Chapter 1048: And what exactly is that?

William’s smug expression dominated his face as he nodded at Jonathan as if offering a gesture of "you’re welcome." Initially, William had trusted Jonathan because he believed the latter was capable. However, Jonathan’s failure at the family gathering showed that he still had a long way to go.

Taking that as a rookie mistake, William made it his mission to show how it was done.

Jonathan smiled subtly at William and slowly sat down. "Thank you, Uncle," he said quietly. "I’ll surely repay this in the future."

"You better."

---

Meanwhile, in the same room...

[HEADLINE...]

Dean laughed in ridicule, receiving the same message as everyone else. Snapping his eyes up at the meeting room, he didn’t have to wonder because the expressions on everyone’s faces said it all. His gaze then shifted to William’s seat and then to Jonathan, who was still standing beside William’s chair.

"He really is dedicated, huh?" A glint flickered across his eyes, and his expression hardened into one of danger. He watched Jonathan sit down beside William, stretching his neck as he observed the two laughing together.

’What is he going to do now that these snakes are determined to be out in the open?’ he wondered, shifting his eyes in Zoren’s direction. ’He better have better plans than just hiring Atlas Bennet for his department.’

At the same time, Benjamin also received the message and checked what it was. The moment he saw the article—which was released even before the meeting commenced—he rushed to Zoren’s seat.

"Sir, you have to see this!" Benjamin quickly showed his phone, displaying the article about the illegitimate child of Enzo Pierson.

Zoren couldn’t react immediately as a loud slam thundered in the meeting room.

SLAM!

"What is the meaning of this?!" A shareholder slammed his hands on the roundtable, furious. "CEO Pierson, are you aware of this? Is it true that the late CEO Pierson had an illegitimate child?!"

Another shareholder rose from his seat to complain. "If this is not true, then we should sue the company for slandering Pierson Corporation! How could they spread something like this?"

"That’s right!" another one found the courage to nod in agreement. "CEO Pierson, please tell us the truth! Was there another Pierson that you haven’t told us about?!"

William smirked and nodded approvingly at the first person who had voiced his thoughts. The latter nodded back at William before continuing to fan the flames. Some complained alongside him, while others remained quiet. However, the point of those who were being vocal was clear: they were trying to sway the opinions of others.

"Where is this illegitimate heir?!" the first man yelled. "How could the Pierson family hide this from all of us?! Mister Pierson, were you truly being greedy for suppressing your half-brother’s rights?!"

"This—" Benjamin clenched his teeth, his fist trembling as his eyes burned with rage. However, despite his overprotective nature, he knew when it was appropriate to stay silent. This wasn’t the place for him to argue on Zoren’s behalf.

’That old man’s a bully!’ he glared in William’s direction. ’I knew it! There’s no way he wouldn’t pull off a stunt like this and made sure these articles were released just minutes before the meeting!’

Zoren calmly let everyone express their thoughts before glancing at his wristwatch. It was still five minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin. However, since the situation had already escalated...

Zoren scanned the room and nodded in satisfaction. "It seems everyone is already here," he said calmly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "So, there’s no need to wait and proceed as scheduled."

"CEO Pierson, have you seen the article?!"

"Yes, just now."

"Is it true?" someone seated around the table asked. "CEO Pierson, this board deserves to know the truth!"

"She’s right!" William’s planted lackey chimed in, eager to cause more trouble. "We deserve to know the truth! After all, we are also part of Pierson Corporation! No matter what, this is also our business! Some of us here have been with the Pierson family for generations! We at least need to know the truth!"

Everyone nodded in agreement before turning their attention to Zoren.

"It’s... true," Zoren sighed faintly. "We didn’t mean to hide this, as we only learned about it recently. I didn’t announce it immediately because we had to confirm it first."

"What?! So it’s true?!"

"Where is he, CEO Pierson?!"

"Is he going to be part of this meeting as well?!"

"Ahem! As a matter of fact, that is one of the reasons for this meeting." William chimed in, carrying himself with a dignified and righteous air. He slowly rose from his seat, motioning to the empty seat next to him. "He is right here."

Everyone’s eyes intuitively fell on Jonathan, who rose from his seat. Jonathan smiled charmingly and lowered his head politely.

"My name is Jonathan... Pierson," he announced, his voice mild and approachable. "I’m sorry for causing this trouble to everyone, but the article was correct. I am..."

He paused, lifting his head and taking a moment before continuing. "... Enzo Pierson’s son as well."

"Oh, my goodness!" someone at the table gasped in disbelief.

"No wonder he looked familiar..." another person darted her eyes between Zoren and Jonathan. "Though compared to CEO Pierson, this one looks very polite."

"Did he come in with Director William?"

William smirked as he spoke again. "Meeting Jonathan was a pure coincidence during one of my trips abroad. He is managing their family business, which I’ve been interested in for a long time. Only after months of knowing him did I realize that he looked like a Pierson, and then I found out that he was adopted."

"I think it is fate that led me to him," he continued dramatically, setting his eyes on Zoren. "It’s fate that told me to bring him back home and reclaim what he deserves. Zoren Pierson, I ask you to recognize Jonathan Pierson as part of the Pierson family and give him what is rightfully his."

"And what exactly is that?" Dean blurted out, rising from his seat as he couldn’t take it anymore. "If even the law barely recognizes children like him, what exactly is Jonathan Pierson’s right in this family? Or, to be precise, what is that illegitimate child’s right compared to the legitimate child and the late Enzo Pierson’s one and only heir? I’m curious about fate’s answer to that."