Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Have Your Own Career

Linda glanced at Wendy.

That sounds awfully familiar. It’s almost exactly what she said last time.

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Ethan made a low sound like he’d heard Wendy, then calmly put the draft away. “It’s not a fit.”

Wendy’s head shot up in surprise. “Why?”

Linda stayed quiet, but inside, she gave Wendy credit for being bold.

Ethan let out a laugh that didn’t mean anything, his tone impossible to read. “If I say it’s not a fit, then it’s not a fit. Why does there need to be a reason?”

Wendy bit her lip, still trying to push back. “Mr. Jackson, I just want to know why.”

A shadow flickered across Ethan’s eyes. “You’ll find out.

“Tomorrow night, Marketing has a meeting with an important partner. Since you’re so capable, you can go.”

Wendy’s disappointment vanished instantly, and she smiled brightly. “You can count on me, Mr. Jackson. I’ll make sure it gets done.”

All the departments had been ready to go for after–work team–building, but Linda suddenly said the boss had a last–minute issue, and tonight’s event was canceled.

Janice stroked her chin, looking deep in thought like Sherlock Holmes. “You think the boss got busted by his wife?”

Dawn blinked. “What makes

“Oh, come on.”

you say that?”

Janice explained as if she had proof. “Think about it–what CEO cancels after already giving an order? That’s like slapping himself in the face.”

Dawn let out a quiet “oh,” then asked curiously, “The boss is married?”

From what she’d heard earlier, he sounded pretty young.

“Rumor says he’s got a very young wife… But no one really knows. He hides it crazy well.”

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Chapter 44 Have Your Own Career

Very young wife? That sounds weird.

:

Dawn’s eyes widened, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

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Janice took a deep breath, packing up her stuff. “So? Since team–building’s canceled, do you wanna grab dinner?”

“Sure.”

Dawn remembered she’d already told Ethan she might not be home, so she didn’t refuse.

The two packed up and headed downstairs together, just as Wendy came out of the office. An assistant whispered in surprise, “In just two days, Janice and Dawn are already that close?”

Wendy gave a small, sharp laugh but said nothing.

If they’re that close, won’t they rise and fall together?

Her

eyes

flashed with something dark–she had a plan now.

Dawn and Janice picked a nearby restaurant, a trendy steak restaurant with good online ratings, the kind of place people went to just to take Instagram photos.

“Tonight’s on me,” Janice said, tapping on the iPad menu before handing it to the waiter. “Think of it as a little welcome party. No fighting me on the bill.”

Warmth spread through Dawn’s chest–her first real friend.

Janice looked up and caught Dawn staring, shifting her shoulders back. “Why are you looking at me like that? You’re freaking me out.”

“Nothing. Just thinking you’re really nice.”

“Well, I hope you won’t take advantage of that.”

Janice thought about it, then almost laughed at herself.

This girl–so young, so kind–it’s honestly impossible to dislike her.

“You know, it’s lucky you’ve aimed this loyalty at me. If it were anyone else, you’d get played until you had nothing left.”

Dawn thought that was way too much and laughed. “I’m not stupid, you know. I wouldn’t just let someone trick me. Sure, I don’t have much life experience, but I trust my gut. You can read someone’s character right on their face.”

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Chapter 44 Have Your Own Career

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“That’s true.” Janice nodded but still gave a warning. “But Dawn, work life isn’t like school. Out here, people will do anything for profit. Don’t trust too easily. That’s lesson one in the real world.”

Dawn had imagined all kinds of situations, but felt everything was still under her control.

Even so, she answered seriously, “Got it. I’ll remember.”

Neither of them realized danger was already closer than they thought.

After dinner, Dawn drove Janice home.

Janice froze at the sight of her Porsche. “Wait… this is your car?”

“Sort of…”

“With money like this, why are you even working at Dreammaker Studios?” She’d seen car vloggers online gush over this model–the ones with the highest specifications cost six figures.

Dawn didn’t know how to explain, so she thought for a moment. “It’s not really my money. The car was a gift. And I feel like … no matter how much you have, you should still have your

own career.”

Janice brushed her hand over the steering wheel, not disagreeing. “Yeah. That’s exactly why I like you. Okay, let’s go. Thanks for driving me.”

“You got it, boss.”

After dropping Janice off, Dawn swung by and picked up a small cake on her way home.

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