Chapter 5

In the following days, Sullivan Corp was essentially at a standstill.

Because of the online storm, all ongoing and negotiating projects at the company were completely halted.

Even many regulatory departments, due to complaints from internet users, came for inspections every few days.

My secretary looked like she wanted to say something but held back. "Mr. Sullivan! Does it really have to come to this?"

"But the company was slandered!"

My face showed no expression as I nodded calmly.

"Deep-rooted diseases must be broken through. This company has been rotten from the very core..."

Just as I was busy applying for bankruptcy liquidation of Sullivan Corp, I suddenly received an invitation to a TV program.

"Mr. Sullivan! Your company is quite famous online now. Mr. Zachary Sullivan going on the mediation show is also to give everyone a space to resolve the issue."

"Don't you want to seize this opportunity?"

I pondered for a long while, holding the document just mailed over by the private investigator, my heart a jumble of emotions.

Yes.

I'd always been careful in business, never failing.

Yet now I'd stumbled over my own family. How could that not be foolish?

The next morning at 7 AM, I arrived at the TV station on time.

Due to Sullivan Corp's recent online popularity, this mediation show attracted an especially large audience.

Zachary sat on stage with his head held high.

And in the front rows of the audience seats were clearly a group of Sullivan Corp employees.

They waved glow sticks, constantly cheering and supporting Zachary.

The host said with a smile, holding up the microphone.

"We're honored to have Sullivan Corp's CEO, Scott Sullivan, here in person. Regarding the recent viral incident online, he also has something to say!"

Zachary looked pitiful and spoke at the right moment.

"I've never had any malice toward the company. I just want an apology."

"I can forgo the withheld severance pay, but I don't want to be dismissed so unceremoniously..."

On the large live broadcast screen below the stage, the comment feed was filled with "Apologize!" "Make Scott apologize!" "Capitalists should apologize! Making all that money without any conscience!"

I took the microphone handed over by the director, walked confidently onto the stage, and looked straight into the center camera.

"I'm sorry!"

The stage and audience erupted in chaos.

Zachary turned his face, unable to hide the curve of his lips.

And those Sullivan Corp employees below the stage all cheered.

I even faintly heard them saying:

"Haha! I knew Zachary was awesome! The method he suggested really worked—he actually apologized!"

"Exactly! As long as he's willing to apologize, that's good. Now truth is on our side. When we go back, we'll demand compensation!"

"As long as Scott doesn't want the company to go bankrupt, to keep us veteran employees, he'll definitely have to pay big!"

"Right, although jobs are hard to find now, with Sullivan Corp's reputation, it'll be even harder to recruit employees! Scott will have no choice but to pay up!"

My face remained expressionless as I held up the microphone and continued.

"I'm not apologizing because of so-called severance pay, but because I failed to judge people correctly!"

"I had no self-awareness, treating employees like family without reservation, which only fed their ambitions!"

"However, I acknowledge my mistake!"

"Sullivan Corp completed bankruptcy liquidation before today. As for subsequent employee matters, a liaison will contact you to handle them."

My words were like thunderbolts, making the entire studio completely silent.

I ignored their incredulous looks and continued announcing.

"Also! Regarding former Sullivan Corp employees Zachary Sullivan, Chelsea Martinez, Margaret..., who deliberately damaged the company's image, stole confidential documents, and profited through abuse of position—"

"I've already reported this to the police!"

As my words fell, I returned the microphone to the host and turned to leave.

Just as Zachary snapped back to reality and lunged at me with red eyes to stop me—

A group of uniformed police officers rushed up from below the stage and pressed Zachary to the ground.

"Zachary Sullivan, right? You're suspected of involvement in a case of leaking trade secrets. Please cooperate with our investigation!"