Both Linda and I nodded compliantly. As Armond and Ashton were busy discussing the countermeasures, we decided to go and have a look at the base.
“The company has suffered up to hundreds of millions of losses. I can’t imagine how much I am going to pay for compensation,” Linda spoke as we made our way to the base.
A negligent employee would have to bear a part of the losses caused by his or her negligence. According to the law, Linda would be assuming thirty percent of the losses while I, the project manager, would bear twenty percent. As for the remaining fifty percent of losses, that would be the company’s responsibility.
Regardless, anyone who lacked a strong heart would’ve broken down in the face of such great losses.
I let out a sigh. “Let’s check the base out. Perhaps the policemen can find the culprit soon and trace all those stolen AI instruments.”
“I hope so,” she muttered and then heaved a sigh of despondency.
Everyone busied themselves in the base until late at night. None of us had the time to take a break. When the losses assessment was completed, all of us gathered in the hotel’s conference room to have a meeting.
Joseph handed each of us a document before he spoke, “This is the total amount of losses. Please have a look at it.”
Linda quickly flipped open the document. She drew a sharp breath the moment her eyes met the figure. “Three hundred million?!” she cried out.
Joseph cast a glance at her and nodded. “Most of the stolen instruments are related to the company’s core technologies. We can’t rule out the possibility that our rival company is the one behind this incident. Hence, we need to include the possible risks as part of the losses. If any party lays their hands on Fuller Corporation’s core technology, they might patent our invention.”
Rachel added, “That means to say that all of our efforts over the past two years will go to waste. Ms. Linda, as a mere employee, it’s normal that you have no idea how important our core technology is. Well, I guess now you’ll know since you need to pay millions of compensations.” Her words oozed with sarcasm.
Hearing that, Linda’s face turned ashen. After finished reading the document, Armond uttered, “Since the losses have been ascertained, I’ll inform my lawyer as soon as possible so that we can get this over with.”
“Mr. Murphy, you’re very decisive, unlike your employees.” Rachel cast her eyes at me as she spoke.
It was not the time to bother about Rachel’s sarcastic remark. After the meeting, I went after Ashton as he left the room.
Yet, when I walked past Rachel, I almost tripped over her foot and fell.
Fortunately, as I lurched at Ashton, I grabbed hold of his shirt and steadied myself.
After I regained balance, I hurriedly apologized to him.
The man’s eyes darkened as he glanced coldly at Rachel. Being caught in the act, the latter lowered her head and soon left.
Soon after, Ashton asked, “Is there anything else?”
“Do you have time? We need to talk,” I said while still catching my breath.
“Sure.” With that, Ashton turned and left the conference room.
I followed suit. When there was no one around, I spoke up, “The incident is still under investigation, and the policemen are still trying to trace the lost AI instruments. Could we only talk about the compensation after the investigation comes to an end?”
I couldn’t see Ashton’s expression. The man continued walking forward while not giving me any response.
Abruptly, he came to a halt, causing me to bump into his back and hurting my nose.
He turned around, his brows knotted. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
What’s wrong with him? I couldn’t understand how this man’s mind worked.
I backed off to maintain a safe distance between us. Disregarding his bizarre remark, I said seriously, “Ashton, give my words some thought. We can deal with this matter fairly.”
He didn’t say anything but took out his room card from his pocket. That was when I realized that I had followed him to his room.
He opened the door and entered the room while not bothering to answer me.
Without a second thought, I followed suit and closed the door behind me.
Gazing at him, I continued by saying, “I know our negligence has caused Fuller Corporation to suffer great losses… Arghh-”
I never thought he would take off his shirt after removing his suit. The man was now half-naked, showing his rock-hard abs.
My face flushed a scarlet, and my heart fluttered. I turned my back at him and grumbled, “Ashton Fuller, why did you take off your shirt?”
“To take my shower and then go to bed,” was his reply.
I pursed my lips. The next moment, the sound of the man unbuckling and removing his belt rang out. Uncontrollably, my mind ran wild, and I could feel my cheeks burning. “Ashton Fuller, are you a flasher? How could you take off your clothes whenever you want, especially in front of a lady? You…”
“This is my room. Why can’t I take off my clothes?” he retorted, his voice deep and low. “Do you have anything else to say? If not, you should leave because I’d like to rest now.”
Still having my back at him, I continued to persuade him, “Ashton, about what I said just now, please give it some consideration. The police are still investigating the incident. It is unfair for the Murphy Corporation to pay the compensation if, in the end, the police manage to find the lost instruments.”
I waited for a while, yet I heard nothing but silence.
