Chapter 5

The word "divorce" was clear and resolute.

A flash of malice crossed Gideon's eyes. Before he could speak, Josephine's phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at the caller ID—Evergreen Hospital.

Her heart sank as she answered.

"Hello, is this Ms. Josephine Kennedy? Your mother's hospital account balance is now zero. According to regulations, if payment isn't made by five o'clock this afternoon, we'll have to discontinue nursing services..."

The color drained from Josephine's face.

Her mother had been in a car accident three years ago and remained in a vegetative state. The monthly nursing fees were as high as $80,000. This money had always come from the household card Gideon gave her.

And that card still had a balance last month.

Josephine slowly turned to look at Gideon.

He leaned against the doorframe, expression calm, even a bit innocent. "What's wrong?"

He knew.

He'd known all along.

He'd even arranged all of this. First cut off her financial resources, then use her mother's life to control her.

Josephine's nails dug into her palms. The pain helped her maintain her last shred of composure. "...I'll go change."

The corner of Gideon's lips lifted slightly. "I picked out a dress for you. It's in the closet."

Josephine didn't look back.

Forty minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom.

The emerald velvet gown outlined her slender waist. The necklace at her collarbone refracted scattered light. She wore light makeup, her hair pinned up, revealing a stretch of elegant neck.

Gideon was looking down at his phone. When his peripheral vision caught sight of her, his movements clearly halted.

He looked up, his gaze sliding down from her face inch by inch, intense possessiveness surging in his eyes.

"Jojo." He walked over, his palm gripping her waist. "See, you'll always be the one most suited to stand by my side."

Josephine didn't dodge or respond.

"Mrs. Carnegie will only ever be you." Gideon whispered in her ear. "That will never change."

The auction was held at Regal Gardens Hotel in the east district. Everyone in attendance was a prominent figure in Silverlight City.

After the car stopped, Gideon walked around to the passenger side to open the door, extending his hand.

Josephine looked at that hand but didn't move.

"Behave yourself tonight." Gideon leaned in, his voice audible only to them. "I'll have someone renew your mother's nursing fees."

Josephine looked up at him. That handsome face wore a proper smile, as if what he'd just said wasn't a threat but sweet nothings.

She placed her hand in his.

After entering, Gideon's hand remained around her waist—not forceful, but like a chain. Whenever they encountered acquaintances, he'd introduce her with a smile, "My wife, Josephine."

His tone intimate, his manner affectionate.

Josephine cooperated with smiles and nods, swallowing back the nausea churning in her stomach.

"Gideon, Jojo, you're here." A gentle female voice came.

Josephine turned to see a well-maintained middle-aged woman walking toward them in a navy blue gown, her bearing dignified.

Gideon's mother, Flora Coleman.

"Mom." Josephine said.

Flora took her hand, her face wearing that kind of refined smile and concern. "You've gotten thin. Is Gideon not taking care of you? I'll scold him later."

Before Josephine could respond, a cold snort came from behind.

"Taking care? What care does she need? The Carnegie family provides her food and shelter. She doesn't even have a proper job. What more care could she want?"

Gideon's grandmother, Faye, sat on a nearby sofa, teacup in hand, not even lifting her eyelids.

Josephine's spine stiffened.

This old lady had opposed the marriage from the start, believing Josephine wasn't worthy of the Carnegie family's standing. After the wedding, she'd never shown a kind face.

"Grandmother." Gideon stepped forward to pay respects.

Only then did Faye reveal a smile. "Gideon's here. Sit."

She glanced at Josephine, the smile disappearing. "You've been married five years without any sign of pregnancy. I think you should put some effort into it. Women—once they get older, it becomes harder to conceive."

Josephine gripped her purse tightly.

Gideon took her hand, seemingly comforting, but said, "Grandmother is right. We're working on it."

Josephine turned to look at him.

Working on it?

The man who'd forced her yesterday to get pregnant to bind her now wore a cultured facade, casually packaging those dirty tactics as "working on it."

Faye nodded with satisfaction. "Do it soon. Don't waste time on pointless thoughts. A woman's most important duty is to be proper and guard her home."

The underlying warning in her words was clear to everyone present.

Flora wanted to smooth things over, but before she could speak, a lazy voice cut in from behind.

"Grandmother, the way you talk makes it sound like sister-in-law is a canary locked in a cage."

Josephine's whole body trembled.

Cornelius had appeared behind her at some point, one hand in his pocket, expression casual. Today he wore a black suit with no tie, his shirt collar carelessly open, his entire demeanor radiating unrestrained detachment.

Faye's face darkened. "Cornelius, didn't anyone teach you how to speak to your elders?"

"They did." Cornelius walked to the sofa and sat down, crossing his legs. "But I remember the first family rule is 'treat family well,' not 'make things difficult for your grandson's wife.'"

Faye was so angry she slammed her teacup on the table.

Gideon's expression soured. "Cornelius, mind the occasion."

Cornelius turned to look at him, lips curving in an ambiguous smile. "Gideon, you can't even protect your own wife. You have time to manage me?"

The air froze instantly.

A flash of menace crossed Gideon's eyes. Before he could speak, Cornelius had already looked away, casually picking up a wine glass from the table and swirling it.

His gaze traveled over the rim and landed on Josephine.

Just for an instant, then moved away.

But Josephine clearly saw his eyes darken for a moment when they fell on her neck.

There, the marks Gideon had left last night.

Though mostly hidden by the necklace, they weren't completely concealed.

Cornelius withdrew his gaze and downed the wine in one gulp.

Gideon's hand tightened around Josephine's waist.

He watched Cornelius's nonchalant manner, a fire building in his chest. This younger brother had been unmanageable since childhood, but at least before he wouldn't undermine him publicly.

What was going on today?

"Cornelius, you rarely come back. Don't argue with your brother." Flora stepped in diplomatically, pulling Cornelius to sit down.

Cornelius said nothing more, leaning back on the sofa with closed eyes, as if his earlier words had been casual remarks.

Gideon suppressed his emotions and guided Josephine to her seat.

The auction soon began.

The host explained that tonight's collection came from Faye's husband Owen Carnegie's years of private collecting, with proceeds donated to the cultural heritage protection fund. The words sounded noble, but everyone present understood—this was the Carnegie family offering face. Whoever bid highest would register with Owen.

Owen had been an aggressive man in his youth. After going into business, he'd continuously expanded his empire, building what was now Carnegie Group.

But in his old age, Owen had become reclusive, living a contemplative life. However, this didn't mean he'd relinquished control—on the contrary, he still held the company's reins.

And this was the only way to establish a connection with Owen.

Sure enough, the first antique porcelain vase with a starting bid of $800,000 was immediately driven up to $3.6 million.

The second item, a gemstone bracelet, sold for $5 million.