Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl (Pearl and Richard)
Chapter 701

Bennett flared up in a rage, slamming the table before getting to his feet. "Why did you say that crap if you don't have a plan?" His use of strong language in public was impolite. Wayne glared at Bennett. "Watch your tongue, Bennett."

"It's none of your business," Bennett retorted.

"What do you want, Bennett?" Wayne was getting uneasy, as it seemed Bennett was trying to stir up trouble.

"It's none of your f*cking business! I want some answers today. Can this company survive? If not, I'm out of here."

Wayne was enraged. "We're at the company. Show some respect."

"Ignore him, Wayne. Let him speak," Pearl stopped Wayne.

"There's nothing else I can say. I want to know if the company is going bankrupt?" Bennett just wanted a straight answer because he needed to make a decision. Pearl nodded, as she didn't want to hide the truth. "Yes, it's going bankrupt. If you have nothing else, you guys can leave." Though her voice was calm, it carried authority. Some people seemed eager to leave, but when they saw Pearl's expression, they hesitated.

Bennett was the first to stand up. "Alright, Miss Pearl. You're direct. We don't want to waste time here since we have families to look after. I won't stick around. Goodbye." Then, he left.

Pearl looked around. "If you want to go, do it now."

One person stammered, "T-Then... What about this month's salary..." They had already worked for over twenty days this month, and leaving without pay would be a loss.

"Go to the finance department to collect your pay," Pearl said calmly, not wanting to owe anyone.

Her words calmed them down, and they offered apologies.

"Miss Pearl, we'd like to stay, but we also need to support our families. Staying here might put us in a difficult position..."

Their explanation came to a halt when Wayne looked ready to confront them physically.

"It's okay. I respect your decision," Pearl said.

Then, a person in the corner stood up. Pearl recognized her as Riley Stone, the person she often chatted with at the company's entrance. It turned out Riley had become an executive after not seeing her for a while.

"I won't leave. I've been here for three years, and it wouldn't be right to abandon the company now." Riley's face flushed with anger, expressing her loyalty while implying the ingratitude of those leaving.

The departing employees looked downcast, but they couldn't argue because they were fleeing in the face of a crisis.

"It's alright." Pearl was touched that someone was standing with her.

After a brief pause, Pearl said coldly, "The company will never welcome you back!"