Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 232

A husband and wife are supposed to be one. So anything Ethan said or did for Dawn made perfect sense.

He was satisfied to see Austin's reaction. After a pause, Ethan stepped closer, lifting a long finger to tap Austin's shoulder twice. His voice was lazy but sharp. "If we were back at the Osborne Estate, I'd be glad to call you Uncle Austin. But ...

"I don't like you using that title to get close to my wife. It makes things harder for her. Why don't you focus on your business projects instead?"

Austin's bloodshot eyes turned even redder. His lips trembled before he finally rasped out a few hoarse words.

"You two aren't right for each other."

"That's not your call."

Ethan's eyes flashed cold. He pulled his hand back and said in a deep voice, "If Mr. Osborne hadn't kept hammering on about your uncle–niece relationship, maybe I'd see you as a rival. But you're the one who rejected her. And now you're the one chasing after her again. You'd better stop here, because I don't have much patience."

When Ethan left, Austin stayed rooted in place. The light streaming through the window stabbed his eyes, but he didn't move.

He stood there for a long time as still as a statue. The sharpness he usually carried was gone. All that was left in his eyes was emptiness.

...

Ethan opened the car door and slid in. Dawn's steady gaze met his right away. He chuckled, reached out, and pinched her cheek. "Did I keep you waiting too long?"

Dawn shook her head. "Going home?"

"Of course."

The world outside blurred as the car rolled away.

From the rearview mirror, Dawn watched the police station fade into the distance, her mind tangled with thoughts.

Sydney had finally gotten the punishment she deserved. Austin had finally seen her true face. Life should be peaceful from here on out.

But just as Ethan and Dawn stepped into the house, Ethan's phone rang. It was Tony, and his voice was urgent. "Boss, something's wrong!"

...

Ethan rushed to the company at top speed. Tony was waiting at the entrance and hurried over as soon as he saw him. "Boss, the internet is flooded with negative stories about Ms. Porter. I already sent PR to handle it, but ... "

The attackers were prepared. Paid trolls were everywhere, servers were overseas, and the company couldn't block them.

Ethan glanced at him coldly, then grabbed the tablet.

Tony had even spotted some edited photos earlier. Even as a bystander, he'd felt sick.

Then Ethan's cold voice cut through the air. "Find out where Austin is right now."

Tony blinked. "Boss, you mean ... this has to do with Mr. Osborne?"

Ethan gave him a look like he was an idiot, then leaned back and pulled a cord from the drawer. He hooked up his laptop and tablet, his long fingers flying across the keyboard.

"This was Sydney's doing. Austin's her fiancé. As someone directly involved, his statement would carry the most weight."

Sydney was a reporter. She'd worked overseas for years, building plenty of connections. If she wanted to stir up a scandal, lots of people would help her.

And at the root of it all was Austin. He was the only one who could untangle this mess.

Tony finally understood. "I'll get on it right now!"

"Wait."

Tony stopped mid-stride and hurried back, thinking Ethan had more instructions. Instead, Ethan said, "Send back that Doberman we ordered. Let Dawn take it for a walk."