Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 299

**Beseeched 299**
**What She Needed to Hear**

Norris chuckled softly, a warm sound that filled the room. “You know how the media operates. Hand them a keyboard, and they could resurrect Alexander the Great, complete with dramatic headlines.”

Kate frowned, her brows knitting together in thought, the weight of the conversation pressing on her.

After a brief pause, she muttered, “Listening to all this, well, he doesn’t sound like a jerk.”

“He’s really not,” Norris replied, his tone earnest.

He raised an eyebrow at her, as if searching for something deeper in her expression. “Honestly, his wife shouldn’t be angry over those trivial matters. After everything they’ve endured together, you’d think she’d have a clearer understanding of him by now.”

“I can’t put it into just a few words,” Kate said, flicking the card in her hand with a hint of frustration before rising to her feet. “Thanks, Norris. I think I know what I should say now.”

The following morning, Kate found herself behind the wheel, driving towards Seabrook Villa, her heart racing with anticipation.

As was customary, the bodyguards halted her car, their expressions unreadable.

She removed her sunglasses, slipping effortlessly into her rich-girl persona. “Take a good look at who I am. Mr. Brown invited me here a few days ago. He mentioned I should come by more often. Did you forget?”

The bodyguards exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them, before they stepped aside, granting her passage.

With a quiet sigh of relief escaping her lips, she drove into the garden, her senses awakening to the familiar sights and sounds. Just like last time, she spotted the same woman, Dawn, painting in her usual spot, lost in her creative world.

Kate paused for a moment, watching in silence. When she noticed Dawn pause to rub her neck, she finally mustered the courage to approach.

“Dawn,” she called out gently.

At the sound of her voice, the woman turned, her expression shifting from concentration to delight.

Today, Dawn’s hair was neatly tied up, framing her small, delicate face that seemed to radiate warmth and beauty. When she smiled, it was like witnessing a flower bloom in the spring, bright and stunning.

Kate’s heart fluttered unexpectedly. For the first time, she felt a pang of insecurity, realizing that this girl might just rival her own beauty. If Dawn grew a little older and learned to carry herself with confidence, who knew how breathtaking she could become?

She lifted the bag in her hand, giving it two playful taps. “Brought you something good.”

Dawn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched Kate approach. “You feed me every time you come. At this rate, I’m going to gain weight!”

“That’s perfectly fine. I’ll gain some weight alongside you,” Kate replied with a teasing grin.

Setting the bags down on the table, Kate revealed a treasure trove of junk food.

She imagined that Dawn rarely ventured outside; this place was far removed from the town, and she probably had little access to such indulgences.

Dawn’s eyes widened in surprise as she spotted the fried chicken. “I thought women like you always counted every calorie.”

“Sometimes I care. Sometimes I don’t,” Kate said, sticking out her tongue playfully. “Today is my cheat day.”

The spicy and honey-mustard sauce wafted through the air, causing Dawn’s stomach to growl audibly.

With a sense of urgency, she set down her paintbrush and hurried to the sink to wash her hands, returning just as Kate handed her a pair of gloves.

“I went to see Ethan yesterday,” Kate said suddenly, her tone shifting to something more serious.

Kate studied her, her heart tightening with concern.

“He asked me to bring you a message,” she said, her voice steady.

Crunch. The sound of crispy fried chicken being devoured filled the otherwise quiet room.

Dawn licked the corner of her mouth, the rich flavors exploding in her mouth, the enticing aroma enveloping her senses. For a fleeting moment, she felt a tiny spark of happiness flicker within her.

“He said when he finishes dealing with everything, he’ll come get you. He wants you to eat well and take care of yourself.”

Kate recalled the lengthy explanation Tony had given her afterward. She added, “I think something must have happened to him. Don’t overthink it. I’ll come keep you company whenever I can.”

Dawn lowered her head, a single tear slipping down her cheek unnoticed, falling to the floor and leaving a dark, round spot behind.

After what felt like an eternity, she whispered, “Is he okay?”

Kate reflected on Ethan’s first question to her, which had mirrored Dawn’s concern. Smiling gently, she nudged Dawn with her elbow. “You two are quite the pair. He asked the exact same thing. He seemed fine to me. No broken arms or missing legs.”

She paused, then shrugged lightly. “I’ve never seen what he looked like before. But right now? He’s quite handsome.”

Dawn nodded slowly, as if the truth was finally settling within her. “Okay, I understand.”

Kate continued to talk as she ate, offering advice like an older sister would. Dawn felt a pang of guilt listening to her, overwhelmed by the contrast between their lives.

She looked at Kate’s beautiful, glowing face and said softly, “Actually, I say all that so you’d go look for him. I’m sorry.”