At this moment, the office door was pushed open from the outside.
Renee’s secretary appeared in the doorway, holding a tray with tea on it.
“Clang!”
The tray slipped from the secretary’s hands and fell to the ground. She saw the scene inside the office and quickly covered her mouth in shock.
Leo practically escaped from Renee’s office. It wasn’t until he reached the underground garage, got into his car, that his mind finally calmed down.
His phone’s notification sound chimed. It was a WhatsApp message from Renee:
Rogue, the address of the production factory is 33 Pine Avenue. I’ve already contacted the former factory manager to smooth things over. Just head there directly.
Following Renee’s provided address, half an hour later, Leo arrived near 33 Pine Avenue.
He parked his car in a nearby parking lot and walked toward number 33.
Soon, Leo arrived at a gate with a sign hanging on the right pillar that read: Maple Springs Cosmetic Products Manufacturing Factory.
Outside the gate, a man dressed in worker’s attire was in conversation with the security guard. Leo stopped to observe.
“Get lost, we’re not hiring security guards here!” The guard impatiently waved his hand.
The man in worker’s clothes quickly took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one, “Sir, could you please tell the person in charge inside the factory? I’m not asking for much in wages. I just need a job to do.”
The guard took the low-quality cigarette from him, eyed him up and down, “Looks like your leg’s got a problem?”
“It’s just a minor injury, nothing that affects my ability to work as a security guard,” the man said, taking a few steps and indeed, he was limping.
“Heh, so you’re actually a cripple!” The guard sneered, taunting, “Someone with your disability should be begging for a living. You dare to think about being a security guard? How laughable!”
“Sir-”
“Get lost already!” The guard grew more impatient, “This factory is about to go bankrupt. I don’t even know how long I’ll have work. Don’t bother me!”
The man’s face showed helplessness, ready to turn and leave.
Just then, Leo approached and looked at the man, saying, “Don’t leave yet. You can start working here shortly.”
The man looked puzzled.
The guard, upon hearing this, shot a suspicious glance at Leo, “Who are you?”
“I’m here to see your factory manager,” Leo replied.
“See the factory manager?” The guard scrutinized Leo, “Why do you want to see the factory manager, do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“No appointment? Then go away, don’t bother me!” The guard waved his hand.
Leo let out a cold chuckle. It’s no wonder this gatekeeper treated people like this. No wonder the factory was about to close down.
Not wanting to waste his breath, Leo walked directly past the guard and headed inside.
“Stop right there!” The guard rushed into the guard room and took out a police baton, pointing it at Leo, “You’ve got guts, barging in like this? If you don’t stop, I won’t be polite anymore!”
Seeing Leo’s lack of hesitation, the guard swung his baton, aiming for Leo’s shoulder.
Leo didn’t even glance, he moved his body to the left slightly, easily dodging the swing.
The guard, missing his strike, grew angry and swung again, horizontally.
Leo suddenly turned around, grabbing the guard’s baton and effortlessly pulling it from his hand.
“You-!” The guard grew frantic, quickly grabbing his radio from his belt and shouting, “Boss, boss, there’s a trespasser, come quickly.”
Less than a minute later, Leo found himself surrounded by four guards.
The head guard, was overweight, with a hat slanted on her head. He squinted at Leo, “You damn audacious kid. You dare to intrude on my territory!?”
With his command, the four guards next to her all took out their electric batons from their belts.
They activated the batons, emitting a crackling sound, quite intimidating.
“Now, before I lose my temper, get lost!” The portly Madame threatened.
Leo remained composed, “A good dog doesn’t block the way. Move aside, or you’ll regret it.”
“Fuck, who the hell are you cursing at? Everyone, let’s take him down together!”
The leading guard gave the order, and the four guards charged at Leo.
“Bang!”
“Ah!!!”
After a few cries of pain, including the leader, all five guards lay on the ground, clutching their stomachs and groaning in pain while gasping for air.
The man standing outside guessed out the identity of the guy who had taught the guards a lesson earlier and a glint of hope shone in his eyes. He stood quietly aside, waiting.
Leo continued walking forward, and suddenly, a middle-aged man in casual attire, his hair styled into a large pompadour and glistening with hair oil, rushed toward him.
He was Alvin Simpson, the owner of the factory.
He had a radio in his office, so he heard the guards’ calls for help and came out in a hurry.
“What’s happening here?” Alvin Simpson looked at Leo and then at the guards writhing on the ground.
“Manager, this kid’s a criminal. He barged into our factory. You should call the police.” The portly leading guard pointed at Leo while gritting his teeth in pain.
Little did he know that Alvin had been informed by Azure Financial in advance about someone coming to take over the factory today.
Now it seemed this young man was the one.
“Sir, are you Mr. Bloomer?”
Leo nodded and extended a polite handshake as Alvin approached, “Yes, I’m Leo Bloomer.”
“Mr. Bloomer, I’m Alvin Simpson. I apologize for the guards’ behavior. Please, come inside!” Alvin chuckled and extended his hand to usher Leo in.
This scene left the five guards wide-eyed, momentarily forgetting their pain. Even the factory manager was being so polite to this newcomer. It seemed like they had caused some trouble.
Inside Alvin’s office…
Many administrative staff had resigned from the factory, so even tasks like serving tea were now handled by Alvin himself.
“Mr. Bloomer, I’ve been waiting for you. Please have some tea.”
The young man before him was the person Azure Financial had sent to take over the factory. Thanks to Azure Financial’s complete acquisition, Alvin had been pulled out of the mire of losses. In his eyes, Leo was nearly a messiah.
After sipping his tea, Leo spoke, “Manager Simpson, let’s discuss the factory’s situation.”
“Mr. Bloomer, please don’t call me that. From now on, you’ll be the factory’s manager,” Alvin’s face displayed a touch of embarrassment.
After organizing his thoughts, Alvin briefly recounted the factory’s situation to Leo.
This factory had been established twenty years ago. Alvin and four other shareholders, who were also his good friends, jointly invested in and established it with a registered capital of one hundred million yuan.