Chapter 2 Nathaniel leaned in as he always did to buckle her seat belt . Seeing her eyes red , he spoke softly , " The video was an accident . I'll find someone to deal with it . You're not in good shape today . I'll take you home to rest first . " Josephine pressed her lips together . Thinking of what he had said in the office , her tears flowed uncontrollably . Nathaniel froze for a moment , then reached up to wipe her tears . As if remembering something , he opened the car door . " Wait for me a bit , I'll go buy something . " When the door closed , Josephine realized Nathaniel had taken the wrong phone . His phone was sitting in the slot by the armrest . Without knowing why , Josephine picked it up and entered Dorothy's birthday . The phone unlocked . At the top of his chat list on WhatsApp , she saw Dorothy's name . In their most recent chat , Dorothy asked him to cut ties with Josephine before she came back . Nathaniel replied , " Just a plaything . I was never with her . " Josephine's heart sank suddenly . Fighting the sting in her nose , she kept scrolling . In the two years Dorothy was overseas , Nathaniel called her every night at eight o'clock . That was the time he had said he had board meetings , when Josephine 15:24 Chapter 2 must not disturb him . 1290 Vouchers On top of that , he transferred Dorothy tens of thousands every month - so fast he didn't even leave a note . Dorothy was good at acting cute , often sending selfies to ask for praise . Nathaniel replied with pet emojis Josephine had never seen , telling her not to wear too little and to stay warm . Looking at these chats , Josephine finally realized she had never really understood Nathaniel . The gentle care he showed her was only a tiny piece of the love he had for Dorothy . When Nathaniel came back to the car , there was now a box of morning- after pills in Josephine's hand . Nathaniel gently patted her head , his voice soft as ever . " Last night was too rushed ; I didn't prepare . Take this , just in case . " Josephine's fingers dug into the box , her lips bitten so hard they nearly bled . If she hadn't overheard him earlier , she might still believe he was truly thinking of her . But now , she was wide awake . When the car stopped in front of the villa , Nathaniel leaned in as usual to kiss her goodbye . But Josephine turned away , fumbling to unbuckle her seatbelt . His eyes darkened . He pulled her into his arms . " Still upset because of the video ? " 15:24 Chapter 2 20 W " The video wasn't recorded by me . The hotel manager has already been fired . " Nathaniel tilted her chin up . " Josephine , I never wanted to hurt you , and I never will . Our anniversary is coming up soon . I'll make it up to you then . " A white lie disguised as kindness is often more hurtful than the truth . Josephine's nose stung . She pushed him away . " I'll go inside first . " She almost ran into the villa . But the moment she stepped in , she bumped into Edward . His face was dark . Before she could speak , he raised his hand and slapped her hard . " Josephine , I really underestimated you . Date if you want , but to record that kind of shameless video ? You've ruined my reputation ! " No wonder those people at your school targeted you . You're so filthy you attract flies ! " After shouting , Edward threw a plane ticket at her . " I booked you a flight in seven days . Go as far away as you can and never come back ! " Josephine picked up the ticket from the floor , her fingers trembling , as if it were a sentence declaring the world had abandoned her . Edward thought she was disgraceful and wanted her gone . Fine . She didn't want to stay anyway . " I'll leave , " Josephine said flatly . " I will listen to you and never come back . " Edward froze , thinking he had misheard . 15.24 Chapter 2 11 288 Muchers Back then , when he arranged for Dorothy to study abroad , he had urged Josephine to go too . But she refused , and after pressing her , he found out she was deeply in love . He thought she would refuse again . He never expected her to agree so quickly this time . Only then did he ease a little , his voice cold . " Dorothy is coming back this weekend . I'm hosting a party for her . You'll attend too . " The video has already spread . If you don't show up , it'll only make the rumors worse . " Josephine nodded . " Got it . " *** Josephine asked the school for three days off . In those three days , she packed up everything Nathaniel had given her and listed them online at the original price . Three days later, Dorothy returned . Edward held a party for her at the biggest hotel in New York , inviting all the big names in business . Nathaniel was among them . Josephine hadn't expected to see him there . She turned to leave , but Nathaniel grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a quiet corner . He pinned her to the wall , hands braced firmly on her sides , his hot breath brushing her ear . 15 24 Chapter 2 11 " You skipped school these past days , didn't answer my messages , and even ignored our anniversary . " Josephine , do you know how worried I was about you ? "