Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 362

**TITLE: Beseeched 362**
**Chapter 362: Back from the Dead**

In that moment, Roxanne found herself grappling with a bewildering reality—she had yet to ascertain whether the figure before her was male or female. The uncertainty gnawed at her, yet she steadied herself, gripping the edges of the treadmill as if it were a lifeline. “I understand what you just said,” she uttered in a voice barely above a whisper, “You can leave now.”

“Alright,” came the succinct reply, devoid of any emotion.

As the silence enveloped the gym, it felt as though time had come to a standstill. With the stranger’s departure, the only sound that filled the air was the rhythmic cadence of her own breathing.

After a brief moment of introspection, Roxanne steeled herself, preparing to resume her run. Yet, just as she was about to push off, the distinct sound of clicking heels echoed through the empty space, growing ever closer.

Initially, she dismissed the noise as that of another gym-goer, choosing to ignore it entirely.

But then, the footsteps halted abruptly, right behind her.

Turning her head slowly, her breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened in disbelief.

Before her stood a woman of astonishing beauty, her features so finely sculpted they seemed almost otherworldly. Dressed in a striking red gown that clung to her slender waist, the hem danced around her ankles with every graceful movement. Black heels accentuated her poised stature, crafting a figure that was utterly mesmerizing, impossible to look away from.

The woman’s smile radiated warmth, as if they were long-lost friends reuniting after years apart.

“Hey, what a coincidence,” she said, her voice smooth and inviting.

Roxanne barely had time to react, her fingers fumbling with the treadmill’s controls as she stepped off, nearly losing her balance. Her lips quivered, struggling to form a coherent response.

How could she be here?

Wasn’t she supposed to be dead?

The woman seemed to revel in Roxanne’s shock, the corners of her mouth curling into a more pronounced smile.

With deliberate slowness, she approached, her long fingers reaching out to press the treadmill’s power button, her movements elegant and almost hypnotic.

“Why has Ms. West become so timid after just three years? Is your condition any better now?”

Roxanne could only retreat a step, shaking her head in disbelief, her mind swirling with confusion.

The woman continued, undeterred by Roxanne’s silence. “You know, pretending to be mentally unwell can have its perks. People excuse your behavior under that pretense. If they choose not to forgive you, that’s their fault, isn’t it? Don’t you agree?”

Roxanne’s fingernails dug into her palms, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions. Finally, she found her voice, though it came out as a mere whisper, “You…”

The woman’s gaze turned mocking, her expression playful. “Me what?”

“Are you even human, or are you a ghost?”

Fear coursed through Roxanne, her body trembling as she confronted the woman before her. A flicker of dread danced in her eyes, betraying her composure.

The woman laughed, a sound that was both enchanting and chilling, her delicate features becoming even more radiant.

“There are no ghosts in this world,” she declared, her tone almost philosophical. “If they do exist, they dwell only in the hearts of men.”

Noticing the pallor of Roxanne’s face, she feigned a sigh of regret. “It seems Ms. West isn’t thrilled to see me. Perhaps I should take my leave. We shall meet again another day.”

In the blink of an eye, the day of the welcome reception arrived.

Roxanne had spent the preceding nights in restless turmoil, haunted by sleeplessness. She layered on heavy makeup, desperately attempting to mask the exhaustion etched on her face.

Arriving early at the Jackson Group building, she sat in her car, waiting anxiously until she spotted Ethan stepping out before she gathered the courage to join him.

“Ethan!”

As she jogged towards him, her formal dress billowed in the wind, projecting a youthful energy that seemed at odds with her current state of mind.

Ethan’s brow furrowed as he regarded her. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to join you,” she replied, her smile warm, though tinged with an underlying tension. “Even though I’m no longer leading the Stonewarden Group and Jackson Group project, I’m still the executive manager. We were such great partners; there’s no reason we shouldn’t arrive together.”

“Great… partners?”

The sarcasm in Ethan’s voice was unmistakable. “Roxanne, are you dreaming?”

A silence fell between them, the weight of his words pressing down on her.

Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

Having already lost one opportunity, she couldn’t allow others to see her as a discarded pawn of the Stonewarden Group’s chairman. To retain any semblance of value, she needed to remain connected to Ethan.

Gritting her teeth, she maintained a calm facade. “Ethan, I can only imagine how little you think of the new head of the Stonewarden Group. After all, you were coerced into attending today’s event against your will. As it happens, so was I. How about we join forces?”