Chapter 58
When Josephine came to, she was lying on a bed. A strange, sweet scent saturated the air. Her entire body felt weak—like she'd been through a serious illness. She couldn't summon an ounce of strength.
She tried to move. That's when she noticed.
Her clothes had been changed. She was now wearing a red, provocative nightgown.
Josephine sucked in a sharp breath and immediately checked herself over.
Thank God. Didn't seem like anything had happened.
The door opened.
A middle-aged woman walked in. When she spotted Josephine, she waved her hands.
She couldn't speak—only signed with frantic gestures.
Josephine couldn't understand a word. She tried communicating. "Who are you? Why am I here?"
The woman could only make single-syllable sounds, her hands flying through signs at lightning speed.
Josephine felt deflated.
She couldn't make out what the woman was trying to say. Even calling for help seemed impossible now.
The woman apparently realized communication was futile and stopped signing. Finally, she pointed at Josephine's nightgown, then at herself.
Josephine pieced it together. "You changed my clothes?"
This time, the woman's response was crystal clear.
She just nodded.
Before leaving, the woman gave Josephine a pitying look that sent ice down her spine.
She still had no strength in her body. If she'd been drugged, nearly ten minutes had passed since she woke up. The effects should've worn off by now.
Unless—
The dosage was continuous.
Josephine's gaze landed on the incense burning by the window.
Just then, the door opened again. Josephine struggled to lift her head toward the entrance. When she saw who it was, her heart sank like a stone to the bottom of a dark lake.
Aaron strolled in casually, stopping beside the bed to admire the body sprawled across it.
"You usually wear such baggy clothes, I couldn't tell. Turns out you've got an amazing figure."
Meeting Josephine's cold stare, Aaron licked his lips and leaned down, hands braced on either side of her. His gaze swept over her like a searchlight, taking in every inch.
"God, you drive me crazy. Every time I saw you trailing after Gideon... I wanted to ask you. What the hell does Gideon have that's so appealing? I thought he was some devoted romantic, but turns out he's just another shallow man who can't resist a pretty face. Is a guy like that really worth your devotion?"
"Worth it or not—none of your business."
Her gaze remained steady. Even in this position, she showed no panic. And definitely no intention of begging.
She actually wanted to negotiate with Aaron.
"I know you hate Gideon. Maybe we can work together."
Aaron looked intrigued. "Work together, how?"
"I know you've been going after Gideon. But you're no match for him."
Gideon was capable and ruthless. Not one of the Getty family's younger generation could touch him. As an illegitimate son, the fact that he'd climbed this high proved his strength.
The only person he feared was Cedric.
"Gideon and I were married for years. I know him inside and out. If you're willing to work with me, I can tell you his weaknesses. I can teach you how to take him down. Starlight Group will be yours eventually."
Such a massive promise—even Aaron felt tempted.
"What do you want from me?"
"Taking down Gideon is what I want."
"You really have the heart for that?"
He studied Josephine, as if trying to detect whether she was lying.
Josephine's voice dripped with mockery. "Have the heart? When he was screwing another woman, he never once considered whether he was breaking mine."
"What if I agree and you back out later? You're still married. What if you turn around and tell Gideon everything? Then I'm screwed."
Aaron rested his head on her shoulder, putting on a pitiful act.
Josephine frowned at him. "Could you not be so disgusting?"
Aaron let out a laugh and straightened up, no longer hiding the predatory hunger in his eyes. "Sure, we can work together. But I need to see your sincerity first."
Josephine's heart rate spiked—not from attraction, but tension. "Before that, I think you should show me your sincerity about working together."
"That sincerity would be..."
Aaron smiled wickedly. "Making you my woman. That way, you won't have any room to back out."
Full circle. Right back to square one.
Josephine closed her eyes and sighed. "So you're absolutely set on sleeping with me today?"
"Yes."
"Looks like I'm out of options," Josephine murmured, then shifted slightly. "If that's what you want, then take it."
Aaron's brow furrowed instead.
"It's just a body. If it means landing a devastating blow against Gideon, I'd say it's worth it."
She looked completely consumed by hatred.
But women like that were easiest to control. Aaron agreed readily. "Exactly. Once you become my woman today, we're on the same side. Gideon becomes our common enemy."
He leaned down to kiss Josephine.
Josephine turned her head away. Aaron's expression darkened.
"Can you untie my hands first? The rope's really hurting me."
Aaron glanced down—her wrists were already marked with welts. His expression softened slightly. As he untied the rope, he asked with a half-smile, "You're not planning to run, are you?"
"You've got that incense burning. Plus, the door's locked. How would I run?" Josephine rolled her eyes, turned over, and lay on the bed without any sign of resistance.
"Go ahead. Let's get this over with."
Aaron was speechless, but the beauty within reach was too tempting to give up. He pounced.
Josephine wrapped her arms around his neck, a seductive glint flickering in the corners of her eyes. "What's the rush? Some things are like waiting for a fresh pie to come out of the oven—pull it too early, and you'll ruin it."
Her fingertips traced slowly down from his shoulder.
"Being in a hurry isn't smart... Some things need to be savored. Get the rhythm right, and it feels way better."
Aaron had wanted her for so long. Instantly, he was utterly entranced, his mind going hazy.
"What do you want then?"
"I want..."
Josephine leaned close to his ear. A vicious flash crossed her eyes.
...
When Cedric tracked down the location, Gideon called.
"Why isn't Jojo answering her phone?" Gideon demanded.
"Your wife—you're asking me?"
Cedric hung up immediately and strode quickly toward the villa.
Please let him be in time.
In the living room, he found the middle-aged woman. She couldn't speak. Seeing a group of tall, imposing men storm in, she trembled in fear.
Cedric asked, "Where is this person?"
He pulled out a photo of Josephine.
The mute woman looked at it, then raised her hand and pointed upstairs.
Cedric led the group up.
The second floor had ten rooms total—five on each side.
Cedric didn't know which room held Josephine. But that didn't matter.
He'd just use the simplest, fastest method.
"Kick down every door."
"Yes, sir."
The sound of doors being kicked in echoed through the hall. After several thunderous crashes, every door stood open.
As Cedric passed one doorway, he stopped dead.
His eyes landed on the scene inside.
His jaw twitched.