Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 337

Dawn turned to Jonathan. He was looking at her with suspicion. She acted casual, raising an eyebrow. "What? I can't? I have nothing to do, and I won't get in the way."

Jonathan stared at her for a moment, but didn't refuse.

After the conference ended, Joe and Jonathan confirmed the time.

Before they could say goodbye, Jonathan was called away, leaving only Joe and Dawn by the entrance.

His eyes were gentle, like a kind elder.

"Ms. Porter, you seem curious about me."

Dawn had already calmed down. Her gaze flickered slightly, but her smile remained natural. "I am, actually. When I was little, I think I saw a photo of Professor Kerrigan at home."

"Oh?"

Joe was taken aback. "You—"

Dawn didn't show any emotion. "My mom's name is Vera Swanson. Maybe you knew her."

"Vera Swanson ... "

Joe's look turned complicated, hard to describe.

There was some regret in his eyes, something old and distant. He paused for a while, then said in an awkward tone, "Yes, I knew your mom. She was amazing. I can't believe you've grown up so much ... "

His words were rushed, thick with emotion.

Joe checked his watch. "Sorry, Dawn, I have another meeting to get to. Let's talk another time."

Dawn nodded and stepped aside.

Right after he left, Jonathan came back.

"What did you guys talk about?"

"Nothing."

Dawn looked away. Thinking about how Joe had briefly lost his composure when getting into the car, her bad mood finally lifted a little.

This Joe ...

Maybe he was a breakthrough.

Dawn didn't talk much with Jonathan. It wasn't until the next day, during a chat with Victor, that she learned Jonathan had known Joe for many years.

"When the company was just starting out, it needed expertise in physics. So Mr. Curran hired Professor Kerrigan as a consultant. Over time, they got along pretty well."

Dawn understood. "A friendship across generations."

"I guess."

Victor wasn't sure. Strictly speaking, besides the group of friends he grew up with, Jonathan didn't have close relationships with anyone.

Dawn nodded thoughtfully, then asked more about Joe.

From yesterday's reaction, he really did know her mother.

"Mm, true."

Dawn nodded with a bright smile.

"Someone like you, Professor Kerrigan, who made great contributions to the country, should rest more at this age."

Joe looked somewhat uneasy and quickly changed the subject. "Your mother ... "

"My parents died when I was eight or nine. In a fire." Dawn held his gaze, her tone flat. "You were abroad. I suppose you hadn't heard?"

"Ah ... yes."

Joe sighed. "I really didn't know. That's a shame."

He instantly looked shocked, but because he looked too shocked ... it felt forced.

Dawn paused her fingers for a second, then smiled. "Maybe everyone has their own fate. Their time just ended there. Maybe it was a new beginning for them.

"Were you close with my mom, Professor?"

Her eyes were clear, genuinely curious.

Her voice grew softer, like a young girl truly missing her late mother.

Joe's lips moved twice, like he wanted to say something.