Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 254

"Looking forward to what?"

Ethan's expression was indifferent. "Looking forward to work?"

"No."

Roxanne's face fell, disappointment clear. "Why are you being like this? It's bad enough you wouldn't give me your contact information, but now I've come all the way here and you're still so cold?"

"Ms. West." Ethan's well-defined fingers tapped twice on the table. "I think I need to remind you that our relationship is purely professional. Since you're Stonewarden Group's representative, show me your professional side instead of constantly bringing up the past."

Roxanne bit her lip. "We haven't seen each other in so long. Shouldn't we catch up? What's wrong with the past?"

"The past ... "

A cold glint flashed through Ethan's eyes. "I don't really remember it, and I don't really care about it either."

Roxanne let out a sigh.

She knew why he was so resistant. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "I won't cling to you like I used to. Don't be like this, okay? No matter what, I'm at least a friend, right?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow and lifted his hand.

He wore a ring on his ring finger.

It wasn't some fancy design, but you could tell at a glance it was a wedding band.

"You better be."

Roxanne's face went pale as she stared at that ring for a long time.

Though she'd been abroad and the Jacksons' wedding had been kept low-key, if you wanted to know, a quick search would reveal plenty.

Roxanne had known about Ethan's marriage for a while now.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been in such a rush to return.

Gathering her thoughts, she took a deep breath and looked up. "Of course I am. But as the host, you should do your job receiving guests properly, right? Let's talk business first. We can discuss personal feelings after we finish the professional matters."

With those words, even Tony behind them broke into a nervous sweat.

This Roxanne was really something else.

The boss had already made things so clear, yet she could still say the words "personal feelings" without batting an eye. Damn! Looks like Dawn has met her match.

Ethan looked at Roxanne through narrowed eyes, as if about to say something, but said nothing. He had Tony call everyone for a meeting.

After discussing all the collaboration details, normal protocol would have Jackson Group arrange dinner to host their distinguished guests.

Ethan glanced at the time.

"Tony."

"Yes, sir!"

Tony quickly stepped forward and asked, his expression unchanged, "Boss, what do you need?"

"Have the PR department handle the dinner. Make sure everyone from Stonewarden Group feels Jackson Group's sincerity and hospitality."

"We've already finished discussing work. I've also arranged for the company's business team to receive you all with VIP treatment. If Ms. West has any other needs, please feel free to mention them."

"Ethan!" Seeing him maintain this attitude, Roxanne was furious but helpless. She stared at him resentfully. "All I did was corner you in the men's restroom to confess my feelings! You didn't want me, fine, but I didn't force you to do anything. Does it really have to mean we can't even be friends?"

Her indignant voice rang in his ears. The scene from back then surfaced in Ethan's mind.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Does Ms. West lack friends?"

"I lack you."

"How unfortunate. I don't lack anything."

Roxanne was tongue-tied.

She froze. By the time she came to her senses, the man's figure had already disappeared.

Micah waved at her lazily. "Hey, Roxanne, I saw Ethan head that way!"

Roxanne smiled awkwardly without saying anything.

She stared at the empty entrance, her hand hanging at her side clenched into a tight fist. After a long while, she finally turned to go back upstairs.

Micah took in her entire reaction. Interest and mockery swirled in his dark brown eyes. He looked down at the photos on his phone—two snapshots he'd just taken.

Roxanne gazed at Ethan with a faltering expression, as if looking at a heartbreaker who'd wronged her.

Though Ethan's expression was cold, he hadn't made any obvious moves to distance himself physically.