Chapter 783: I promised not to meddle.

"Everyone only has the family and the company’s best interest in mind. Do not be upset."

"I’m simply stating something that is upsetting," Zoren corrected indifferently. "Though I hope this is already clear to everyone."

With that, everyone heaved a sigh of relief as Zoren’s mood didn’t continue to dip. At this point, they were already scared of what else might happen. Nothing serious had happened yet, but it felt as if something had, and they needed a different topic.

What a fun dinner this was turning out to be.

Meanwhile, William huffed and lowered his gaze, ignoring Dean’s attempt to steal the spotlight. After all, he couldn’t care less about Dean’s timing in telling Zoren to calm down. They all knew Zoren wasn’t angry enough to need calming. Dean was simply trying to take some credit, as he always did.

’This isn’t going well anymore,’William thought to himself. ’It’s driving far from what I expected.’

As had been planned, Zoren would’ve met with an "accident" before the family meeting. The only reason William had abandoned that plan was because of Jonathan. That young man had advised him to try a different approach.

So, William followed the suggestion, expecting Jonathan to shake things up at the family meeting with his participation. But it seemed Zoren had already done something to Jonathan. Which meant Jonathan might be dead or in the emergency room, barely hanging on.

As for Zoren’s medical records, William couldn’t bring them up. No matter how closely he observed Zoren, he couldn’t tell if the man was actually blind. If the medical report was true and Zoren was merely bluffing, William could call him out. However, it was too risky now, especially since it was Dean who had provided those medical files.

’And I can’t bring up his wife anymore because he’s already clarified his position,’William told himself. ’If I mention her again, I’ll only look like I’m stirring trouble.’

Glancing at the black panther, he cleared his throat and frowned. ’He might order that vicious pet to bite my leg, just like he did to others.’

Now, all of William’s ammunition was gone. There was nothing left for him to use as leverage. All he could do now was ensure he left this dinner alive.

’Damn it!’he clenched his teeth and silently fumed. ’It’s all that damn Jonathan’s fault for being so complacent. I told him countless times not to trust Zoren’s words or actions. Why did I ever listen to an outsider who knows nothing about the Piersons?’

Bitterness filled William’s heart as he thought of the plans he had let go of because of Jonathan. His confidence in the man was waning, and he was now having second thoughts about letting him into the family.

’He won’t survive in this family if he’s like this!’

"Tch." William snorted, finally finding the perfect person to vent his frustration on. "Belle, now that I see you, I realize I haven’t received a greeting from you."

The moment Belle heard her name leave William’s mouth, her breath caught. Her shoulders tensed, and her grip on her cutlery trembled. She looked up at William nervously.

"Uncle William," she said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I tried greeting you, but... there were a lot of people around you."

"But no one’s greeted me for the past half hour. Yet, you still didn’t?" William retorted, tilting his head slightly.

The calm look on Dean’s face vanished, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the man across from him. Meanwhile, others held their breath, glancing between William and Belle. No one was surprised at William’s motive for targeting Belle. After all, he was upset, and he would surely seek someone to vent his anger on, especially since he couldn’t do so to Zoren or Dean.

"Uncle, you didn’t greet me either," Dean interjected with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "But I didn’t nitpick over it."

"Dean Pierson, you and I may come from two different branches, but it doesn’t matter if you’re from the first branch and I’m from the second. We hold the same standing. Whether or not I greet you shouldn’t be an issue," William replied in a knowing tone. "Even the master of the family wouldn’t have a say in that, would he?"

Zoren shrugged. "I promised not to meddle."

"See?" William smirked at Dean. "Even the head of the family doesn’t mind if I greet you or not."

"Then, you shouldn’t mind if Belle didn’t greet you. I’m sure not everyone here went out of their way just to greet you."

"But isn’t she an outsider at the moment?" William arched a brow, shifting his gaze to Belle. "Belle turned her back on the family to marry a no-name man who turned out to be a fraud."

"What?" Dean frowned in confusion.

Seeing Dean’s reaction, William chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, dear nephew. It seems you’ve been too busy to notice such news. Fortunately, I’m in the mood to share some information that came to my ears recently."

"Apparently, the man this stubborn young lady married is being sued for tax evasion," William continued with a smirk, his gaze back on Belle. "I hear he’s looking at a decade or so in prison if he’s found guilty. Quite the twist of fate, indeed."

"What?" Dean’s frown deepened as he looked at Belle. "Belle, is this true?"

Belle’s shoulders trembled as she clasped her hands on her lap. She looked at the malicious glint in William’s eyes, then at Dean’s puzzled expression. When she glanced over at Zoren, he was calmly scooping food, seemingly indifferent to the situation.

Thus, Belle abruptly stood, keeping her head down. "I—I..."

Clang!

Belle flinched at the sound of cutlery hitting the table. When they turned to look, they saw Zoren leaning forward over the table.