Chapter 1229: Dean’s little kitten

[PIERSON CORPORATION]

"So, how’s your time in Director Dean’s department?" William asked as they neared their floor. "Is he giving you a hard time?"

Jonathan responded with a meek smile. "He gives me plenty of work, but since it’s just a training phase, I don’t mind. Besides, it’s time to prove that I’m more than capable." — And that he wasn’t just meant to be stuck in Dean’s office.

"Good, good!" William laughed.

"How about you, Uncle?" Jonathan returned. "I heard you’ve been working closely with the new COO. I’ve heard a lot about him in a work setting, but I don’t think he’d cross the line and forget seniority."

William’s smile faltered slightly, and his lackeys cleared their throats.

"Of course not!" one of the lackeys quickly interjected. "Atlas Bennet might try, but even with his position, he still has to work hard to earn Director William’s approval!"

"Atlas Bennet puts on a strong front, but when it’s just him and Director William, he surprisingly knows how to show respect."

"Besides, why would he have any reason to challenge Director William when the director has proven himself time and time again?"

Jonathan studied their reactions, his face twitching slightly. They all said that, but their words reeked of forced assurance.

So, he wasn’t the only one suffering under Atlas, huh?

Jonathan might not fully understand it yet, but Atlas was a man of his word. When Atlas was appointed Chief Operating Officer, he had made it clear—he would be watching William’s every step, every breath, everything.

And the moment Atlas officially entered Pierson Corporation as its new COO, he wasted no time setting his sights on William’s department. He watched the man like a hawk, or like a lover not wanting him out of his sight.

"Ahem!" William cleared his throat, shaking off the sudden tension in the elevator. "Let’s not talk about him and ruin our moods. Atlas Bennet and Zoren Pierson aren’t here, so let’s act as if they don’t exist."

Live in the moment, where that diabolical pair didn’t exist.

They all nodded in agreement, silently suppressing their grievances. William was right. Since Atlas and Zoren weren’t around, why waste time talking about them? They might as well enjoy their absence.

DING!

As the elevator doors slid open, Jonathan was the first to step out. Moving aside, he motioned politely. Nodding in satisfaction, William walked ahead, leading the group to his office. Every employee they passed bowed to William respectfully.

This is how it should be, William thought smugly.

Everyone in this company should show him respect. But with Zoren in the office, William despised those encounters—because, whenever they met, he was the one who had to lower his head. He never did that with Atlas, though. Atlas didn’t care, but he certainly wouldn’t lower his head to William either.

’Tch!’William clicked his tongue in annoyance. ’I should act while those two are away. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way about their absence.’

A malicious glint flickered in his eyes as the corner of his mouth curled up.

Zoren and Atlas made a mistake leaving at the same time and leaving the company unattended.

William would make sure to stir up something that would put Zoren and Atlas in a difficult position. He might not be able to take down Zoren just yet, but Atlas was still new. His five-day absence could be turned into a political disaster.

’I’ll take that brat down first,’William decided. ’And Jonathan will help me.’

Even if Jonathan’s current position was miserable under Dean’s supervision, once his training phase ended, he’d be working closely with Atlas. Before that happened, they needed to plan ahead.

This was their chance.

Or so they thought.

The moment they reached William’s office, the group halted at the entrance.

"Good morning!"

Dean, comfortably seated behind William’s desk, greeted them with a broad smile. The office was filled with the rich aroma of coffee—understandable, given the steaming mug on the desk.

William’s smile vanished in an instant, replaced by simmering anger.

"Dean Pierson, what are you doing in my office?!"

Dean lifted the coffee cup, still grinning. "Your coffee has always been top-grade, Uncle." Rising from the chair, he took a sip before strolling away from the desk. "I like your coffee, so I made one for myself. Don’t worry, I’m not here to stay. Just needed my coffee... like I do every day."

William and his lackeys frowned.

"Director Dean, aren’t you crossing boundaries?" one of the lackeys piped up. "How could you make yourself coffee in Director William’s office?!"

"You have your own coffeemaker," another chimed in. "Why not ask your assistant to do it?"

Dean shrugged. "My assistant is great at a lot of things—except making coffee." His smirk widened. "Uncle, don’t tell me you’re going to scold me over something so trivial?"

"Trivial?" William’s voice hardened. "Director Dean, you understand the importance of one’s office. If something were to go missing or an important document was damaged, it could be disastrous for the company."

Dean tilted his head. "What kind of document here could be that critical?" His eyes gleamed with amusement. "As far as I know, this is Director William’s office—not Zoren Pierson’s. That office is off-limits. A single misplaced paper there could alter the fate of this company. But here?"

Dean’s gaze swept across the room before he let out a soft chuckle.

"There’s nothing here. It’s very clean."

Step by step, he strolled toward them, his eyes locking onto William. His smirk stretched, his eyes squinting.

"Too clean," he mused. "Almost like someone’s making sure nothing important is left behind. But then again, that’s how the Piersons have always been."

His gaze flicked to William’s lackeys.

"The Piersons don’t keep anything important in their offices because we never know who might sneak in during the night. So, there’s nothing to worry about."

William clenched his jaw. "Get out. Now."

Dean’s smirk didn’t waver. He had gotten exactly what he wanted.

"Yes, of course. I got my coffee," he said, raising the mug slightly before glancing at Jonathan. His smirk deepened. "And I got my little kitten back."

Jonathan blinked.

Dean jerked his chin. "Let’s go, Trainee. Time for you to bathe in my wisdom and guidance again."