Chapter 48 The Charm of Language

Chapter 48 The Charm of Language

Emily's POV

"Benjamin, I remember our factory has a production line that can make core load-bearing chassis. What are the specifications and capabilities?"

"Ms. Johnson, the steel we use has a tensile strength of 1100-2000+ MPa, yield strength..."

Benjamin launched into a flurry of technical jargon that, while impressive, was entirely lost on me.

I cut to the chase: "What's the load capacity of this kind of chassis?"

"At least fifty short tons and up. The load capacity is excellent."

Upon hearing that number, I got excited.

My first thought was, "Benjamin, can we modify the chassis design?"

"Yes, as long as we have the right molds."

Perfect. If we could use this for luxury car chassis, the performance and safety would be incredible.

If I could make this deal happen, the back wages wouldn't be a problem.

The thought made me excited.

"Does the factory have any samples right now?"

Benjamin shook his head with a bitter smile, "Ms. Johnson, we can't even pay wages. The factory shut down a long time."

I drew a steadying breath. Simply put, if I intended to turn the factory into a profitable venture, clearing the hurdle of unpaid wages was the first order of business.

And to settle those wages, I had to get the factory back up and running.

And I couldn't borrow a single penny right now.

Dead end.

I frowned, lost in thought, until a solution finally began to take shape.

I had Joshua bring up Nicholas, the guy who'd been leading the troublemakers downstairs.

Nicholas came up shortly after.

The moment he saw me, he huffed in obvious irritation—still angry that I had used him to draw everyone’s attention away earlier.

Looking at his nearly 50-year-old face, I didn't hold it against him.

I got straight to the point, "What's your position at the factory?"

Nicholas lifted his chin. "CNC machine operator."

I stared at his rough fingers and the faded mark on his collar. I'd only glanced at the personnel files before coming, but just looking at those hands, I could guess what he was carrying.

I looked him in the eye and said, "Most of you live in the suburbs, right? Carrying mortgages, car loans, and kids' tuition. If wages don't come soon, the bank will take your house eventually, right?"

Nicholas's expression changed. "Yes, otherwise we wouldn't be this desperate. If this continues, we really won't survive."

Won't survive? Is it really that hard?

What about me with three hundred million dollars in debt?

I was desperate to voice my grievances, but I bit my tongue and remained silent.

I had a one-year buffer on my three hundred million, a year without loan payments—something Abigail had negotiated for me.

"So you want money, and we want to save this company. Our ultimate goals are the same."

"Even if you take this money, without new jobs, you'll slowly end up right back where you are now. At your age, if you leave here, what kind of good job could you find?"

My words harsh, but they were the truth.

"But if we save the company, as company employees, you can naturally stay and keep working. It's a win-win situation, isn't it?"

Nicholas nodded. "If you can really save the company, we'll be grateful."

I shook my head. "I don't want gratitude, I want action. I need to restart factory operations now, and I need a group of employees to work. Not many."

"If you can calm their anger and get them to stay home quietly and wait for news without causing trouble, I can make the call—when the company's running, you'll be a supervisor with a raise."

"If you can't do it, I'll find someone else who can."

I had no intention of handling this myself. First, I didn't have any form of rapport with them. Second, with limited positions available, any infighting would have quickly spiraled into chaos..

So it was better to let them sort it out internally.

I had noticed he seemed to be the leader among these workers.

That's why I was giving him this task.

Nicholas hesitated. "Can you pay part of the wages first? That would make it easier to convince them."

I shook my head. Not because I was heartless, but because I had no working capital. How could I possibly pay them?

"No, but I can guarantee that anyone who starts work tomorrow will get their wages on time next month."

Nicholas frowned sinking into a silence so prolonged I was certain he would refuse. To my surprise, however, he eventually gave his immediate consent.

"Alright, I'll do it. But those people..."

"Don't worry about them." I interrupted.

Once Nicholas had gone, I reached out to another man—one I’d noted earlier who appeared to hold some influence over the group.

His name was Samuel Harris.

Again, I got straight to the point, "You live in areas with terrible security, constantly facing the risk of water and power cuts and being evicted by landlords. To buy diapers for their kids, some of your wives have been forced into illegal work."

"Am I right?"

Samuel nodded, staring at me with almost desperate eyes.

"I just checked—before bankruptcy, the company owed you three months' wages. Most of you do hauling, cleaning, and basic assembly work."

"I'm restarting the factory now, which means you'll have jobs. With jobs, you'll have wages and can support your families."

"But if I can't save the company, your situation will only get worse."

"Same deal as the others. Keep your people calm, no trouble. Get the company running, you'll be the leader on your end, wages paid on time. If you can't do it, I'll replace you."

I paused and added, "Also, the company survives, you survive."

Samuel's expression finally changed. He responded almost desperately, "Okay, I agree. But some of us can't afford rent anymore. Could you advance some..."

I shook my head expressionlessly. "Impossible. But for employees working at the company, I can provide accommodation. No meals though."

Samuel quickly agreed and went back down.

After they left, I sank into my chair, overwhelmed by a level of exhaustion I had never experienced before.

Joshua couldn't help but applaud. "See, Emily? I knew you could do it. You handled them so easily."

Easily? He had no idea how many brain cells I'd killed.

Damn Christopher, and this Joshua too.

Both so unreliable.

"Weren't you supposed to be looking for your thing? Why are you still following us around?"

Joshua smiled mysteriously. "I've already found out the person is hiding in this state, that's why I came. Plus, the professors I want to meet are also in this state."

Fine. I was increasingly suspicious that their choice of location wasn't simply about the company.

Joshua and I were chatting when Benjamin called, saying the factory had no power and the equipment couldn't run.

I checked and found out the company owed six months of electricity bills and had been cut off long ago.

I stared at my phone screen, my mind blank.

Great. Just great.

Christopher, you just wait.