Chapter 361 Double Standards
Laura and Steven left, and once they were in the car, Laura let out a sigh, "This is awesome."
Steven agreed, "Yeah, it's pretty good. But let's not even consider Rex; I doubt Stuart has a shot with Josephine at this point."
Laura raised an eyebrow, "Why not? Josephine's like a goddess now! The only daughter of the Clarence Family! Do you know how many guys would kill for that status?"
"Yeah, I know," Steven chuckled, "I'm happy for her."
They headed straight home. Laura went to take a shower while Steven immediately called Rex.
"Dude, you have no chance," he said bluntly.
Rex was confused, "What do you mean, no chance?"
"Do you even know who Josephine is?"
Rex was puzzled, "Josephine is just Josephine, who else could she be?"
"You have no idea," Steven said.
Rex laughed, annoyed, "Spit it out already."
"Josephine is a Clarence."
"What? Which Clarence Family?" Rex sat up straight, "Isn't Josephine Todd's daughter?"
"Nope," Steven said, "Josephine is the long-lost Clarence daughter. Todd and his wife adopted her when they couldn't have kids."
"This is..."
"So, yeah, no shot," Steven said, "The Clarences wouldn't allow their daughter to marry someone with a child."
Rex couldn't help but add, "She also has a son."
"Yeah, double standards with the Clarences, right?" Steven said, "You know about Gerald's temper, don't you?"
Rex immediately got it, "Gerald is super protective. Is he really Josephine's biological brother?"
"The paternity test results are out, how could it be fake?"
"What about Stuart then? The Clarence Family won't let him off either, right? He hurt Josephine before and now he's all repentant."
"I don't know," Steven said, "But knowing the Clarence Family, they probably won't let Josephine be with Stuart."
"But Jeffery is Stuart's son."
"Do you think the Clarence Family cares about that? They can take care of Jeffery themselves. Can Stuart win a custody battle against them?"
"Stuart's screwed," Rex said, "Not to sound smug, but even though we compete in love, my feelings aren't as strong as his. But what good is that? Late affection is useless. What was he doing all this time?"
"That's gloating," Steven laughed, "So I'm telling you now, you should give up."
Rex said, "I'd rather be single than settle. I don't like anyone else anyway, and besides, how do you know I won't be the one who wins in the end?"
Steven said, "Alright, it's just like you to be so confident."
Rex said, "It's tough, you know, men have impulses."
Steven laughed, "Then hold it in."
"I have to, what else can I do?" Rex sighed, "Looking at it this way, deep affection is worse than being a flirt, at least it's less painful."
Steven said, "You can be a flirt too, it's all your choice."
"But I'm willing to restrain myself for her," Rex said, "Why am I telling you this, you wouldn't understand."
"Why wouldn't I understand?" Steven said, "At least I have a girlfriend now."
"Yeah, having a girlfriend means you don't get the struggles of us single guys!"
Steven chuckled, "Guess I don't. Compared to you, I'm living the dream."
"Get lost!" Rex laughed, "Stop showing off! Remember when Laura didn't want you? You came crying to me!"
Steven sighed, "Why bring up old stuff?"
"I'm just saying, in the future, talk things over with her. Don't always make decisions on your own, thinking it's for her good."
"Got it."
Laura came out of the bathroom just as Steven hung up the phone.
"Who were you talking to for so long?" Laura asked while drying her hair, "I could hear you from the bathroom."
"Rex," Steven said, "I told him to give up on Josephine. She's out of his league now."
"You told him about Josephine's identity?"
Steven nodded.
"Can't keep anything to yourself, can you?" Laura said. "You told him so quickly."
Steven got out of bed, took the towel from her hand, and started drying her hair. "It's not a secret, why can't I tell?"
"You can," Laura sat down, squinting comfortably, "What was Rex's reaction?"
"He claimed he'd tackle the challenges head-on and not back down!"
Laura snorted, "Men, always so inexplicably confident!"
"To be honest, Rex isn't bad," Steven said, defending his friend, "He's got a child, a bit older than Josephine, but she has a child too, and older guys know how to look after others."
Laura said, "Why don't you say, older men die earlier! Men's lifespans are shorter than women's. If he dies first, how sad would it be for the woman to live alone!"
Steven made a sound of agreement.
Laura continued, "Maybe I should find a younger man."
Steven threw the towel aside, picked her up, and tossed her onto the bed, pressing down on her. "Find who?"
Laura looked at him, "If you die before me, I'll find an old man and dance on your grave to piss you off!"
Steven laughed angrily, "I'll be dead, and you still want to piss me off?"
Laura said, "Yes!"
"Laura," Steven lay on her neck and kissed her, "Don't worry, I won't leave you alone."
Laura's voice softened, "You better not."
"I won't," Steven kissed her, "I'll try to live a long, long time, so long that you die first, but don't worry, I'll follow you right after."
"I don't believe you!" Laura said, "You probably want me gone so you can waltz with some old lady."
Steven bit her gently, "You think I'm as heartless as you?"
Laura hooked her arms around his neck. "Well, if you kick the bucket first, I'll go for a silver fox! Your call!"
Steven pulled at her clothes, his body pressing down, "Don't worry, I won't give any old man the chance."
Laura fell into a deep sleep. When she was woken by the phone, a pair of hands covered her ears.
Steven answered the phone, "Josephine?"
Josephine was surprised, "Steven? Is Laura still sleeping?"
Steven's voice was a bit hoarse, he made a sound of agreement and asked her, "Do you need something? Should I wake her?"
"Never mind, let her call me back when she wakes up."
Laura mumbled, "Is it Josephine?"
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