Josephine had a plan. If those people lacked taste and failed to appreciate Claudia's clothing, she would secretly buy them.
She thought to herself, ‘Stuart said I could spend the money he earned. He's willing to spend a fortune on his mistress for sapphire jewelry, so it's not excessive for me to buy a set of clothes, right?’
Josephine decided to bid the highest price for Claudia's clothes.
Moreover, she genuinely liked that particular outfit.
If it weren't for her sprained ankle, Claudia had even considered having Josephine model for her.
Claudia needed to attend to some details, so Josephine went to the restroom to secretly tend to her wound.
Although they didn't live together, Claudia was concerned about Josephine being alone, so she invited her to stay.
Just as Josephine was about to act, there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Stuart standing there.
Claudia asked, "Who is it?"
"Stuart," Josephine replied, "I'll be right out."
She left the room and closed the door behind her. "What's the matter?"
Stuart looked at her but remained silent. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"What are you doing?" Josephine tried to pull her hand away.
Earlier, Josephine fell out of her wheelchair and landed on the roadside, scraping both her palms and knees.
Stuart looked at the scrapes, and Josephine wanted to retract her hand.
Stuart looked at her again, then got up and walked behind her,
gently pushing her forward.
"Where are we going?" Josephine was surprised.
In actuality, apart from fear, she also felt a touch of emotion from today's events. She never expected Stuart to come to her rescue.
In a foreign country, they could encounter armed individuals. At that moment, Josephine's heart raced, much like when she first realized she loved Stuart.
Just when she was in despair, Stuart gave her hope again.
She knew she was somewhat weak, but if she could make rational judgments in any situation, she wouldn't have to endure such pain.
Stuart took her back to the room they had stayed in before, and Josephine saw the first aid kit on the table.
Stuart placed her on the sofa, took out the supplies, and began to treat her wounds.
Josephine watched him. Stuart knelt beside her on one knee, his gaze lowered, appearing emotionless.
She observed the earnest man before her, noting his surprisingly thick eyelashes.
She couldn't help but reach out and touch the corner of his eye.
Stuart looked at her, a hint of impatience in his gaze. "Don't move!"
Josephine retracted her hand, forcing a bitter smile.
In her heart, she thought, 'He's perfect. It's just that he doesn't love me.'
"Josephine, where is your sense of safety?" Stuart's tone was cold. "If something happened to you today, it would be one thing, but if it dragged me into it..."
He glared at Josephine and asked, "How do you plan to compensate me?"
Josephine looked away and said, "I didn't ask you to save me."
"Wasn't it you who called me?" Stuart retorted. "If you're so capable, then don't call me."
"Stuart!" Josephine's voice was filled with anger. "I am your wife! It's your responsibility to save me!"
Stuart finished treating her wound and tossed the supplies aside. "There's nothing in this world that I must do."
Josephine realized that he had treated her wound well, and she didn't feel any pain.
In her heart, she thought, 'Since he doesn't like me, why is he so good to me? It makes me can't help but have expectations.'
"Stuart," Josephine lowered her eyes and asked calmly, "Why are you so good to me?"
Stuart had saved her again and had been taking care of her.
Stuart slowly lifted her leg and looked at the cast on her ankle. "I said there's nothing I must do, so don't you think you should consider how to repay me?"
"What?" Josephine asked in surprise, "How should I repay you?"
"I saved your life. What do you think you should use to repay me?"
Josephine said, "Mr. Stuart, can I be your servant for life?"
Stuart raised his hand and patted her, saying, "Josephine, you know what I want."
Josephine kicked him with her foot and said, "Shameless!"
She thought, 'Stuart has been so good to me, but it turns out he has ulterior motives.'
"It's a man's nature," Stuart said, holding her foot and kissing her slender instep. "Mrs. Haustia, it's time for you to fulfill your duties."
Josephine said seriously, "Then where did you sleep these past few nights?"
"Josephine," Stuart raised her foot and kissed up her ankle. "Are you jealous?"
"I told you I just think you are dirty,"
Josephine said through gritted teeth. "If you've been with her, let her satisfy you!"
Stuart said irritably, "Josephine, can't your thoughts be less dirty?"
"Am I dirty? Is someone who had an emotional affair clean?"
"The only purpose of our marriage is for business interests," Stuart said. "Don't compare it with love."
"Mr. Haustia, you are truly noble and pure. Can Doris accept your Platonic love?"
Stuart stared at her. Josephine met his gaze without fear. Stuart said, "You talk too much. I think it's best to shut you up."
After he finished speaking, he kissed her lips. Josephine closed her eyes and suppressed her emotions.
Stuart always maintained a cold and serious demeanor in front of others. Many people even said that he didn't like to be close to women, that he was abstinent, noble. Josephine also thought so before they got married.
But after a few days apart, Stuart became particularly eager, and their intimacy became passionate and intense. Josephine felt that if it weren't for her injury, she might have collapsed by now.
In the end, Josephine really believed that the love between Stuart and Doris was just a Platonic one. She felt that if Stuart was really in bed with Doris, he wouldn't be so crazy about her! Josephine was so tired that she didn't even want to move a finger.
She asked, "Mr. Haustia, are you satisfied now?"
Stuart wiped the sweat from his nose on her cheek. He kissed down her mouth. "What I want is not just for tonight."
Josephine calmly reminded him, "Then be careful not to leave any marks. If your lover sees them, she will be angry."
Stuart bit her hard.
Josephine cried out in pain and scratched his back mercilessly.
The next day, the design competition officially began.
Claudia's clothes stood out among the designers and won the Best Design Award.
Soon it was time for the auction. "