Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 161

Jean was brought back from her contemplation. She raised her eyes and looked at Maranda. Her expression conveyed the shock she felt.

Even more surprising was Maranda's expression. Her face was full of bitterness, sorrow, and resignation.

"Don't tell me that you passed out because of this news." Jean asked gingerly.

"Partly, yes. I admit that I was shocked, overwhelmed even. But the girl…" Maranda's face paled as she spoke about her feelings.

"It's all right, " Jean comforted her friend. "This has nothing to do with us. That girl he likes could be a fairy or a monster, it doesn't matter. If he doesn't like you, then it just shows that he has bad taste. Maranda, you need to get better. You will find your true love sooner or later. It is just a matter of time."

Jean showed no interest in learning more about the girl John liked. She focused entirely on her friend.

Maranda was deeply touched and she threw herself into Jean's arms.

"Hey, be careful. You are still on the IV." Jean exclaimed with surprise. Maranda could have hurt herself!

Maranda shook her head as guilt flooded her.

She had once suspected that Jean was deceiving her as Jean had already known who John loved.

However, just now…

Maranda suddenly despised herself.

'Jean has done everything a good friend should. How could I suspect her of withholding a secret from me?

Jean probably didn't know! If she did then John wouldn't have warned me not to tell her.'

Maranda felt such deep regret that she wanted to sob like a child. 'Jean, I am sorry. I doubted you and questioned you.

Sorry…'

Jean would never know what Maranda was feeling and thinking.

Perhaps she saw Maranda as some sort of spoiled princess.

Someone who refused to face reality when she didn't get what she desired.

Of course, Jean wouldn't know that she was the monster being accused of.

"Jean, don't you want to know about the girl John loves? You know her too." Maranda was beating herself up inside. She decided that the only way she would feel better is to tell the truth.

She wouldn't wrong Jean again. And, Jean had the right to know the truth as well.

Otherwise, if Zed found out later, this secret might cause misunderstandings between him and Jean. That Maranda certainly did not want.

Jean shrugged and replied, "I really don't care. I don't want to know. This has nothing to do with us any more. You told John how you feel. Now we know that he is interested in someone else. It's time for us to move on. You need to stop worrying about it too. Just focus on getting well." Jean pretended to stare at Maranda angrily. "If you don't get well soon, we will all be stuck here. Is that what you want?"

"Sorry…" Maranda looked at her hands in shame. There was no way she could face Jean. Everything seemed to be her fault.

It was because of her that they missed the bus that would take them home. Jean was right. They were going to be stuck here for a while if Maranda didn't get better.

Now that she was hospitalized, Jean and John would have to stay with her. It's not like either of her colleagues could return to the hotel to shower, eat, and rest.

"Idiot! I said that to put you at ease. I was trying to make you laugh. Don't take it so seriously." Jean sighed and patted Maranda on the arm.

"I know." Maranda raised her head and said. She sobbed nonetheless. The guilt she felt would not be so easily removed. "Jean, don't worry. I won't be capricious any more. I promise to be better!"

"OK. Let bygones be bygones." Jean was relieved to see that Maranda's senses had returned.

However, it was easier said than done.

Anyway she hoped that Maranda would get better soon, both physically and emotionally.

The phone rang at that moment and Jean fished it out from her purse. She furrowed her brows when she saw the name flashing on the screen.

She took a long breath and pressed the connect button.

"Hello…"

"Jean, where are you? It is late… When are you returning?" Ethan's deep voice filled Jean's ear. He seemed genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, we are still at location." Jean glanced at Maranda who had sat upright when she heard whom Jean was speaking with. She was finally smiling! 'What a thing to smile about, ' Jean thought.

"So when will you be back?" Ethan asked again when Jean didn't answer his question.

"We might not return to the hotel tonight." Jean spoke as though this was natural and that there was no cause for concern. The last thing she wanted was for Ethan to come rushing to her aid.

"Why? Do you still have work to do at night? No, no, no, you shouldn't have to work like this! And you are not familiar with this place. Go back to the hotel soon. I will talk to Sonny about this!" Ethan's tone showed surprise. He seemed to think it was his responsibility to fix Jean's workload and working hours.

"Ethan, what do you want?" Jean sighed and asked. Before Ethan could reply, she said, "This is my job. Mind your own business. And the job is not the reason why I am not returning to the hotel tonight. And that's all I'm sharing with you."

And then she ended the call in a huff!

"Jean, why are you upset? Who is Ethan?" Maranda asked curiously.

"Don't bother about all that, " Jean said dismissively. "You need to rest." Jean said as she tried to suppress the fury in her heart. She walked to the balcony with the phone still in her hand.

She knew Ethan cared about her, but she couldn't stand how presumptuous he was. Who did he think he was? What made him think he could just call her boss and order him?

Ethan was acting like he was her boyfriend. That was really unacceptable!

The call also reminded Jean that she had to call Zed. How was she going to explain to him that she wouldn't be able to return tonight? She had told him earlier that she was trying to work quickly so she could return home earlier!

Gosh! Zed would be so worried and upset if he found out what really happened.

Thinking of that, Jean took a deep breath and pressed her lips into a line as she started to dial.

Almost as soon as the line got through, Zed answered. His mellow and sweet voice soothed Jean. However, his question set her on edge. Zed said, "Jean, are you on your way home? What time will you arrive? I will come pick you up."

The joy was obvious in his voice and it seemed as though he had been waiting for her to call. Jean could feel the warmth and tenderness with which Zed was speaking.

"Zed…" Jean found it hard to think of what to say to him. Guilt flooded her as she continued, "I am sorry. Something happened and I cannot make it back tonight."

"What's going on?" Zed paused before asking. He knew something would happen! Something always happened! This was why he worried about Jean when she traveled.

"It is Maranda. She's got the stomach flu. She is still in the hospital. Don't worry about her. They will release her tomorrow and then we will return." Jean hoped that her brief explanation, minus all the details, would not distress Zed too much.

"Tomorrow?" Zed repeated. He couldn't seem to accept that.

"Yeah. Anyway, don't wait up for me. You just got better. So go to bed early. After I get back tomorrow, I will come directly to your office. And we will go home together, OK?" Jean tried to sound cheerful as she made this promise hoping that it would please Zed.

Zed stayed silent as he mulled over what Jean said. Then he sighed and ended the call without saying anything else.

Jean stared at the phone in dismay. Did Zed take the news badly? How could he be so upset as to end the call without so much as a goodbye?

This man was so impolite.

'I knew you are upset, but you could say goodbye at least.

What the hell was that?' Jean thought as she glared at the phone.

Did Zed want her to feel guilty about something like this?

Jean sighed heavily and walked to Maranda's bed.

The door opened at that moment and John entered with boxes of food in two bags.