Chapter 9 Greatest Honor

• Hearing Ronald's words, everyone froze in disbelief.
• Ronald was the general manager, and the highest-ranking leader of the branch. There was only one person he would address with such deference, and that was the chairman of the group.
• Realizing they had almost resorted to violence, Alex's face turned ashen.
• Thud! He fell to his knees at Hadden's feet, frantically begging, "I am sorry! I was blind, a fool who looked down on you. Please, have a heart, forgive me!"
• Ronald still didn't know what had happened. He had just received the news that the chairman was coming to the company and rushed over immediately, only to find Hadden already at the company's entrance, seemingly in some sort of conflict with his subordinates.
• "What happened?" Ronald asked angrily.
• He had sacrificed a lot to become the general manager, and now, with the branch just established, his own men had offended the chairman. His fury was immediate.
• Hadden's face was cold, "Have a heart? If I don't forgive you, does that make me heartless?"
• Hearing this, Alex almost wet himself, tears welling up in his eyes. "That's not what I meant. I really know I was wrong. Please, give me one more chance."
• Hadden snapped, "Get lost!"
• After five years of battle-hardened experience, Hadden had long understood one simple truth—mistakes must be punished.
• Given his status, there was no need for him to even bother with a security captain, but Wildden Group was the only legacy his mother had left in this world. No one would be allowed to tarnish its image.
• Alex wanted to keep pleading, but Ronald kicked him to the ground and barked, "Get him out of here!"
• Ronald's attitude was incredibly deferential toward Hadden. He had heard enough rumors about Hadden to know to tread carefully.
• The two entered the company, Ronald walking behind Hadden with a slight bow.
• Everyone watched in shock. The normally high-and-mighty Ronald was now following behind Hadden as if afraid of offending him. They had already heard that the chairman of Wildden Group was visiting today, and seeing Ronald's cautious behavior, Hadden's identity became obvious.
• "Mr. Mendez just arrived in Jerton, and countless elite families have already come to visit him. Now he's following a young man? Unbelievable!"
• "Indeed! Ronald wouldn't treat even Jerton's richest man like this. This young man must be the chairman!"
• "The chairman is so young! I'm swooning!"
• Hadden's appearance stirred a wave of excitement.
• "Vivi, look! Isn't that Hadden with Mr. Mendez?"
• Having just finished her recruitment paperwork and entering the lobby, Clarissa caught a glimpse of Hadden's back and was stunned.
• When Vivian turned to look, Hadden had already disappeared down the corridor.
• "You said it yourself, Mr. Mendez is with someone. Do you really think that useless piece of trash could be that person?" Vivian said with a laugh.
• Clarissa smacked her forehead. "I'm so stupid! The only person Mr. Mendez would treat like that is the chairman visiting today."
• In a luxurious office on the top floor of the building.
• Hadden sat on a comfortable couch, eyes closed, resting in silence.
• Ronald stood cautiously beside him. "Mr. Holland, for you to honor us with your presence, there must be something important you need to address. Please tell me. I will not let you down."
• "Just wait!"
• Hadden responded coldly with just one word, saying nothing further as he continued to rest with his eyes shut.
• Time ticked by. Hadden remained still, eyes closed, and his presence weighed heavily on Ronald, whose forehead began to glisten with sweat. His heart raced with anxiety. The chairman had told me to wait, but for whom? Could it be that Hadden had uncovered some dirt on me?
• As Ronald wrestled with his fears, the door to the office suddenly swung open. He was about to shout but then saw the person approaching Hadden, handing him a file. "Hadden, here's what you asked for."
• Only then did Hadden open his eyes. He glanced through the document, and his face grew darker and darker.
• Ronald's heart was now in his throat. His gaze never left the file, and an ominous feeling washed over him.
• Smack!
• Hadden threw the document at Ronald. "Read it out loud!"
• Shivering, Ronald quickly scrambled to pick up the file from the floor.
• "June 5th, Fortunate Hotel, bribery ... "
• Ronald barely got through the first line before he stopped, too afraid to continue.
• The file contained a damning record of his misconduct during his short tenure as general manager. Every transgression was meticulously documented, with precise times, dates, and locations, making denial impossible.
• Hadden roared, "Keep reading!"
• Terrified, Ronald dropped to his knees before Hadden with a thud, sobbing, "Mr. Holland, I was wrong! I swear I won't do it again. Please, give me one more chance ... "
• Tears streamed down Ronald's face. He had worked his way up from a low-level employee over many years. It had not been easy. He had been disciplined for over a decade, not accepting a single bribe. But once he was appointed as general manager of the Jerton branch, many wealthy elites from Jerton came to curry favor with him, and he eventually succumbed to temptation, accepting numerous gifts in secret.
• "Hadden, should we kill him?"
• Marc asked suddenly, causing Ronald to nearly faint from fear.
• Marc wasn't joking. He knew full well how much Wildden Group meant to Hadden. If Ronald was accepting bribes, it meant he was also likely compromising the company's interests. His audacity was astounding.
• Tap, tap, tap!
• Hadden said nothing, but his fingers tapped lightly on the coffee table, like a death knell.
• Ronald was limp with fear, too weak even to continue begging.
• "For the sake of this being your first offense, I'll give you one chance. But remember, only this one. If you make another mistake, consider all the bribes you've taken as money for your funeral," Hadden said, his eyes narrowing. He then stood up and left.
• Ronald was overjoyed to have survived. He quickly promised to Hadden's retreating figure, "Thank you, Chairman! I promise there won't be a next time."
• He had thought he was headed for prison, but to his surprise, Hadden was willing to give him another chance. His heart swelled with gratitude, and he silently vowed to serve Hadden loyally from now on.
• After following Hadden out of the building, Marc finally asked, confused, "Hadden, why did you let him stay?"
• "I've just come back. I don't have many capable people at my disposal. Getting rid of him is easy, but finding a general manager who knows the ins and outs of Wildden Group is difficult," Hadden replied.
• Then he continued, "Wildden Group was under the Chamberlains' control for many years. The upper management was all cultivated by the Chamberlains. Unless I replace everyone now, the company will crumble in my hands. Even if I want to replace them, it can't be rushed."
• "I understand now," Marc said thoughtfully. "You're planning to cultivate your own loyalists. When the time is right, you'll clean house at headquarters."
• Marc was not just a fighter but also quick to grasp Hadden's reasoning. "Hadden, you already had enough evidence to destroy Ronald. But just when he was on the verge of collapse, you gave him a lifeline. Now he'll be grateful and work hard for the company.
• "If Ronald can remain honest and prove himself capable, you'll undoubtedly give him an even bigger stage in the future."
• Hadden gave Marc a complicated look, then sighed softly. "With your skills, if you had stayed in Northville, your future would have been limitless. Following me is a waste of your talents."
• Marc instinctively straightened up and replied with utmost sincerity, "In Northville, you are like a god. Without you, I would've been dead countless times over. Serving by your side is my greatest honor."
• Hadden didn't say anything more. After walking a few more steps, he suddenly stopped and said, "I need you to investigate something. Five years ago, who was it that framed me and Vanessa?"
• Suddenly, an overwhelming aura of danger emanated from Hadden, and his eyes were filled with icy malice.