Chapter 89
Early in the morning, the company's finance director called me: "Ms. Wilson, you'd better come to the office. The Brown Group employees are all gathered at the company entrance, making a scene, and media people are already filming."
So that's what Charles and Jasper had been doing all day - gathering people together.
I let out a cold laugh: "I'll head over in a bit. Have security keep everyone outside the building, don't let a single person in. If the media wants to film, let them film all they want. Better yet, get a few more outlets there."
Seeing me getting ready to leave, Oscar quickly asked: "You need to be careful. It'd be better to take a couple of bodyguards with you."
I still placed the hot water on his bedside table within easy reach: "I know. You rest well, don't worry about this. I'll be back soon."
It was only a half-hour drive from the hospital to the office. When I arrived at the company, I saw a scene that was about to turn into a brawl.
People were arguing loudly.
"Why should SoftGlow Biotech executives get to decide whether we Brown Group employees keep our jobs? What did we do wrong to deserve being suspended? Your person in charge needs to come out and give us an explanation."
"Exactly! Aren't they deliberately squeezing out the Brown Group employees? Are they trying to push out all the old employees so SoftGlow Biotech can swallow up the Brown Group?"
"Even the Brown Group's chairman and general manager got fired. We need an explanation!"
"First time I've heard of a new director pushing out the boss. We'd like to see what this Emily is capable of."
All these people standing outside making a racket, with professional camera crews right beside them - if someone said this wasn't premeditated, I definitely wouldn't believe it.
"What I'm capable of, you'll probably find out soon enough." I stood behind them with my people. My voice was enough for each of them to hear clearly.
The people who had just been causing trouble all turned around in unison. When they saw me, the anger on their faces froze for a moment, but they quickly recovered. One of them shouted loudly: "Are you Emily? We're grateful you let the Brown Group return to its original office, but why did you fire us all the next day? What did we do wrong? You replaced our boss, too. This is so unfair!"
I stood in front of him, wearing high heels, even slightly taller than him, and glanced at him coolly with a disdainful smile: "You're Nathan, the head of the purchasing department, right? You've been at the Brown Group for seven years, working your way up from a small employee to your current position, one of the few who made it to middle management without connections. You worked hard in the early days, but later on... do I need to spell it out? Two years ago, during an equipment replacement, you sold it low, had someone buy it, then resold it at a premium, making millions in the blink of an eye. You should remember that, right? And your purchasing kickbacks - do you need me to present the evidence right here?"
Nathan, who had been so resolute just moments ago, instantly turned pale. His lips trembled uncontrollably: "What are you talking about? I've always been fair and honest at the Brown Group. You're slandering me. What's your agenda?"
I laughed lightly: "Slander? The company has already packaged up the evidence. If you still think it's not enough, it will all be handed over to the court. If you think it's slander, then feel free to hire the best lawyer to defend you."
"Evidence?" His face looked even worse, his eyes darting around uncertainly, but he still remained stubborn. "I haven't done anything, so what evidence could you have? Say whatever you want. I... I don't want to talk about this with you right now. Let's talk about you firing so many of us - there should at least be severance compensation. You want us to leave without any explanation?"
The people who had been hesitating because of my words now became aggressive again: "Right, you have to give us an explanation. Otherwise, we'll go straight to the Labor Department and file a complaint. Then we'll see how you compensate us."
I looked at the person speaking, calm and unhurried: "You're Steven, the head of the finance department, right? Perfect timing that you came. Saves me from having to look for you later. We might need to go over the financial accounts with you carefully. I heard from the finance department employees that the books don't add up. For example, one entertainment expense alone was hundreds of thousands of dollars. There's suspicion of balancing accounts and falsifying records. You can explain it all in a bit."
Steven instinctively took half a step back, his eyes also starting to dodge: "You... don't talk nonsense. The finance department's accounts are crystal clear. What problems could there be? Are the people you just hired completely incompetent?"
"So then—" I smiled, giving a look to the people behind me. "Now, please come verify my claims."
The bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed him, swiped open the office building door, and dragged him inside. Steven had long lost his arrogant attitude, shouting in panic: "What are you doing? I'm not going in. Let go of me. I've already resigned. I don't have the energy to deal with your accounts. Let me go."
His voice finally disappeared around the corner, followed by a painful wail, but it quickly went silent.
I looked at these people who were now showing some fear, still maintaining my smile: "So if any of you have other questions, feel free to ask. I can probably give you all satisfactory answers." They looked at each other, probably unclear about how many of their secrets I actually knew. Soon, someone came forward with a bitter smile: "We just came to ask for clarification. But I see Ms. Wilson must have better arrangements for the company. Since you don't think I'm qualified, I'm quite ashamed. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."
After saying this, he quietly left.
With this precedent, the others no longer lingered. After that, they even skipped the pleasantries. Fearing I would expose their illegal activities, they all silently departed. In the end, only a few people remained at the entrance.
Nathan was still standing in front of me. I could tell he wanted to leave, but couldn't let go of something. He seemed to want to talk to me, but hesitated.
However, I didn't give him a chance to speak. Instead, I smiled at the media I'd brought and said, "Everyone saw what just happened. I'm now the largest shareholder in the Brown Group, and, of course, I want it to gradually improve. Unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to expose our own wounds. It's because of these parasites that the company has been going downhill."
My gaze casually swept over Nathan, then I quickly gestured to the media: "Since we've already invited everyone here today, let's lay everything out in the open. Everyone, please go to the conference room first. I'll give everyone an explanation."
Some media followed me into the office building. I stood at the entrance and turned back to look at Nathan, who wanted to leave: "Why don't you come in and listen too? See if the evidence I mentioned is enough to put you away."
His legs instantly went weak. He stepped forward, trying to grab me, but the bodyguards quickly separated us.
Ignoring the bodyguards' obstruction, he pleaded, "Ms. Wilson, let's talk this through. If the company really has other arrangements, I'll find another job."
I laughed coldly: "Then you should ask the people who sent you here whether they're deliberately pushing you toward a dead end."
After that, I also walked into the building, then turned back to add: "Oh, and tell Charles and Jasper that the company is auditing the accounts. We'll take our time and make them pay for every last thing."