Chapter 80
Cedric heard the crash and yanked the door open to find Josephine crouching down in a panic, grabbing at the broken porcelain shards. The sharp edges made his brow twitch.
He gently pulled her upright. "Leave it. The staff can handle it later."
Josephine made a noncommittal sound, her fingertips stained with a bit of the spilled soup. Cedric pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her fingers clean, his gaze sweeping across her tense expression.
"I thought you said you'd never been to Paper Moon Bar?"
Josephine's mind raced. She cleared her throat. "My professor did invite me to go, but I ended up going to the library instead."
"You sure about that?"
After cleaning the soup from Josephine's fingers, Cedric released her hand and methodically folded the soiled handkerchief.
His question only deepened her unease. Had he discovered something?
She decided to gamble.
"I'm sure. I don't like bars. Too loud and chaotic for my taste..."
A complete lie. She actually enjoyed going out...
Cedric made a noncommittal sound, his lips quirking as he studied her. "Funny thing—I was at a bar three years ago, too. Met a very... unforgettable woman."
Josephine nearly choked on her own spit.
"Is... is that so..."
She stole a glance at Cedric. His words felt loaded with meaning, as if directed specifically at her...
"Unfortunately, she was rather cunning. Disappeared without leaving so much as a phone number." Cedric's tone turned wistful. "I've been searching for her for three years."
Josephine forced herself to sound casual. "Why would you search for her? Did she steal something?"
"She did." Cedric actually nodded.
Josephine remembered that morning crystal clear—getting Oscar's frantic call, rushing out in a panic. She'd only taken her coat and purse, nothing else.
This was slander. Absolute slander!
Her panic evaporated, replaced by a surge of indignation. She smiled without warmth. "What did she steal?"
But Cedric wouldn't say. "That's classified."
Josephine nearly choked on her frustration. "Well, that person sounds absolutely terrible. To steal from you, Mr. Getty—you should definitely find her and report her to the police. Teach her a lesson."
Let 'her' learn what happens when you can't resist a pretty face. What you get for drunkenly flirting with a handsome guy and ending up not only compromised but branded a thief.
Cedric nodded seriously. "Good point. Once I catch her, I'll make sure she learns her lesson."
He suddenly fixed his gaze on Josephine, eyes narrowing.
"You're absolutely certain you never went to Paper Moon Bar?"
Josephine's mouth twitched, but she doubled down. "Completely certain. I never go to bars."
Cedric turned and went back into the room. Oscar lay on the bed, eyes closed, apparently asleep. Cedric tapped his shoulder. Oscar's eyes fluttered open groggily.
Cedric asked him, "You just said Josephine went to Paper Moon Bar, correct?"
Josephine's heart leaped into her throat.
Oscar blinked in confusion, looking between Cedric and Josephine. He was so drunk he didn't even recognize them.
"Who are you people? Why are you in my house?"
Cedric pressed his lips together. "You haven't answered my question."
"I don't know. Stop asking me."
Oscar waved them off irritably until he'd shooed both of them out of his room, finally settling down to sleep.
Cedric stared at the closed door, brow furrowed.
Josephine turned her head to hide a smirk, clearing her throat to console him. "Don't be too disappointed. You can't trust anything a drunk person says. His brain's completely scrambled right now. Good thing you asked me instead—if you'd asked Kenneth, my professor probably would've said he went to the bar too."
Cedric's expression stiffened. He sighed deeply. "Seems I was overthinking it."
Finally!
The knot of anxiety in Josephine's chest finally loosened and settled back where it belonged. This battle of wits had left her mentally exhausted.
"It's getting late. You should get some rest."
Oscar had set aside a room for her, fully stocked with toiletries. She entered, closed the door, and locked it behind her.
Josephine leaned against the door, patting her chest.
That was close. She'd almost blown her cover. Thank God she'd mentioned this to Oscar before, and thank God drunk Oscar hadn't forgotten his promise to keep her secret.
If Cedric discovered she was that woman... Josephine couldn't suppress a shiver.
She could only hope he'd never find out.
The night deepened.
The balcony on the other side belonged to Cedric's room. He sat in a rocking chair, gaze directed toward Josephine's balcony.
Curtains blocked his view, and the moonlight attempting to filter through.
His phone screen showed: Call in Progress.
Noah's voice came through. "Mr. Getty, I found viable surveillance footage. I've sent it to your phone."
"Good."
He ended the call and opened the video.
Judging by the angle, it was from a restaurant diagonally across from Paper Moon Bar. The image quality was somewhat dated and grainy, but clear enough to identify the people on screen.
Josephine and Kenneth.
The two entered the bar together. Then came footage from 7:00 AM.
Josephine burst out in a panic, hair disheveled, practically running.
The timing matched perfectly.
Cedric smiled faintly, taking a sip of wine. There was now a 99% chance that the woman had been Josephine.
His most admired LiLa.
The remaining 1%... would be her denials.
...
After a dreamless night, Josephine crawled out of bed to the sound of her stomach growling. The moment she stepped into the living room, she caught the aroma wafting from the kitchen.
She wandered over to find Cedric, of all people, cooking.
He wore an apron that clashed hilariously with both his personality and status, moving through the kitchen with complete composure as he prepared breakfast.
Josephine leaned against the doorframe, sniffing appreciatively. "Didn't know you had this skill."
The food smelled pretty amazing, too.
Cedric didn't turn around as he plated the eggs and bacon. "It's not exactly difficult."
In his world, nothing seemed to be difficult. It was something Josephine both admired and envied. If she had that kind of confidence, she wouldn't have spent years still unable to finalize her divorce.
Cedric glanced at her thoughtfully, placing the fried eggs on a plate and handing it to her. "If there's something you want to accomplish, you don't necessarily have to do it yourself. Choosing powerful backing isn't shameful."
He took two glasses of milk and headed toward the dining room.
Josephine stood there holding the plate, bewildered. His words felt strange, almost like he was suggesting she could rely on someone more powerful.
Rely on whom? Cedric?
Oscar came downstairs then. Josephine shook off her wandering thoughts and went to breakfast before Oscar could call for her.
After eating, Josephine prepared to leave.
"I'll drive you."
Cedric grabbed his coat from the sofa and left with Josephine.
When they reached downtown, Josephine had him stop the car.
"I'm visiting an elder. Need to pick up some things from the supermarket. You can drop me here."
Cedric nodded, watching her get out. He checked the time. "I have a meeting this morning, but I'm free this afternoon. If you need anything, call me, and I'll... have my driver pick you up."
He'd almost said 'I'll come get you' but changed his mind at the last second, not wanting to spook her.
"Okay."
Josephine agreed verbally but had zero intention of actually calling him.
She went to the mall to pick out a gift, then retrieved her car from the repair shop and headed to Pinecrest Hills.
Ten minutes later, she pulled up in front of a villa.
Anissa stood at the entrance looking out expectantly. The moment she spotted Josephine, she hurried over in her slippers. "You're here! I've missed you so much lately. My son's always busy with work and hardly visits. I don't even have anyone to talk to."
She pulled Josephine into the living room, where the coffee table was laden with snacks popular with young people.
"I didn't know what you'd like, so I had them prepare a bit of everything..."
Anissa's enthusiasm was almost overwhelming. Josephine quickly pulled out her gift—a silver pendant she'd bought. Not too expensive, but with good symbolic meaning.
"This is for you."
Anissa beamed with delight, clutching the pendant like she couldn't bear to put it down. "How thoughtful! But next time you visit, don't bring gifts. We might end up being family anyway."
Josephine blinked. "What?"
Anissa smiled mysteriously. "You sit tight. I've got a cake baking in the kitchen—made it myself."
She hurried into the kitchen and pulled out her phone, dialing Cedric's number.
"Cedric, get over here right now!"