Chapter 356 Don't Joke While Having Lunch
When they arrived at the warehouse storing raw materials, the scene before them was worse than Karen and Juniper had imagined.
Levi, however, feigned surprise and said, "There was a heavy snowfall in Skyville recently, and now that the snow has melted, the roof is leaking. We've tried our best to fix it, but this batch of materials is still contaminated and probably can't be used..."
Karen, holding back her temper, sneered, "Is that a reason or an excuse?"
Levi clasped his hands in front of him, his attitude ambiguous, "Ms. Abbott, I don't know what you are talking about. Various unexpected situations on the production line are actually quite common. Some raw materials were contaminated and scrapped due to force majeure."
Karen sternly rebuked, "If you can't do the job, then don't do it!"
Levi was stunned for a few seconds, but his face showed no fear or remorse.
He chuckled reluctantly, "Ms. Abbott, are you sure?"
Karen had seen many old employees like Levi in the workplace.
"What, don't want to leave?"
Levi replied, "Not really. Most of the old technicians here are friends I brought in back then. If I leave, they probably won't stay either. My friends, with their twenty or thirty years of experience, won't have trouble finding work elsewhere."
Karen gritted her teeth and chuckled lightly, "Are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare. You're Ms. Abbott. I'm just thinking about your side. It's almost the end of the year, and there are still so many orders to fulfill. If we, the guiding technicians, all go home now..."
Levi deliberately paused for a few seconds, giving Karen and Juniper a meaningful look.
He spoke with a measured tone, "It's almost New Year's, Ms. Abbott. If you fire us now, where will you find so many skilled workers? If we leave, it's a small matter, but if we can't deliver the orders on time, the client might..."
Karen's eyes turned cold, "Are you teaching me how to do my job?"
"I wouldn't dare."
But Levi didn't look like he wouldn't dare.
He was clearly very arrogant!
The tension between their gazes was palpable.
Juniper stepped in to mediate, "Levi, Ms. Abbott speaks directly, don't take it personally. The issues we raised about your work were not a rejection of you, just addressing the matters at hand. However, since the production line is so tight right now, can you quickly mobilize and adjust?"
Levi casually replied, "I'll try."
Karen was about to lose her temper and rush forward, but Juniper discreetly grabbed her arm.
Juniper calmly said, "Levi, what we saw earlier were minor issues. Ms. Abbott only cares about results, not the process. As long as the orders are delivered on time before the New Year, everything is negotiable."
Levi said, "New leaders have a big temper, I understand. We'll try our best with what you just mentioned."
"It's not about trying, it's a must. If the orders can't be delivered on time, it won't be just a simple matter of dismissal."
Juniper's face remained calm, but her words carried weight.
Levi was taken aback, "What do you mean by that?"
Juniper looked at him, "Nothing, just a reminder that pushing people too hard benefits no one."
After a few words of advice, Levi behaved more honestly.
He took them on a tour of the factory.
By noon, Levi left.
Karen couldn't hold back her anger any longer, "I should have fired him right away. Does he think I can't deal with him?"
Juniper patiently said, "If you fire him now, it would be too easy for him. Besides, he's right. It's almost New Year's. If he really leaves with a group of workers, how will we find replacements? The fastest we could hire people would be after the New Year, which would delay things by a month."
"Once these orders are fulfilled, I'll deal with him!"
Juniper pondered for a moment, finding it odd. "He wasn't afraid of being fired at all. He must have someone backing him."
Karen frowned. "You mean he's already been bribed by the competition to be a mole?"
Juniper grabbed her sleeve, "It's almost lunchtime. How about we eat at the factory cafeteria and gather some information?"
"I'm dirty and want to go back to the hotel to take a shower."
Hotel?
Juniper, busy all morning, suddenly remembered Magnus was still at the hotel!
She was about to call and ask what he wanted for lunch.
Magnus called first, "Where are you?"
He seemed to have just woken up, his voice a bit hoarse.
Juniper replied, "I'm at the factory, planning to eat at the cafeteria. How about I bring some food back to the hotel, or do you want to order something else?"
Magnus might not like the cafeteria food.
There were sounds of rustling clothes on the other end, "Send me your location, I'll come to you."
Juniper instinctively glanced at Karen.
Turning away, she covered the phone's mouthpiece and said, "That's not a good idea. The cafeteria food might be terrible."
Besides, it was technically work hours, though they had more freedom while on a business trip.
"If you can eat it, why can't I?"
Juniper was stunned.
"Are you with Karen now?"
"Yes."
Magnus teased, "Not letting me come find you, are you having a lesbian affair with her behind my back?"
Juniper's mouth twitched.
After hanging up, Juniper said, "Someone else will join us for lunch at the cafeteria."
Karen found it interesting, "You have friends here?"
"Yeah, just a regular friend."
Karen thought for a moment, finding it odd, "Is it the male model from your room this morning?"
Juniper didn't deny it.
Karen's eyes widened in shock, "You call that a regular friend? A friend with benefits?"
Juniper fell silent.
Before long, a tall, handsome figure appeared in their view.
This time, Karen's jaw almost dropped, "Is this the male model from your room this morning?"
Magnus walked over, "What male model?"
Juniper quickly said, "Ms. Abbott was complimenting your physique, saying you look like a male model!"
The three of them got their food and sat at a table to eat.
Magnus sat next to Juniper, with Karen across from them.
The atmosphere was awkward.
Karen gossiped, "Mr. Blackwood, when did you arrive in Skyville? So quietly."
Magnus glanced at Juniper and said openly, "Early this morning."
"Early morning?"
No flights or trains, did he drive all night?
Karen curiously asked, "Mr. Blackwood, are you here for business?"
Magnus looked at Juniper, a slight smile on his lips, "Not for business, just to bring something to Juniper."
Karen was even more curious, "What did you bring?"
Magnus replied, "Service."
Juniper, who was eating, almost choked on her food.
These two, always saying shocking things!
One dared to ask, the other dared to answer!
Magnus patted Juniper's back, "I'll go buy a bottle of water."
When Magnus got up to buy water, Karen gave Juniper a scrutinizing look, "Service?"
"Is it the kind of service I'm thinking of?"
Juniper picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into her mouth, "Don't joke while having lunch!"
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