Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman novel Chapter 174

"Nothing happened. Zed came to take me last night, so I didn't return to the hospital. Sorry, Maranda!" Jean didn't want to continue talking about last night. And so, she ended the conversation by apologizing to Maranda.

"I think you owe John an apology instead of me, don't you?" Maranda blinked her big eyes at Jean and continued, "You disappeared with Mr. Qi last night, and you didn't even think about giving us a call. John and I were worried about you the whole night. Go find him and apologize! After all, we work together and we cannot afford to have misunderstandings between us. It's better to straighten it out."

Maranda tried to persuade Jean.

Jean knew that Maranda was right. She shouldn't have yelled at John and accused him the way that she did. She hadn't even given him a chance to explain! Jean stood up slowly and made her way to John's office.

Jean knocked on the door. After she heard a familiar voice say, "Come in, " Jean took a deep breath before she opened the door.

John was sitting in front of his computer. He was so busy typing that he didn't look up.

Jean summoned all her courage as she walked toward John. Then she spoke sincerely, "I'm sorry, John. I misunderstood you and said some awful things. Please accept my apology."

Jean then bowed to John.

As she raised her head, Jean noticed that John was still looking at his computer screen. John was more concerned about his work, which made Jean feel sad. She bit her lower lip as she continued to look at John.

When she received no reply, Jean prompted again, "John, can you forgive me?" Guilt overwhelmed Jean. She didn't know what else she could do to make up for her inappropriate behavior with John.

Although Jean didn't know John well, she hadn't thought of him as heartless. The few times they had traveled together and met during breaks, she had noticed that although distant, John was caring enough.

After hearing what Jean said, John sighed. He looked up from his computer screen and said, "You don't have to apologize, okay? Don't take all these things so seriously. Forget about it."

"Maranda told me that you were worried about my safety last night." Jean continued as she bit her lower lip, "John, why didn't you explain it to me?"

"There was no need." John said curtly as he looked at her.

Jean realized that John was reluctant to continue the conversation. She decided to change the topic.

"I overheard Sonny saying that the Lei Group invested in our company. Are they one of our important shareholders? Since Ethan is missing, will they really decide to pull the plug?" Jean had been really worried about this. And so she asked the one question that had been troubling her the most.

"It is highly possible! You should know more about Ethan than me. Ethan invested in our company because of you." John had just confirmed what Jean had feared.

"What?" Jean widened her eyes as she was astonished by John's words. She had assumed as much, but to actually hear someone else say that Sonny had hired her because of Ethan made it all too real.

"It's simple! Our company needed money to keep growing and Ethan decided to invest in the company and provide us with some advanced filming equipment. Of course, Ethan's condition was to have Sonny mentor you." John explained patiently.

"So, it is because of Ethan that Sonny took me as his student. It's not because I have talent? And it was Ethan who had set all this up?" Jean asked with a dazed look.

John sighed and then nodded, "But boss really likes you, or he would not have accepted you as his student. If boss didn't like you, he would have negotiated with Ethan. He would have offered you a position in the company, but he would not have made the compromise of taking you as one of his students. As you know, he is passionate about photography and he has worked very hard to build his reputation. He wouldn't risk all that just for an investment."

Jean sniffed and shook her head. A bitter smile grew on her face as she thought of all the things that had happened between her and Ethan.

'All this while, I have been avoiding Ethan as he behaves in a way that I find loathsome. I never treated Ethan with kindness.

Ever since we were dating, I have been under the impression that Ethan was fickle and that his feelings toward me were not genuine.

But...

This? All of this proves that I am wrong.

The Ethan I knew would have taken every opportunity to remind me that he had done me a favor.

But Ethan didn't. He did all this secretly and never once brought it up to make me feel as though I owe him.

He did this because he knows I love photography.

He did this because he knows I admire Sonny.'

"Don't worry. I won't let our company get in trouble." Jean turned and walked toward the door.

"Jean..." John said. He wanted to say something but he didn't know how. Jean stopped when she heard John call to her. John stood and walked toward Jean.

"What?" Jean cautiously looked at him and asked.

"Don't be foolish!" John looked at her reproachfully and said, "Jean, you have to think twice before you do something. You are married now. You should put your husband first."

Jean was shocked and looked at John in surprise.

She had an idea of what John was trying to imply.

'John thinks I should not approach Zed.

That I should think about Zed and his reputation.

John is right. Zed punished Ethan for what he did to me last night.

If I ask Zed about Ethan now, without a doubt, Zed will be furious.

But if not, Ethan......'

Jean tried to find a way to wiggle out of this situation. But she couldn't think of a way to talk about Ethan without offending her husband. She kept thinking but she couldn't come up with an alternative. Jean shook her head as she resigned herself to the fact that she would have to confront Zed.

"Jean, you are too soft and too kind. Sometimes kindness cannot solve a problem. You need to learn to be stronger." John sighed as he noticed Jean's expression. Then he turned and walked back to his desk.

Jean took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself.

Then she wore a wry smile and headed out of the office.

She waited at the entrance of the building. An hour later, she watched Zed driving up to the entrance.

As Zed parked, Jean ran her fingers through her hair to make herself more presentable. Then she walked toward the car, opened the car door, and sat in the front seat.

She gazed at Zed as she wanted to discern what mood he was in. But Zed looked calm as if nothing had happened.

At this moment, Jean felt as though Zed was being a bit strange.

She thought, 'Clearly, he has something to do with Ethan's disappearance. But how could he behave so calmly?

Was he born so calm?

Or does he pretend to be calm?

"Why are you staring at me. Do you have something to say?" Zed asked as he drove the car.

"I heard some news at the company."

Although John had warned Jean, she didn't plan to give up.

She decided to try even if there was a chance that she would fail.

"What news?" Zed glanced at her and asked.

"Ethan is missing, and his family has informed the police." Jean said. She was still studying Zed's expression. She wanted to see if his demeanor would change.

After hearing what she said, Zed suddenly stepped on the brakes. A loud screeching sound could be heard as the car swerved. Gravel flew and bounced off the windows as Zed navigated the car off-road.

Jean closed her eyes and held her breath in fear. Once the car came to an abrupt halt, Jean felt as though she couldn't breathe.

Automobiles whirred past, but Jean stared out the windscreen as she tried to calm herself.

Jean had known that Zed would be furious when she asked about Ethan. But she hadn't expected such an extreme reaction. She tried to keep a calm expression as she turned to face Zed. Her breath hitched when Jean realized that Zed was already staring at her.

"What are you implying?" Zed asked coldly with a frown.

"All this happened because of me. I have the right to know what you did to Ethan." Jean said fearlessly.

"Fine. If I tell you, then what will you do? Will you tell his family or the police where he is and have him rescued?" Zed asked. Although Zed knew that Jean had feelings for him, there had always been a doubt about whether she loved Zed more than Ethan. Zed had been there to save Jean when Ethan had tried to hurt her the night before. Earlier today, Jean had denied being concerned about Ethan. But the way she was questioning him and her attitude, unsettled Zed.

"Zed, you have never trusted me." Jean shook her head in disbelief. No matter how many times she tried to convince Zed that she loved him and that she would support him, he never seemed to believe her. And every time they fought, it was because of Ethan. "I'm your wife and you are my husband. And yet you won't give me any credit, " Jean said morosely. "You took Ethan away because of me. If I tell the Lei family or the police about this, you will suffer. Tell me, why would I do that? Do you think that I want you to suffer?" Jean turned to stare at Zed as she continued, "Why would I take Ethan's side and help him to hurt you?"