The CEO Gets What He Wants novel Chapter 280

Xavier noticed that Cayden was leaning back in his chair when he went into the latter's office.

Cayden's tie was slightly loosened, and there was a wistful look on his face as if the whole world had abandoned him. Xavier was taken aback by the sight.

Mr. Moore must be too tired.

After all, Cayden had just rushed back from Western Epea right after taking care of the business there a few days ago.

There were a few important meetings lining up as well, all of which were pending his final decision when he got back to the office. Xavier reckoned that it had been a few days since he last had a good sleep. After all, Cayden was a renowned workaholic. Then again, Xavier had never seen Cayden in such a dejected state, not even when the latter was embroiled in much more challenging situations some time back.

“Mr. Moore...” Xavier took out his notebook and wanted to report his work progress to him.

However, Cayden still had his eyes closed, and Xavier decided to bite his tongue.

Cayden appeared as if he was all tuckered out. Silently, Xavier watched Cayden as the latter appeared to be deep in his thoughts. He could not help but feel a sense of admiration for the man before him.

As the CEO of Trident Group, Cayden had always been assertive and decisive in his ways.

Despite having innate talents and leadership qualities, Cayden was not one to slack. He would always strive to learn more. His passion for learning and aptitude as a leader led him to become an inspiring figure to many.

Xavier remembered that Trident Group was on the brink of bankruptcy when it was handed over to Cayden. What was more, Cayden had only been twenty-one years old.

Xavier witnessed how Cayden managed to turn the whole Trident Group around in just a short few years. Not only that, but Cayden had also let Trident Group make its mark internationally, multiplying its revenue by tenfold and establishing Trident Group as a world-class business empire.

Then again, Xavier had also witnessed the aspiring and bubbly young man slowly turning cold and distant after being in business for a few years. Things started to change after Cayden met Avery. All of a sudden, he seemed to smile more and became much more approachable.

Mr. Moore has always treated Ms. Rumpley well. How could she be found lying underneath Dylan? What a shame that something like this has to happen.

To be fair, Xavier knew that Avery might have been drugged and was not acting out of her own will. However, he was still unnerved by what had happened and was a little disappointed in her. The fact that Avery was put in such a compromising situation meant that she was a gullible woman. Xavier didn't think that such a woman deserved to be together with the outstanding Cayden.

What Cayden needed was a strong-willed and shrewd woman—someone who could work together alongside him to expand Trident Group. Somehow, Xavier thought that Avery just didn't quite cut it.

“Mr. Dartsley.” Cayden's baritone voice rang, breaking the silence in the room, as well as interrupting Xavier's train of thought.

His voice made Xavier straighten his back and take out his notebook as he turned to face Cayden, who had a serious look on his face.

Cayden opened his eyes and ordered impassively, “Ask the HR department to send a memo to everyone, notifying them that the manager of the security department has been fired on the grounds of negligence. His erroneous error has nearly caused a mishap to the foundation of the new Sunshine Mall building.”

Xavier hurriedly jotted it down and replied without a hint of hesitation, “Sure.”

“Pass the message to the operating director that I'm interested in Tuscor Corporation's new energy project. Tell him to find out more and submit a detailed report to me a week later. Also, tell him to submit an acquisition proposal as well.”

“Yes.”

Normally, there were two reasons for Cayden to be interested in a company—either the company was profitable and would be able to add on to the revenue of Trident Group, or the company's person in charge had somehow offended Cayden.

In the first case, it would end up in acquisition, while in the second, more unfortunate case, it would end up in complete destruction of the company.

Even though Trident Group would allocate a huge amount of capital for corporate social responsibility projects yearly, Cayden was no saint. After all, the world of business was ruthlessly competitive. Companies on the brink of bankruptcy could one day rise and take over the companies that chose not to acquire them in the first place.

“Don't arrange any business-related social events these few days and cancel the JK meeting this afternoon. Contact Xander and tell him I need to talk to him,” Cayden said.

His expression grew darker by the second.

Xavier was not mentally prepared for this and almost dropped his notebook, too terrified at Cayden's sudden change in demeanor.

Cayden was obviously not pleased with his reaction. It reminded him of the horrified expression that Avery gave him. He then threw a cold look at Xavier and asked, “Mr. Dartsley, am I that terrifying?”

Cayden knew he had to save Nina by that day, by hook or by crook.

Otherwise, given Avery's grudgeful personality, she would surely blame him for what happened.

Cayden admitted that what happened to Avery the night before was his fault. She had suffered such huge indignance, yet he chose to spew hateful words at her.

Avery was furious at him, and he didn't know what to do.

Although Cayden always knew the right thing to do when dealing with business matters, the same decisive and wise man would somehow be at a complete loss when it came to matters pertaining to Avery.

“N-No, not at all,” Xavier stuttered. Cold beads of sweat broke out on his forehead as he said so. “Mr. Moore, I'm going to contact Mr. Xander Gibson right now.”

After all, Xavier was already in his forties. Having dealt with a multitude of situations before, he was quick to regain his composure. However, Cayden's expression right then was still too frightening, and Xavier didn't think he could face it any longer.

It was as if Cayden's penetrating gaze could skin Xavier alive, right then and there.

It was insufferable, to say the least.

Meanwhile, Dylan was hospitalized as he suffered serious injuries. His head was wrapped in a bandage that was stained with his blood. His handsome face was swollen to the extent of being unrecognizable. Not only that, but his eyelids had also swelled up so badly that he could only see through slits.

Even his parents had a hard time recognizing him.

However, his external injuries were nothing compared to his internal injuries.

Cayden had broken four of Dylan's ribs and pierced through his palm with a broken wine glass. The doctors had used more than half an hour just to remove all the glass shards from his flesh.

Dylan was on an IV drip as he lay on the bed, his eyes vacant and lifeless.

His parents, Talia and Toby, accompanied their only son by his side, worried sick by Dylan's current state.

Talia's heart wrenched at the harrowing state that her son was in. After all, he was her son, and once a part of her.

She covered her face with a handkerchief as she sobbed and cursed, “Which godd*mned b*stard put my son in this state? How dare he!”

Toby was enraged as well.

The day Dylan learned how to walk was the day he became a troublemaker. Toby had always been the one to clean up the mess he made and sort things out for him.

Toby had offended many because of Dylan. At the sight of his son's lifeless state, Toby was infuriated. He fervently wished that he had never given birth to Dylan in the first place.

“Enough with the sobbing. You were the one who spoiled him so much. I told you we shouldn't let him have his way all the time, but you never listened to me. Would he become such a spoiled brat if you'd just listened to me? For goodness' sake, he just came out of prison, and now he's stirring trouble for me again! Tell me, would he have ended up like this if he was forbidden from befriending those rascals?” Toby berated. He was frustrated to no end by Talia's incessant sobbing.

He seethed with fury when he recalled the way his wife used to indulge their son.

Now that Dylan was already a grown man, it would be nearly impossible to change him.

Toby reckoned that Dylan had landed himself in that state as a result of his poor choices and good-for-nothing friends.