10 Discrepancy

Several emotions ranging from shock to incredulity flitted across his face before the manager settled on a subdued but hopeful look. He sank back down to his seat.

"I-I didn't know-" he began as alarm swept over his features one more.

I waved my hands to let him know that I don't mind when I realized that he was referring to his earlier behavior, "Don't worry about it. This isn't an official visit. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone about this. I assume that you have grievances with the company and it seemed to be related to my agenda here."

"Ms. North, I've been working in this factory for over 10

years. I only want the best for the company but this place where I spent all my best years is slowly deteriorating," he started solemnly.

"Please elaborate," I motioned for him to continue.

"I am serving my one month notice currently because of false accusations they pinned on me. They blamed the increased amounts of failed products which in turn increased the production cost on my head. I told them repeatedly that the machines needed maintenance and we needed the budget for that but they won't increase our allotment even with frequent demands. We've been cutting corners where we can but we can only do so much. The machines were not properly maintained and sooner or later it would break down and the repairs would be even more expensive. I've been at odds with the Production Department because of this," he explained, bitterness plain on his face.

"What do you mean not enough? I think there's a misunderstanding somewhere. The approved budget amount definitely took everything into account especially the maintenance," my brows furrowed at his words.

"The budget has been decreasing every year. Even the power outage earlier was a common occurrence already so it was rare that the workers took the elevator. The Production Department has been uncooperative to all the reported complaints," he continued.

"The approved budget was definitely not decreasing in fact it was rising as demands for our products increased. Can you show me the papers from the Production Department regarding the budget?" I replied.

He stood up and went to the file cabinets at the corner and pulled out a folder.

"These are all the memorandums compiled over the years from the Production Department."

I took a look and had to struggle to compose my expression. As I have already seen the documents in the car on the company's side, it was easy to see the inaccuracy with the papers in front of me.

They actually dared to steal from the company. I wanted to go back and fire them immediately but I needed more information to make foolproof evidence.

"Can you give us copies of these and all the memorandums you received from the Production Department?" I passed back the papers.

"Yes, yes we have copies of these. Let me just take them out and compile it for you," he nodded eagerly.

I stood up and left the room to make a call.

"Hello. Did you find anything?" I asked Heather immediately.

"There's a pattern and it looks like it's been going on for years with gradual increase," she answered in a grave tone.

I gritted my teeth in fury, "These people are taking me for a fool. Send Ethan all the addresses for the factories in Country U. I'll visit them all personally. For anyone who asks, tell them that I'm on an urgent business trip."

"I will, Miranda."

"Take care not to leak any information. I'll have to trouble you to collate all the same data for the rest of the factories as well and send them to my email so I can take a look at it while I'm on the move," I ended the call when Miranda murmured her assent.

I turned to the door when I sensed movement behind me. Ethan was walking towards me while carrying a pile of folders in his arm, followed by the manager.

"Thank you for this and I hope we can count on you to keep everything a secret till I can make everything right," I reached for his hands.

"No, it should be us who is thanking you. Thank you for personally coming here and witnessing the problem," he countered with his eyes tearing.

"I'd be rescinding your termination once I get back. I'd hate for the company to lose someone like you who is not only passionate but also cares so much for the welfare of the company and the employees," I squeezed his hands in appreciation.

"Did you receive the addresses of the factories from Heather?" I asked Ethan when we got back to the car.

"I did."

"Let's go to the nearest one. We'd be there just in time before the last shift ends."

"Is this everything?" I asked as I flipped over the pages. It was pretty much the same discrepancy in the records with the previous factory.

It was infuriating.

Someone lightly tapped my arm and I looked to the side in question where Ethan was sitting next to me but there was still a sizable distance in between.

"You're scaring him," he mouthed at me while nodding in the direction of the head in this factory.

I glanced at him and he was looking down while wiping a handkerchief nervously at the side of his head.

I spoke, "Never mind. I've got everything that I need here. Thanks for cooperating with the inspection."

I gathered the files but before I could take them, Ethan took it from me naturally. I looked at him for a moment before going out of the office. I looked at the time and saw that it was 9 pm already. The next factory was quite a distance away so they had to be on their way.

I boarded the car but this time I sat in the front.

"Oh?" Ethan made a sound when he noticed.

"I'm accompanying you," I simply said, my attention on some papers.

He chuckled before saying, "I won't fall asleep don't worry."

I ignored him and focused on the tablet I grabbed.

After a while, I dropped the tablet to my lap and noticed that it was already quite late. Most of the establishments were already closed but there was still one building which was lit very brightly, making it the center of attention.

"Stop there," I pointed to the building with an eye-catching sign, albeit, dubious.

Upon seeing what it was, he looked at me in surprise before maneuvering the car to park in the vacant space on their lot.

We entered the motel and it was dimmed to a slight reddish lighting inside except for the neon lights surrounding a square glass panel with a hole for the top and bottom part.

A man in a sloppy uniform sitting in front of the counter inside, cracking sunflower seeds, looked at them in boredom.

We approached him and he lazily said, "How can I help you?"

"We'd like two rooms please," Ethan replied.

The receptionist stared at me and Ethan before smirking for some reason. My phone beeped in my pocket at that moment so I was only half paying attention.

"We only have 1 room," I overheard the reply.

"Your rooms are all occupied even though your parking lots have a lot of space?" Ethan shot back.

"Not everyone has their own car besides it's a busy night," the receptionist replied cheekily.

"Maybe you can move around something?"

"Nope."

"Let's go and look for another one then," Ethan turned to me.

"The next motel is in the next town and it would take a few hours to get there. Good luck," the guy just shrugged.

I voiced while I pocketed my phone back, "It's fine, we'll take the room."