"That's enough," Manager Chen interrupted them, preventing them from continuing.
The leader of Line 4 expressed his dissatisfaction, "Manager Chen, at this point, our own safety is at stake. Should we still cover up for General Hu?"
"If it weren't for him instigating us, more than a dozen brothers wouldn't have placed those online bets. How could we have lost so much money? We're still unable to recover even after selling everything we have!"
The leader of Line 5 received debt collection calls every few days, driving him to the brink of jumping off the rooftop.
If it weren't for his young child and his sick wife, he would have taken the leap long ago to end it all.
"General Hu instigated you to place bets online?" Qingyan raised an eyebrow. This was illegal, and no one dared to do it.
"General Hu said that the website had a nine out of ten winning rate and showed us the amount he withdrew. It was over six hundred thousand!"
"At first, we didn't believe it, but after a few bets, everyone had good luck. The money we won could be withdrawn to our bank accounts."
"So, we started betting more and even involved our friends and family. But then the website kept increasing the withdrawal amount. Initially, they said we needed five hundred thousand to withdraw, so we went bankrupt to gather that amount. Then they said it was one million, and even after we invested several million, we still couldn't get our money back!"
The leader of Line 5 sighed as he continued, "If it weren't for the fear of implicating my wife and child, I would have smashed my head long ago!"
Since many workers on the production line were involved, they formed Line 4 and Line 5 to produce low-quality clothes. They collaborated with the warehouse manager to take the clothes outside for sale and divide the earned money proportionally.
"Some relatives from our hometown trusted us. They didn't understand online operations and entrusted their lifelong savings or money from selling their houses for us to invest. But it all vanished."
"Some entrusted us with their funeral funds, while others needed money for surgeries. As the surgery fees were insufficient, they hoped to win a large sum through gambling. However, that relative never received the money, even until their death."
"Most of the money came from dozens of online lending platforms."
"We've been paying back for a whole year, tens of thousands of yuan every month, and we still haven't fully repaid it."
Upon hearing this, the team leader of Line 4 and Line 5 couldn't help but cover his face and shed tears. The bitterness and helplessness in the situation were perhaps only clear to them.
"I also placed a bet, and..." The warehouse manager bit her lip, and tears the size of soybeans welled up in her eyes. After choking up for a while, she finally said, "At that celebration party, I drank too much. When I woke up the next day, I found Chairman Hu lying next to me... He took many pictures of me and forced me to do that..."
Everyone was shocked, looking at her with expressions of disbelief.
"At first, I was in agony, especially when I found out that he had connections within the bureau. Even if I reported it, it would be futile... But then, I started receiving monthly shares, and I could buy some designer bags... So, I just went along with it."
After listening to the warehouse manager's words, the Minister of Procurement also showed a surprised and angry expression. "I was drunk at that time too, and Hu Linquan also touched me! He said that if I didn't cooperate, he would tell my husband and even post my pictures at my in-laws' workplace, letting them know that I'm an immoral daughter-in-law... I had just gotten married back then, and I was really scared..."
The conversation in the office left the onlookers outside both silent and eager for more information!
This Hu Linquan is truly despicable!
He took advantage of people's vulnerability and forced them into collusion!
"General Qing, please give us a way out..." pleaded the warehouse manager. "I really don't want to go to jail. I still have a long life ahead of me, and I don't want to spend it in prison..."
"You caused the company to lose tens of millions. I have to report this to the police," Qingyan's tone was calm. "If I let you off privately, then I become an accomplice protecting you, and the crime is equal."
"General Qing, please have mercy..." cried the Minister of Procurement. "My marriage is very happy, and my child has just been born... I really don't want to ruin my entire family because of this!"
"This matter needs to be accounted for to the headquarters. If employees can cause the company to lose tens of millions, and all they need to do is shed a few tears and say some soft words to get through it, then how chaotic will the company and headquarters become? How will the managers be able to manage? How will they gain the respect of the staff?"
"General Qing..." Everyone knew that there was no room for negotiation in this matter. If they had to blame someone, it could only be themselves. They had chosen the wrong path, and with each misstep, they had fallen deeper into an inescapable abyss.
"We're all adults," Qingyan said with great earnestness. "Since you've done it, you have to bear the consequences. If you feel wronged, you can tell the police and try to seek a more lenient punishment."
Even though Hu Linquan is detestable, they assisted in the wrongdoing and caused tremendous losses to the company. The company is innocent.
Qingyan glanced at He Ning, and he understood her intentions. He took out his phone and called the police.
Qingyan had recorded every word they said just now, planning to hand it over to the authorities later.
"What is the website's URL?"
Upon hearing her question, Manager Chen paused, tears still welling up in his eyes. He took out his phone and said, "It's this one... Although it has been shut down long ago, we still owe money to relatives, friends, and various online lenders. We have to repay it every month. Miss Qing, why are you suddenly asking about this?"
The website had already been shut down, and it was impossible to recover the original funds.
"Just asking," Qingyan memorized the website address and planned to investigate it privately.
"Although everything was due to Hu Linquan's coercion and inducement, we don't have any evidence. The shares we give him every month are either transferred to some black cards or paid in cash..."
Everyone felt unwilling. They were all going to the police station, but Hu Linquan could still escape punishment!
Qingyan knew that the evidence pointing to Hu Linquan was only testimonial, and there was very little physical evidence. Even if Hu Linquan was brought to the police station for questioning today, it wouldn't take long before the police would let him go.
Because the evidence was insufficient.
"It's our own fault if we go to jail, but the biggest culprit is Hu Linquan! He has gained the most benefits, and he must be punished for us to be satisfied!"
"I will make Hu Linquan reveal his true colors," Qingyan said, and several police officers arrived at the door.
As they watched the five people being taken away by the police, the onlookers outside felt indescribably sad.
This incident caused a sensation throughout the company. Li Yuanfu was playing golf when he received the call, and his expression changed drastically.
"What happened?" Song Qiaoying, who was beside him, thought something had happened to Yan Yan and hurried over to his side.
Li Yuanfu couldn't even stand steadily. After he finished the call, he staggered a few steps.
Li Yusha hurriedly went forward to support him. "What happened to Sister? Dad, don't worry, take your time to explain!"
"It's not your sister who's in trouble..." Li Yuanfu was helped under the shade of an umbrella and sat down on a lounge chair to catch his breath. After drinking the tea brought by the caddy, his complexion finally improved a bit.