Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 359

**Chapter 359 Never Again**

“But given the current tension in the air… are we absolutely certain that nothing is going to go awry?”

Tony seemed to sense the unease that hung over the group like a thick fog. With a slight lowering of his voice, he replied, “Well… our boss appears to be acting quite normal, actually. More normal than he has in weeks, if I’m being honest. I think your con might have had a positive effect. Maybe he’s finally starting to come around.”

Brogan’s brow furrowed in skepticism. “That fast?”

“Yeah, I’m not completely sold on it either…”

Alice narrowed her eyes, her expression sharpening as she clicked her tongue in thought. “How about you keep an eye on him, just to be safe? Quietly.”

Tony nodded, understanding the weight of her request. “Of course. You can count on me.”

However, as the days rolled by, Ethan completely shattered their expectations.

It was as if nothing had ever happened. He arrived at work with the same punctuality as ever, engaged in meetings with Roxanne just like before, and behind the scenes, he was still investigating her connections and the shadowy figures supporting her.

Even Tony couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“You didn’t catch what I just said, did you?”

Ethan’s voice sliced through Tony’s thoughts, sharp and unexpected.

Tony straightened, his heart racing slightly. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you, boss. Could you repeat that?”

Ethan’s gaze was tinged with irritation, but his tone remained steady. “I said, keep an eye on Lucas. Monitor who he’s been in contact with and any unusual activities. Don’t let anything slip by.”

“Understood,” Tony replied, though he hesitated for a moment. “Boss… do you still suspect Lucas had a role in what happened to Ms. Porter?”

Ethan paused, his voice dropping to a low, heavy murmur. “There’s no doubt he’s involved. If you’re not sure where to start, look into his wife.”

Yet, despite their relentless digging, they kept hitting dead ends.

They could almost see the strings being pulled from the surface, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t locate the hand that held those strings.

It felt like they were engaged in a battle of guerrilla warfare.

They were exposed under the harsh light of scrutiny, while those orchestrating the chaos remained shrouded in darkness.

Every time they thought they had unearthed a lead, it turned out to be nothing more than a coincidence or sheer happenstance.

Time slipped by quietly, unnoticed by those outside their circle. Seasons changed, and what once felt unforgettable slowly faded in the minds of the people. Life continued its relentless march forward. Things remained the same, yet the people transformed.

For those who couldn’t let go, they buried their pain deep within, constructing their own invisible cages.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

The partnership between Stonewarden Group and Jackson Group was nearing its expiration. Roxanne, who had once been at the helm of the joint project, had just been reassigned back to headquarters. She wouldn’t be overseeing the next phase of the collaboration.

“You planning to drop the deal with Stonewarden the moment I’m out of the picture?”

Roxanne’s eyes sparkled with playful sarcasm as she leaned across the desk, locking eyes with Ethan. “Ethan, after all this time, I still don’t quite get you. I won’t lie… it kinda irritates me.”

Ethan casually reached for the bouquet resting on his desk and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying.

“Do you have any idea how much market share they control in Euravia? Forget everything else for a moment; just look at the past two years. That connection with Stonewarden has propelled Jackson Group to a whole new level. Can you deny that?”

“Even if I can’t deny it, so what?” Ethan replied coolly, his expression unyielding.

“Ethan.”

Will called his name sharply, his tone low and serious. “Renewing with Stonewarden isn’t up for debate. If you can’t separate business from your personal issues, then maybe you’re not suited to be the CEO of Jackson Group.”

And just like that, the decision was final.

Ethan had no choice in the matter.

One week later, Stonewarden’s Aglar branch hosted a formal banquet to welcome their new regional director.

Alex arrived at Ethan’s place just as the invitation landed in his hands. He snatched it up and headed upstairs.

“I’m not going.”

That was all Ethan said after casting a quick glance at the card.

Alex scratched the back of his head, knowing he had a mission today—he had to persuade Ethan to attend.

“I already checked with your assistant. You’ve got nothing pressing on your schedule. So what’s the harm in going?” He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Word is… the new director’s a total knockout. Like, once-in-a-thousand-years level. You sure you don’t want to check it out?”

Ethan shot him a sidelong glance. “With the constant parade of women around you, I’m amazed you still have the energy to chase more. Your stamina must be incredible.”