Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 361

**TITLE: Beseeched 361**

**Chapter 361: The One He Trusts**

“Investigating this situation is inherently complex. It took a considerable amount of effort just to gather what little information we have,” Luke remarked, his voice low but steady, as he leaned back in his chair, the weight of the conversation evident on his shoulders.

Luke had carved out a formidable reputation as a high-profile attorney overseas, primarily representing the ultra-wealthy. His connections and access to resources were light-years ahead of most in his field. Yet, even he was taken aback by the impenetrable nature of the chairman of Stonewarden Group.

“But still…” Ethan’s voice trailed off, his brow furrowing as he continued to sift through the documents laid out before him.

Noticing Ethan’s intense focus, Luke leaned in closer, lowering his voice further. “There’s definitely something off about this guy. There’s no way he hasn’t crossed legal lines, probably more times than we can count. But without solid evidence, it’s all just speculation.”

In the past, there had been adversaries who attempted to topple Stonewarden. They had enlisted private investigators, pulled strings within the system, and sought to expose any dirt they could find.

What was the outcome?

Some of those rivals ended up dead, while others simply disappeared without a trace, swallowed whole by the shadows of the world they inhabited.

The landscape of law overseas was starkly different from what they experienced here. In the lawless regions, the most lucrative businesses often thrived on the darkest of dealings.

Ethan flipped through the final pages of the dossier, his expression inscrutable. He quietly returned the papers to the folder, his voice barely above a whisper. “So, even with all of this, there’s nothing that can hold him accountable?”

“You think this is all there is?” Luke let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “You have any idea how many lawyers that man employs? His legal team is a powerhouse, composed of top-tier experts from every corner of the globe. And let’s not kid ourselves, Vincent didn’t build his empire overseas by being careless. This man is astute and exceedingly cautious. You two are not sworn enemies, so don’t go starting a war. When it comes to playing dirty, he’s operating on an entirely different level.”

Those who navigated the murky waters of legality did not rely on rules or ethics. They thrived on sheer ruthlessness.

And as for those who adhered to the law? They would never survive with their eyes closed to the reality around them.

Ethan’s lips curled into a faint smile, yet he chose not to argue further.

Uncertain if his message had truly resonated, Luke leaned in even closer, his tone shifting to one of urgency. “Listen to me, Ethan. Don’t mess with him. Individuals like that? We don’t even share the same moral compass. And you still don’t have a clear understanding of who orchestrated what happened to Dawn, do you?”

The moment Dawn’s name slipped from Luke’s lips, the atmosphere grew heavy, almost suffocating.

Ethan began to rub his thumb against his fingertip, lost in thought, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken barrier.

Luke studied Ethan’s face, exhaling a silent sigh, and chose to keep the rest of his thoughts to himself. In life, there were different kinds of walls. Some could be scaled with relative ease, while others? No matter how hard you tried, they remained insurmountable.

And when it came to those impenetrable barriers… no one else could carry you through. You had to traverse them on your own. You had to endure the wait.

“Alright, enough of this heavy talk. Let’s eat,” he declared, waving the conversation away with a lighthearted gesture. “You have no idea what kind of food I’ve been subjected to overseas. Now that I’m back, I intend to indulge in every single bite I’ve missed.”

Ethan glanced at him, a flicker of amusement crossing his features before he called over the waiter, ordering a few more dishes to accompany their meal.

By the time they had finished eating, the sun had long set, casting a dark veil over the city.

They made their way back to the hotel, the car gliding smoothly along the elevated highway. Meanwhile, across town, another vehicle cruised silently, the driver glancing into the rearview mirror. “Ms. West, will you be attending the banquet in five days?” he inquired, his tone respectful.

The woman in the back seat remained engrossed in her phone, her thick brown curls cascading over her shoulders, exuding a bold and striking presence without uttering a word.

“Ms. West, your dress is ready. When would you like to try it on?” he asked, his voice tentative.

Roxanne’s brows knitted together instantly, her fingers tapping furiously on the screen as she increased her speed.

“Try it on? For what? I’m not going,” she retorted, her tone sharp.

“But…”

Jody hesitated, gathering his courage to continue. “Mr. West won’t be pleased if you skip it.”

That statement struck like a match to kindling, igniting a fire within Roxanne. She yanked the towel off the machine and flung it at him, her frustration palpable. “Mr. West? Mr. West—whose side are you on?”

Jody kept his gaze fixed on the ground. “Of course, I work for you, Ms. West.”

“For me?”

Roxanne let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “Please. You’re just another one of his pawns.” Not just him; everyone around her was under Vincent’s influence, a puppet dancing to his strings.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to quell the storm brewing inside her, but it barely helped. The recollection of Vincent’s words during her trip to Merax flooded back, reigniting her frustration.

Who was this person who had suddenly appeared and gained so much of his trust?

To the extent that she now felt compelled to answer to them?