Episode 7:The Inspection
750 Words
The next morning, Carter Global Headquarters was already buzzing with activity.
At exactly 8:00 a.m., Ethan Carter walked into the underground garage. Raymond was waiting beside a sleek black sedan.
"Good morning, Chairman."
Ethan nodded.
"Let's go."
Raymond looked surprised.
"No security convoy?"
"No."
"I don't want anyone to know I'm coming."
Raymond smiled.
"As you wish."
---
At Harrison Group Headquarters...
Employees hurried through the lobby carrying documents and laptops. Rumors about the company's financial crisis had spread overnight.
"The banks are calling again."
"I heard Carter Global is taking over."
"If that's true, we're finished."
Inside the executive conference room, Richard Harrison looked exhausted.
No one had slept.
Margaret sat quietly, her usual arrogance gone.
Daniel paced around the room.
"I still don't trust Ethan."
Richard glared at him.
"That's because you never respected him."
Before Daniel could answer, the receptionist rushed in.
"Chairman!"
"Someone from Carter Global is here."
Everyone stood.
"Is it Chairman Carter?" Richard asked.
The receptionist shook her head.
"No."
"Just... an ordinary employee."
Daniel laughed.
"I knew it."
"Ethan doesn't even have the courage to come himself."
Richard frowned.
"Bring the visitor in."
A moment later, the conference room door opened.
A young man in a simple gray suit walked in carrying a notebook.
No luxury watch.
No expensive shoes.
Nothing about him looked important.
It was Ethan.
But no one recognized him.
He had removed his glasses, changed his hairstyle slightly, and worn ordinary office clothes.
He bowed politely.
"Good morning."
"I'm Evan."
"I've been sent by Carter Global to evaluate Harrison Group before the chairman makes his decision."
Richard stood and offered his hand.
"Welcome."
Margaret forced a smile.
"We'll fully cooperate."
Only Daniel looked suspicious.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Have we met before?"
Ethan smiled calmly.
"I don't think so."
Daniel shrugged.
"You just look familiar."
---
For the next two hours, Ethan toured the company.
He visited every department.
He spoke with managers.
He chatted with receptionists.
He even had lunch in the employee cafeteria.
No one knew who he really was.
What he discovered surprised him.
Many employees genuinely respected Richard Harrison.
The old chairman treated his workers fairly.
But the middle management was another story.
Several executives abused company funds.
Others accepted bribes from suppliers.
One department manager openly insulted junior staff.
"This company doesn't deserve saving," the manager sneered.
"It deserves to collapse."
Ethan quietly wrote everything down.
---
Meanwhile...
Daniel secretly followed Ethan through the building.
"There has to be something strange about this guy," he muttered.
As Ethan entered the finance department, Daniel hid around the corner.
Just then...
Ethan's phone rang.
The caller ID displayed one name.
Raymond Hayes.
Daniel couldn't hear the conversation.
But he clearly saw Ethan answer with calm authority.
"Prepare the documents."
"We'll deal with it this afternoon."
Daniel frowned.
"Who talks like that?"
Before he could think further, Ethan turned.
Daniel quickly hid behind a pillar.
---
Back in the conference room...
Richard waited anxiously.
Ethan closed his notebook.
"I've completed my inspection."
Richard asked nervously,
"What does Chairman Carter think?"
Ethan looked around the room.
"I can't speak for him."
"But I can tell you this..."
"There are honest people in this company."
"And there are people destroying it from within."
He slid a sheet of paper across the table.
It contained the names of six senior executives.
"They should all be dismissed immediately."
Richard stared at the list.
His eyes widened.
"They've been stealing from the company?"
Ethan nodded.
"For years."
Margaret covered her mouth in shock.
Richard didn't hesitate.
He pressed the intercom.
"Security."
"Escort these six executives out of the building immediately."
Within minutes, angry shouting echoed through the hallway as the corrupt managers were removed.
The remaining employees watched in disbelief.
For the first time in years...
Justice had been served.
Ethan smiled slightly.
Perhaps the Harrison Group wasn't beyond saving after all.
But as he prepared to leave, his phone vibrated again.
This time, Raymond's voice was urgent.
"Chairman!"
"We have a problem."
"Victor Kane has called an emergency press conference."
"He just announced to the media that Carter Global is on the verge of collapse..."
"...and he's accusing you of forging your inheritance documents."
Ethan's expression turned serious.
"So he's made his first move."
He slipped the phone into his pocket and looked toward the city skyline through the conference room window.
"If Victor wants a public battle..."
A calm smile appeared on his face.
"...then that's exactly what he'll get."
- Writer
