Chapter 267 Return My Hard-Earned Money
The second Clara picked up the call, she asked urgently, "Anne, have you decided yet?"
Anne gave a slight nod and said, "Yeah, Mom. I'll send the money over right now."
"Awesome, you're the best!" Clara then happily hung up.
A moment later, Clara's phone buzzed with a notification. She had just received $10 million from Anne.
As Clara stared at the long string of numbers in her account, her long-suppressed desires surged uncontrollably. She was supposed to invest all this money into a research project to turn things around. But her intense craving for wealth over the years made her lose all sense of reason at that moment.
She couldn't wait to hit the most luxurious boutique in Wind City, swiping her card without hesitation for one exquisite handbag after another, and for numerous expensive pieces of jewelry.
Next, she went to the swankiest hotel in Wind City. There, she indulged in the finest wines and services, recklessly spending money. The allure of handsome men and fine wine made her completely forget that this money was Anne's misappropriated workers' wages, and she also forgot her original intention to save the investment project. In just a few days, the enormous sum was nearly squandered.
Meanwhile, the Howard Group workers noticed their wages hadn't been deposited, and dissatisfaction began to spread among them.
After finishing my prenatal checkup at the hospital, I drove home, filled with joy and anticipation for the new life on the way.
As my car moved slowly forward, I saw a traffic jam ahead, with a long line of vehicles stretching out of sight.
At first, I thought it was just the usual rush hour traffic and didn't pay much attention. However, as time passed, the car didn't move an inch. I started to get anxious and rolled down the window to find out what was going on.
Then I saw a man on a motorcycle pull up next to my window, so I quickly asked, "Hey, what's happening up ahead? We've been stuck here for ages!"
The man shrugged and said, "It's the Howard Group's entrance up ahead. A bunch of workers are blocking the road for some reason."
My heart skipped a beat at his words. The Howard Group? Curious, I decided to get out of the car and take a look.
Walking to the front of the Howard Group building, I saw a crowd of workers surrounding the building like a flood. They held a variety of signs in their hands: some said "Severely Punish the Corrupt," the shaky handwriting revealing their anger, while others proclaimed "Give Me Back My Hard-Earned Money," the bold red letters almost resembling blood written in haste.
At the building's entrance, a line of bodyguards stood ready, but they looked troubled in the face of the agitated workers. The workers' anger surged like a flood, crashing against the bodyguards' line.
Despite the bodyguards' strength, they couldn't use force against the unarmed but furious workers. They struggled to hold their ground, being pushed and shoved, many stumbling but still trying to maintain the line.
"Calm down! Let's talk this out!" shouted a burly man who seemed to be the head bodyguard. His face was red, veins bulging on his forehead, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the workers' roaring anger."Talk about what? We haven't been paid, can't afford our kids' tuition, and can't live like this!" a haggard worker shouted back.
With that, he threw his sign at the bodyguards, who barely dodged it.
After asking around, I found out that the Howard Group, usually reliable for timely wage payments, had suddenly defaulted on a substantial sum, leaving many families in a state of distress.
Just then, a terrified shout erupted from the crowd: "Someone's about to jump!"
At this, everyone's eyes turned to the top of the building.
My heart leaped as I looked up. On the edge of the rooftop stood a frail worker, teetering precariously. His small, helpless figure seemed like it could be blown away by the wind.
The scene fell silent for a few seconds, then descended into even greater chaos.
Someone in the crowd shouted anxiously, "Don't do it! Don't give up!"
However, another voice coldly urged, "Jump! If you jump, the Howard Group will have to pay a huge compensation, and your sick father can be saved."
Watching the chaotic scene, I instinctively placed my hand on my slightly swollen belly, feeling a complex mix of emotions. The Howard Group had always been influential in the business world. Despite the recent struggles, their solid financial foundation and Edward's integrity should have prevented any issues with unpaid wages.
Suddenly, Clara's recent extravagant lifestyle flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder: Could she have been the one to embezzle the workers' wages?
At that time, someone must have called emergency services. Soon, the sharp sound of sirens approached, and several police cars arrived. The doors flew open, and a group of stern-faced officers quickly got out. The crowd pushed me to the opposite side of the street.
Some workers, realizing their impulsiveness, slowly crouched down with their hands on their heads. Others, too agitated to listen to the police, shouted angrily.
"We want our wages! Stay out of this!" an older worker yelled.
The police, experienced in handling such situations, understood that confronting the workers would only escalate tensions. Instead, they patiently sought to calm the workers down, using reassuring words and gestures to restore order. "Please, calm down. We will help you resolve this issue. But escalating the situation like this won't lead to a proper solution."
But the worker wouldn't listen, pushing away the officers trying to stop him. Other workers, seeing this, gathered around, pressing against the police. The situation grew more chaotic and out of control.
A high-ranking officer saw the chaos and had no choice but to fire a warning shot into the air.
The loud bang was followed by a dead silence. All eyes focused on the officer, and time seemed to stand still.
Reporters, notified by someone, swarmed in like a tide. Some, eager for a clear shot, ignored the police and pushed forward. Their presence made the already chaotic scene even worse. Amid the commotion, a loud crash suddenly echoed as a piece of exterior wall tile fell from the top of the building, shattering on the ground.
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