Chapter 76
Luna froze. "I don't understand what you mean... I care about you, that's why I made breakfast. How could I feel tired about that?"
"You know that's not what I'm asking about."
Looking into his cold eyes, Luna's pulse quickened.
She liked him.
But she was also afraid of him.
There was something intimidating about Cedric that others didn't have—he was outstanding, but also dangerous.
She kept up her composed facade, but her hands gripped the thermal lunch box tightly.
"If you don't like it, I won't bring them anymore, but I really don't have any ulterior motives..."
"Get out."
Cedric's tone was unusually cold.
Luna bit her lip and got out of the car.
Watching the car drive away, she frowned slightly, feeling uneasy.
Could he have found out something?
……
When Josephine returned to the university, it felt like a lifetime ago.
She'd been away from academia for too long—watching these vibrant young students made her feel completely out of place.
She arrived at the lecture hall. Oscar wasn't there yet, but other students were filtering in.
Everyone was so young and energetic. Josephine found a seat by the window.
Oscar arrived shortly after.
When the class ended, two hours had passed.
Josephine found it incredibly enriching. The material Oscar covered was familiar to her, but hearing it again after six months felt completely different.
She packed her things and headed out for lunch, but was stopped at the school gate by a young man.
The guy looked around twenty, young and tall with bright, eager eyes.
"Hey, miss, could I get your number?"
Was she being hit on?
Josephine's lips twitched slightly—she was surprised, but also found it amusing.
"I don't really use my phone much."
It was a polite rejection, and the guy caught on.
"Don't worry, just an exchange of numbers. I won't bother you."
Josephine lowered her gaze. "Still no, sorry."
The guy persisted. "Why are you being so cold? We're just making friends."
As Josephine hesitated on how to refuse again, a black sedan slowly approached.
Cedric got out.
"Get in. I'm here to pick you up."
The moment he appeared, the guy fell silent, his gaze shifting between the two of them as if understanding something.
"So you already have a boyfriend... no wonder you wouldn't give me your number..."
He walked away dejectedly.
Josephine wanted to explain, but then thought it might be better to let the guy give up hope.
Still, facing Cedric made things somewhat awkward.
"Sorry, I..."
"Just get in."
He cut her off and turned to open the door.
After getting in, Josephine stole a glance at him.
He seemed to be in a good mood.
As they drove away, Cedric glanced at the rearview mirror, where a Bugatti was reflected, lurking quietly by the roadside.
Inside the Bugatti.
Gideon watched the scene coldly, then spoke after a moment. "Drive."
"Mr. Getty, where to?"
"Sunset Apartments."
The driver responded and started the car.
Sunset Apartments—where Lorelei lived.
Seeing Gideon arrive, Lorelei was thrilled, her enthusiasm mixed with careful caution.
"Mr. Getty, you haven't visited me lately. Have you been too busy with work?"
She welcomed Gideon inside, pouring water and helping with his coat.
Gideon sat on the sofa and rubbed his temples. "You mentioned wanting to study at Summit University. I checked out the campus today—the environment seems decent..."
Hearing this, Lorelei felt happy. She thought Gideon wouldn't agree.
After all, he'd rejected the idea immediately before.
But Gideon's next words were: "Why the sudden interest in studying research?"
Lorelei's eyes flickered. "I want to help you. Though I had some understanding of research before, it wasn't much. Maybe I'll never become as brilliant as Mrs. Getty, but at least I don't want to make the same mistakes as last time..."
She attributed the plagiarism to copying mistakes.
Gideon couldn't be bothered to call her out. "Start classes tomorrow."
"You really agreed?" Though he'd flatly refused before, Lorelei was puzzled despite her happiness. "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Gideon countered, "Don't want to go?"
"I do, I do. If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask."
Lorelei didn't dare ask further.
Gideon stood and strode toward the door.
In the blink of an eye, Gideon had reached the doorway, leaving only one sentence floating in the air.
"I'll drive you tomorrow."
Lorelei felt pleased. He offered to drive her himself... was this some kind of territorial declaration?
……
The next morning, Josephine drove herself to campus, parked some distance away, and walked in. At the school entrance, she spotted the familiar Bugatti.
She frowned slightly and pretended not to notice.
But Gideon got out and opened the passenger door. Lorelei stepped out.
"Mr. Getty, thank you for driving me."
Gideon made a noncommittal sound, but his gaze shifted past Lorelei's shoulder to meet Josephine's eyes.
Josephine looked away and headed into the campus.
Gideon clenched his jaw slightly.
Sensing something was off, Lorelei turned to look but saw nothing.
"Mr. Getty?"
Gideon narrowed his eyes. "Go in."
Why did he suddenly become so cold?
Lorelei couldn't figure it out, but the fact that he drove her to campus was good progress.
She walked away, turning back every few steps.
Entering the classroom and seeing Josephine, she wasn't surprised at all—she even actively went over to greet her.
"Hello there, Ms. Kennedy."
There weren't many students in the classroom yet, just scattered groups. Josephine looked up at her. "Why do you keep haunting me like a ghost?"
Lorelei hadn't expected such bluntness and was stunned for a moment before forcing a smile. "How is that haunting? You can attend lectures here, and so can I. No one said I couldn't come, right?"
"Then go listen to your lecture and stop bothering me."
Josephine's attitude was exceptionally cold.
Lorelei gritted her molars and found a seat, her gaze covertly settling on Josephine.
Word was that during Oscar's teaching stint, he planned to hold an academic symposium. Those who gained his favor at the symposium could become his students.
Though not his 'final and most important disciple,' just having any connection with Oscar—even as a nominal student—would give her enough leverage for marrying into the Getty family.
At lunch, Josephine went to the cafeteria, got her food, and sat by the window. Lorelei appeared from nowhere and sat across from her.
Josephine frowned. No matter how delicious the food was, facing Lorelei made it taste like cardboard.
She picked up her tray to leave, but Lorelei said, "Mrs. Getty, you seem quite afraid of me—running away the moment you see me."
It was reverse psychology.
Of course, Josephine knew. She slowly sat back down. "What about you is worth being afraid of?"
Her gaze assessed Lorelei.
"If anyone should be afraid, it should be you afraid of me. After all, I'm not the one doing something as immoral as interfering in someone else's marriage."
Lorelei didn't care about any of this—she felt no shame and even smiled. "Don't be angry, Mrs. Getty. Actually, I'm doing this for you and Mr. Getty's own good. You can't have children, your marriage is on shaky ground. I'm helping you, really."
Josephine stared at her expressionlessly.
"Does Gideon know you say these things?"
"You don't need to threaten me with Mr. Getty. Actually, I didn't come here today to discuss that. I wanted to ask, Mrs. Getty—instead of going to work at the company, you come here to attend lectures. Are you hoping Prof. Carter will take you as a student?"
Does she need to be 'taken'... she already was one.
Josephine couldn't be bothered to explain further. "How is that any of your business?"
"I wanted to tell Mrs. Getty something." Lorelei leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Whether it's being Prof. Carter's student or being Gideon's wife, both positions will definitely be mine."