Chapter 780 Something’s Off
Through the post and the efforts of the Duncan Corporation’s public relations team, public opinion was instantly reversed. Casier Real Estate, which had been in crisis, cleared the obstacles ahead and saw its stock price continuously rise due to this crisis.
Hearing the report, Shane was livid. He slammed the documents on the table and glared at one of the senior executives in front of him. “Is this the result you’re showing me? I’ve spent so much money on you, painstakingly laid out plans, and this is how you repay me? I warned you not to let anyone get hold of evidence. How could you mess it up?”
If it hadn’t been for the Duncan Corporation obtaining a recorded confession from the construction workers, turning the tables so quickly wouldn’t have been possible.
Dragging Casier Real Estate into trouble was equivalent to finding a breakthrough to take on the Duncan Corporation. Then, Shane would slowly drag the Duncan Corporation into the mire, just as he would deal with any other opponent and completely crush it. Who would have known that his incompetent subordinates would be so useless, caught red-handed by the other party so quickly? Not only did his plan fail to destroy the Duncan Corporation, but it also helped Casier Real Estate to gain fame. His attempt to steal a march had backfired!
Faced with the furious Shane, the group of executives trembled, and the General Manager slowly stepped forward to report the situation. “Mr. Breen, I suspect we have a spy within our ranks. The Duncan Corporation’s response was too quick. Our planning was so meticulous this time; they couldn’t have prepared countermeasures in advance.”
The General Manager’s words plunged those present into deep thought. Although the Duncan Corporation was extremely powerful in Casier, the speed of their countermeasures was so fast that it made them suspect something fishy was going on behind the scenes.
However, Shane quickly vetoed this speculation. “That’s not possible!” He knew Branden was formidable, but these people around him had worked for him for decades. He was absolutely certain that they had nothing to do with it.
Knock, knock, knock…
The sound of knocks on the door echoed, and then Shane’s assistant entered the room.
Shane did find it strange, but he trusted his people. He suspected there was another reason he didn’t know about, so he sent someone out to investigate. Seeing his assistant hurry into the room, he knew there must be some news. “What’s the situation?”
In response to Shane’s inquiry, the assistant handed over a stack of documents. “Sir, please take a look at these.”
Shane glanced through the documents, and the surveillance footage captured a scene of someone looking for the family members of construction workers. Shane recognized the person -Ronin Oconnor. He tapped the image on the paper and whispered to the assistant, “He’s deliberately showing his face to me!”
Shane knew Ronin’s capabilities. If Ronin didn’t want to be seen, how could the surveillance footage capture his face? This was a provocation. Ronin had always followed Catherine’s instructions, and it seemed she was now wholly siding with Branden, joining forces to oppose Shane.
Thinking of this, Shane felt a surge of anger.
Seeing Shane’s dark expression, the assistant cautiously suggested, “Sir, should we take action?”
Shane had always treated Catherine as his daughter and had not been willing to act against her. But this time, he knew she had completely aligned herself with Branden. He would not allow this to happen. Since there was no hope for Catherine’s return, he planned to destroy her.
Receiving Shane’s hint, the assistant silently nodded. “Sir, rest assured. We will handle it.”
The originally lengthy meeting was abruptly paused due to the unexpected turn of events. The executives, who had just been scolded and dejected, were now excited and eager to retaliate.
Paxton noticed Catherine was still in the office, so he left with the other executives, leaving the space for Branden and her. Once everyone had left, the previously noisy office returned to silence. However, Catherine was still playing games in the armchair.
Seeing her still, Branden got up from the conference table and sat down beside her. As it was almost lunchtime, he caressed her abdomen and asked, ” Are you hungry? Do you want to go for lunch?”
Catherine glanced at the clock on the wall-it was only eleven o’clock. For someone who finished work at twelve, this seemed too early. Her gaze landed on the plates of snacks not far ahead, expressing her disdain. “Have you ever seen me stop eating?”
Ever since Catherine entered Branden’s office, he had constantly arranged various snacks and fruits for her, all of which were her favorites. While playing games and directing Ronin’s actions, she had not stopped eating. She wasn’t hungry at all.
Seeing the nearly empty fruit plate, Branden looked at her with a doting smile. “Alright, if you’re not hungry now, we’ll wait a bit longer.” With that, he reached out and lifted her.
“I’m in the middle of a game!” Catherine frowned, attempting to refuse him.
Branden, however, didn’t mind. “It’s okay. Just focus on your game. I’ll watch.”
Catherine paused and turned to him. ” Aren’t you busy? Don’t you need to work?”
Branden raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile. “Someone else has taken care of the crisis for me. Why should I work? If I have to handle those trivial matters myself, what’s the point of keeping these people around?”
Catherine could tell that Branden’s smile held some sinister intent, so she scrutinized him. Branden, however, gazed at her with an extremely gentle smile. “Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you playing the game anymore?”
Catherine remained silent and continued playing the game. As for Branden, he seemed to be just watching her play the game.
The feeling of being watched while playing the game made Catherine uncomfortable. After playing for a while, she threw her phone aside. Branden picked up her phone from the floor and sat down, holding her. “Not playing anymore?”
“Nah, my eyes need a rest,” she replied.
“Alright, it’s time for dinner.”
When Branden suggested going out for dinner this time, Catherine didn’t refuse. She just followed his arrangement.
Branden chose a restaurant, and when they arrived, the waiter led them to a private room. As they entered the room, Catherine furrowed her brow because she saw a round table for ten people. “Why such a large private room for just the two of us?” she asked.
Branden didn’t answer her directly but instead pulled her to sit down. “Just sit for now. Someone will join us later.”
With a heart full of suspicion, Catherine took her seat. Not long after, there were footsteps outside the private room.
