Chapter 484 The Great Fire, Destroyed in an Instant
Before they even stepped inside the house, both Sebastian's and Brooklyn's phones rang almost simultaneously.
They exchanged a knowing glance and frowned. Brooklyn shrugged, "Guess today isn't the best day to show you my private retreat."
Sebastian pulled back the foot he had just stepped forward with and took out his phone, seeing Brandon's number on the screen.
Brooklyn also took out her phone and saw Bianca's number.
They both answered their calls in sync. Before either could speak, the voices on the other end shouted in unison, "Where are you?"
The simultaneous voices made them exchange another glance. Brooklyn stepped aside and asked, "What's wrong, Bianca?"
Bianca's voice was clearly trying to suppress anger. "Brooklyn, the Mitchell Group's factory just caught fire. The blaze was massive. Although the firefighters eventually got it under control, the damage is severe. All the raw materials and machinery inside are completely destroyed..."
"What about the workers? Are they okay?"
Brooklyn urgently interrupted her. Machinery and raw materials could be replaced, but any casualties would be a serious matter.
"They're fine. The fire started after everyone had left for the day. The fire was just brought under control, but the factory is a total loss."
Bianca rubbed her temples, staring at the Mitchell Group's pharmaceutical processing plant, now reduced to a pile of ashes. The air was thick with dust and smoke, making it hard to breathe.
Dust filled the sky, making the dark night even darker. The stars and moon were barely visible, with only the flashing lights of the fire trucks standing out.
Bianca's clothes were covered in a thick layer of ash, and her face was smeared with dust. Her eyes were bloodshot as she looked at the ruins, feeling a mix of emotions.
"No casualties is the best news. Are you hurt?"
Bianca shook her head. "I'm fine, just... the factory is completely gone now..."
"The factory can be rebuilt. As long as no one was hurt, that's what matters. Don't blame yourself, Bianca. I know how hard this is for you, but I'm not blaming you. I know everything you've done for the Mitchell Group. Don't cry, and don't be upset."
Bianca had been holding herself together well, but when Brooklyn told her not to cry, she couldn't hold back anymore. Her nose tingled, and tears started to fall.
Choking up, she said, "There are a lot of things that need your personal attention. You'll need to come back as soon as possible. I'm sorry, Brooklyn, for ruining your vacation."
"No! I've already taken care of things here. I'll come back as soon as I can."
Meanwhile, from the moment Sebastian answered his call, his expression remained unchanged.
His voice was low and cold, with an undeniable sharpness. "Have you investigated? Was it an accident or sabotage?"
Brandon ran a hand through his hair and cursed. "The site is completely burned down. All the surrounding surveillance cameras were destroyed. It's clear someone targeted the Mitchell Group deliberately."
"No evidence at all?" Sebastian's eyes grew colder.
Brandon gritted his teeth. "Fuck, they did a clean job. It's obvious that it was planned. They waited until you and your wife were away to strike, clearly trying to crush the Mitchell Group."
"No evidence? Even without evidence, you can't guess who it was?" Sebastian's fingers curled into a fist, his hand clenching tightly.
A light bulb went off in Brandon's head. "Donny? Right, it has to be them! With the Mitchell Group's factory out of commission, they'll need to find a new site. The biggest beneficiary of this is them! Fuck, we never saw it coming!"
Sebastian's eyes were like sharp blades. "Calculate the factory's losses and contact Marigoldia for new machinery. I'll handle the new site when I get back."
With his fist pressed to his forehead, Sebastian felt like he could kill someone.
Brandon took a deep breath. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. We have large orders from several international companies that need to be shipped soon. This is a critical time for the Mitchell Group. If we can't deliver on time, the consequences will be dire."
"I know. Brooklyn and I will return as soon as possible. You stabilize things there and reduce media pressure. Have Dario handle the press."
"Got it!"
They both hung up and exchanged another glance.
Brooklyn said, "It seems they know about my illness and thought you'd stay in Averlake with me for a long time, so they took this chance to strike at the Mitchell Group."
Sebastian nodded. "Exactly. They wouldn't dare do this if they hadn't timed it perfectly. Brooklyn, we need to go back."
"Okay."
Things were spiraling out of control, far from their original plan. Brooklyn sighed deeply. "Man proposes, God disposes."
Sebastian held her hand as they returned to the Taylor villa. His voice was deep and steady. "No matter what, the best news is that you don't need surgery. As long as you're safe, I don't care about a factory. I'd give up the entire Mitchell Group for your safety. Money is just material."
"Mr. Kingsley, you're so generous. Of course, you don't mind giving up the Mitchell Group. It's my family's legacy!"
Sebastian nodded, as if understanding something, and smiled. "It seems you really don't need surgery. Your quick wit is back."
They said their goodbyes to Leon and Diana and left Averlake in a hurry.
Leon and Diana gave them countless reminders, wishing they could go with them.
This deep bond, beyond the three years of care, brought tears to Brooklyn's eyes.
When they landed, it was already the next afternoon. Brooklyn wanted to go to the company with Sebastian, but he insisted that she go home.
"You can't overexert yourself right now. Go home and wait for me. I'll handle everything quickly. As long as you're okay, nothing else matters."
Brooklyn nodded, knowing she'd only distract him if she went along. "I'll wait for you at home."
Sebastian's car sped directly to the Mitchell Group building.
Before he even got out, he saw several reporters with cameras shouting for an interview.
"The Mitchell Group's factory produces antibiotics. How did an explosion happen? Are they producing something else besides antibiotics?"
"The Mitchell Group is primarily an import-export company. Are there significant technical issues with their pharmaceutical production?"
"Ms. Gomez, as the current CEO of the Mitchell Group, how do you explain this?"
"Ms. Gomez, please answer! Please answer!"
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, placed a hand on the steering wheel, and made a call.
Minutes later, several police cars arrived, clearing out the reporters.
Bianca, rubbing her temples, was surprised to see Sebastian. "Mr. Kingsley, you're back so soon?"
"I've seen the news. The reports are fair, and the negative coverage is under control. You've done well."
Bianca smiled bitterly. "Mr. Kingsley, you're too kind. We're just trying to minimize the damage. Please, come in. There are some things that need your personal attention."
As Sebastian walked up the steps, the Mitchell Group employees were stunned and silent. No one dared to look up as his polished shoes clicked to the elevator.
What a presence!
Brandon was more excited to see Sebastian than his own father. He threw his arms around Sebastian's shoulders. "Mr. Kingsley, it's great you're here! You're the Mitchell Group's savior!"
Sebastian frowned and glanced at Brandon's hands on his shoulders. "Let go."
Brandon coughed and quickly showed him the computer screen. "This is the stock fluctuation after the fire. It's not looking good. These are the orders from several large international medical institutions. Good news travels slowly, but bad news spreads fast. Everyone knows about this."
Sebastian scanned the red and green lines on the screen, then looked at the orders. "How much inventory does the Mitchell Group have?"
Brandon and Bianca exchanged serious looks. Brandon closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and made a circle with his hand. "None. The latest batch was in the final stage of production. It was almost ready to ship, but it's all gone. The inventory was also destroyed."
Sebastian's fist slammed onto the table. "Damn it!"
Brandon, feeling the pressure of Sebastian's anger, lowered his voice. "The most urgent thing is to get new equipment and find a new site to speed up production. The next batch is due in three days. Time is really tight."
Sebastian stood up, his eyes sharp enough to cut. "If they want to destroy the Mitchell Group, I won't hold back."
Brandon swallowed. "What do you mean?"
"There's a factory and equipment ready to use. It would be a waste not to use them. Since they prepared it for me, I'll take advantage of it."
Bianca didn't understand. "Mr. Kingsley, what do you mean?"
"Contact the workers and go to Galaxy District 298. That factory is waiting for them." Sebastian's tone was calm, but the implications were clear.
"Okay, I'll contact the workers right away!"
Bianca's heels clicked away, leaving Brandon and Sebastian alone. Brandon was uneasy. "What are you planning? We don't have direct evidence that they set the fire. If we use their factory, it could start a war with the Kingsley family."
Sebastian smirked. "Use their factory? I'd destroy their base in Coralhaven, and Donny wouldn't dare say a word!"
Brandon cursed under his breath. "Fuck! Why is Donny so afraid of you?"
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