Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman
Chapter 243 I Might Have An Ulterior Purpose

To stop Jesse, Jean shouted hastily from behind her.

However, Jesse was so angry at Zed that she didn't stop to listen to anyone, not even Jean.

When Jesse heard Jean calling to her, she didn't stop. On the contrary, she quickened her pace.

When Jean turned to Zed for help, she saw that he was sulking. She knew then, that it would be impossible to convince him to help her.

She had no choice but to catch up with Jesse by herself.

On some level, Jean felt guilty. After all, she was the one who suggested that Jesse replace a boyfriend. What was more, to prevent Jesse from becoming more spoiled, Zed started to persuade Jesse as well. Neither Jean nor Zed had accounted for Jesse's true feelings. Jesse had always turned to Zed when her family pushed her to consider marriage. But now, he was doing the same. Perhaps she saw that as some sort of betrayal, which was why she walked off in a huff. Disappointment and sadness were palpable in Jesse's expression and tone. She realized that she did not have Zed's support any more.

Although Jean wanted some personal time with Zed, she knew that she could not leave Jesse alone at this challenging time.

She felt it was her responsibility to ensure that Zed and Jesse remained on friendly terms otherwise, later, when Zed cooled down, he would regret not being there for Jesse when she needed his support. 'How can I live with the knowledge that my husband feels guilty for another woman?'

No, this was something that Jean would not allow.

At that thought, Jean chased after Jesse. Since Jesse had a head start, Jean had to run for a while to catch up with her.

Jean gasped as she caught hold of Jesse's arm, "Jesse, please stop! If you leave like this, Zed will be consumed by guilt."

"Will he? No way. He can't wait to replace a boyfriend to watch over me now." Jesse replied in anger.

"He's just trying to help. You know that he really wants you to be happy......" Jean's labored breath made it difficult to speak. She took a few deep breaths before she explained to Jesse.

"Then how about you? Don't tell me that you put forward the suggestion because you care about me. You brought this up deliberately in front of Zed. What do you really want?" Jesse asked as she glared at Jean scornfully.

"I......" Jean looked at Jesse sheepishly, "Actually, I did have an ulterior purpose."

"An ulterior purpose? What is that? Just say it." asked Jesse. She couldn't wait for Jean's answer.

"Every time we hang out together, I notice that you seem lonely. Zed and I are married, and we have each other for company. But you have no one. When you see us together, you seem sad. Zed cares about you a lot. And of course, I would want you to be happy......" Explained Jean with a sigh.

'You will no longer be the cause of strife between Zed and me, 'thought Jean.

"Well, nicely said, " Jesse replied as she shook her head. She found it hard to believe that Jean was being so understanding. "Jean Wen, how did I not know that you were so good at acting?" laughed Jesse. There was just no reason for her to believe what Jean had just said.

"I know you're upset now, and that you're saying such things because of how you feel. Regardless, you need to consider the consequences of your actions. If you leave like this, things will change between you and Zed. And there will be no way to go back to how you two used to be. Is that what you want?" Jean's tone and expression conveyed her sincerity. She really wanted Jesse to believe that both, she and Zed wanted what was best for Jesse.

"I must admit, I am surprised by your behavior, Jean. You should be eager to see me leave you and Zed alone. And yet, you chased after me and asked me not to go. Jean Wen, what kind of woman are you?" asked Jesse. She couldn't help asking the question to which she had been eagerly awaiting the answer.

"That's not important. What's important is whether or not you'll return with me now. What do you say?" asked Jean. She did not want to discuss the problem with Jesse at the moment. However, when Jesse didn't reply, Jean continued, "If I were you, I would not leave like this when Zed is angry. You know him as well as I do. You know it is a stupid thing to do......

"Fine, I won't leave since you are asking me so nicely, " came Jesse's sardonic reply. Then she sighed before continuing, "You are right. I should not walk away when Zed is angry. If we leave things like this, I will lose his friendship. Then, when I need him, he won't support me. He has always been my pillar of support when my parents troubled me. Jean Wen, I hope that you won't regret what you've done today."

After finishing, Jesse smiled at Jean nonchalantly before waving and saying, "Tell Zed that I'm going back downtown. Since you've been kind to me, I'll leave you two alone. See you soon!"

Jesse turned and strode toward the resort without waiting for Jean's response.

A puzzled expression crept on Jean's face as she watched Jesse leave. She was confused by Jesse's quick change in attitude.

What Jesse had done was totally unexpected. Jean felt as though Jesse had acted out of character.

It seemed that she was very free and unrestrained.

Jesse took her leave without any delay.

And she stayed once she had promised, as if nothing had happened.

However, the more Jesse showed her free and easy manner, the more worried Jean became.

Perhaps she had never known the real Jesse!

As Jean gradually walked back, she found that Zed was smoking by the river.

Surprised, she stopped to study him. A pensive expression replaced the earlier look on Jean's face.

She had seldom seen Zed smoke before. The few times that she did see him smoking were the times when he was in a really bad mood. But now......

Since he was smoking then it meant that he was in an awful mood because of Jesse.

Jean couldn't help feeling bitter at the thought. She took a few deep breaths to brace herself before walking toward him.

Hearing a noise, Zed looked up quickly. When he saw Jean, he stubbed out the cigarette.

"Has she left?" Zed's voice was calm, and his face was expressionless. He fixed his eyes on Jean's face as though he were asking about the weather.

"Yes, she's gone downtown." Jean nodded as she replied. She took a few steps toward Zed and encircled his waist before laying her head gently on his broad back.

"Downtown?" asked Zed with a frown. He didn't believe what he had just heard.

"Well, she said she was going downtown first. She also said that she would be waiting for us at dinner later this evening." answered Jean with a slight sigh.

"How did you pacify her successfully? With her character, no one can convince her to do anything she doesn't want to." asked Zed. He turned to face Jean. It had come as a complete surprise to him that Jean had been able to accomplish this. "Actually, it is not that difficult to persuade her. Perhaps you have not fully understood her before." Jean said with a slight smile on her face.

'You are the most important person in her heart.

She'll listen to everything I say if it concerns you.

Zed, how could you not know of Jesse's feelings for you?' Jean was lost in her thoughts.

"What's wrong with you, Jean? Why do you look so tired?" asked a concerned Zed. He frowned as he examined Jean's expression. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt as though she was behaving oddly.

"Nothing, I'm just feeling a little tired from running after Jesse. Let's talk later. Why don't you go fishing while I rest on the deckchair over there?" Jean walked away before Zed could reply.

"Jean......" Not wanting to end the conversation like this, Zed grabbed Jean's hand. There was still something he wanted to say to her.

Jean looked back at him expectantly.

"Thank you." Zed shifted his feet as he tried to figure out how best to convey what he was feeling to Jean. After a while, he mumbled those two simple words.

Looking at his embarrassed but relieved expression, Jean tried hard to suppress her emotions. Her heart felt as though it would burst. It was a while before she smiled and asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for going after Jesse. I was really worried about her." After a deep sigh, Zed continued in an anxious tone, "She is at odds with her family since she ran away from home. And she has nowhere to go except our house."

"Doesn't she have any siblings or friends?" Jean was surprised at Zed's revelation. She couldn't help but ask.

"She is the only child in her family. As everyone has indulged Jesse since her birth, she has become very strong willed. As for her friends, well, as far as I can recall, she doesn't have any." replied Zed with a frown. He thought over all the conversations he'd had with Jesse and couldn't recall the name of any of her friends. It seemed as though she hadn't mentioned any. 0000