Josephine wasn't touched. She blocked the doorway, not letting him in.
"I have money. I can buy my own breakfast."
"What you buy yourself and what I buy for you—how is that the same?" Gideon humbled himself to placate her. "Honey, stop being angry, okay? I'm apologizing. What happened before was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you for no reason."
Josephine regarded him coldly.
He continued, "I should have taken your side no matter what. Whatever you say, I should believe you. I swear to you, this is the last time. From now on, I'll trust you unconditionally."
"Then make Lorelei tell the truth."
Next time, later—all that was useless bullshit.
She understood now.
All promises about "later" were invisible, subject to change at any moment.
Only the present was real.
"If you want me to trust you, prove it."
"Things have already gotten to this point—can't you stop being so aggressive?" He spoke the cruelest words in the gentlest tone. "I promise you, there won't be a next time."
Josephine closed her eyes.
She probably never believed him in the first place. She didn't feel particularly disappointed now.
Josephine never ate that breakfast because Gideon's phone rang.
Her sharp eyes caught the name on the screen—Lorelei.
She shut the door. When she opened it again moments later, Gideon was gone.
The breakfast sat on the shoe cabinet by the door.
She tossed it in the trash.
Sophia called, saying she was sick. Josephine skipped breakfast entirely and rushed over.
Sophia lay in bed, running a fever.
"I'm taking you to the hospital."
Sophia waved weakly. "What hospital? I'm a doctor myself. I've just been pulling too many all-nighters, did a few major surgeries—my immune system's shot. Just get me some fever reducer, give me hot water, and... I want the porridge you make."
That's why she'd summoned Josephine over—she was dying for that comfort food.
Craving it desperately.
Josephine sighed helplessly and headed to the kitchen, only to discover there wasn't even oatmeal.
"You're something else, never cooking at home."
"I'm busy! Who has time?"
Josephine sighed. "I'll buy oatmeal and stock your fridge with some groceries while I'm at it. Get some rest."
"Okay."
With her best friend there, Sophia relaxed and quickly fell asleep.
Josephine grabbed her bag and headed out.
Two hours later, she returned loaded down with shopping bags. Just as she stepped off the elevator, she collided with someone. Items from both their hands scattered across the floor.
The other person landed hard on their butt while Josephine slammed into the elevator door.