In the next few days, Josephine got swamped again, and Stuart used the excuse of picking up and dropping off Jeffery to see her every day.
Seeing her worn-out face, Stuart felt really bad but couldn't do much to help her out.
With Josephine's insane workload, their planned hangout was a no-go. Even if Josephine was up for it, Stuart would veto the idea, not wanting her to burn out any further.
Out of the blue, Steven called him. "You got a good relationship with Gerald?"
Stuart replied, "Just business, no personal stuff."
"Tomorrow, I'm taking Laura to meet him. If you're free, bring Josephine along? It's always good to build a connection."
Stuart knew Steven meant well. He said, "I can go, but Josephine's been super tired and busy with work lately."
Steven said, "No matter how busy, she still gotta eat, right? We're not socializing, just grabbing a meal. It'll be over in an hour or two."
"Let me ask her."
"Cool, I'll wait for your update."
When Stuart dropped off Jeffery, he brought it up to her.
"The Clarence Family?" Josephine said, "I've heard Laura mention them before. Isn't it weird to go when we don't know them?"
"Laura will be there too. Steven and I both know him. He's a big shot; it's not a bad idea to get to know him."
Josephine shook her head, "That makes me even less interested. I'm not a fan of those events. I feel really awkward around authority figures."
Stuart laughed, "Even though he's an official, you don't have to be scared of him in private."
"Forget it, I don't know him, and I don't want to go."
Since she was firm, Stuart didn't insist.
However, when Laura caught wind of the situation, she phoned Josephine directly. "You should come. Keep me company. Otherwise, I'll be stuck with those three guys. How boring."
Josephine said, "With your personality, you can handle any crowd. If I go, I'll just be a burden. I'm not going."
"No way," Laura said, "Steven just wants to show off that he has a girlfriend. If you and Stuart come, I won't feel so awkward."
Josephine was puzzled, "What's there to show off? Gerald should be married by now, right?"
"His wife died years ago," Laura said, "I thought I told you that?"
Josephine shook her head, "I don't remember."
"Anyway, you have to come. If you don't, I'll be mad!"
Josephine had no choice, "Okay, but I might be late. You guys start without me; I'll join later."
"Fine, but you have to come!"
Josephine couldn't resist Laura's persistence. If she didn't agree, Laura would keep bugging her.
Josephine then messaged Stuart, saying she could go but would be late and that they should start without her.
Stuart quickly replied: [I'll wait for you, and we'll go together.]
Josephine: [No, that would be rude. How can both of us be late? You go first, or I won't go.]
Stuart had to agree: [Alright.]
On the day of the dinner with Gerald, Josephine was indeed super busy.
Stuart texted her, informing that he had arranged for a driver to pick her up, who was currently waiting downstairs.
Laura sent her the location and the private room number, telling her to go straight upstairs when she arrived. She also sneakily mentioned that Gerald was very handsome.
Josephine, extremely busy, took a moment to reply: [Be careful, Steven might get jealous.]
Laura replied: [I'm just admiring. If he gets jealous, that's his problem.]
Josephine didn't reply after that. She wrapped up her work around eight and the driver took her to the restaurant. She hurried upstairs, and just as she turned a corner, she bumped into someone familiar.
Angela was there for a social event. Even though Stuart had pulled out of the project, The Lopez Family was still involved, thanks to an opportunity Stuart had secured. So, even though The Lopez Family wasn't very powerful, no one dared to underestimate her.
Everyone thought she had a good relationship with Stuart. There were even rumors about a romance between them.
Angela, of course, wasn't dumb enough to squash those rumors. She was more than happy to let people think she had a thing with Stuart, as it allowed her to use his name to get stuff done. She didn't expect much from Stuart, but at least she could gain some benefits, right?
Seeing Josephine, the jealousy in her eyes was clear as day.
Why did Josephine easily win Stuart's affection? From youth to now, Stuart's eyes and heart had only ever been for her!
Angela sneered and said, "Dr. Kalmien, what brings you here?"
Seeing her, Josephine's face stayed neutral. A long time ago, the woman she envied the most was probably Angela. But now, she felt at peace, because Angela had nothing worth envying.
"What a coincidence," Josephine smiled faintly, "I'm here for dinner."
Angela looked at her and inquired, "How are things going with Stuart?"
Josephine met her gaze, her eyes calm. "This matter doesn't seem to concern you, does it?"
Angela's composure faltered. "Josephine, let me tell you something. With a guy like Stuart, if you don't hang on tight, you'll regret it later!"
"That's none of your concern."
"You've cut ties with the Kalmien Family, you have no backing, no family support. Do you think you can marry Stuart just because of your looks? Josephine, you're too lucky."
Josephine looked at her and said, "If saying that makes you feel better, then go ahead and keep thinking that."
"You!" Angela said angrily, "Do you think I'm joking? Marriage is about matching conditions. You are nothing now. If Stuart stops liking you, won't he just abandon you?"
"Thanks for the reminder," Josephine smiled, "I hope I live to see the day Stuart abandons me."
Angela knew too well how Stuart felt about Josephine and how deeply he loved her.
This knowledge only fueled Angela's fury and jealousy further. She shot Josephine a glare before storming off in her high heels.
Josephine hadn't interacted much with her before, but in her impression, Angela was a very elegant woman. Seeing her today, with a face full of rage, she looked anything but elegant—she looked scary.
Indeed, jealousy made people ugly.
She had once been jealous of Angela too. Fortunately, she had come to terms with it now.
As she walked towards the private room, her phone rang. It was Laura calling.
Josephine answered with a smile, "Laura?"
"Where are you? Why aren't you here yet?"
"Almost there," Josephine said, "Are you getting anxious?"
"They're talking about things I'm not interested in. I'm so bored here alone."
Josephine laughed, "Then wait for me." As she spoke, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Laura heard the knocking both in her ear and through the phone. She immediately realized, "You're here?"
Laura said this as she got up to open the door.
The door opened, and Josephine stood at the entrance, smiling, "Hello everyone, sorry I'm late."
Everyone in the private room turned to look at her.