Chapter 24: The Crisis Before The Chaos

Susan's POV

“Can you quit the questions and start coming immediately? It's an hour before the company closes for the day. You'd get the answers you seek once you show up,” Paul disclosed.

He terminated the conversation without giving me the chance to speak further.

He must have been sick and tired of my constant questions.

Rather than staying back to worry my head, I drove straight to the company.

I didn't bother calling Paul for more because I knew he would never answer the phone.

Upon arriving at the company, the atmosphere I met didn't seem too encouraging for me.

The whole place was quiet and void of staff, as though someone died.

I got worried and glared at my wristwatch to ensure it wasn't the closing hour.

“The company hasn't closed for the day yet. So where the fuck is everyone?" I asked myself rhetorically.

“Over here,” a voice responded from a distance, even though I wasn't expecting anyone to hear me.

From a distance, I saw Paul waving his hands while signaling me to step forward

Still curious to know what was happening, I obeyed and got closer to him.

“Where's everybody?

This place is so quiet. What exactly is happening?” I asked Paul.

Without saying a word, he held my hands and took me to the warehouse.

I tried to question his actions, but he wasn't paying attention to me until we successfully arrived at the warehouse.

My mysteries were compiled when I met some staff members gathered at the warehouse, mumbling.

The mumbling became worrisome to me. It seemed to me like a protest.

The last time I witnessed something like that was in the movies, and the end was disastrous.

Now it's happening live to the company. My greatest fear is the disastrous.

“The Boss is here,”

I heard someone speak to alert the other staff.

They all maintained composure after realizing my presence.

It took them a while to notice that.

“What's going on here? And why are you all gathered here?” I spoke with so much authority.

Not even my commanding tone could make them freak out and respond to my question.

The silent treatment I received from the staff was starting to make me look like a fool in the presence of my staff.

I didn't speak further.

All I did was direct my gaze at Paul for some explanation.

“Can you explain the meaning of this madness? Did you bring me here to humiliate me?

Why is everyone not saying anything?” I wailed.

Since Paul invited me over, I figured he might be in the need position to satisfy my curiosity

“We heard that the CEO got arrested by the popular Ma'am Naomi Jackson,” One of the staff finally confessed on behalf of everyone.

My gaze was still flickered on Paul, which made it difficult for me to grasp the speaker.

I was taken aback by the voice. I wish I never forced them to speak.

Now I'm in for some long talks.

“Who told you that?

Is that why you all are gathered here?”

I blasted the staff.

I didn't want to let them know that the question kind of made me panic.

“We are worried about the CEO. We are scared that he might be tried in court.

Once that happens, it certainly may affect the company,” Pamela Rogers spoke.

She's the company's janitor. She also happens to be one of the oldest staff.

She joined the company before I thought about snatching Ethan from Maria.

If there was an award for the best staff, she'd surely emerge as the winner.

“And why did you say so, ma'am?” I asked her nicely.

I addressed her with utmost respect due to her age.

“Rumour has it that ma'am Naomi Jackson is a very influential self-made billionaire.

We also heard that she knows her way around.

We are concerned about our jobs, too,” Pamela justified her thought.

Pathetic staff!

I was upset at the way they praised Naomi Jackson.

If only they knew that Maria was the so-called Naomi Jackson.

It's one of the reasons I wanted to get Maria off the radar.

She barely returned to the city, and she's already messing with my life.

First, it was my marriage, and now my company.

Her next move might be worse than the previous.

“What you heard was the truth. The CEO was arrested last night, but he's home now.

You ain't got nothing to worry about. Can you all get back to work now?” I addressed the issue.

I thought it would restore the mayhem that Maria had caused. Unfortunately, it didn't.

Some staff appeared to still be in doubt.

They all thought I was trying to protect Ethan by lying.

They might not admit it, but from their grumbling, I could see the real truth.

“How about you FaceTime Mr. Woods for the confirmation?

If you also need someone to go plead with Ma'am Naomi Jackson, I could volunteer,” Pamela dared me.

I was agitated when I heard the voice.

However, my anger died a natural death when I realized it was Pamela.

I can't imagine myself yelling at someone who could pass as my mother.

“Paul, can you please help me here?

I am losing it,” I whispered to Paul to solicit his support.

I was surprised that he had to invite me over rather than handle the situation himself.

“Just do it.

I've been trying to convince them that Ethan is out of prison, but they won't believe me.” Paul said.

He looked lost.

He had given up so soon, just when I thought I could depend on him.

It was the simplest task ever.

At the same time, the most difficult of them all.

In normal circumstances, I would have called Ethan with ease.

But after the altercation we had, calling him is surely not the best to do.

He might want to think that I called to apologize.

Knowing how egocentric Ethan is, he is predicted to snub my first call for his bragging rights.