Beyond panicked, Simon entered a scuffle with the security guards.
“I'm here to see Mr. Tristan for an urgent matter. Let me in now! Otherwise, if things are delayed because of you, Mr. Tristan will hold you accountable when the matter escalates!” Simon said.
Simon was worried about Sophie's safety after the latter was taken away by that group of uniformed people. At such a moment, Sophie must be afraid to be all by herself.
The security guard was just as helpless. “Sir, I am truly sorry, but without a reservation, we can't let you in.”
Countless people came to see Tristan every day using the same excuse. Thus, the security guards could not let just anyone in without discretion.
If something were to happen after these people were given access to the building, then that would count as the security guards having neglected their duties. Therefore, the high salaries they were paid would not be justified.
“It's about Mr. Tristan's girlfriend. His girlfriend is in trouble. You have to let me in immediately!” Simon warned. He was so close to forcing entry.
However, the security guards of Lombard Group had undergone professional security training.
Average individuals were simply no match for them, let alone Simon, who was facing them all by himself. “Sir, if this matter you're talking about is really that urgent, it would be best if you think of a way to reach Mr. Tristan instead!”
It was true that causing a fuss there would not do any good. It would be better to reach out to Tristan directly.
“I don't have Mr. Tristan's phone number. Why else do you think I'm here?”
Had Simon had Tristan's number, he would not have wasted time wrangling with the security guards.
The security guards were also exasperated.
“Do you think we will let you in when you don't even have Mr. Tristan's phone number? I think you should leave!” The security guard scoffed.
There was no way Simon could enter if he didn't even have Tristan's contact number.
“I really need to speak to him! Do you hear me?” Simon pleaded. Had he known getting through security would be that difficult, he would have tried getting Tristan's phone number instead.
While Simon had a hard time getting in, Sandra tried relentlessly to reach Ysabelle. Unfortunately, Ysabelle was in Koandria for the filming of a variety show, so the call couldn't get through since she was out of the country.
Sandra then went looking for Simon, only to find him still being kept out of the building.
“What do we do now, Simon? We don't know where Sophie was taken to. I'm worried they might do something bad to her,” Sandra fretted.
Sandra was worried sick about Sophie.
Sophie was never one who was easily taken advantage of.
Nevertheless, the people who took Sophie appeared to have less than friendly intentions, and that was worrisome.
“I'll call my father and see if there is anything he can do,” Simon said after a moment's hesitation.
A phone call to his father was a last resort, but he really had no other options.
Without delay, Simon rang his father.
On the other end of the line, Simon's father was furious when he realized that it was his son that was calling him on the phone.
“Oh, so you're talking to me now? Tell me, Simon. When was the last time you came home? Hurry up and get back here, you little brat. I'm tired of listening to your mother nag!” Patrick grumbled.
As the director of the largest private hospital in Jipsdale, Patrick was far too busy to deal with the frivolous matters of his son.
“Don't worry, Dad. I'm going home tonight! However, before that, can I ask you a favor?” Simon said.
“What is it?” Patrick asked. He had never seen his son acting in such a serious manner. “Have you gotten yourself into trouble again?”
This brat is truly spoilt!
“Dad, I'm not the one in trouble. My friend has been taken by the Department of Justice. I have no clue what the situation is now. Can you see if there is anything you can do?” Simon explained.
“What? What kind of person is your friend to be taken by the law? What have they done exactly? Simon, I don't expect you to be successful, but can you get a grip on yourself?” Patrick was displeased when Simon asked him for such a tiresome favor.
Patrick had questions about the kind of people Simon was friends with.
“Dad, there must be some misunderstanding. This friend of mine is a decent person, really. I'm not lying,” Simon reiterated in a cold sweat.
It was true that Simon had been a handful and a nuisance in the past, but Sophie was different.
He was confident that Sophie would do nothing wrong that could warrant apprehension by the legal authorities.
“That's enough. What is the name of your friend? I'll try to ask someone for help,” Patrick said. He felt that it wasn't easy for Simon to ask for his help, so he didn't want to take the matter too lightly.
However, there was nothing much that Patrick could do besides asking around.
With that, Simon told his father Sophie's information.
At last, Simon hung up the phone. There was nothing left to do but to wait, albeit anxiously.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice had also sent their men to Tanner Group, causing quite a scene. The staff members whispered and exchanged glances as they looked on.
“Why are those men here? Did something happen in the company?” asked one of the employees.
“I know, right? Why are there so many of them? And where is Ms. Tanner? Is she aware of this?” another questioned.
“Ms. Tanner is the chairwoman of the company. I'm sure she knows about it,” one of them answered.
“My goodness! I hope that nothing bad happens at this point in time. Tanner Group has only just been going uphill, so it can only get better in the future. Please, do not let anything bad befall us now.”
At the moment, they had a major project in the pipeline.
If something bad were to happen now, the project would be negatively affected.
The group of men in uniform went straight to Victor, who had long since learned of the news and was waiting in his office.
“You are Mr. Victor White, correct?” the man at the front asked.
Victor nodded.
“Hello, I am indeed Victor. May I ask what brings you here today?” Victor asked quite politely.
“We're from the Department of Justice. Your company has been reported to us for violating the law. Please come with us to the Department of Justice for a talk,” said the man in uniform.
Hearing that, Victor raised an eyebrow.
Tanner Group violating the law? This must be a joke!
The employees of Tanner Group had always been law-abiding citizens. Besides, the company was running a legitimate business, so how did it come to be accused of violating the law?
“Sure! I get it. We will give our full cooperation in your investigation. However, Tanner Group has always abided by the law. We hope the legal authorities will do us justice!” Victor said.
With that, Victor followed them to the Department of Justice.
“Take him there now and take their financial manager, James Lestrange, along with you!” the leader of the group said to those under his command.
When Victor heard what he said, he realized that this matter had something to do with James.
Victor's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name.
He would have been confident that they had done nothing wrong if it had been about something else. However, that was not necessarily the case if James was involved.
James must really hate Ms. Sophie! What is he trying to do?
When the senior executives saw that Victor had been taken away, they looked at each other in disbelief, unsure of what to do next.
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