Chapter 780 Somethingâs Off
Through the post and the efforts of the Duncan Corporationâs public relations team, public opinion was instantly reversed. Casier Real Estate, which had been in crisis, cleared the obstacles ahead and saw its stock price continuously rise due to this crisis.
Hearing the report, Shane was livid. He slammed the documents on the table and glared at one of the senior executives in front of him. âIs this the result youâre showing me? Iâve spent so much money on you, painstakingly laid out plans, and this is how you repay me? I warned you not to let anyone get hold of evidence. How could you mess it up?â
If it hadnât been for the Duncan Corporation obtaining a recorded confession from the construction workers, turning the tables so quickly wouldnât have been possible.
Dragging Casier Real Estate into trouble was equivalent to finding a breakthrough to take on the Duncan Corporation. Then, Shane would slowly drag the Duncan Corporation into the mire, just as he would deal with any other opponent and completely crush it. Who would have known that his incompetent subordinates would be so useless, caught red-handed by the other party so quickly? Not only did his plan fail to destroy the Duncan Corporation, but it also helped Casier Real Estate to gain fame. His attempt to steal a march had backfired!
Faced with the furious Shane, the group of executives trembled, and the General Manager slowly stepped forward to report the situation. âMr. Breen, I suspect we have a spy within our ranks. The Duncan Corporationâs response was too quick. Our planning was so meticulous this time; they couldnât have prepared countermeasures in advance.â
The General Managerâs words plunged those present into deep thought. Although the Duncan Corporation was extremely powerful in Casier, the speed of their countermeasures was so fast that it made them suspect something fishy was going on behind the scenes.
However, Shane quickly vetoed this speculation. âThatâs not possible!â He knew Branden was formidable, but these people around him had worked for him for decades. He was absolutely certain that they had nothing to do with it.
Knock, knock, knockâ¦
The sound of knocks on the door echoed, and then Shaneâs assistant entered the room.
Shane did find it strange, but he trusted his people. He suspected there was another reason he didnât know about, so he sent someone out to investigate. Seeing his assistant hurry into the room, he knew there must be some news. âWhatâs the situation?â
In response to Shaneâs inquiry, the assistant handed over a stack of documents. âSir, please take a look at these.â
Shane glanced through the documents, and the surveillance footage captured a scene of someone looking for the family members of construction workers. Shane recognized the person -Ronin Oconnor. He tapped the image on the paper and whispered to the assistant, âHeâs deliberately showing his face to me!â
Shane knew Roninâs capabilities. If Ronin didnât want to be seen, how could the surveillance footage capture his face? This was a provocation. Ronin had always followed Catherineâs instructions, and it seemed she was now wholly siding with Branden, joining forces to oppose Shane.
Thinking of this, Shane felt a surge of anger.
Seeing Shaneâs dark expression, the assistant cautiously suggested, âSir, should we take action?â
Shane had always treated Catherine as his daughter and had not been willing to act against her. But this time, he knew she had completely aligned herself with Branden. He would not allow this to happen. Since there was no hope for Catherineâs return, he planned to destroy her.
Receiving Shaneâs hint, the assistant silently nodded. âSir, rest assured. We will handle it.â
The originally lengthy meeting was abruptly paused due to the unexpected turn of events. The executives, who had just been scolded and dejected, were now excited and eager to retaliate.
Paxton noticed Catherine was still in the office, so he left with the other executives, leaving the space for Branden and her. Once everyone had left, the previously noisy office returned to silence. However, Catherine was still playing games in the armchair.
Seeing her still, Branden got up from the conference table and sat down beside her. As it was almost lunchtime, he caressed her abdomen and asked, â Are you hungry? Do you want to go for lunch?â
Catherine glanced at the clock on the wall-it was only eleven oâclock. For someone who finished work at twelve, this seemed too early. Her gaze landed on the plates of snacks not far ahead, expressing her disdain. âHave you ever seen me stop eating?â
Ever since Catherine entered Brandenâs office, he had constantly arranged various snacks and fruits for her, all of which were her favorites. While playing games and directing Roninâs actions, she had not stopped eating. She wasnât hungry at all.
Seeing the nearly empty fruit plate, Branden looked at her with a doting smile. âAlright, if youâre not hungry now, weâll wait a bit longer.â With that, he reached out and lifted her.
âIâm in the middle of a game!â Catherine frowned, attempting to refuse him.
Branden, however, didnât mind. âItâs okay. Just focus on your game. Iâll watch.â
Catherine paused and turned to him. â Arenât you busy? Donât you need to work?â
Branden raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile. âSomeone else has taken care of the crisis for me. Why should I work? If I have to handle those trivial matters myself, whatâs the point of keeping these people around?â
Catherine could tell that Brandenâs smile held some sinister intent, so she scrutinized him. Branden, however, gazed at her with an extremely gentle smile. âWhy are you looking at me like that? Arenât you playing the game anymore?â
Catherine remained silent and continued playing the game. As for Branden, he seemed to be just watching her play the game.
The feeling of being watched while playing the game made Catherine uncomfortable. After playing for a while, she threw her phone aside. Branden picked up her phone from the floor and sat down, holding her. âNot playing anymore?â
âNah, my eyes need a rest,â she replied.
âAlright, itâs time for dinner.â
When Branden suggested going out for dinner this time, Catherine didnât refuse. She just followed his arrangement.
Branden chose a restaurant, and when they arrived, the waiter led them to a private room. As they entered the room, Catherine furrowed her brow because she saw a round table for ten people. âWhy such a large private room for just the two of us?â she asked.
Branden didnât answer her directly but instead pulled her to sit down. âJust sit for now. Someone will join us later.â
With a heart full of suspicion, Catherine took her seat. Not long after, there were footsteps outside the private room.