Zhan Bei Jue had his reasons.
After the others left, the two were alone.
From six to seven in the evening, then eight. At first, they could maintain their composure and pretend not to know each other, ignoring one another.
Later, they began to exchange glances, and then, began to make anxious little movements.
During this time, Zhan Bei Jue personally investigated their backgrounds.
Both had been recruited to the foreign trade department of Zhan's Group at the beginning of the year, around the age of 38.
One’s previous company had gone bankrupt, leading to middle-aged unemployment, and they found work at Zhan's.
The other had failed in their own business venture and chose to work for others.
Although the two had not known each other before, they shared a surprising similarity in their family situations.
That is, their hometowns were the same, and they owned property and cars in Nancheng, with elders to support and young children to care for, meaning they faced significant financial pressure.
Given such immense financial pressure, how could they afford such high living expenses by working as ordinary foreign trade clerks?
Around ten o’clock that night, Zhan Bei Jue pushed open the door and entered the conference room where the two had been held.
Their phones had died, and not knowing what awaited them, they were going mad from being confined in the conference room.
Seeing Zhan Bei Jue enter, their expressions were a mixture of surprise and relief.
Zhan Bei Jue first apologized for keeping them there so long and then had Ah Zhong bring them dinner.
Although the two were hungry, they felt too embarrassed to eat in front of Zhan Bei Jue, claiming they weren't hungry and feeling ashamed of the significant oversight in their work.
Zhan Bei Jue said it was alright.
“To err is human. To know one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. I understand you have significant life pressures; it’s not easy to support an entire family. Sometimes, due to guidance from others, one might momentarily lose judgment; it’s normal. As long as the major mistakes haven’t been fully realized…”
The two feigned ignorance, asking Zhan Bei Jue what he meant, if he suspected them.
Knowing they wouldn't admit anything easily, Zhan Bei Jue spoke to Employee A.
“I heard you were previously self-employed, and after your failure, you were over 300,000 yuan in debt. Now, not only do you have to repay that debt, but you also have a mortgage of over 6,000 yuan per month.”
“Your son just entered the 15th Primary School, and your wife is pregnant with your second child…”
Upon hearing that Zhan Bei Jue had investigated her background so thoroughly, the employee’s expression immediately changed.
“Mr. Zhan, what is this?”
“It means nothing else; I’m just getting to know my employees, chatting with you to avoid seeming out of touch.”
Zhan Bei Jue rambled, “I just want to ask, based on your salary over the past six months, it’s far from enough to cover your monthly living expenses. Yet, your bank debt hasn’t increased, and you’ve been repaying it on time. In such a situation, you can even afford a second child. How did you manage?”
“I…” The employee rolled their eyes.
“Mr. Zhan, taking on private work after hours to earn some extra money doesn’t violate company regulations, does it?”
“Of course not. May I ask what kind of part-time job you do?”
The employee appeared hesitant, “Mr. Zhan, this…”
Zhan Bei Jue then spoke with B, recounting his basic situation.
Just as the two were completely in Zhan Bei Jue’s psychological grip, feeling precarious and on the verge of their mental defenses crumbling, Ah Zhong called.
Employee A’s son had just been hit by a car in the residential area and was being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. His wife had just called, urging him to go to the hospital immediately.
Zhan Bei Jue had no concrete evidence to prove they had done anything against the company and had no right to detain them.
Under the guise of overtime, he had kept them there until now. Now that a family emergency had occurred, he could no longer keep them.
He knew it was too coincidental for a family emergency to occur at such a critical juncture, but there was nothing he could do.
Zhan Bei Jue told him to leave, and Ah Zhong arranged for someone to accompany him.
Upon hearing that A’s family had an accident, B immediately panicked.
He pleaded with Zhan Bei Jue, saying his stomach ailment had flared up, making him feel very unwell, and began to gag and vomit, his face turning pale.
He could only have him sent to the hospital as well, and the investigation was suspended.
Now, Zhan Bei Jue could almost certainly tell who was behind the scheme. He would not give up easily.
He needed to keep a close eye on these two. As long as he could get them to talk and find their connection with Mrs. Gao, bringing her down would be within reach.
What Zhan Bei Jue didn’t expect was that after Employee A rushed to the hospital, his son had already passed away.
His wife fainted on the spot, and in a fit of emotional distress, the second fetus was stillborn.
The elderly parents, upon hearing that their elder grandson was gone and their second grandson followed soon after, could not bear it and also fainted from shock.
Employee A, rushing between home and the hospital, under immense pressure, angrily erected a banner and stood on the hospital rooftop, intending to jump.
Before jumping, he ranted, accusing Zhan's Group of mistreating employees, blaming them for incidents, and causing his family’s ruin.
Employee B, due to excessive stress, suffered acute gastric bleeding and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
After emergency resuscitation, he was transferred to a regular ward.
However, in the middle of the night, during a doctor’s rounds, he was found to have died under mysterious circumstances.
Furthermore, news of his death spread like wildfire, and by dawn, an article about it was posted online.
Coupled with Employee A’s attempted suicide, Zhan's Group was thrust into the spotlight.
“Selling dog meat under the guise of sheep’s head, peddling fake medicine under the pretense of manufacturing electrical equipment.”
“Blaming employees for incidents, and when employees resist, they disregard human life and persecute their families? This is too wicked!”
Zhan's Group was instantly branded as the most wicked conglomerate in history.
Regardless of the facts, the vast majority of netizens, upon seeing such news, were more inclined to believe it than not. For a time, discussions raged, and Zhan's Group experienced unprecedented attention.
Zhan Bei Jue hadn't expected Mrs. Gao to be so meticulous and have planned so far in advance to bring him down.
She had begun preparing from half a year ago, the moment her husband intended to transfer to Nancheng.
In this battle, he had lost due to underestimating his opponent, a loss he accepted wholeheartedly.
But he would not surrender so easily.
“Since you’ve resorted to dirty tactics to make my life difficult, don’t blame me for not being polite. Mr. Gao holds a special position; if I were to disregard propriety, I believe you would fall much faster than I.”
Seeing this news first thing in the morning, Zhan Bei Jue felt so disgusted he didn’t want to eat breakfast and headed straight to the company.
Hu Jia Sheng called him.
“I know who is behind all this; I’ll come to help you.”
Zhan Bei Jue was somewhat surprised.
After all, Mrs. Gao was his biological mother.
“Cooperating with me? Are you sure?”
“Sure, absolutely, and definitely.”
Hu Jia Sheng said, “But I also need you to do me a favor.”
“Have your legal team step in and ensure Tang Nan Nan is released safely, no matter what. You handle Tang Nan Nan and the company matters; I’m heading to Sucheng now.”
“Give me a week, and I will provide a satisfactory answer regarding Mr. Gao.”