Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman
Chapter 170 Please Don't Cry

When Zed loosened his hold on Jean's chin, she sank to the floor.

Expressionlessly, she glared at Zed. "Yes, I wanted to know how badly he had been hurt. Am I monster for not wanting Ethan to die for what he did? I knew you were angry last night. And I am quite aware of what you can do when you get angry. Had it been anyone else, I would not have cared. But we're talking about Ethan Lei. His background is not what you think it to be. I dated him before. I know the truth. Although the repercussions will not cost you your life, handling a situation with the Lei family will not be easy. That's why I told you last night that the bad guys would pay the price some day. You didn't have to put yourself in a situation that would leave you vulnerable! I have no idea what I did to cause this misunderstanding. I, Jean Wen, am an ordinary woman. I do not have the power or money that you and Ethan Lei do. But I will never forgive a beast like him. I've explained everything now. No matter whether you believe me or not, I won't explain it again. I'm leaving for the hospital. I'd like to check on Maranda."

Jean didn't want to cause more problems between her and Zed. So she took her time and explained things to Zed in a way that there would be no more ambiguity. Without giving Zed a chance to react, she stood, and walked toward the door. This whole time, Jean remained expressionless.

Zed had always handled situations calmly. However, ever since he had fallen in love with Jean, he seemed incapable of doing so.

He caught hold of her hand without thinking, "I'm sorry. I misunderstood you," he said sheepishly.

However, Jean just stood there. She showed no emotions and she didn't struggle to free herself.

When Zed didn't receive a response from Jean, he felt even more ashamed of his actions. His expression conveyed the pain and sorrow that he felt.

"Jean, could you please say something?" Zed beseeched. When Jean continued to be silent, Zed added, "Scold me if you want to, but please say something." Jean couldn't bring herself to say anything to Zed. She lowered her gaze to the floor. Upon seeing her reaction, Zed stepped closer to Jean. Slowly Jean raised her head and looked at Zed.

The Zed she knew would never apologize like this. He would also never admit that he was wrong.

And yet, here he was begging for Jean's forgiveness. That implied that he really loved Jean. 'He would never speak like this and with such humbleness, if he did not care about me.

If I remain silent, Zed will lose his confidence and patience.

After that our relationship will probably get worse.

But, he did not even give me a chance to explain. He just denigrated me and insulted me.'

At this thought Jean's tears began to fall again. Zed's behavior had caused her more heartache than he could have imagined.

Zed, who had been waiting patiently for Jean's response, became extremely distraught when he saw her tears.

"I'm sorry...... I'm so sorry...... It's all my fault. Please don't cry, all right?" He implored while wiping away her tears. "Just scold me, beat me... do whatever you want if it will make you feel better. But please stop crying, please. Oh god, I'm so sorry, Jean......" Zed gushed. He couldn't believe that he let his anger get the better of him. He loved Jean and yet, he had hurt her so much.

Jean rushed forward and beat Zed's chest with her tiny fists. "You.. how could you? You never once gave me the opportunity to explain. All you do is assume... assume that I'm in love with Ethan, assume that I care for him more than I care for you. You never did...... No matter how many times I have told you. You have never believed me. Not once. I...... don't know how else to convince you. Why won't you believe me?..."

"I'm so sorry...... I am really sorry......" Zed whispered as he wrapped his strong arms around Jean to pacify her. He was overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and wanted to show Jean how remorseful he was.

"What's the use of apologizing?" Jean retorted as she stared into his deep, dark eyes. "The injury and insult that you've caused me will haunt me forever! If this is how we're going to be for the rest of our lives, then I'm sorry but I can't be with you. I would like to divorce you......" Jean's heart ached as she said those words. In response to her emotions, tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Stop mentioning the divorce! Anything...... anything but that. Please! I'll do anything..." Zed's face paled when he heard Jean's decision. He couldn't fathom a life without her.

Jean stood resolute in front of Zed. 'I don't want to divorce you! But you leave me no choice. I have to ensure that this kind of behavior does not repeat itself."

"Our car, house, the property, take whatever you want. Just stop talking about the divorce." Seeing that Jean wasn't reconsidering her ultimatum, Zed offered her everything he had.

"No way!" Jean shook her head firmly. However, when she saw how devastated Zed looked, she folded. With a deep sigh she said, "All right. I won't bring up the divorce any more. But tell me, why are you here?"

Zed furrowed his eyebrows at Jean's abrupt change of topic. He answered quickly, "I've told you, haven't I? I came because of you. I was worried about your safety."

"But still, I don't think it's that simple." Jean muttered. She took a step back as she continued to speak, "I saw Selena at the hotel gate earlier today. But she hadn't showed up last night when Ethan tried to implement his plan. I never thought that he would use such despicable means," Jen stopped speaking long enough to shake her head. She still couldn't believe what Ethan had tried to do. The Ethan she knew was a womanizer, yes. But he wasn't a degenerate. She looked at Zed as she continued, "And it's not just Ethan! Selena is acting suspiciously as well, and she......"

Jean stopped. The reason for Selena's involvement was too embarrassing for Jean to say out loud.

Zed looked at her with admiration written all over his face. It had never occurred to him that his little woman had such an intelligent mind.

"What's wrong with Selena's behavior?" Zed prompted Jean gently.

He wanted to know if Jean could form a connection between all these events.

"Selena is a star and a lot of news reports have talked about the dirty deals behind the curtain in the entertainment industry. What's more, she is up to something. I know how she feels about you, and we all know that once Selena wants something, she will work very hard to get it. So I was wondering why she was not here when Ethan drugged me. Is it possible that she has colluded with Ethan? Was she going back to H City to seduce you?"

Jean's eyes widened. Could what she just said be true? Had she figured out Ethan's and Selena's devious plans? She stared at Zed as though seeking his input.

Zed couldn't help clapping. He really was surprised. "You are a great detective!"

"So, what I'm thinking is correct?" Jean's mouth opened wide as she thought over what Zed had said. Had she really figured it out? Could Selena and Ethan really fall this low? As another thought crossed Jean's mind, she lowered her eyes and asked Zed, "Did you... did you and Selena..." she shook her head. There was no way that Jean could ask Zed such a question.

Zed frowned at Jean's inability to ask him a simple question directly. "Are you afraid that I...... slept with her?" Zed shook his head as he spoke with Jean. There was no way that this was the question that Jean was struggling with. She knew him well enough to answer that without asking him!

Jean felt as though her heart was going to burst out of her chest. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she tried explaining herself, "Well, I can't be blamed for such random thoughts. Everyone knows that men cannot control themselves. Isn't it? Selena is beautiful and sexy. If something happened, it wouldn't be entirely in your control..."

"Who says that? If I had slept with Selena, I wouldn't have been here last night in time to... rescue the beautiful damsel in distress!" Zed was trying to use humor, but inside, he seethed. He couldn't believe what Jean was implying.

It was an insult to his character. Zed took great pride in his family background and upbringing. He may not have had an ideal childhood, but his parents instilled strong morals in him. To accuse him of something like this? Jean must be intentionally trying to hurt him. 'Just because some men cannot control themselves when tempted by a beautiful woman with a sexy body, Doesn't mean that all men have the same lack of self control.

How can you compare me with them?'

But Jean was lost in her thoughts. She hadn't noticed that Zed had been offended by what she had said. In her mind, she focused on the fact that Zed had called her a beautiful damsel.

'Zed thinks I'm beautiful?

He can resist Selena but he cannot resist me? Does he find me to be more attractive than Selena?'

Jean's heart overflowed with joy. She grinned at Zed.

Despite the hurt Zed felt at Jean's accusation, seeing that smile on her face brought Zed a tremendous amount of relief. He had hurt her with his words and actions. When she cried and refused to speak with him, Zed had been afraid that he had lost her. And yet, here she stood, grinning at him.

"Well, are you satisfied with my answer?"

Zed raised an eyebrow and asked as he took a step closer to Jean. Jean's heart beat faster at his proximity. She looked at him and saw the fire of desire flickering in his eyes. Jean's ears burned when she realized Zed's intentions.

Jean could not afford to let Zed sidetrack this argument. She needed to re-establish control in this situation so that he wouldn't behave horribly with her again. Jean shook her head at Zed as though warning him that he hadn't gotten away with hurting her. Then she pouted and said, "Do not lose your temper so easily next time. Zed, you have no idea how scary it is when you lose your temper."

With a frown Zed asked, "Really?"

"Yep!" Jean nodded and began to explain, "You are always so reserved. And you behave in a manner that most people find intimidating. That includes me. I never know if you are in a good mood or a bad mood. Your expressionless face and cold tone, make it impossible to read you. That makes you unapproachable. How do you expect me to come to you with my problems when you look and sound hostile? If that isn't bad enough, when you lose your temper..." Jean shuddered. 0000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐