Chapter 4 DEAN - RAVEN ENTERTAINMENT 268 Machers Callum looked like he was one step away from losing it . Seated behind a sleek black desk , he flipped through the growing mountain of paperwork that hadn't stopped multiplying since morning . Every now and then , he'd pause to adjust those gold - rimmed glasses of his and rub at his temples . Meanwhile , I lay stretched out across the recliner directly in front of the floor - to - ceiling window , letting out a lazy yawn . As I did so , I could feel Callum's death glare on me . It was honestly entertaining how obviously his irritation grew the more relaxed I looked . In the next moment , I heard the rustle of fabric and knew he finally decided to take a break Following the sound of footsteps , he dropped onto the sofa across from me with the force of someone fed up with the world , or at least with me . " It seems you've turned my office into your personal spa ," he said , his tone dripping with sarcasm . " Have those rumors about you being nothing more than an idle , useless playboy finally gotten to your head , so you decided to make them a reality ? " I didn't respond immediately , quietly watching him groan and rub his forehead in circles before continuing . " I've been behind that desk since morning , drowning in paperwork and you've been here just as long . Yet , not once did it occur to you to help . If I didn't know better , I'd think this 08:46 Chapter 4 company had changed hands , and you're no longer the largest shareholder " His voice sounded exasperated , together with a fair dose of resentment Ignoring him , I shut my eyes and folded one arm behind my head . " I'm just an honorary director , " I drawled , " What real work do you expect from me ? Even without opening my eyes , I could feel his piercing stare on me . No doubt he was also clenching his jaw so hard it could almost break while fighting the urge to strangle me where I lay . A soft chuckle escaped my lips thinking of that scene . An action which did nothing but add to his annoyance . But eventually , all his exasperation and frustration turned into one , long sigh . " Fine . Forget helping me . But what about your other business ? Don't you think it's time you went back ? " He shot me a look . " You've been here on ' vacation ' for nearly a months . That's long enough , don't you think ? " He paused , then added , " Do you have any idea how many times Blake's called , asking when you'll return ? It's obvious the work is becoming too much for him to handle . " Blake . My assistant . Highly competent and sharp . I didn't feel an ounce of guilt for dumping everything on him and leaving him charge . If he couldn't even handle things in my absence , what was the point of paying him a six - figure paycheck ? Chapter 4 288 Wouchers " I'm not going back , " I said calmly , finally opening my eyes . Callum frowned . " What do you mean you're not going back ? " The came the realization . " Wait . Are you saying you're planning to settle down here ? " I sat up slightly . " More or less . I plan to open a branch here , after all ." He looked genuinely stunned for a moment , then narrowed his eyes . " Is this a long - term plan or just one of your spur - of - the - moment whims ? " I smirked . " Guess . " " Be serious , Dean . I know you can be spontaneous at times , but this is no joking matter . He leaned forward , hands clasped as he spoke . I let out a soft laugh , completely unbothered . " Relax . This has been in the works for a while . I just never got around to telling you . " That was actually a white lie . But as long as the outcome remained the same , I guess it wouldn't matter that much , right ? " The market in Agate Country had become stagnant and over - saturated with similar products , " I explained , my aura shifting into seriousness " Downloads are dropping , user feedback is lukewarm , and investing in new ideas has become risky " " With slower growth , more risk , and tighter competition , something had to change . " Callum frowned . " So you're basically trying your luck here ? " Chapter 4 I shook my head . " No. I don't put my faith in fickle things like ' luck .' I only believe in myself " 289 Vouchers I dropped my legs from the reeliner and faced him directly . " I've done my homework . Compared to Agate Country , the market here here still has untapped potential . The mobile game scene is expanding fast , especially in narrative and female - oriented genres - and no one's capitalizing on it . Yet ." " But soon , they will , " Callum replied , his expression softening . " There are plenty of smart people in the world . If you've figured it out , someone else will too . In fact , they might already have . " " Exactly . That's why I plan to strike early and secure a dominant position in the market . That way , no matter who enter the game later , they'll be playing catch - up ." He nodded , clearly impressed and aware of the potential behind my plan . If things went as planned , Raven Entertainment and Astral Studios could create an complete entertainment chain : comics , animations , live - action adaptations , game - themed merchandise ... the possibilities were endless . " So the nickname " Treasure Hound " our friend circle gave you wasn't just for show , after all You really never miss a money - making opportunity , " Callum commented . " What about the game ? " he asked . " Is it already in development , or are you starting from scratch ? " " It's already underway at HQ , " I told him . "But the launch and localization will be handled here by the new branch . " Callum snorted . " So you already had everything planned and were just informing me of the result ? " Chapter 4 " Isn't that better ? " I winked playfully . " I do the work , and you get to rake in a fortune . " He rolled his eyes but didn't argue . The office went quiet for a while , comfortable silence settling between us . Then he looked at me again . " By the way , will you be attending the Caldwells ' banquet tonight ? " I shifted back into my previous position and asked lazily . " What banquet ? " " The Caldwells are throwing a party to celebrate their youngest daughter's college graduation . But from what I heard , the true reason behind the banquet is to officially announce her engagement to ... Brandon ." He looked at me carefully as he said the last name , but I pretended not to notice . Instead , I nonchalantly raised a brow . " Oh ? " " So ? " he asked . " Will you go ? " Of course not . 288 Vouchers That's what I meant to say . But for some reason , an image surfaced in my mind . The Caldwell's youngest daughter . Her name , if I remembered right , sounded like a flower . Lily , maybe ? It had been ten years since I last saw her , but somehow , I remembered her . A quiet little thing Chapter 4 in frilly pink dresses . She was like a delicately carved but lifeless doll . All of a sudden , I felt a flicker of curiosity , Sudden Unexplainable , I didn't question it too deeply at the time . But later , I would look back on this moment , quietly grateful for that impulse . For the fact that I decided to go . Had her style changed ? Was she still the same doll - ish girl ? I wondered . " I suppose trying out the desserts wouldn't be a bad idea , " I said after a moment of consideration . 723 Nouchers Callum blinked , clearly surprised at my decision . He knew how much I despised events like this , especially if I had to rub shoulders with people from ' that ' family . But he didn't press . He simply shrugged his shoulders and stood up . " I'll finish up the rest of my work . " I hummed in response , gaze drifting toward the window . Looking forward to meeting you , Lily . Chapter 5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!