Captivation: Want Nothing But You

Chapter 514: No Visitors Allowed

News about the findings of the investigation of the Sullivan Group had proliferated through various media outlets.

“According to reports released at eight o’clock this morning, the Sullivan Group is engaged in jerry- building, tax evasion, and bribery. Furthermore, there are problems in many of the company’s projects. The investigation team, together with Apliaria’s discipline inspection department, has already summoned the people in charge of the disputed projects. Meanwhile, the authorities have sent people to secure the ward where Victor Sullivan, CEO of the Sullivan Group, is presently confined. Until he is cleared for his involvement in the cases, he is not allowed to leave the ward and no one is allowed to visit him. When the market opened, the Sullivan Group’s share price fell to its lowest price ever. At 9:08, the Sullivan Group is facing risk across multiple project defaults. Financial experts are advising shareholders that the Sullivan Group is likely to hit limit-down today. This has triggered many shareholders to sell their shares in an attempt to retrieve the loss. For our part, we caution you that there are risks in the stock market, and so, prudence should be best considered when making investments.”

The news anchor concluded the report about the investigation of the Sullivan Group. The news had left many people flabbergasted. It was unthinkable that the Sullivan Group would go bankrupt. So, many people were discussing the challenges that the Sullivan Group would face, considering that the voting rate of bankruptcy could be as high as seventy-three percent. Dark clouds seemed to shroud the offices of the Sullivan Group People were walking in the corridors with their heads down. Others sat in their workstations in utter dejection.

That their company, the Sullivan Group, was under deep scrutiny made people feel crestfallen.

Moreover, they were afraid that if they said something out of line or strayed from the path, so to speak, they would be fodder for the investigations, getting themselves into trouble.

But with several people in the company, there could be one or two who would talk boldly about what they knew Someone passed by the meeting room and peeped through the door crack to see what was going on inside.

“So, have you found anything?” asked a voice from behind the man. He also felt a hand patting him on the shoulder. His heart leaped and he immediately turned around to see who was behind him.

“You scared me!” said the man, sighing relief seeing that he was a colleague. He glanced at the door of the meeting room and said, “Nah, I don’t know what they’re talking about. The voices were low and soft.”

“Well, stop peeping” The colleague looked at where the man was looking and then looked away.

“Aren’t you going to the coffee room? C’mon, let’s go.”

“Wait a minute.” The colleague was about to leave but the man held up his hand. He thought he heard something and stopped in his tracks immediately. The conversation inside the meeting room seemed to have stopped, too. Still, he didn’t hear anything.

“Look, let’s go. They would be coming out soon.”

Not waiting for the man to answer, the colleague dragged him away from the meeting room. The man had no choice but to go to the coffee room with his colleague. The man wanted to say something to his colleague when they ran into a member of the investigation team. The man shut his mouth, lowered his head, quickened his pace, and walked past the investigator. When they got into the coffee room, the man covered his chest and said, “Gosh, the air can really get depressing.”

“Well, we’ll just have to put up with it. I guess it will be like this for some time.” The colleague made himself a cup of coffee.

“I don’t know when this will end.”

“But why are you so calm?” the man asked curiously when he saw what could be perceived as an unperturbed look on his colleague’s face.

“What else can I do?”

“Aren’t you wonned? The investigation team has taken several department heads to the meeting room. How long has Ivan talked to them? More than an hour, right? Besides, Mr. Sullivan is still in the hospital, practically under house arrest.” He frowned.

“And now the stock price of the Sullivan Group has fallen to an extremely low level.”

“Of course, these things are disturbing. But then, what’s the point of worrying? What will happen happens.”

“What do you think will happen to our company? Will it go bankrupt? Those projects.. Is there really something Wrong?” he asked thoughtfully.

The colleague could only shake his head. Before he could open his mouth, a figure came into view.

“Oh, Mr. Finch,” he said, recognizing the person.

Nodding in response, Wallace walked into the coffee room. He looked at the men up and down.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Mr. Finch, is something the matter? What made you come down to the fourteenth floor?”

“oh, the water dispenser upstairs is broken.”

Wallace shook the cup in his hand. “Did I hear something going bankrupt just now? What are you talking about?”

Sounding really worried, the man replied, “Mr. Finch, everyone is saying that our group might go bankrupt.”

“How is that possible? Don’t be silly.” Wallace replied, smiling, and yet, there was nothing intrinsically genuine about his smile.

“The Sullivan Group has such a solid foundation. How can it fall down so easily? What is happening is just a small blow. So, there’s nothing really to worry about, The Sullivan Group will get through this.”

“You seem to be so confident, Mr. Finch? You must know something.”

Wallace took a sip of tea and gave out a smile that anyone could tell was not authentic

“You know, both of you should really go back to your stations and get on with your work. I’m leaving.”

Wallace then turned around and left the coffee room. Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

When the man and his colleague walked out of the coffee room, the door of the meeting room opened. The members of the investigation team came out one by one. They were followed by Ivan and Carson who looked unhappy