Chapter 59
"Your body's having a pretty severe rejection reaction. Plus, this looks like an allergic response. We don't know what's in that incense, so we can't identify the allergen yet. Best I can do is prescribe medication and start treatment."
The doctor examined Josephine and found small red bumps scattered across her back—tiny dots clustered together. No pain, no itching.
But she'd been running a fever.
Classic allergic reaction.
After getting the prescription, Josephine let Cedric help her to the door.
She looked up and locked eyes with Gideon.
Gideon's expression was dark as storm clouds, like thunder was about to roll. Just when Josephine thought he'd explode, a slow smile crept across his face.
"You came to the hospital and didn't tell me?"
He walked over and took Josephine from Cedric's support, pulling her securely into his arms. "I'm your husband. You shouldn't be troubling Cedric."
He looked at Cedric with a polite smile.
"Thanks for looking after my wife."
Cedric ignored him and turned to Josephine. "Need me to take you home?"
Josephine understood what he meant and was happy to play along.
"I'd appreciate a ride from Cedric."
Gideon grabbed her wrist, voice dropping to a warning. "Jojo..."
"Why are you at the hospital?" Josephine asked.
Gideon paused. "To pick you up, obviously."
Josephine smiled slightly. "You sure about that?"
"Of course."
"Then come with me."
Gideon's lips curved. "Alright."
Josephine walked slowly toward the exit. Passing the OB-GYN department, her steps faltered. "Gideon, doesn't that person look familiar?"
Lorelei sat in a chair. Seeing Gideon, she immediately stood up.
But when she spotted Josephine, she approached with a smile. "Mrs. Getty, what brings you to the hospital?"
"What brings you here? To the OB-GYN, no less."
Lorelei glanced at Gideon's expressionless face. "I wasn't feeling well, came for a checkup. Didn't expect to run into Mr. Cedric Getty and Mrs. Getty here."
She was certainly playing along.
Sneaking around at this level was honestly pathetic.
Josephine couldn't figure out what she was after. "You came to the hospital alone?"
"No, my boyfriend was with me originally."
Gideon shot Lorelei a warning look.
Lorelei pretended not to notice. "But he spotted someone he knew just now. Went to say hello. Asked me to wait here."
Gideon's voice dropped. "Enough. You're not feeling well—don't stand around talking. Let's go home."
He moved to support Josephine.
Josephine let him. "Sure. Ms. Kelly, I hope your boyfriend comes back soon. Leaving your girlfriend alone at the hospital like this? Pretty irresponsible."
Lorelei's smile stiffened. "Mrs. Getty is absolutely right. I'll definitely have a talk with him later. Make sure he stays by my side every day."
Watching them leave, Lorelei bit down hard and dialed Aaron's number.
"Mr. Aaron Getty, what the hell kind of job did you do? You had the perfect opportunity and still failed?"
"Who are you to lecture me? What gives you the right? Who the hell are you?"
Aaron didn't play along at all. "Don't think I don't know what game you're playing. You want Cedric? Get him yourself. I'm not your stepping stone, and you have zero right to preach at me."
Lorelei couldn't afford to provoke this arrogant, rich brat.
"Mr. Aaron Getty, you've misunderstood. I'm not trying to lecture you. I'm worried for you. At the hospital, I saw Mr. Cedric Getty... Both Mr. Gettys were with her. At this rate, do you really think you'll ever get a chance?"
The breathing on the other end grew heavier.
Lorelei's lips curved. "I'm just looking out for you. You say you're devoted to Mrs. Getty, but there are two guys blocking your path. I just think—this attempt failed, sure, but maybe you could use this situation to make Mrs. Getty come to you on her own."
She spoke cryptically enough, but the vicious intent was crystal clear.
Aaron let out a soft laugh. "You're pretty damn toxic."
He hung up.
Lorelei stared at her phone, expression shifting between light and shadow.
No matter what, Gideon couldn't find out about this. She had to stay completely removed from the situation.
...
When Josephine was hospitalized, Kenneth, Aiden, and the others came to visit.
Emma brought a mountain of fruit. "Seriously, out of nowhere—what a nightmare. Josephine, you must've been terrified. Make sure you rest up properly."
Josephine shook her head. "It's nothing. I'll be back at work in a couple of days."
"Your health comes first," Kenneth said.
"Don't worry, I've got it under control."
Aiden couldn't wait any longer. "What actually happened? Where have you been these past two days? Your phone wouldn't connect—we couldn't reach you. Everyone was losing their minds."
Some things couldn't be said. Josephine could only give a vague answer. "Just ran into some trouble. Nothing serious. Don't stress about it."
If she wouldn't talk, they couldn't force it out of her.
The three gave up.
Just as they were about to leave, Aaron showed up.
Josephine's expression went cold the moment she saw him.
Aaron grinned like nothing had ever happened between them. "Came to see you! Josephine, heard you were sick. Brought you fruit—imported stuff. Try some."
Josephine wouldn't even glance at what he brought. "Thanks, but take your stuff with you. I don't eat fruit."
Her rejection was so obvious that even the other three could see it.
Though they didn't know why, Kenneth stood unconditionally on her side.
"Sorry, but she needs to rest now."
Kenneth blocked Aaron's line of sight. Man to man, he picked up on something hidden in Aaron's gaze—a more blatant sense of predation.
Aaron's smile widened. "Looks like someone's willing to stand up for you, Josephine. Your charm hasn't faded one bit."
Aiden might've been oblivious most of the time, but even he caught the mocking edge in that. "Sir, the patient needs rest. If you want to visit, maybe come back another day."
The three of them blocked the doorway like guardian statues. Aaron couldn't even catch a glimpse of Josephine's shadow. He had no choice but to back down. "Fine. I'll come back another time."
He called out loudly, "Josephine, see you!"
He was doing it on purpose.
Josephine looked down, pretending she hadn't heard.
Aaron left.
Emma frowned. "That guy talks so weirdly. I get bad vibes—definitely not a good person."
Josephine glanced at her. Pretty accurate read.
Aiden rubbed his chin, feeling like he was missing something.
Kenneth looked worried. "After we leave, he won't come back, will he?"
"He won't. I'll tell the nurses not to let him in."
"Good. Rest up. We're heading out."
Emma and Kenneth turned to leave. Aiden stayed behind, deep in thought.
"Let's go!"
Aiden slapped his thigh. "I remember now! That guy looked so familiar because I've seen him before—at the restaurant across from the Starlight Group Building!"
"But he wasn't alone then. He was with Gideon's secretary."
Josephine's brow twitched. "Lorelei Kelly?"
"Yes! That's the name!"