Chapter 89
Why did that sound so passive-aggressive? Being randomly snarked at put Josephine in a bad mood, too. "What else am I supposed to do? Tag along on your dates like some third wheel?"
Cedric's hand, resting on the railing, paused slightly. Even the stunning scenery couldn't improve his mood. He took a deep breath. "Are you still not feeling well?"
Josephine blinked. Why had he suddenly switched to concern about her health?
Unable to figure it out, she instinctively shook her head.
Cedric's lips curved into a meaningful smile. "Good. Then let's get back to work."
Josephine instantly forgot all those complicated feelings, trudging back miserably to work.
She stayed busy all afternoon. Who knew where Cedric had dug up so much material and so many documents? Processing them one by one had her eyes crossing.
By evening, she was absolutely starving.
It dawned on her belatedly—Cedric was punishing her, wasn't he? His date hadn't gone well, so he was taking it out on her. Couldn't stand seeing her carefree.
Unbelievable!
Unfortunately, Josephine's stomach wasn't cooperating, growling incessantly. When Cedric walked in with dinner, she almost didn't find him quite so hateful anymore.
The moment Cedric finished setting out the food, she was already eating with her utensils.
...She really was starving.
After finishing dinner, Josephine wanted to keep working, but Cedric said, "It's getting late. Let's call it a day."
Josephine immediately slumped over the table. After working all afternoon, her back was stiff as a board.
She shot Cedric a glare—and got caught in the act. "Got a complaint?"
"Nope." Josephine straightened, her expression serious. "You pay well, the bonuses are generous, and overtime isn't unpaid. What could I possibly complain about?"
Her words might sound good, but her eyes told a different story. She was unhappy and had complaints. Cedric's lips quirked. "This was punishment."
"What did I do wrong to deserve punishment?" Josephine was baffled. He went on a date, she got out of the way—how thoughtful was that!
Cedric snorted and walked away.
Josephine had no idea what she'd done wrong. That night, tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, suddenly it hit her.
Could it be... he didn't like Luna?
If it were her, being set up with someone she didn't like, she'd definitely be annoyed too.
But did Cedric really need to take it out on her? It wasn't like she'd invited Luna.
...
"Cedric."
Cedric had just left Josephine's room when Luna's voice called from behind. He turned to find her smiling at him.
She was quite beautiful, with real elegance—a completely different type from Josephine.
But looking at her, Cedric felt oddly detached. He realized he preferred Josephine's smile.
Straightforward, with no hidden agenda.
"Want to grab a late-night snack together?" Luna invited warmly. "They have your favorite steak here. I heard there's piano music tonight too—your favorite Mozart..."
"Luna, didn't I tell you I don't appreciate people making assumptions?"
Cedric cut her off, his expression cold and distant.
Luna's smile gradually faded. She said softly, "Did Josephine say something to you?"
"This has nothing to do with her."
Cedric's expression remained neutral, but his eyes were unfathomable. Being watched by him created a strange pressure, making people afraid to speak—afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Luna asked carefully, "Did I do something to upset you?"
"You're not her."
Cedric didn't like being this blunt. He preferred dealing with intelligent people. Unfortunately, the world had more fools than anything, so sometimes you had to spell things out.
"I knew from the start you weren't."
The color drained from Luna's face, panic flickering in her eyes. "Then why didn't you expose me right away?"
Cedric walked toward her. The oppressive presence made Luna unconsciously retreat until her back hit the cold wall. Nowhere left to go.
She looked up at him. His proximity didn't make her heart flutter—instead, she felt afraid.
"Because I wanted to see who was behind you." Cedric's voice was low. "Go back and tell them not to pull these cheap tricks on me."
He turned and left.
In that moment, Luna actually felt relieved. She feared Cedric, but his appearance, abilities, and background held an irresistible attraction.
Luna slid down the wall to sit on the floor, pulling out her phone to dial an unfamiliar number.
When the call connected, she spoke—only to discover her voice was hoarse.
"I failed."
"Didn't he let you stay by his side?" A low male voice came through, tinged with confusion. "I gave you the date, time, and room number. You still couldn't seal the deal?"
Luna bit her lip, remembering Cedric's expression earlier—still shaken. "I just couldn't. You know better than I do what your cousin is like."
"Useless. Since you failed, you only get 30% of the payment."
Luna clenched her teeth. "Fine."
She deeply felt that if this continued, she might not live long enough to spend even that 30%.
In another room, Aaron hung up just as a servant came in with food.
"Mr. Getty, dinner's ready."
Aaron swept all the dishes onto the floor. "Get out."
The servant fled on hands and knees.
Aaron sat on the bed, breathing heavily. Cedric was so damn difficult. He'd gone to such lengths just to find out that three years ago, Cedric had spent a night with a woman at a bar.
All he could dig up was the time and room number—but not the woman's identity.
And that waste Luna couldn't even handle this!
"Idiot, idiot, IDIOT!"
He cursed furiously. Just then, Cedric's name appeared on his phone screen.
Aaron jolted, not wanting to answer but not daring to ignore it either.
"Cedric..."
"Next time you send a woman my way, I'll send you a hundred men."
Aaron froze. Cedric had already hung up. Aaron stared at his phone, lips trembling with rage. A hundred men would destroy him!
More importantly, he liked women!
"Damn it! Fine, I won't find you women." He ground his teeth. "I'll find men for Josephine instead. How about that!"
...
Luna had disappeared. Josephine noticed the next morning when she went downstairs for breakfast. She thought she'd hidden her curiosity well, but Cedric saw through it.
"Eat your food. Stop looking around."
Josephine asked directly, "Where's Luna?"
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Missing her already?"
"Why would I miss her?" Josephine rolled her eyes. Her orientation was perfectly normal. "Just curious."
Yesterday, Luna had looked so determined. Why was she gone today? Was Cedric too hard to crack, so she just gave up?
Cedric set down his utensils, his expression serious. "When did I ever say I wanted to be with Luna? Do you believe everything she says?"
Josephine blinked. "Not everything, I just thought..."
Before she could finish, her phone rang.
Caller ID: Gideon.