Chapter 262
“Do you think the Mercer family is the true owner of Solflare Hearth & Grill?” Shane asked Allen.
It made sense. The Mercers sabotage Azure Skillet’s food supply, then secretly launch a competing steakhouse to completely crush them.
Allen thought about it, then shook his head. “The steakhouse is under Solflare Entertainment. If Solflare belonged to the Mercers, Adrian Mercer wouldn’t have targeted the company so aggressively in the past p>
Shane nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’m overthinking it p>
“They want to quit? Fine,” Shane spat venomously. “But take back every cent of their pay for this month. And mark their permanent records: fired for corporate disloyalty p>
Though it stung to lose a flagship restaurant, Shane’s empire could absorb the blow. Let’s see how easily those traitors found new jobs with a black mark on their resumes.
What Shane didn’t know was that these “black-marked” employees were highly sought after by Solflare Hearth & Grill. In fact, former Azure Skillet staff without a black mark had a much harder time getting hired, as they were suspected of being corporate spies.
With that final exodus, Azure Skillet officially collapsed.
But the nightmare was far from over.
Just as Shane and Allen were preparing to leave the office, the same assistant scrambled back into the room, trembling.
“What are you panicking about now?” Shane snapped.
“Boss… Allen… the police are here,” the assistant whispered, his face pale.
“What?” Shane froze, his mind racing through every shady deal he had authorized recently.
“The police are here,” the assistant repeated, his voice dropping even lower. Despite the winter chill, beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
“Where are they?” Allen remained perfectly calm. At his level, he never got his hands dirty. If things went south, the blame would never trace back to him.
“They’re at the front entrance. Security is stalling them, but they won’t hold out much longer p>
“Let them in.” Shane adjusted his
suit jacket. He wasn’t going to cower in his own office. As the boss, he was completely insulated. Whatever dirty work had been done, someone else was going to take the fall.
“Yes, sir.” The assistant darted out, yelled to the security guards down the hall to let the officers through, and quickly ducked into an empty room As soon as the
marched past, he slipped out the back.
Officer Silas Wood stepped into the office, his expression hardened. “The poisoning
at Westgate Wholesale Market involves one of your employees.” He tossed a photograph onto the desk.
Shane barely glanced at it. “He works for us, yes. If he broke the law, I expect you to prosecute him to the fullest extent. As his employer, I will cooperate completely p>
“Then please bring him out p>
“Of course. Allen, go get Alvin p>
A minute later, Allen returned, shaking his head. “Boss, Officer, security said he just left the building p>
“He ran!” Officer Wood barked. “After him p>
“Wait,” Shane interjected smoothly, exchanging a subtle glance with bis right-hand man Allen knows his home address and the route he
usually takes. It would be much faster if he guided you p>
“Then please lead the way, Mr. Pierce,” Officer Wood said sharply. “And step on it p>