That afternoon,an anonymous report took the Internet by storm.The article entitled “Turner Group’s Tax Evasion”quickly shot up and claimed a spot at the top of trending news.
The report contained detailed evidence,including the Turner Group’s financial statements,along with many shocking photos that pointed to illegal business operations.
At the end of the report was a video showing an informant in a black mask,holding up a sign that read “Say No To Turner”before delving into a thorough description of the Turner Group’s unlawful activities.
In just a few minutes,the report and video went viral,garnering massive public outrage.People from all over the country were vocal in their condemnation of the company’s illicit dealings.
“One billion in evaded taxes?That’s despicable.” “Holy shit!Is this for real?They used substandard materials on the newly built bridge!How will they take responsibility if an accident happens?”
“Ilive in a complex built by the Turner Group.A few days ago,the roof of my house leaked,and cracks appeared on my ceiling,but no one came to fix it. No wonder the building is shoddy.It was built by this kind of shameful company!
“The same thing is happening in my house.I knew I couldn’t be the only one …”
The comments grew longer and longer,each next one more furious than the first.Several stories matched,exposing the truth behind the Turner Group’s corruption.
Meanwhile,Jeremy was none the wiser about the explosive news.He had just finished a meeting with the shareholders and was on his way back to his office when his secretary stopped him in his tracks with a tearful face.
“Mr.Button,please take a look”she said,holding out her phone with a crestfallen expression.
Jeremy’s face changed in a second after seeing the headline.”What’s going on?What is the PR Team doing?Delete that article now!”
“We can’t,Sir!It seems that someone is working behind the scenes to keep the report on the Internet.We can’t track them,and it’s too late for countermeasures.”
Just as his secretary finished her words,a few police officers walked out of the elevator.Upon landing their sight on Jeremy,they walked over to him and said,”Mr.Button,as the current legal representative of the Turner Group,we need you to come with us for investigation.”
Jeremy tried to keep his composure.Covering up his panic with a slight smile,he answered,”Of course,officer.I will fully cooperate.”
As he was taken away by the police,news of the report quickly spread all over the company, throwing everyone into chaos.
Several shareholders and executives fought to assume interim leadership,and the Internal tension only grew worse as the days passed.One day,someone among them would leak a scandal or sensitive information about another,and the accused would retaliate on another day.The company had turned into a ship doomed to be waterlogged as its crew fought against one another instead of covering up its holes.
Brandon,the mastermind behind the Turner Group’s predicament,furrowed his brows upon hearing his subordinates’ report about the Turner Group’s situation in the past few days.
With his doing,the company’s stocks plummeted, its funds cut off as more high-ranking executives were found to be embroiled in illegal activities and arrested by the police.The public kept a close watch on the investigations,leaving no opening for escape.It was only a matter of time before the once proud company collapsed,and yet the mysterious pharmacist was yet to make a move. It perplexed Brandon.
Whoever the pharmacist was,he had spared no effort in trying to gain control of the Turner Group. Clearly,he was in a position to fight Brandon head -to-head,so why was he staying silent now?
From the time of the report’s release to Jeremy’s arrest,the man made no sign of intervening to quell the storm.It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Brandon had a bad feeling about it.
He was not afraid of confronting his opponent out in the open.The fact that he was staying quiet was more worrisome,as Brandon was left with no way of intercepting the man’s next attack.Like a venomous snake hiding in a corner,the man could strike at his most vulnerable moment.
The quiet ones were always the most dangerous. After a long mulling over,Brandon decided to completely destroy the Turner Group.He instructed Sean,”You can proceed.There’s no need to hold back anymore.Let them fall apart.”
“Understood.”
Sean quickly got to work to carry out his bidding. Once the message was delivered,the companies that were still hesitating withdrew all their funds and refused to associate with the Turner Group.
In less than three days,what used to be one of the most prominent and established enterprises in Barnes in the last century had gone belly up, crumbling into dust.
It couldn’t even withstand the pressure long enough for Jeremy’s release from detention.
That was how the Turner Group,once the epitome of a long history of old wealth and venerable power,met its ruin in the hands of the Larsons.
The investigation of the Turner Group implicated several executives,and the company s bankruptcy caused a stir among other groups as well.When a business of that scale failed,changes were inevitable.
For a time,everyone in the business circle chose to lay low,afraid of standing out and potentially upsetting Brandon.They had seen what he was capable of,and none of them wanted to be his next target.
Amidst the uproar,Jeremy,the current head of the Turner Group,washed his hands clean and denied any involvement
As he had not been with the Turner Group for a longtime,he maintained his innocence against the backlash,claiming to have no knowledge of the covert illicit dealings of the company.He played ignorant when questioned by the police,making it difficult for authorities to indict him.
The investigation of the Turner Group implicated several executives,and the company’s bankruptcy caused a stir among other groups as well.When a business of that scale failed,changes were inevitable.
For a time,everyone in the business circle chose to lay low,afraid of standing out and potentially upsetting Brandon.They had seen what he was capable of,and none of them wanted to be his next target.
Amidst the uproar,Jeremy,the current head of the
Turner Group,washed his hands clean and denied any involvement.
As he had not been with the Turner Group for a longtime,he maintained his innocence against the backlash,claiming to have no knowledge of the covert illicit dealings of the company.He played ignorant when questioned by the police,making it difficult for authorities to indict him.
Jeremy had always made quick and clean work, especially with clandestine affairs.He swept everything clean of any incriminating evidence and made sure to distance himself from the Turner Group’s mess.
His meticulous way of working allowed him to keep up appearances.On the surface,he would seem like a perfectly innocent,law-abiding citizen. The police found nothing even after questioning, and he was let go after a few days.
Upon his release,Jeremy immediately issued a statement online.
He claimed that he had not been aware of the dirty dealings of the Turner Group and that he had only taken over the company as a favor for his old friend,Charis.Then,he added a remorseful touch, admitting to the mistake of not looking closely and apologizing for not investigating the company earlier.
At the end of the statement,he also expressed gratitude to the person who had divulged the truth, praising him for upholding integrity.With this,he was able to sever his connection with the group’s crimes.If there would be a chance,he promised to personally visit and convey his thanks.
******
As the sun began to set,Brandon arived at Natalie’s studio to pick her up from work
She had her hands full the past few days,busy with preparations for the upcoming fashion show. Most days,she ended up staying late in the studio. It wasn’t until Brandon urged her that she would reluctantly agree to go home.
This day was no different.As soon as Brandon walked inside the studio,he was greeted by the sight of Natalie drawing design sketches,her eyes focused on the paper as her hands kept gliding over the page.
He stayed quiet,not wanting to interrupt.Sitting down on the sofa,he waited patiently for her to finish,contenting himself with watching her face. The moment was broken by a loud ring from his phone.Brandon’s eyes went to the screen as it lit up,seeing that Sean had forwarded Jeremy’s statement
Brandon clicked on the link,his eyes gradually turning cold and menacing.
Jeremy’s words were a clear provocation.The words “personally visit to convey thanks”were obviously a promise of threat.
The implicit message was also clear to Sean, which was why he sent Brandon the statement. “Boss,what do you want to do?”Sean asked him with a message
“Just keep tabs on him for now.Let’s wait and see.” After sending his response,Brandon put his phone away
There was nothing worthy enough to spoil his time with Natalie
Natalie finally finished the design sketches, stretching her tired neck and arms.Her muscles were sore from being in the same position for too long,and the movement made her breathe out a long sigh.”I’m done for today,”she said.
Brandon approached her,his hands going to her shoulders and kneading the knots.
“How long have you been drawing?”he asked in a gentle voice.
Natalie gave him an embarrassed smile and avoided his eyes.”The whole day,I think …
Brandon’s voice was still calm when he continued,
“Have you had lunch?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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