Chapter 233
Although Sean knew it was a good thing, he could not help feeling a pang of heartache.
“You’re right. We don’t need to worry about how others judge us—as long as our conscience is clear,” he said.
Josie wiped away her tears. “Yeah, but the Longley family’s opinion still matters,” Josie admitted. “I’m not some saint who can do good without wanting recognition. If they dare say I shouldn’t have saved Mr. Longley, I’ll be livid!”
“Pfft-” Sean could not help laughing when he saw Josie swing her fist so seriously, as if ready to throw a punch.
Josie was a girl everyone picked on, but her heart remained pure and kind. On the surface, she seemed breakable, but in truth, she carried a quiet strength, the kind that allowed her to stand tall no matter how harsh life became.
Sean was moved by Josie’s resilience and optimism. Reaching over, he ruffled Josie’s hair. “Don’t worry. If the Longley family can’t even tell right from wrong, they would not have become Aloville’s most respected family.”
“You’re right!” Josie agreed. The heaviness from before completely vanished. Josie propped open a book, her spirits high as she eagerly waited for her braised short ribs. As for the reporters swarming downstairs, Sean had wasted no time and immediately called the cops on them.
At the very same time, in the hospital where Lonnard was staying, Xandrov handed his phone to Lonnard. “Dad, this is the security footage from that day’s event. I really think you shouldn’t watch it—it’ll only break your heart,” Xandrov said.
Lonnard chuckled. “I’ve lived to 90—nothing shocks me anymore. A little human indifference doesn’t bother me. At the end of the day, they acted out of fear for my safety.”
“You’re right.” Xandrov started the video. “I suppose it’s partly my fault—I shouldn’t have left you alone upstairs. But after it happened… aside from no one daring to touch you, they handled everything else. So it wasn’t like they just left you to die. It’s just-”
“Just what? Since when did you start hesitating mid-sentence?” Lonnard looked up at Xandrov sharply.
Xandrov said helplessly, “It’s just that a lot of people online are criticizing the young woman who saved you. The things they’re saying are cruel. Even a few of the doctors who were there have started questioning her motives.”
“Motives?” Lonnard gave a cold snort and tossed the phone back. “Since when does saving a life require a motive? Contact the state press—we can’t sit on our hands. The footage from that day must stay private, but curbing the rumors is still possible.”
Xandrov’s eyes flickered. “Should we have Delilah step forward? With her backing, I doubt anyone would question that girl’s motives again.”
“Absolutely not!” Lonnard waved his hand dismissively. “You know how Delilah feels about the media. She cannot be dragged into this.”
“I understand.” Xandrov said, feeling a little disappointed.
In the afternoon, state media issued a statement commending Josie’s act of rescue. To protect Josie’s privacy, the statement also sternly warned unscrupulous media outlets to exercise caution and restraint in their reporting.
They even went so far as to release Aloville Traditional Medicine Hospital’s incident records, directly reprimanding the reporter responsible for injuring Josie.
By the time Josie finally sat down to her braised short ribs, the reporters downstairs had long cleared out. Sean only returned upstairs after seeing the cops off.
Seeing Josie gnawing on the ribs without a care in the world, Sean did not know whether to feel relieved or a little heartbroken.
“My grandmother asked me to invite you to our home for the New Year,” Sean said abruptly. His sudden remark startled Josie so much that the rib she had just picked up slipped back into her container.
Josie felt flustered, chewing nervously but unable to swallow, nearly choking.
“What’s the rush? I’m not going to steal it from you!” Sean said with an exasperated look, handing her a glass of water.
Josie took a sip of water and finally managed to catch her breath. “But I have never met your grandmother before.”
“You’ll meet her if you come to our place for New Year’s,” Sean said, softly stroking her back. “Remember the flowers you brought to my grandfather’s funeral?”