Chapter 99
Charlotte stood up, smiling as she grabbed the glass. “Our CEO has a cold and can’t drink. I’ll handle this one for him.”
just as the glass was about to touch her lips, a slender hand intercepted it. “Sit down. I’ve got this,” Zarek said quietly, his tone casual yet unmistakably protective.
He placed the glass back on the table as silence fell over the private dining room.
Issac was gripping his own glass so tightly his knuckles turned white.
The others around the table reacted differently–some exchanged knowing glances, others frowned slightly, while a few pretended not to notice anything unusual.
Charlotte blinked, momentarily confused.
She sat back down obediently. Whatever game Zarek was playing, she figured he had his reasons. Best to follow his
lead.
“Look at Mr. Weasley playing the knight in shining armor,” Steven remarked with a smirk.
Though framed as a joke, the comment highlighted how Zarek had just snubbed Leif Hara for a woman–something even the Chairman wouldn’t have dared.
Zarek shot Steven a cool look before breaking into an easy smile. “You know me so well, Steven. Here, drink this one for me.” He followed with a theatrical little cough.
Steven internally cursed: You absolute dick!
When the heir to Dominex specifically asks you to drink his glass because he’s “sick,” how can you possibly refuse without making a scene?
He reluctantly took the glass and downed it, his face flushing with barely concealed rage.
Jayden gave Steven an apologetic look. He’d tried countless times to get meetings at Dominex only to be shut out. A few days ago, he’d bumped into Leif at a cocktail party, and after some private conversation, Leif had offered to arrange this meeting with Zarek.
To be safe, he’d also brought Steven along.
But now it seemed Zarek wasn’t playing by anyone’s rules.
Was he seriously this hung up on Charlotte?
This level of protection suggested they were definitely more than colleagues… Thinking this, Jayden glanced over at
Issac.
Tamant Hat Ca My Unele Escaning the Forbidden Past.
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Chapter 99
Meanwhile, Leif laughed heartily to diffuse the tension. “You definitely shouldn’t drink with a cold.”
He subtly signaled his assistant, who was still awkwardly holding the wine bottle, to step back.
Zarek’s behavior made it crystal clear he wasn’t going to play nice with anyone.
With Arthur Weasley retiring soon. Dominex would be Zarek’s kingdom. Burning bridges with him would be a
rookie mistake.
Leif had helped arrange this meeting for two reasons: to curry favor with the Grantham family and to get a read on Zarek’s management style.
“If you’re bringing friends, Leif, a heads up would’ve been nice,” Zarek said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Despite his pleasant tone, his gaze was ice cold.
Leif pretended not to notice and maintained his cheerful facade. “I considered telling you, but honestly, I was afraid you’d bail. Poor Jayden here has been so stressed about the project he’s practically wasting away.”
With Leif having broken the ice, Jayden seized his opportunity. “Look, Zarek, about the loan–please give us another shot. I know certain… incidents… have made you skeptical, but I promise none of that will impact the project. Issac and I absolutely won’t let anything go sideways.”
Throughout Jayden’s pitch, Issac maintained a stony silence.
Jayden hadn’t expected him to contribute anyway.
Zarek listened patiently, his expression unreadable.
He took a slow sip of tea before asking casually, “Nothing to add, Issac?”
His striking eyes lifted to meet Issac’s.
The tension in the room thickened instantly.
Issac locked eyes with Zarek.
The initial chill between them transformed into explosive hostility–practically visible sparks flying through the air.
Everyone tensed up.
Jayden especially feared Issac might actually flip the table. He placed a steadying hand on Issac’s shoulder. “Issac, easy,” he murmured, squeezing slightly.
The pressure was a reminder that millions were at stake–now wasn’t the time to lose it.
Issac shifted his glacial stare from Zarek to Charlotte, drilling into her eyes.
There was something almost wounded in his expression.
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Chapter 99
He looked at her like she’d betrayed him as if she’d stolen his heart, emptied his bank account, and run straight
into Zarck’s arms.
Charlotte found it absurd.
She returned his gaze calmly, looking at him like he was a toddler throwing a tantrum.
Finally, Issac turned back to Zarek. “What Jayden said… that’s my position too.”
His expression remained frosty, only his slightly strained voice betraying his true feelings.
Zarek’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “And what exactly did Jayden say? Sorry, terrible memory. Mind refreshing
me, Issac?”
Issac’s fist clenched under the table.
If Zarek thought he could make him beg, he had another thing coming.
Issac abruptly stood, ready to storm out.
Jayden quickly grabbed his arm, silently pleading with him to keep it together.
Steven stepped in to salvage the situation. “Zarek, we’ve thoroughly reassessed the project–it’s solid. Arthur has already indicated that if you approve it, he’s on board. Jayden and Issac came today in good faith. Why not give them another chance?”
“Good faith?” Zarek questioned, eyeing Issac, who was still being restrained by Jayden. He shook his head. “Not seeing it.”
A vein pulsed visibly on Issac’s forehead.
Seeing that Issac was seconds away from causing a scene, Jayden had no choice but to haul him out of the room.
Inside, Leif realized Zarek was simply toying with Issac, most likely because of Charlotte. He smiled inwardly–this was actually promising.
People with weaknesses were easier to handle than those without them.
Sure, Charlotte was stunning, but beautiful women weren’t exactly rare. If Zarek had a thing for women, that gave Leif leverage.
He had plenty of gorgeous women at his disposal.
“That Issac, so hotheaded,” Leif said with fake disapproval, then gave his assistant a subtle signal. “Zarek’s tea is empty. Don’t just stand there.”
The assistant took the cue immediately. As she stood, she flipped her hair with practiced casualness, her movements becoming more sensual.
She picked up the teapot and stepped forward.
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Zarek raised his hand slightly. “I’m good. We’re here for dinner, not a tea ceremony.”
Leif felt a twinge of disappointment.
Not interested, apparently.
“You’re right. Let’s eat,” he said, picking up his fork.
Everyone began their meals.
Charlotte took a few bites, inwardly amused: Was Leif seriously trying to “offer” his assistant to Zarek?
The old man’s tactics were as outdated as they were gross.
He clearly had no idea her boss wasn’t remotely interested in women–he’d have better luck offering some eye candy of the male variety.
The mental image of Zarek selecting handsome young men made her bite back a laugh.
“Something funny, Charlotte?” A cool voice asked beside her ear, sounding like a teacher catching a student passing
notes.
Charlotte quickly straightened her expression. “Not at all.”
Zarek sighed dramatically and placed a fatty piece of pork rib on her plate. “Eat your protein. Your brain clearly needs the nutrients.”
Charlotte froze.
Holy shit, can he read my mind?
While she was staring at Zarek with wide eyes, Issac and Jayden returned.
Jayden had successfully talked Issac down, but the moment they entered, Issac spotted Charlotte looking intently at Zarek. Instantly triggered again, he rushed over to position himself between them, blocking their line of sight.
Issac glared at Charlotte like she was public enemy number one.
Just as Charlotte was calculating her escape route–she’d already shifted her weight, ready to bolt–Issac suddenly spun around to face Zarek instead.
Charlotte panicked. He’s not going to throw a punch, is he?!
Everyone in the room held their breath.
Zarek leaned back casually in his chair. “Something else on your mind, Issac?”
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