Chapter 370
Old Mr. Sable already knows Sophie’s here, and he had asked me to do something, too. I can’t help but feel helpless getting stuck between this pair of father and son. No matter who I offend, I’m done either way. Alex lamented in his mind.
At seven in the evening, Tristan brought Sophie to his branch company in Norham.
Before they left, Micah provided a bottle of hot water to Sophie.
“Drink some hot water on your way there, Ms. Tanner. The weather here is quite cold!” he advised.
Anything related to Tristan was something he cared deeply about because he had been taking care of his employer’s life in Norham.
“Thank you.” Sophie had a lot of respect for the old butler. As long as the elderly she interacted with weren’t particularly difficult to handle, she would treat them with deference.
Micah opened the car door, waited for the couple to enter the vehicle, and closed it.
Earlier, what he really meant was that she should stay and rest properly.
However, it wasn’t like he couldn’t understand youngsters’ desire to stay close to their lovers all the time. Besides, that was a sign the couple had a healthy, intimate relationship.
That was why he didn’t voice any opinion about it.
“I’ll be leaving Mr. Tristan in your care, Mr. Northley. Be careful!” the butler reminded as Norham was very different from Jipsdale.
“You’re not a spring chicken anymore, Micah! You should head back to rest. There’s no need for you to fuss about us. With me around, no one can harm Mr. Tristan,” Felix assured. What’s going on with
everybody during this trip? It’s not like we don’t have a footing here.
As the car drove to their destination, Tristan held Sophie’s icy hand.
“Are you feeling cold?” he asked. Rainy weather was a common occurrence in Norham. Thus, the temperature in the city was pretty low.
“I’m okay!” she replied.
After pulling her hand into his coat, he placed it against his chest. As she felt his heartbeat, she stared at him.
“I don’t think this is comfortable for you, Tristan,” Sophie knew her hand was cold.
“Not at all. It’s quite the opposite.”
“All right, then.” His rebuttal made her feel embarrassed to keep rejecting his offer.
A thought then suddenly crossed her mind. Wait, isn’t there an air conditioner in the car? This man’s so crafty!
Felix, who was in the passenger seat, smirked. Mr. Tristan’s really trying to be lovey-dovey with her whenever possible. It seems like he has become addicted to that feeling.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Norham branch company. Normally, it would’ve been devoid of people by then.
Yet, the building was still brightly lit.
No employee dared to leave.
They were afraid they would be implicated in the disaster.
When Tristan arrived, the general manager of the branch company greeted him cordially with a bunch of other high-ranking officials. “Welcome, Mr. Tristan!”
After glancing at the general manager, Tristan found himself despising the former’s efforts. There’s no need for him to put on this pretense. If he had poured all his attention into the company, this mess wouldn’t have happened.
The general manager followed Tristan when he saw his employer leading Felix upstairs. Even though the weather was cold at the moment, sweat was forming on his forehead.
Tristan’s shrewdness was legendary, after all.
When Tristan and Sophie arrived at the conference room, she stopped at the entrance.
“I think it’s best if I wait outside for you instead of joining your company meeting.” She suggested it because she was aware a meeting like that would more likely than not involve top-secret information.
Thus, she found no reason to accompany him inside.
“It’s fine. If you’re not interested in listening during the meeting, you can just sit by my side and play your games.” Tristan was worried she would get bored waiting outside on top of her safety.
“Okay!” Without any other option, Sophie followed him inside and sat next to him. Then she put on her earbuds. Regardless of what he said, she still wanted to avoid disturbing the meeting.
Soon, the conference room was crowded with people.
“So, is there anything you want to say about the matter?” Felix was the one to speak first. This is the most loathsome incident that has occurred in Lombard Group since its founding. I wonder what he has to say for himself.
The general manager’s voice was trembling as though he was on the verge of tears. “Since the start of my employment here, I’ve been doing my best every day. As for the incident, I…”
If Tristan held him responsible for the mishap, he was screwed.
“Even though I didn’t accomplish any stunning achievements over the years, I worked hard, Mr. Tristan! I beg you. Please have mercy on me!” He didn’t have the nerve to run because, to his knowledge, escape was impossible.
“You worked hard?” Tristan’s deep voice reverberated in the room.
The instant those words escaped his mouth, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. People even started breathing carefully.
“You allowed such a huge blunder to happen, yet you have the gall to say that to my face? Do you think I gave you tens of millions every year so that you can evade your responsibilities?” he interrogated.
Desperation was heard in the general manager’s voice. “I was wrong, Mr. Tristan! I know what I did wrong, truly!”
“That’s enough! Save your breath and turn yourself in at the police station!” That was all the mercy Tristan could grant him.
The general manager rapidly kneeled. “I beg you, Mr. Tristan! If I do that, I’m done for! I can’t go to prison! I still have my family, my children! Please, Mr. Tristan! Spare me!”
“You should turn yourself in, Roderick. If we’re personally handling your punishment, I’m afraid you’ll be in for more suffering,” Felix reminded.
Escaping the consequences was never an option for the general manager after his blunder caused Lombard Group to lose so much money. “Mr. Northley, I—”
“Get the security guards to drag him away!” Tristan found no reason to waste his time on the general manager any longer.
A few security guards entered the conference room and escorted the general manager out.
The other high-ranking officials began sweating bullets after they witnessed that scene. No one dared to utter a word.
After that brief interruption, Tristan shifted his attention back to the meeting. “Now, what do you all think we should do to salvage this disaster? Now that this branch company has lost its general manager, those who think they’re capable are free to give it a try.”
The high-ranking officials exchanged glances with each other.
No one dared to volunteer.
In response to their silence, Tristan slammed the folder in his hand on the table.
“Is this how you all operate?” He thought two days would be enough to solve the crisis, but the problems in the branch company ran deeper than he had previously expected.
Felix was experiencing a headache as well. These people…
“Lombard Group doesn’t keep wastrels on the payroll! If none of you have the ability to manage this issue, you’re all fired!” What Tristan wanted were talented people, not those who sew their lips shut whenever there was an obstacle.
“I’d like to try, Mr. Tristan!” A woman sitting at the other end of the table stood up.
Upon hearing a woman’s voice, Sophie lifted her head. She’s brave! These old foxes didn’t even have the nerve to muster a word, yet she said she wanted to give it a shot. Interesting!
