Chapter 54 Trouble-Making Crisis

Chapter 54 Trouble-Making Crisis

Emily's POV

I looked at Samuel walking in, totally speechless. "What now? Why is everyone here again? Making trouble every other day—does this company even want to operate anymore? What is it this time?"

Samuel hesitated. "Ms. Johnson, it's like this. This morning you requested forty people to come back to work, right? When they found out, they thought it was unfair and all demanded to come back to work too, so that's why..."

Hearing this, I understood. I stared at him coldly, piecing together the whole story in my head.

"I was being nice bringing you along this morning because I valued you. And you? Those forty spots—did you turn around and give them to your people? Or did you just sell them off?"

I had no proof, but I stared at him, wanting to see his reaction. "If I'm wrong, you tell me what really happened."

Samuel's neck stiffened, and he shook his head frantically. "That's not it, Ms. Johnson."

I kept staring at him. His eyes started darting around, unable to meet my face.

I really did fight for those jobs for them. Sure, the pay was low, but at least it would keep them alive.

I never expected that I'd barely finish speaking this morning, and by the time I got back from a business meeting this afternoon, I'd be facing this mess. Whether he gave the spots to friends or sold them for profit—the result was the same: I had to deal with this tricky situation.

I rubbed my forehead helplessly. I'd tried to do something good by arranging work for them, and this was what I got.

Just as I was getting a headache, the commotion at the entrance got even louder. I stood up and walked to the window to look out. Nicholas's people had somehow gotten wind of this and all rushed over. The company's front door looked as if it were about to be knocked down by the crowd.

Before I could go get Nicholas, he came rushing in.

Seeing Samuel, a flash of displeasure crossed his face, then he quickly explained, "Ms. Johnson, it's all his fault!"

I tilted my head, confused.

"Ms. Johnson, if Warren Jenkins hadn't told them, they wouldn't have found out and rushed over."

"Who's he?" I looked at both of them, puzzled.

Samuel explained, "He's always been a big talker. He knows plenty of people both in Nicholas's group and mine. This whole thing probably leaked through him."

I nodded, getting it now, and slowly summarized: "So what you're saying is, because I fought for forty job positions for your camp, you took the opportunity to resell these spots or privately distribute them to your friends, preventing others from getting opportunities through proper channels. Then Warren found out about this and leaked the news, causing dissatisfaction, which is why so many people came to make trouble at the company."

I paused, then asked another question: "The people who rushed over—they're all related to these spots, right?"

Samuel looked terrible, clearly not wanting to admit he'd profited from this.

I shook my head. "Forget it. I'll deal with you after I handle this situation. You two, come downstairs with me."

I thought for a moment, then turned to Christopher, who was sitting in his chair looking completely uninvolved. "You too, get over here and be my bodyguard."

Christopher raised an eyebrow. "Coming, boss."

Watching him bounce up from his chair, I thought this guy was such an idiot.

Nicholas stood to the side, looking anxious. "Ms. Johnson, this isn't going to be easy to handle. Maybe you should just call the police. If you go down there now, I'm afraid..."

I didn't respond to him, just glanced at Samuel.

"Follow me."

Downstairs, I grabbed the megaphone and spoke up. "Everyone calm down. I'm the new company manager. I can pay you the wages you're owed!"

With my last sentence, the crowd quieted down, watching me quietly, their eyes full of expectation.

Seeing this effect, I nodded with satisfaction. "Good. We'll handle things one at a time. Let's deal with the unpaid wages first—I believe that's what you most want to know about."

"I was planning to tell you about this in the next couple days anyway. Since everyone's here now, let's talk now. For those who aren't here, pass the word along to each other."

"First, I've reached a cooperation agreement with Martinez BioGroup for a net income of six million dollars. This money will be transferred within three days."

Hearing this, the crowd started buzzing. Everyone's eyes lit up with something called hope.

Someone shouted first, then everyone started chanting my name.

"Emily! Emily! Emily!"

I pressed my hands down, and the crowd quieted again.

"I'm giving you two options now. First, those who want their wages settled immediately can register with Samuel in a bit. After I verify and confirm everything, I'll distribute the wages—not a penny less. However, after settlement, the company will terminate your employment contract."

"Second, I'll gradually distribute your previously owed wages along with your regular salary, and I'll compensate you with appropriate interest while keeping your job position. But this will take some time. Please give me some time—at most one month, and I'll make sure all of you can come work at the company."

Hearing me say this, the crowd fell silent.

I didn't say anything more, letting them think it over themselves.

Standing there watching them, I actually had a pretty good idea—those who could take the money and leave probably didn't have much savings. Once they spent it all, wouldn't they just have to find work again? These days, without skills, the jobs available were pretty much the same few options. Staying meant at least having a stable income.

I'd already done this math for them.

I scanned the crowd. The people who'd been making noise earlier started going quiet. Some lowered their heads, others turned to whisper with people next to them. That tense atmosphere visibly calmed down. I didn't speak, just waited—at times like this, silence carries more weight than noise. They were thinking, I could tell. Even if I couldn't guess each person's answer, I knew the general direction.

"Alright, those choosing option 1, go register with Samuel. Those choosing option 2, go register with Nicholas. I'm giving you one hour. Anyone who doesn't choose within that time will automatically be assigned option 1."

After speaking, I gave the security guard a look, signaling him to watch the door.

He hesitated. I turned to glare at Christopher. "What are you looking at? Go open the door."

Christopher pouted pitifully. "I'm scared."

I glared at him, and he obediently went to open the door.

I couldn't help but laugh.

After the door opened, the crowd didn't riot. Instead, they anxiously went to register with the two men one by one.

"Everyone line up in an orderly fashion. Anyone who cuts in line gets disqualified."

"Impressive, Emily."

Christopher said from behind me while his right hand inappropriately groped my butt.

I shot him a look. "If you don't want to keep that hand, I'll chop it off for you!"

Christopher raised an eyebrow and leaned close to my ear. "Would you really? This hand has served you plenty. Is your pussy wet?"

I'd been fine until he said that. With so many people around, a strange sense of shame and excitement actually gave me a physical reaction.

I ground my teeth in anger and stomped hard on his foot. "Go to hell!"

Seeing his face turn red as he held back the pain made me feel a bit better.

"If you use your perverted hands to take advantage of me again, I'll..."

"You'll finish me off? Please, organization, finish me off."

"Pervert! Scoundrel!"