Chapter 1316: Stalking leveling up

Meanwhile...

Dean sat in a swivel chair, biting the tip of his thumb in deep thought. Despite the piles of unneeded papers flooding his office, he wasn’t working. Narrowing his eyes, the corner of his mouth curled into a crazed smirk, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"Haha..." A shallow laugh escaped him as he shook his head. "Ahh. This is getting interesting."

Leaning back, he bounced slightly in the chair and ran his tongue across his cheek.

"That bastard," he muttered, laughing under his breath. "He and she are a crazy match."

His eyes continued to glow with amusement as he shook his head.

Last night... he was there.

At the same club where Cassandra had been drinking.

Since hearing about Cassandra and Jonathan’s engagement, Dean knew he had to act. He couldn’t just wait for Cassandra to respond to his emails—she was clearly avoiding him.

Dean had assumed Cassandra saw through his ploys, that she was determined to be loyal to Jonathan. Or perhaps she had simply fallen madly in love with him, blind to his schemes. But it seemed he was wrong all along.

After all, while Dean was drinking at a different table, contemplating an excuse to approach her, Max showed up. Dean couldn’t hear their conversation, so he bribed the bartender for details. What he learned intrigued him, making him stay.

Who would have thought things would get even more interesting when Lily dragged Max away by the ear?

With the bartender’s phone -- which was connected in a call with him -- hidden under the counter, Dean eavesdropped on Cassandra’s conversation. Then, not long after, she called Finn. And what was even more amusing? After the call, she deliberately ordered hard liquor to get drunk.

When Finn arrived, Dean followed, wondering if he would cheat on Nina—because clearly, Cassandra was up to something. But alas, Finn left the hotel in under five minutes.

Finn either didn’t do anything... or he finished very fast.

Either way, Dean didn’t care. What mattered to him was Cassandra and how manipulative she could be.

"Haha." Another laugh escaped him as he shook his head. "I thought she’s just a damsel in distress. Clearly, she’s a witch."

After a moment, Dean smacked his lips and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a calling card. A smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes glinting malevolently.

Slipping the contact number into his suit pocket, he stood and strode out.

Dean made his way to the elevator, pressing the button for the CEO’s office. Though he wanted to act alone, he needed Zoren’s blessing. After all, this was a family matter. With that in mind, he didn’t even acknowledge William as they crossed paths.

The usual taunts Dean would throw at William were absent, which made William—who had deliberately ignored the elevator—furrow his brows suspiciously.

"Is Director Dean in a good mood?" one of William’s lackeys muttered as the lift closed. "Or he’s up to something?"

"He usually forces us to ride with him if we don’t want to," another lackey added, confused. "But he just pressed the close button the moment he saw us."

The lackeys exchanged puzzled looks before turning to William. Surely, he knew something?

But alas, William looked just as confused.

This place had always been unbearable because Dean had nothing better to do than get on everyone’s nerves. Since he had seemingly lost interest in the battle for shares—and his supporters were dwindling—he had spent his time giving everyone hypertension instead.

"He must have done something, or he’s about to..." William muttered, casting his lackeys a look. "Find out. Something smells fishy."

The lackeys hesitated, unsure if this was their job. But since William said so, they nodded, already considering hiring someone to track Dean’s movements.

---

Meanwhile, when Dean reached the CEO’s floor, he stepped out and headed straight for the CEO’s office. As usual, Benjamin was idling at the reception desk.

"Good morning," Dean greeted, watching the smile fade from Benjamin’s face. "I need a moment with the CEO."

Benjamin frowned and replied sarcastically, "He can’t meet anyone right now, Director Dean. The CEO has a guest, and they’re discussing something important."

Just as those words left Benjamin’s mouth, the CEO’s office door flew open.

Finn stormed out, making both Benjamin and Dean turn.

"Oh, hello there, Finn..." Dean trailed off, raising a brow as Finn ignored them and walked off in a hurry.

"What happened to him...?" Benjamin mumbled, his brows knitting tighter as he watched Finn disappear down the hall.

Dean, however, didn’t dwell on it. Smacking his lips, he turned back to Benjamin. "So, the CEO is free now, right?" He grinned.

Benjamin’s face soured as he faced him. "Director Dean, the CEO still has a lot of work to do," he said, reluctant to let this guy anywhere near Zoren. "I’m afraid I can’t just notify him about you."

"This is important, Assistant Vitt," Dean argued calmly. "Do you think I’d come here just to chat with the number one person I dislike the most?"

"You’re the number one person I dislike the most, too!" Benjamin barked, offended. "Director Dean, the CEO is not free at the moment."

"Very well." Dean shrugged nonchalantly, turning on his heel. "Don’t blame me if something happens, and the CEO is the last to know."

Hesitation flickered in Benjamin’s eyes. He truly disliked Dean. Even though they shared a common enemy in William Pierson, they would never get along. But Benjamin couldn’t let personal feelings cloud his judgment.

"Fine!" Benjamin conceded, scowling as Dean smirked. "I’ll let him know. Tch."

Pressing a button on the telecom, Benjamin notified Zoren. The CEO didn’t respond, which meant he didn’t mind—he wouldn’t have bothered answering just to say no.

"Thanks, Assistant Vitt," Dean said with a grin before strolling into the CEO’s office.

Benjamin could only glare after him. "He better make sure this is actually important! Or I’m banning him from here!"

Not that Benjamin had the authority to do so—but he’d find a way.

Fortunately, with Zoren’s office line muted, Benjamin would never hear what went on inside. And while this matter might not be important to Zoren, it certainly was to Dean.