Chapter 15 Scapegoat

• To put it bluntly, the members of the Brigham family were not doing their job properly. All of them were full of big talk but lacked action. Those executives merely clung on to the equity of the company without contributing.
• All they ever cared about was their own interests. The project of demolishing Sparksville had angered many powerful organizations, which would threaten the status of Brigham Corporation.
• These executives were not trying to save Brigham Corporation. In fact, they were planning on withdrawing their shares in case Brigham Corporation went bankrupt.
• After all, many of the executives as well as the department managers were not from the Brigham family. They were merely being hired to work for Brigham Corporation, so they would not put the benefits of the company in front of their own benefits.
• However, if the demolition of Sparksville was implemented smoothly, there would be a lot of business opportunities for them to earn money. This was a great temptation for the executives; they would not want to miss this chance either.
• They were not willing to sacrifice for the company, nor were they willing to lose the business opportunities. Hence, the executives ended up being indecisive. So, they make themselves bystanders, simply observing the situation but not making any moves.
• They would just do whatever they had been told as they could not make any major decisions for the company either.
• It would be better for them to keep quiet at this moment.
• Nancy was still able to keep her cool after hearing from the first person.
• In spite of everything, Brigham Corporation was a well-known enterprise in Fairville. She came across these people when she was first starting up the company, so she knew that she could still count on them.
• As Mitchel was stating the address of the villas, more and more people were involved in this matter. Nancy was starting to panic after hearing what Mitchel said.
• Suddenly, Mitchel shifted his gaze to Nancy, and he asked her, "Grandma, do you want to guess who the owner of Villa No. 1 is?"
• "Huh?" Nancy was a little dazed at that moment. She asked, subconsciously, "Who is it?"
• "The Robinson family owns it." Mitchel answered.
• He continued to say, "It's no exaggeration to say that the Robinson family is the most powerful and richest family among all of the noble families in Fairvile."
• He was getting ahead of himself as he was talking about the Robinson family; he was talking as if he was related to them.
• It was impossible for Nancy to not know about the Robinson family. To be exact, every noble family knew about the reputable Robinson family. Even the well-known organizations from Rudville had to be careful and respectful of the Robinson family.
• Is the house of the Robinson family really included? Who dares demolish their house? Nancy thought.
• Everyone was embarrassed and stunned. All of them remained silent. Yet, Mitchel was happy to see their embarrassment.
• The Sparksville project is very risky indeed. Austin is such an idiot for implementing this project. He does not think about the long-term benefits of Brigham Corporation. I can't wait to see him fail and make a fool of himself. Mitchel thought about it eagerly.
• He could imagine how miserable Austin would be when all those powerful organizations put the blame on Austin. Soon, it will be the last time you set foot inside the company! Mitchel thought to himself.
• Nancy was silent for a long time. She took a deep breath and tried to speak as calmly as she could to comfort everyone, including herself. "We don’t have to be pessimistic. After all, this project is a direct order from the authorities. It doesn't matter if the residents of Sparksville refuse to move. In the end, all of them have to obey the authorities and choose to sign the relocation agreement."
• Nancy was more at ease as she thought of the authorities.
• "That's the problem. The residents have to obey the authorities as they do not wish to offend the authorities. However, most of them will put the blame on us instead. They might not take revenge on us directly, but they might be doing it behind us. It's impossible for the Brigham family to solve all the conflicts."
• But Mitchel would not let Nancy and the rest of the executives be at ease. He wanted them to be anxious. He wanted to pressure everyone until each and every one of them turned their backs on Austin.
• Austin, it's too late for you to regret signing the contract. Mitchel continued to think to himself. Ha ha, I'm not going to let you do well after snatching my position in the company. There's no turning back for you.
• Mitchel thought it was time for him to manipulate each person, so he deliberately said, "The Brigham family does not intend to offend all of these residents. It's not our intention to agree to this project. Am I right?"
• He continued to say, "What about we send a notice to every resident in Sparksville to announce the Brigham family has nothing to do with this matter? Austin is to be blamed, he’s the one who insists on carrying out this project!"
• He paused for a while and said, "Austin should be responsible for his own decision. We shall not pay for his actions!"
• Everyone’s eyes lit up when they heard Mitchel's suggestion.
• The executives knew throwing Austin under the bus was not an ethical thing to do. If Mitchel proposed such a solution under other circumstances, they would undoubtedly oppose it.
• However, if sacrificing Austin could save everyone's jobs, they had no choice but to do it.
• Especially now that they knew there were a lot of powerful people living in Sparksville, they dared not offend any of them. They felt that Mitchel's proposal was extremely wise and excellent.
• Nancy was caught by surprise when she heard this suggestion, yet she was amazed by Mitchel's strategy. Ultimately, Mitchel's plan might be able to save the future of the Brigham family.
• The Brigham family would not mind sacrificing Austin in exchange for the greater good for the family.
• "Austin is the director of this project, and he signed the contract. So, he will be fully responsible and in charge of this project from now on." Nancy announced it solemnly.
• "I've been feeling unwell recently, so it's time for me to go back to get treatment. Please excuse me. Mitchel will be handling the discussion with all of you now."
• Nancy pulled herself out and got Mitchel to conduct the meeting in her place. Mitchel was eager to take over.
• "Congratulations for taking over, Mitchel!" Leah was happy for Mitchel for taking back his authority. After all, she had to depend on Mitchel. She had a voice in the family as long as Mitchel was powerful.
• She looked at Mitchel in a provocative and flirtatious way. If she could, she would have thrown herschelf at his feet too.
• "Haha, I always knew Mitchel is the right person to lead the Brigham Corporation."
• "That's right. Austin was nothing but a mess for our company."
• "That jerk has done more damage than good to the company. He must have colluded with Mr. Sawyer to destroy the Brigham family!"
• The crowd was ruffled. All of them were trying to get on Mitchel's good side by belittling Austin.
• Mitchel was flattered by receiving all the compliments from everyone. At that moment, Leah walked away discreetly.
• Leah came out of the conference room and went straight into Austin's office.
• Leah saw Austin as she entered his office. She did not waste any time by immediately updating the process and result of the meeting to Austin.
• Austin did not interrupt her as she spoke. After listening to her, Austin smiled inexplicably and said, "What are you trying to say by telling me all of this?"
• Austin did not believe Leah was on his side. He knew Leah desperately wanted him to fail. So, why does she come to me?
• Austin knew Leah did not do this out of kindness.
• "You should have realized that you could not overcome this hindrance by yourself. But, the Forger family is capable of solving this issue for you."
• Leah was confident that Austin would ask for her help.
• "Help me? You would end up harming me." Austin sneered. He was not touched by Leah's offer at all.
• There's no such thing as a free lunch. She must have other motives for coming to me.
• "You're not worthy of me to harm you. I'm being blunt with you. Even though my father was merely a driver, he was the driver for the authorities. The Robinson family may take up on my father's advice." Leah looked at Austin arrogantly.
• Austin felt that Leah was here to show off.
• "So?" Austin raised his eyebrows while he asked.
• "Just like what I said, there are thirty noble families living in Sparksville. The Brigham family wouldn't dare offend any of them. "
• "So?" Austin asked indifferently. He smiled and stared at Leah, waiting for her to explain her true intentions.