Chapter 45
David thought again. Leo has passed, Patti retired long ago, Delilah can’t hold things together, and Sean has chosen a niche field. The Reedshaw family is on the brink of collapse!
This kid actually has the nerve to humiliate me. I’ll make him pay for this. Sooner or later, he’ll regret it!
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m leaving now, but I hope that when you meet your grandfather in the future, he won’t hold this against you!” David gritted his teeth, glaring at Sean.
That bastard! What a venomous thought. Is he really cursing Sean to die young?
Josie couldn’t help but smirk.
“Whether Leo’ll hold this against him or not, that’s not your concern, Professor Lawson. But I wonder if you will have the luck to meet Leo. I doubt you will, though!”
As she spoke, she gestured toward the sky and then down to the earth.
Saying something like this to her former professor felt sacrilegious, but Sean found it refreshing.
Only Josie could have the audacity to curse her teacher to hell right to his face.
“You…” David raised his hand in anger, but by then, Sean’s bodyguards had already arrived.
David took a deep breath, pushing down his anger.
“I won’t waste time arguing with children. The farewell ceremony for Leo is a serious occasion. Josie, don’t disgrace yourself here!”
Watching David storm off, Josie turned to Sean. “What was that about? Was he trying to accuse me of disrespecting Leo?”
“Don’t mind him. I’ll take you to see my aunt.” Sean casually referred to “aunt,” meaning Delilah.
Until yesterday, Josie hadn’t known about this connection, let alone that Claire was Delilah’s daughter.
Josie shook her head. “No, I think I’ll pass. I came here to pay my respects to Leo out of respect. I don’t want to intrude. I know you’re all grieving, and I’m not good with comforting words. I can’t say the right things.”
“There are going to be a lot of people here today, so you’ll be busy. I don’t want to make things more difficult for you.”
Sean looked down at her. When he had first met Josie, he’d noticed how frail and pale she seemed, as though she wasn’t getting enough nourishment.
Her face was as white as paper, and she always followed behind David’s students, looking timid, as if she’d cry if anyone spoke too loudly.
But what he didn’t know was that this shy, quiet girl not only had the courage to leave David’s team, but she also chose an obscure field of study and dared to speak her mind.
And all of this, she did for him.
That was both fierce and endearing at the same time.
It was hard not to be drawn to her.
Sean’s mood was understandably heavy, given the loss of Leo, but at this moment, he felt just a little lighter.
If someone like Josie, so small and seemingly fragile, could take such a brave step, then surely he could lead the Reedshaw family to a new chapter of success.
He couldn’t let Leo down—he would never disappoint him.
Sean patted Josie on the head. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and left.
When Josie entered the hall to pay her respects, she offered her condolences to the deceased.
Turning around, she saw Sean standing by the family’s designated spot, waiting for the formal acknowledgment.
Meeting his eyes, filled with quiet sorrow, Josie felt she should say something.
But after a brief pause, all she managed to say was, “Sean.”
“I understand, thank you,” Sean said, clearly catching her meaning. He gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.
Delilah, standing nearby, also gave Josie a kind glance. “Good child, you’re thoughtful.”
On the way back, Josie felt a deep, unfamiliar sadness—a kind of sorrow she had never felt before.
She had been raised in a terrible environment.