Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 695

Emmy glanced up, her brows knitting together.

Dean smiled at her, calm and warm. “Eating alone is boring. I’ll keep you company for a bit.”

Her expression turned cold. “Have some dignity.”

Dean pretended not to notice her sarcasm and just grinned, almost playfully. “But you know what they say. The shameless are undefeated in this world.”

Emmy didn’t bother answering. She picked up her plate, ready to find another seat.

Then Dean spoke again. “I’m not here today for old times’ sake.”

“I actually want to discuss a partnership. Specifically, the agricultural aid project.”

Emmy froze, her plate still in hand.

She set it back down and gave Dean a sharp, assessing look.

Dean spoke slowly, his voice low and steady. “You want to work with Jared because he’s crucial for next year’s election. You want to secure a strong supporter for yourself and for Starlight Corporation, am I right?”

Emmy stayed silent. Her lack of response was answer enough.

Dean leaned in, lowering his voice even more. “But Jared is incredibly hard to control.”

“Have you thought about working with me instead? We could help someone else into that position.”

“Someone we could actually control.”

Emmy’s frown deepened. She stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Are you serious? You want to rewrite history?”

Dean just laughed, leaning back in his chair with a spark of mischief in his eyes. “And you haven’t changed enough already?”

“I don’t think you understand,” Emmy replied, her tone icy. “Matters that shape a country can’t be changed so easily.”

“People like that aren’t for us to manipulate. You make one wrong move and the consequences could be severe.”

Dean’s eyes only grew more intense. “Nothing is impossible if you try.”

He pulled a file from his briefcase and slid it across the table.

“Why not give the recognition for the agricultural project to this guy?”

Emmy looked down at the file.

On the cover was a photo of a cabinet minister—round-faced, friendly, even a little cute, with an honest, approachable look.

But Emmy just closed the file, calm and unbothered.

“That’s a logical move for any national leader.”

“And projects getting government support is a win-win for everyone involved.”

She looked Dean straight in the eye, her gaze sharp. “You’re so against Jared because you’re worried he’ll back Nelson Corporation once he’s in office and push down your Sparrow Group, aren’t you?”

Dean’s smile faded a little. He didn’t admit it, but he didn’t deny it either.

Emmy gave a soft, knowing chuckle and dropped the subject.

It was then she noticed the kitchen hadn’t brought any new dishes for a while.

She glanced at the waiter, who caught her look and hurried over with a tray.

Just now, it had been one look from Dean that kept the staff away.

“I’ll have what she’s having,” Dean told the waiter.

After the waiter left, he turned back to Emmy, his voice casual. “Did you have a fight with your husband?”