Chapter 187 The Investigation Team Has Arrived
The meeting ended.
I walked out of the conference room and saw a tall, slender figure in the distance. His handsome profile was both captivating and reassuring.
"Lucas." I couldn't help but smile, wondering when he'd arrived and how long he'd been waiting outside.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was worried about you." He glanced sideways at the other board members filing out behind me, his calm tone concealing a sharp threat. "Did they give you a hard time?"
The footsteps of the board members behind me stopped in unison. I could almost hear their silent protests—who would dare bully Isabella!
I glanced back, and the board members quietly distanced themselves from Rex.
A space cleared around Rex. He looked left and right, realizing how conspicuous he was, and his expression turned awkward.
Lucas instantly picked up on the unusual atmosphere. Looking at Rex, he let out a questioning hum.
The flesh on Rex's face twitched, and he instinctively took a step back.
"Just a small problem." I patted Lucas's arm dismissively.
I took Lucas's hand, and his attention immediately shifted to me. "Let's go."
We returned to the office and sat on the sofa. Lucas took my right hand and began massaging it.
He didn't speak, his expression looking cold and distant, but I could see the tenderness and care hidden in his eyes.
Massaging my right hand seemed to have become a habit for Lucas.
"When was your last checkup?" he suddenly asked.
I snapped back to attention and hesitated. "At least two years ago."
Lucas pressed his lips together and said unhappily, "For a doctor, you sure don't take care of yourself."
I was speechless and lowered my head, unwilling to admit my avoidance.
But Lucas misunderstood and asked nervously, "Are you upset that I said that?"
I quickly shook my head.
He cupped my face with both hands, holding it still, pressed his forehead against mine, and coaxed gently, "I'll go with you for the checkup."
I looked away. "I'm too busy right now. Let's wait a bit."
Lucas knew not to push me, so he nodded in agreement, then said seriously, "The food safety department and tax bureau both have contacts of mine, Gale's, and Brian's. We've already made arrangements, but the continuous reports against Platinum Haven Hotel have alerted higher-level oversight agencies. An investigation team will come in the next day or two."
"Brian already told me." I frowned. "Do you know who's behind the investigation team?"
Lucas gave a cold, thin smile. "It's just those guys."
I nodded, thinking about how to get through this crisis.
"Should I come over these next few days to back you up?" Though Lucas phrased it as a question, he'd already made up his mind.
I shook my head. "No, don't come."
"Why not?" Lucas's brow furrowed, his eyes plainly showing displeasure.
"I want to use this opportunity to thoroughly clean house at the hotel. If you're here keeping watch, those 'moles' won't dare show themselves." I smiled at him slightly. "You'd better stay away, leave Starstream City."
Lucas crossed his arms over his chest and said nothing.
"Please?" I leaned over and kissed him. "That would be the biggest help. I'm asking you."
"I want to protect you," Lucas said reluctantly.
I kissed his lips again.
Lucas's attitude softened. "Promise me you'll protect yourself."
I nodded and promised him seriously, "I will."
Early the next morning, workers at a construction site Lucas was contracting in a neighboring city went on strike, and he had no choice but to leave to handle it.
In the afternoon, the investigation team sent by the state government arrived.
The investigation team had six people in total. The team leader was named Bayle, around forty years old, with thinning hair on top and a slight paunch. His belt cinched his bulky upper body and fat lower body into a gourd shape.
He was a mid-level official in the state government. He greeted me warmly, "The famous Isabella—you're even more beautiful than the rumors say."
When we shook hands, he stroked the back of my hand, his burning gaze revealing some contempt.
I calmly withdrew my hand and took a handkerchief from Adrian. "I've never heard of you."
Bayle raised an eyebrow, snorted lightly, and walked past me into the hotel with his team members and Starstream City officials. "Let's start the investigation!"
That day they investigated the kitchen, the next day they examined tax records, and late at night they conducted a surprise inspection for fire hazards, putting all the hotel employees through the wringer again and again.
Every process was exceptionally strict. Account books were repeatedly checked and verified, and they demanded all kinds of supporting documents. Even a single punctuation error meant having to redo everything.
The lobby, dining areas, restroom corners, even the employee locker rooms—nothing was spared. They clearly wouldn't stop until they found problems.
On the third day, James looked haggard. He told me the hotel staff were complaining loudly, and some had submitted resignations.
"Process them according to normal resignation procedures. Don't try to stop anyone who wants to leave," I said.
On the fourth day, complaints in the employee group chat grew louder, and the number of resignations kept increasing.
On the fifth day, the investigation team shifted their focus from examining things to examining people.
James asked me what to do.
I wearily rubbed my temples. The computer screen reflected my face—my dark circles deeper than a few days ago. "Notify everyone to cooperate as much as possible. Arrange a few empty offices for the investigation team. Let them conduct interviews there. All investigations must take place there—they can't take our employees away."
James blinked his worried eyes. "Yes."
Nearly all the hotel employees were questioned. It wasn't until eleven at night that Bayle knocked on my office door.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Bayle yawned—definitely not from being tired or sleepy. This guy had taken a nap at noon and played two rounds of pool after dinner, deliberately dragging out my interview time until now.
As soon as he entered, his sticky gaze roamed up and down my body. His steps were slow and leisurely, like a cat toying with a mouse.
In his eyes, I was that mouse.
"Isabella, your hotel has some serious problems."
I sneered inwardly but kept my expression neutral. "What problems?"
Bayle waved his hand. "According to regulations, I can't disclose details freely, but I can give you a hint."
He gave me a suggestive look. I took a bank card from my drawer and pushed it toward him. "There's two million dollars in here."
Bayle pocketed the card and said, "The Sorelli family was just a mid-sized family five years ago. Although only you four siblings are left now, with such a big hotel and having recovered your lost assets, you have enough to live comfortably."
I narrowed my eyes. "So?"
Bayle finally revealed his purpose. "I hear you're also good at pharmaceuticals and have several pharmaceutical factories. Do you really have extra time to manage properties in the Chaotic Zone?"
I laughed. "You want to convince me to withdraw from the Chaotic Zone struggle?"
Bayle picked up his teacup and took a sip of coffee. "People shouldn't be too greedy."
I nodded. "You're right."
Bayle's lips curved with satisfaction. "Smart of you."
Before he finished speaking, I stood up and snatched back the bank card from beside him. "People shouldn't be too greedy!"
Bayle was stunned. The next second, he slammed down his cup. "Isabella! You're biting off more than you can chew. How much longer do you think you can stay on top?"
I scoffed and didn't give him a chance to speak. "Adrian, Cole, show him out!"
"Yes!"
Adrian and Cole grabbed Bayle's arms from both sides and dragged him out. Bayle cursed furiously.
The office door closed again, shutting out the noise from outside.
I walked into the rest room, removed the makeup that had darkened my eye circles, and happily lay down to sleep.