Volume One, Chapter 12: Resentment

“Something happened?” I put down my phone and asked him, “What happened?”

Actually, I already knew Max had fled, but I still pretended to be very surprised.

He had told me at noon that he had arranged with a friend to pick him up after dinner. Perhaps he thought highly of me; he even exchanged personal contact information with me, saying that if things got tough here and I wanted to go there, I could reach out to him.

“I heard he ran off but was caught by Brother Long and his crew.”

What?

Ran off and got caught?

I was startled, trembling uncontrollably, and asked, “R-really?”

Shanji nodded. “Of course it’s true. He’s just incredibly unlucky. If he wanted to run, why pick a spot right by the bridge outside? Brother Hai happened to see him getting into a car.”

“Brother Hai must have immediately contacted Brother Long. When they learned Max had gotten into a car and left, Brother Long quickly reached out to the higher-ups!”

“The top bosses have connections with the government. Once the government got the notification, they shut down all roads leaving Mengbo.”

“Max and his friend must have been blocked at the checkpoint. Brother Long and his people went there to pick them up!”

Shanji sighed helplessly, shaking his head. “I just don’t understand. He was doing well here—why would he think about switching jobs and running off?”

“This time, getting caught means a water prison sentence is inevitable. Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up like that other guy who died inside.”

I sank back into my chair, or rather, collapsed into it.

Though I was still new here and unfamiliar with the situation, I knew the company’s top management would handle this matter seriously.

To the company, Max alone wasn’t worth much, but his actions were a direct challenge to the entire organization.

If an employee runs off and the management does nothing, more employees will choose to flee to avoid paying compensation fees.

Therefore, Max might be made an example of—killed as a warning to others who might consider running away. They want to remind everyone to behave properly and follow the rules if they want to leave, not try to escape.

Though I hadn’t known Max long, he had left a good impression on me.

The thought of what might happen to him filled me with unease.

At the same time, I was grateful that after talking with A Long last night, I had changed my mind. Otherwise, if I had run away with Max, I don’t know what my current situation would be.

Just after eight o’clock.

A shout suddenly rang out.

“Turn off all the music! Everyone, stop what you’re doing and gather here immediately!”

Seeing A Long standing at the office door, I knew Max must have been brought back, and soon he would be punished in front of all the employees.

Sure enough, as everyone gathered by the door, two local security guards dragged in Max, covered in blood.

The gruesome sight made my heart pound wildly.

It was hard to imagine how many people had beaten Max earlier. His white shirt was stained with black and yellowish bloodI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.