Chapter 91
After getting off the plane, Josephine headed straight back to Clearwater Ridge. Even with the peace and quiet outside, she found herself still drawn to this city.
Even though this city held too many people and memories that caused her pain.
Half an hour later at the airport, another plane landed. Gideon walked out with his assistant trailing behind. "You have a meeting in half an hour, and in two hours you need to meet with the CEO of Unionhart Corporation..."
"Cancel it."
His assistant froze.
This meeting with the Unionhart Corporation CEO had been scheduled a week ago, but Gideon had suddenly decided to go on a business trip, forcing them to postpone. Now he wanted to postpone again...
The car was already nearby. Gideon got in, leaving only his cold profile visible.
"You handle it. I have something more important to deal with right now."
The assistant could only watch helplessly as the car drove away. What could possibly be more important than company business?
Gideon instructed the driver, "To Clearwater Ridge."
He stared at the photo on his phone—Josephine and Cedric standing together. Even though they weren't doing anything, anyone looking at it would sense an intimacy.
But it made Gideon's blood boil.
This business trip was supposed to last at least half a month, but he couldn't wait any longer. From the moment he'd received that photo, every minute felt like torture.
The car stopped outside Clearwater Ridge.
Gideon leaned against the vehicle, watching the lights glowing inside. A sense of relief washed over him.
Good. She was back.
His phone suddenly rang.
A message from the butler: [Mr. David Getty knows you're back.]
If David knew, that meant he couldn't avoid it any longer—he had to resolve this matter quickly. Taking a deep breath, Gideon walked toward Clearwater Ridge.
Hearing the doorbell, Josephine had just gotten out of the shower and was sitting on the sofa eating pasta.
"Who is it?"
No answer.
Josephine went to open the door. Seeing Gideon, her expression cooled. "What do you want?"
Gideon looked at her with something close to hunger. Even though it had only been a week since they'd last seen each other, he already missed her. "I've prepared a candlelit dinner. Let's go out to eat."
In the past, Josephine would have happily agreed without hesitation.
But now, her heart remained perfectly calm.
"I'll pass. I just got back from a business trip, and I'm pretty tired. I want to rest."
Gideon had expected this—he knew she wouldn't agree easily—but he hadn't anticipated such a blunt rejection. She was already moving to close the door.
She wouldn't even let him inside.
Gideon blocked the door with his hand, his voice low. "It's not just about dinner. I have something important to tell you."
Josephine frowned slightly. "What is it?"
"About having a child."
Was he going to come clean?
That was Josephine's first thought, but she immediately realized it was impossible. Gideon wasn't the type to admit his mistakes. She'd already experienced his stubbornness firsthand.
She looked down, thinking for a moment. "Fine. Let me change."
From start to finish, Gideon never made it inside.
A moment later, Josephine emerged. As the weather grew colder, she'd bundled up—scarf, trench coat falling straight to her knees, clean and sharp.
Gideon instinctively raised his hand to smooth her hair.
The gesture caught even Josephine off guard, but she quickly dodged. Gideon's hand hung in midair for a long moment before slowly dropping.
"Let's go. I'll drive."
"No need. I have my car."
In the end, two cars left one after another.
Everything was ready at the restaurant. Gideon had rented out the entire place—besides the two of them, only the waiting staff and a woman playing violin remained.
Josephine took her seat. The restaurant was warm, so she casually slipped off her coat and draped it over the chair.
"Go ahead and say it."
Gideon signaled to the waiter that they could start serving, then looked at Josephine. "No rush. Let's talk after we eat."
He poured a glass of red wine and handed it to her.
"Your favorite."
Josephine pressed her lips together, watching the wine swirl in the glass. "Gideon, actually, I don't like drinking."
Gideon froze.
But they'd often had drinks together after busy days, enjoying wine in the evenings. He'd always assumed they shared the same pace of life, the same preferences.
Josephine had never enjoyed drinking. As a researcher, she needed a clear mind at all times, and alcohol dulled one's rationality.
She'd only pretended to like it because he did.
Gideon couldn't quite name the feeling stirring in his chest. The wine suddenly didn't taste as rich as before.
Josephine checked the time. "Just tell me what you want to say. I need to get to the office afterward. I have a meeting."
Gideon took a sip of wine. The taste was oddly bitter.
"We've been married all these years and never had children. Grandpa asked me about it again recently. I was thinking... maybe we should adopt."
Adopt...
How calculating of him. To make her accept Lorelei's child, he was laying the groundwork this early.
"How old were you thinking?"
Gideon was somewhat surprised that her reaction wasn't stronger. After all, he'd brought up adoption before, but Josephine had always refused.
"I think we should visit an orphanage and choose one. Ideally, a newborn—that way when we bring the child home, it'll truly be ours."
"Go now?"
Gideon smiled. "Of course not now. You're busy with your career, and so am I. I was thinking... once we've wrapped up our current projects, I'd still like you to come back home. You could take care of the child, I'd provide for you both, and our little family would be happy together."
Josephine couldn't help but laugh.
Gideon looked confused. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Josephine found the whole thing rather pointless. The divorce didn't need to be delayed any longer. With Cedric's help, she was no longer the Josephine who had nothing.
"Gideon, let's get divorced..."
Her words were cut off.
"Mr. Getty, Ms. Kennedy." Lorelei appeared out of nowhere—who knew how long she'd been listening—and walked over to sit beside Gideon as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Had Lorelei lost her mind?
That was Gideon's first thought. Unfortunately, with everyone watching, he couldn't show his displeasure. He could only glare at her coldly.
Lorelei stared directly at Josephine. "Ms. Kennedy, did you go on this business trip with Cedric? I heard he's not interested in women, but he seems to treat you quite differently."
Josephine picked up her phone and purse. "I'm leaving."
Even if she wanted to bring up divorce, she absolutely wouldn't do it in front of Lorelei. She had no obligation to make that woman happy.
Gideon jumped to his feet, trying to grab Josephine's arm, but she evaded him. His eyes darkened. "What about what I told you..."
"I don't agree."
Josephine glanced at him coolly. "If you want a child so badly, you can raise one yourself later. I don't need someone else's child."
She just had fertility difficulties and physical damage—she wasn't infertile. What's more, she'd once had a precious baby slip away from her.
In the near future, she never wanted another child.
She would never forget the complicated emotions of being pregnant back then.
Gideon wanted to chase after her, but his assistant called, saying there was an issue at the company that required his attention. Reluctantly, Gideon headed to the office to handle it.
Left behind, Lorelei slowly clenched her fists.
She'd heard everything. The fact that Gideon was discussing this with Josephine now proved he'd never had feelings for her—he was singlemindedly planning to keep the child and discard the mother.
How could she let Gideon get his way? He had to divorce Josephine!