Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 6

The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward. Dawn's gaze swept over the woman beside her. Sydney hadn't said anything, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes as if she were enjoying the show.

Dawn spoke softly, "It's nothing.

"Cecelia asked if I had found an internship, and I told her I had."

Realizing the situation, Cecelia quickly tried to smooth things over. "Yeah, Dawn is about to graduate, after all. I was even thinking of inviting her to work at our company."

Austin's deep gaze lingered on Dawn's face for a second before he said in a low voice, "No, thanks. She'll be interning at a company under Osborne Group."

Only then did Sydney smile lightly and chime in, "I've heard Dawn performs very well in school. I'm sure she'll shine wherever she goes. Austin, you should listen to her opinion too."

Austin was used to handling things for Dawn, so he responded instinctively, "She has no social experience. How would she know what's good for her?"

Yeah, it had always been him to make the call.

Dawn lowered her eyes and refuted, "I'm turning 21 soon. Why wouldn't I be able to tell what's good for me?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Austin's eyes before his expression turned cold. He immediately assumed she was deliberately opposing him.

This girl's temper is getting worse.

He wanted to question her, to ask what she was trying to prove, but considering they were at someone's newborn celebration, he held back.

"It's best if you can." His voice was icy. "Since you're here, behave yourself. You're leaving with me later."

With that, he took Sydney with him to the other side of the room without sparing Dawn another glance.

After the past two days, Dawn had already grown accustomed to it.

Fine. Ignore me all you want.

I'm leaving anyway. At least I could enjoy some peace now.

Cecelia, however, had witnessed everything and couldn't stand it. She pulled Dawn aside and comforted her, "I didn't expect him to be this strict. There's nothing likable about him. He's no different from some old-fashioned grandpa. Let's just ignore him."

Dawn nodded firmly. "I won't let him upset me anymore."

Thinking Dawn was in a bad mood, Cecelia decided not to introduce her to more people and instead took her for a stroll around the manor.

Nestled between the mountains and rivers, the place was breathtakingly beautiful.

Dawn felt a little guilty. "Cecelia, I think I'm holding you up."

"No way! We came here to have fun, didn't we?" Cecelia grinned and leaned in to whisper, "If Austin ever yells at you next time, just think of him as going through menopause. That's what happens when people get older."

Dawn considered it but decided against telling her that she was leaving.

There wouldn't be a ‘next time' anymore.

The gathering lasted until late into the night. Everyone cooed over Cecelia's baby, marveling at how adorable he was. Toward the end, when people were getting tipsy, the conversation turned to Austin and Sydney.

"When are you two getting married? You're at the right age—you should hurry up! When the baby's born, we'll throw a grand celebration, and we'll all pitch in for a big gift!"

The lively doorway suddenly fell silent.

Several people discreetly glanced at Dawn.

There was sympathy in their eyes.

Sydney acted as if she hadn't noticed anything. With a slightly shy smile, she said, "Of course! We'll be sure to invite everyone."

The awkwardness eased a little.

After a few more jokes, the guests finally dispersed.

Dawn had no choice but to get into Austin's car.

Sydney sat in the front passenger seat, adjusting the air conditioning and playing music as if she were right at home. She even turned around to offer Dawn a piece of gum. "Austin brought this back for me from Gredos. You can't find it anywhere else. Try it."

Dawn looked at her pretentious smile and replied expressionlessly, "No, thank you."

The moment she finished speaking, she caught Austin's disapproving look in the rearview mirror.

She pretended not to see it and lowered her head to play with her phone.

I hadn't done anything, had I?

For heaven's sake, I wasn't laughing at that!

No one spoke again after that, but thankfully, they soon arrived at Sydney's home, putting an end to the suffocating atmosphere.

Austin got out to open her door. "If anything like this happens again, call me. Don't try to handle it alone," he said dotingly.

Sydney sniffled. "I know, I just didn't want to trouble you."

"I'm your boyfriend. There's no such thing as too much trouble."

Dawn looked away, refusing to look at their little display of affection.

A few minutes later, Austin returned to the car. He swept his dark gaze over Dawn as if suggesting that she'd be answering for her actions soon.

The drive home was fast. Dawn remained calm as she got out of the car.

Sure enough, the moment they stepped inside, Austin's face darkened, and he snapped, "Dawn, I've told you before—if you have a problem, take it up with me. What was that attitude just now?"

"What attitude?"

Dawn looked up at him. "I wasn't laughing at her."

"Then what were you laughing at?"

"I—"

She obviously couldn't say she was laughing because Ethan joked about having a baby with her.

If she did, with the way Austin was, he'd lecture her for three days straight.

Seeing her hesitation, the coldness in Austin's eyes deepened. His voice dropped even lower. "If you still don't get it, then let me make this clear once and for all. I am your uncle. I will never have any feelings for you beyond family ties. Never."

Even though she had already known this, hearing it still made her heart clenched.

It didn't hurt as much anymore, but she still felt upset.

Then, she looked straight into Austin's eyes with an icy gaze and said, "Don't worry, Uncle Austin. I'll remember my place from now on. I won't think about things I shouldn't."