Chapter 533: You Can’t Blame Me For Checking You

Diana chuckled and added. "Anyway, if you won’t admit it, I’ll just act like I didn’t say anything."

Diana’s look said she didn’t buy it. Bianca gave up trying to explain. She sighed and let Diana believe whatever she wanted.

But then Bianca paused. Something didn’t add up. She turned to Diana.

“How did you even know?”

Only she and Dave knew what happened last night. She hadn’t said a word, and Dave didn’t seem like someone who’d tell Diana anything.

Her face twisted in suspicion. She began patting down her clothes, checking if some strange device had been planted on her.

Diana rolled her eyes.

“Seriously? That face again?” she said. “I didn’t spy on you.”

She crossed her arms. “I called you this morning. Dave answered. I needed your input on a few things and got worried when you didn’t show up. You can’t blame me for checking you.”

Then, with a teasing smile, she grabbed Bianca’s hand.

“Want to guess what he said when he picked up?”

Bianca gave Diana a sharp look.

"What did he say? Tell me! And what were those things you needed me for? You don’t look like you’re in a hurry."

Diana grinned ear to ear. "He said you were tired last night and needed more sleep. He really cares, you know."

Then, she winked. "I told him what I needed, and he handled it in two minutes. Gave me solid answers and even included backup plans. Honestly, he’s amazing at this stuff. No wonder he runs Phoenix Alliance Group. I swear, I could picture him glowing through the phone. Like a star or something. It’s kind of an impressive attitude, strictly work-related admiration, of course."

Bianca didn’t say anything at first, but her lips twitched.

Diana was basically worshipping Dave. It was like he’d promised her a miracle.

Trying not to laugh, Bianca teased, "Wow, Diana. Two minutes and you’re already amazed? That’s all it took?"

"I am not! It’s because..."

Diana opened her mouth to reply, but a smooth voice interrupted her.

"Who could impress Diana in just two minutes?"

It was Brandon. He walked in wearing his usual oversized sunglasses.

Brandon?

Bianca and Diana looked at each other, completely stunned.

What was he doing here? If anyone saw him at the company, it would cause a huge scene. He was a celebrity, after all.

Thankfully, it was lunchtime, and the office was empty.

Diana raised an eyebrow. She didn’t look amused. She pouted and said, “He’s handsome, rich, powerful, and totally devoted. What woman wouldn’t like that kind of man?”

Brandon pushed his sunglasses up slightly.

A boyish grin appeared on his lips.

“And this amazing guy… is me, right?” he asked. “I’m flattered, Diana.”

Diana stared at Brandon in disbelief. She let out a snort. "As if that man could ever be you."

She wasn’t done yet. "I wouldn’t even look at someone as unreliable and careless as you, Brandon Foster!"

Then she turned around and walked away without giving him a chance to respond.

Brandon blinked, pointing at himself. "Unreliable and careless? Me?"

He glared at her retreating back. "Hey! Don’t just walk away! At least explain what you mean!"

He fumed silently. She was the one being unfair, tossing blame like that.

But Diana had already dashed off and vanished.

Brandon was left standing there. He glanced at Bianca’s face and asked, “Bianca, who was Diana talking about?”

His fists clenched so hard his knuckles made a loud crack. He looked like he was ready to go after the guy.

But if Bianca told him it was Dave, his whole mood would change.

Her lips twitched. “It’s better if you don’t know. And don’t overthink it. The guy she mentioned doesn’t matter to her. She just likes to talk.”

She tilted her head. “Anyway, why are you here?”

Brandon sat down in the nearest chair. He could tell she didn’t want to keep talking about it.

He crossed his arms. “I’m here to talk about a partnership.”

“Oh?” Bianca raised her brows. “That’s new. Must be something big if you came here yourself.”

Brandon took off his sunglasses and let out a breath. "I'm building a music studio. It'll focus on training new singers. I think it’s time for me to work behind the scenes."

Bianca looked surprised.

Brandon was at the height of his career. It didn’t make sense for him to step back now.

He noticed her confusion and spoke up. "You probably don’t understand why I’m doing this. I’m giving up fame and a lot of money. But I’m not asking anyone to get it. This is what I want. I’m here today as the studio’s representative to talk about working with your company. What do you say?"

Bianca still didn’t know what pushed him to make this decision. But she saw the chance to work with a top star like Brandon. That didn’t come often.

She smiled and gestured toward the hallway. "Come on. Let’s go to the meeting room and talk about it properly."

****

Inside the CEO's office at Phoenix Alliance Group headquarters.

Dave was buried in a pile of papers on his desk.

Lately, his schedule had been packed. He had one task after another waiting for his approval. But it wasn’t a bad thing. It showed that Phoenix Alliance Group was doing well, even after breaking ties with the Evans Group. More people wanted to work with them now than before.

A knock broke the silence.

Dave didn’t look up. He sounded a bit impatient. “Come in.”

There was still too much on his plate.

The door opened, and slow footsteps came closer. Dave still focused on the documents until the person stopped in front of him.

To his surprise, it was Wyatt.

After being gone for a few days, he was finally back.

Wyatt stood there with a brocade box in his hands and a big smile on his face.

Dave felt relieved. He stood up quickly and a small smile formed at the corner of his lips.

“You’re back,” he said.

Wyatt placed the box on the table and opened it. Inside was the red diamond necklace that had been missing.

“I did it. I’m finally back,” he said.

Dave gently picked up the box and looked at Wyatt. For a moment, they stared at each other. Then both of them smiled. They looked tired, but there was clear relief in their eyes.

It felt like they had just come out of something heavy together.

Both the red diamond necklace and Wyatt meant everything to Dave.

"So, what’s next, Boss?" Wyatt asked.

He pulled a black USB drive from his pocket. "This has all the evidence I found."