Chapter 361

Ross had always cultivated a polished, courteous public image. Even after the scandal broke, he hadn't retaliated against Jessica, and because of her business ties to Jean Group, she'd dared to visit him in the hospital. Jessica reassured herself silently, ‘Ross is the type to spare a woman’s feelings. He won’t humiliate me.’ But his icy tone shattered that illusion. Her smile froze. “Mr. Jean, I wasn’t rude to her. Just a misunderstanding.”

Seeing Danielle’s stony expression, Ross tried to explain. “Danielle, she and—”

“I don’t care,” Danielle interrupted. “I want an orange. Peel it for me.”

“Okay.” The fruit bowl held several oranges. Ross, who had never waited on anyone, fumbled clumsily with the peel but patiently separated a segment and fed it to her.

Jessica gaped at the scene.

Yet each bite only soured Danielle’s mood further. Jessica’s presence resurrected the sting of Ross’s past rejections. “Enough. Entertain your famous fling without me.” She grabbed her crutches and walked out.

Ross chased after her. Danielle’s hobbled pace was no match for him. As she tried shutting her ward door, he blocked it and slipped inside.

“Why follow me?” Danielle snapped. “Your guest is waiting.”

“There’s nothing between us,” Ross explained.

Danielle pouted. “She’s your scandal partner. That photo had her glued to you, and you didn’t push her away.”

She thought, ‘Now the woman is showing up uninvited. She’s clearly still obsessed.’

Ross blinked, thinking, ‘Glued to me? Jessica tried seducing me and even lunged, but I dodged. The tabloid shot was just a bad angle.’

This was the first time Danielle had ever acted jealous. Her lingering hurt over the scandal twisted his gut. He pulled her into a hug, murmuring, “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Danielle murmured, her voice softening as she lowered her gaze.

“I hurt you,” Ross said, pulling her closer. “That photo was just a bad angle. Jessica never touched me. There’s only ever been you, Danielle.” Only she had ever been allowed to throw herself at him, tease him, and kiss him.

Ross wasn’t experienced at coaxing girls, and he worried Danielle might not forgive him this time. Back then, the scandal had erupted right after their breakup. To outsiders, it looked intentional, as if he were the heartless playboy Janice had accused him of being.

No wonder Danielle had iced him out, blocking him on WhatsApp, deleting his number, and refusing to see him. He was still, technically, blacklisted.

Danielle tilted her head up, her eyes narrowing. “Really? Only—”

“Yes,” Ross answered solemnly.

Her legs tired, Danielle leaned into him. “So your ex never held you? And that actress definitely didn’t?”

Ross nodded. “I promise it won’t happen again.” His voice was impossibly gentle. “No more jealousy, okay?”

Danielle smiled. “Then swear it. No women near you except Shermaine.”

“I promise,” Ross said without hesitation.

“Only I get to hug you, kiss you, and sleep with you.” Danielle’s voice was soft but dripping with possession.

Ross chuckled, running a hand through her hair. “Deal. Want a kiss? Or… the sleeping part works too.”