CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 137: CAN YOU COME ACCOMPANY THE CHILD?

Julian Grant’s already pale face lost even more color.

He held onto her hand reluctantly, refusing to let go.

"Josephine, is your job really that important? More important than me?"

"Besides, I don’t feel safe with you in Audenburg alone, I’m worried..."

Josephine Thompson’s heart trembled slightly, she gave him a gentle smile, "You don’t need to worry, I will take good care of myself."

This time...

She dared not be careless again; apart from her original bodyguards,

she also hired a more professional security team at a high price to ensure her safety.

"Can you really take care of yourself?" Julian Grant emphasized, his chest rising and falling slightly with agitation.

"Last time you said you would protect yourself, and what happened?"

Josephine Thompson’s face was solemn, "This time is different, and besides, something’s come up at my company, I have to go back and resolve it quickly."

"What happened?"

"You don’t have to worry about it, I can handle it."

The hospital room fell silent.

Lady Grant noticed Josephine Thompson’s predicament and spoke up to mediate, "Dear, if you really have something important, just go ahead. We’ll take care of Julian, it’s no trouble."

Julian Grant immediately panicked, "Grandma!"

Lady Grant glared at him, "You child, don’t be unreasonable. The young lady has her own career; she can’t revolve around you all the time."

After speaking,

she cheerfully looked at Josephine Thompson, "If there’s any difficulty and you need help, just feel free to ask us."

"Alright, thank you, Grandma Grant."

After thanking her, Josephine Thompson said no more.

She stood up and took her leave.

Julian Grant dearly wanted to keep her but knew her character well, so he had to let her go back.

However,

he couldn’t stop worrying about her, and would secretly arrange someone to protect her.

...

Later,

Josephine Thompson walked out of the hospital room.

Ms. Grant followed out, her tone still haughty, "Miss Thompson, you don’t have to take my son’s words seriously..."

Before she could finish,

Josephine Thompson coldly and directly interrupted her, "Ms. Grant, rest assured, my relationship with your son is not what you think."

"Moreover, I don’t plan to accept him. But since he’s injured now, I can’t bear to upset him. Once he’s recovered, I will clarify things with him."

"Also, my family, the Thornton Family, is not some nobility, but we have no desire for social climbing."

After speaking,

without waiting for a reply, Josephine Thompson turned and left.

"You..." Ms. Grant was so angry she was almost speechless, her anger boiling.

Whenever others saw her,

they would all bow and scrape, go to all lengths to flatter her!

But Josephine Thompson was an exception, not the least bit deferential or afraid of her.

Her strong core, no wonder she was able to captivate her son!

"Hmph~, no matter what tricks you pull, you won’t get past me."

"My son must find a pure princess, someone worthy of him."

...

At six in the evening.

Josephine Thompson returned to Audenburg, burdened with worries.

After returning home,

she locked herself in her room to calmly consider what to do next.

She first needed to stabilize those stealing from within, retrieve the missing antiques,

to prevent them from panicking and fleeing the country.

Meanwhile, she had already secretly employed a team of professional security personnel and investigators.

"Buzz buzz buzz..."

The phone rang.

She glanced at the phone.

It was Nathaniel Gallagher calling again.

She looked at the phone briefly, hung up directly, and then blocked his new number.

Just after blocking,

he switched to another number and sent a message.

[Josephine, Henny’s high fever hasn’t subsided, the doctor says it’s serious, can you come and stay with the child?]

[And you, how’s your injury? I just want to show concern, no other intention.]

[I’m also very sorry for what I did to hurt you. Besides saying sorry, I really have nothing else to say.]

After reading his messages.

Josephine Thompson was even more furious and distressed, blocking him completely.

...

The next day.

At eight in the morning.

Josephine Thompson donned a sleek off-white business suit, stepped into the meeting room at the headquarters of the collection museum, wearing high heels.

The directors and deputy directors of the three sub-museums had received notice of the meeting and were awaiting her early in the meeting room.

Seeing her arrive,

everyone stood to greet her, "Good day, President Thompson."

"Hello everyone, please have a seat!"

Josephine Thompson sat at the head seat.

Then, she pushed a document to the center of the table, her voice calm yet carrying undeniable authority: "Ladies and gentlemen, the year-end inventory day has been moved forward. As per procedure, all keys of the venues will be temporarily kept by headquarters to avoid process confusion."

She raised her eyes, looking at the three of them, her gaze sweeping over their faces one by one: "Please hand over the main and spare keys of your respective venues now, they will be returned after the inventory."

No sooner had she spoken.

The face of Director Linton, sitting on the left, changed first, his hand holding the teacup paused slightly: "President Thompson, in previous years, the inventory was always notified a week in advance; this time, isn’t it too sudden?"

He was a distant uncle of Deputy Manager Linton in the security department, and was guilty in his heart.

Upon hearing about handing over keys, he immediately panicked.

On the right, Curator Sterling chimed in: "Yes, President Thompson, there are quite a few guests who have scheduled to view pieces at the museum, suddenly retrieving the keys might affect our reputation."

Josephine Thompson remained calm, her lips curling into a faint smile: "Special situations call for special measures."

"This inventory is not only to count the numbers, but also for artifact maintenance, collecting keys early is to facilitate the entry of a professional team. As for the clients, I have instructed my assistant to communicate rescheduling one by one; it won’t affect the museum’s reputation."

She paused, her gaze suddenly sharp: "What’s the matter, do the three of you have difficulty handing over the keys?"

The words pricked like needles, making their faces grow pale.

The middle person, Curator Warren, an old and cautious employee, quickly mediated: "President Thompson is joking, since it’s arranged by headquarters, we will comply."

Saying so, he hurriedly took out a set of keys from his briefcase and placed them on the table, "These are the keys for my venue, all here."

"Alright, once the inventory and maintenance are done, the keys will be returned. Moreover, this year’s profits are excellent, everyone’s bonuses will be doubled."

"That would be wonderful."

Director Linton and Curator Sterling exchanged glances.

Seeing Curator Warren already handed his over, they dared not openly defy despite their panic.

Director Linton hesitated and gradually pulled out the keys, placing them on the table with a clang, his hand still trembling.

Curator Sterling forced a calm demeanor, but his fingertips turned white as he pushed the keys over.

Josephine Thompson gestured for her assistant to collect the keys, maintaining a courteous smile: "Thank you all for your hard work. During the inventory, if there’s a need for cooperation in investigations, please bear with us."

All three quickly agreed, their steps a bit hasty as the meeting adjourned.

Watching their backs, Josephine Thompson’s eyes grew cold.

The reactions of Director Linton and Curator Sterling confirmed their guilt.

After the meeting,

she carefully stored away the keys on the table and instructed her assistant: "Have Old Zhang lead the team inside, focus on checking the storage of Linton and Sterling’s venues."

"Especially inspect the records of items marked ’damaged’ or ’lost’ recently. Also, keep an eye on Deputy Manager Linton, if he dares to act, detain him immediately."

"Yes, President Thompson."

Initially, she planned to stay in Audenburg for only three days.

But now it seems.

Even staying a month might not be enough to handle everything on hand.