"Let go of me. I have to explain myself, or else it'll affect my work!" Janet struggled to shrug off Ethan's grip, looking up at him helplessly.
Ethan sighed and pulled her to a corner. In a gentle voice, he said soothingly, "Now's not the right time."
Janet shook her head stubbornly. "This is different from what happened with Fiona. This is usury. If I don't explain myself, it will prove that I'm guilty! Everyone who passes by will spread rumors about me all over the company!"
Janet sighed. Exhausted and defeated, her shoulders slumped. "The company's board must've found out about it already. These people might even attract the media and mar the company's reputation. The board will probably ask me to resign..."
"No, they won't. The Larson Group is huge. The board has bigger fish to fry. Plus, you didn't borrow the money. These scammers are just trying to stir up trouble for you. Come on. What are you afraid of?" Ethan squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"How do you know that? You're not the CEO of the Larson Group." Janet knew that Ethan was just trying to comfort her, and he was successful. The corners of her lips still lifted ever so slightly. She felt much better.
She raised her hand, which was holding Ethan's. "Let go of me first. I have to go now. I can't just skip work because of this."
"Just wait." Ethan lowered the brim of his cap over his eyes and stole a glance at the gate to the Larson Group.
Janet looked at him, puzzled. What on earth was he waiting for?
Seconds later, a group of armed security guards swarmed out of the building.
"What are you doing here? Do you know where you're standing? This is the Larson Group's premise!" the leader of the security guards barked coldly.
Not to be outdone, the men with the banners glared at the security guards and shouted. "Janet is an employee here and she owes us three hundred thousand dollars! We're just waiting for her here! Do you have a problem with that? We're not interrupting your work after all!"
The security guards picked up their electric batons and marched forward in a dignified manner. "I don't give a damn who owes you money. You can't make a fuss here. If you refuse, we'll be forced to remove you from the property." After their leader said that, several security guards came forward and violently ripped the hanging banners off the gate. Then they forcibly dragged away the three people who were holding some placards. Seeing this, the onlookers quickly dispersed.
When the coast was clear, Ethan withdrew his gaze and finally let go of Janet's hand. He gave her back her bag and patter her shoulder. "You can go in now. I'll pick you up after work." "Be careful, Ethan. If those thugs know where I work, they probably know where I live. Maybe they'll ambush you at home." Janet grabbed his arm and looked at him worriedly.
"Don't worry. They won't have the guts to do that." As he spoke, Ethan looked into the distance with a cold expression. Then he patted her on the head gently and turned around to leave, disappearing in the crowd.
Swallowing her nervousness, Janet walked briskly into the Larson Group's building.
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