Chapter 1044: I hope you also understand mine in the future.

At the same time...

A shadow cast over Zoren as he lowered his head, clearly pissed at the situation he had walked into. Looking over at William and seeing Atlas’s unfazed reaction still didn’t make him feel any better. Meanwhile, Allen felt like his knees would give out, as he felt relief the moment he saw Zoren.

Finally!

"William Pierson, I didn’t know you called the shots now," Zoren started, his voice low. Yet, his tone sent chills down everyone’s spine.

"Hah... Zo — Zoren," William stuttered, trying to hide his nervousness with a laugh that failed miserably. "What — what are you doing here?"

"I work here. Am I not allowed to be here?" Zoren tilted his head slightly. "Or... am I supposed to report to you now as well?"

"Of course not!" William let out a nervous laugh. "I’m just saying you’re a busy man! Considering today’s agenda, shouldn’t you be in your office preparing for the meeting?"

"I am... supposedly, if not for the interesting call I received."

"A call?"

"Hi, Uncle~!" Suddenly, Dean’s voice was heard behind William. When the latter looked back, his face soured at Dean’s bright smile. Dean waved at him as if they had been close before approaching them.

As Dean walked past Atlas and Allen, Atlas followed Dean’s figure with his gaze. His lips curved down slightly. Fortunately, Dean didn’t stop to brag about his help. Not that Atlas would have thanked him.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Dean darted his squinting eyes at everyone before they eventually settled on William. "I was on my way to work when I saw that something interesting was happening here. So, I called him because he might find it interesting!"

"I’m right, aren’t I, Uncle?" Dean then shifted his attention to Zoren, smiling. "What’s happening in the lobby is worth your time."

Zoren briefly glanced at Dean before moving his gaze back to William Pierson. "It is, indeed, interesting."

William’s heart shook as he took a step back. ’This little brat! I should’ve dealt with him before!’ he mentally groaned, shooting Dean secret death glares.

He knew it! Zoren wouldn’t even have come down here if someone hadn’t told him about the situation.

’Is he friends with the Bennets or what?’ William grumbled to himself. ’How come he’s poking his nose into this and helping Atlas Bennet?’

What William didn’t consider was that Dean’s help wasn’t about liking Atlas or anyone else. Dean simply disliked William with all his heart, body, and soul, and he was always passionate about the people he hated.

"Director William, just now, you were kicking Mr. Atlas Bennet out of the company... How bold of you, considering our company’s connection with the Bennets and primarily the Prime Group!" Benjamin barked, ready to bite anyone who was fighting Penny’s family.

How dare this William Pierson—was he looking for a fight?!

"Are you trying to sever our company’s relationship with one of the best security firms in the world?!" he continued, his tone rising so everyone could hear. If William was dramatic, then Benjamin was twice that. Since William liked attention, Benjamin wouldn’t mind giving it to him. "The Prime Group has been keeping the backbone of this company safe, but here you are, messing with it! I’d take it as you wishing ill toward the CEO and the company!"

"Assistant Vitt, what are you talking about?! This is slander! What you’re implying is impossible!" William harrumphed. "I am not trying to cause strife between Prime Group and our Pierson Corporation! As far as I remember, Atlas Bennet is not part of or associated with Prime Group. Even if his sister is the CEO of Prime Group, who currently handles the Pierson Family’s security, he and the Prime Group are still two separate entities!"

"By no means am I trying to cause problems with anyone associated with our company. I respect everyone equally. I’m simply saving Mr. Atlas Bennet the trouble!" he continued defending himself, smirking inwardly as he thought of ways to turn the tables. "It is true that I asked security to escort them out, even though I didn’t want to! As far as I remember, we are not hiring! However, they were being stubborn and even denied my kind advice! If anything, they made it sound like my credibility was in question! I had no choice but to get them escorted out, as I should as part of the upper management!"

"My actions were purely to help and clear the situation! Unless, of course, my kind gestures are taken in the wrong context just because the company doesn’t recognize personal vendettas and professionalism," he added, a light glint flickering in his eyes. "I believe the Prime Group isn’t that shallow, are they?"

"You—" Benjamin scoffed in disbelief, rendered speechless at how William was so good at twisting the narrative. ’Wow... he really renders me speechless! No wonder Dean Pierson is on the brink of starting a hate club for this person! I’d sign up!’

Dean, on the other hand, smirked as he expected such twisted reasoning. Admittedly, this was William’s biggest talent.

’Not letting him go will only make everybody else petty,’he thought. ’But letting it go could mean... upsetting Atlas Bennet.’

At this point, it was like choosing which route to take.

As for Zoren, he studied William’s expression and caught the viciousness and mischief in the latter’s eyes. One of the things Zoren didn’t need to see, as this one was always clear to him, even when he had eyesight problems.

"William Pierson..." Zoren trailed off when he caught Atlas standing right behind William.

Atlas tapped William’s shoulder, making the latter look back at him. Deep lines formed on William’s forehead as his gaze fell on Atlas. Their height difference was palpable because Atlas had to lift his eyes to meet William’s. However, despite that, the physical difference didn’t matter much with Atlas’s cold expression.

"William Pierson, is it?" Atlas remarked, nodding slightly in understanding. "Thank you for thinking of me and my time. I appreciate that."

William smirked. ’I guess he’s not as stupid as I thought he was. Getting Zoren involved would only affect Zoren, not me!’ "I hope you understand my intentions, Mister Bennet. I don’t mean harm as to how Mr. Vitt is making it sound me to be!"

"You —!"

"I do understand it." Atlas nodded, cutting off Benjamin, eyes on William. "So, I hope you also understand mine in the future."