Chapter 297 He Felt Like Quite a Beast
Josephine was pretty shocked to find out that Stuart's cooking was actually really good.
Jeffery chowed down on some pizza and then dug into the other dishes, looking super pleased. After they finished eating, Stuart offered to clean up.
Josephine jumped in, "No way, let me handle it. You're a guest and you cooked. I can't let you do everything."
While she was washing dishes in the kitchen, Stuart just stood there, watching her.
They were only halfway through when the dish soap ran out.
Stuart quickly said, "Out of soap? I'll go grab a new bottle."
"No need," Josephine said, rinsing the suds off her hands and reaching up to open the cabinet above. "I think there's a new bottle up there."
The cabinet was a bit high, and even on her tiptoes, she couldn't quite reach it. Just as she was about to get a stool, she felt someone come up behind her.
Stuart was right there, his chest almost touching her back.
Even through their clothes, Josephine could feel the warmth of his chest. It felt like he was holding her.
Josephine's cheeks got hot. "You..."
"Where is it?" Stuart asked casually, reaching inside. "I can't see it."
"Further in," Josephine said. "You should..."
She wanted to tell him to step back and let her get out. Being so close felt awkward.
But Stuart cut her off, "I see it."
Taking half a step forward, he found himself so close to her that they were practically pressed together.
Stuart held her shoulder with one hand, while the other arm reached up into the cabinet. "I see it, but it's a bit further in, hard to reach."
Josephine was almost pressed against the sink.
Just as she was about to say something, Stuart suddenly stepped back, holding a bottle of dish soap. "Got it."
Josephine finally breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to take it. "Thanks."
Stuart remained silent, but Josephine sensed his gaze on her, causing her face to flush. She turned back to the dishes and soon heard Stuart's departure.
Finally exhaling in relief, she pondered her nerves. Why had she felt so flustered? And just now, she should have pushed Stuart away!
Why was he so close to her? Wasn't that taking advantage of her?
But Stuart really seemed to just be getting something, and any touch was unintentional. Otherwise, why did he leave so quickly after getting it? Maybe she had misunderstood him.
Josephine finished washing the dishes, cleaned up, and left the kitchen, but didn't see Stuart.
Jeffery glanced at her and said, "Stuart left."
Josephine was surprised. "He left?"
Jeffery nodded. "He asked me to thank you."
Josephine smiled. "Okay, I got it. Jeffery, do you want to take a bath now?"
Jeffery said, "Later. I want to play with this toy first. Play with me!"
"Okay."
Jeffery wasn't keen on taking a bath at the moment, but Stuart was already in the bath.
Initially, he had simply intended to assist Josephine in retrieving something. However, when their bodies inadvertently pressed together, his thoughts scattered. He didn't know how much self-control it took to speak normally and then help Josephine get the item. Then he quickly distanced himself from her.
He had to; if he didn't leave, Josephine would notice his body's reaction as soon as she moved.
Just being that close to Josephine, he had a reaction.
Stuart felt extremely embarrassed, leaving with his back to Jeffery, not daring to let Jeffery see his condition.
He felt like a beast. Jeffery was still outside, and just a simple touch made him react.
But he was really uncomfortable. A regular guy, leading a desireless life for over five years, seldom even tending to his own physical needs.
It was only in Josephine's presence that desire stirred within him. His mind yearned for Josephine, and his body echoed the sentiment.
He went back next door, directly into the bathroom, but even a cold shower didn't help much. His mind was full of Josephine.
It hadn't been this hard before; back then, all he thought about was how to get Josephine to forgive him. Now, just a little bit of closeness, and he couldn't help but fantasize and hope. When would he be able to truly hold her in his arms? He thought again of that night, Josephine passionately clinging to him.
Stuart finally couldn't hold back. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and leaned against the wall with one hand, his mind filled with thoughts of Josephine.
He didn't know how long it took before he finally came out of the bathroom.
He threw himself onto the bed. Even after releasing, he didn't feel satisfied. Instead, he felt even more empty.
It was like there was a hole in his heart that only Josephine could fill.
He lay on the bed for a few minutes, then reached for his phone and sent Josephine a message: [Are you asleep?]
After about ten minutes, Josephine replied: [I was just playing with Jeffery.]
Stuart quickly typed: [I had a great time today, thank you.]
Josephine replied: [Get some rest.]
Stuart didn't want to end the conversation just yet, so he asked: [Is Jeffery asleep?]
Josephine replied: [He's taking a bath.]
Stuart asked: [I have a bottle of red wine here, it's really good. Want to have some?]
Josephine: [No, thanks.]
Stuart thought for a moment and started typing again, but before he could send it, Josephine sent another message.
Josephine: [I'm going to sleep now, goodnight.]
He quickly replied: [Goodnight. I'll contact you tomorrow.]
Josephine didn't reply again.
Stuart reached for the pillow beside him and hugged it as if it were Josephine. After a while, he tossed it aside. It didn't feel right.
Stuart wondered when he would be able to truly hold Josephine in his arms. He tossed and turned for a long time before he finally fell asleep.
The next day, it was one day closer to the Starlight Festival. Stuart went to the office and worked for a while, then started arranging for the holiday.
At the same time, news about Alfonso was released online.
Alfonso wasn't a celebrity or a well-known rich kid. But his name appeared directly on the headlines.
Many who encountered Alfonso's name were immediately curious about his identity, his deeds, and the reasons behind his headlining presence.
Clicking in, they found out that Alfonso was born into a wealthy family, thought of himself as a gentleman, but did things worse than a beast.
Not only that, the news also revealed everything about the Campbell family.
The Campbell family wasn't completely unknown; Alfonso's parents were well-known painters.
There were also a few other so-called artists in the Campbell family who had achieved some level of fame.
Now that it was exposed, the reaction was enormous.
Many people commented: [What kind of wealthy family? They're all bad people!]
[These actions are truly disgusting! The girls he harmed must be more than one!]
[Thorough investigation recommended!]
[Thorough investigation recommended!]
In the end, #Thorough Investigation Recommended# also made the headlines.
By the time the Campbell family found out about the news, things were already out of control.
Several headlines were about the Campbell family. There were even reports about Shirley bullying classmates in the past.
The Campbell family didn't realize the severity of the situation and told Shirley to inform those people that they would be receiving subpoenas because defamation was a crime!
But the internet celebrity who first exposed the matter directly posted evidence. Before the Campbell family could figure out how to respond, the police came knocking.
For the Campbell family, this matter wasn't actually difficult to resolve; they had their own connections.
Getting Alfonso out of trouble wasn't impossible. But now that so many people knew about it, losing their reputation was far more unacceptable to them than the matter itself.
Enrique smashed the coffee cup in his hand, his eyes red. "What the hell is going on? Who is trying to harm the Campbell family?"
Alfonso also looked haggard. "It must be Stuart, who else would dare?"
"Look at what you've done!" Enrique roared. "Why did you do such things? If you did it, fine, but how did you let Stuart benefit from it? What did you gain? Today's disgrace? If the Campbell family is being cursed, it's all your fault!"
Alfonso felt wronged. "How was I supposed to know Stuart would find out it was me! Those people clearly told me..."
"Enough of that," Betty interrupted. "We need to think of a way to solve this."
"Now, only the Clarence family can help us."
"But I just called Gerald."
"Call again! If that doesn't work, have your mom take Shirley. They have to show some respect!"
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