Chapter 131 Trouble Comes Knocking - Part 2

"Although those traffickers only come once a week, and their appearance doesn't even exceed fifteen minutes because they fear getting into trouble, selling goods to non-smokers is a bit excessive," Alan Massey said. "So Damian wanted to drive them away."

Adding to this, Eulise Noble chimed in—

"But no matter how Damian negotiated with them, those traffickers ignored him, instead, they chuckled and chatted with those buying cigarettes, acting as if they were old friends coming to pick up their buddies after work."

"They aren't directly conflicting with us," Alan Massey said.

"But they're also not leaving," Eulise Noble sighed.

"After several unsuccessful negotiations, Damian had no choice but to tell us that he wanted to dismiss those who still smoked and hire new people," Alan Massey continued.

"We agreed," Eulise Noble nodded. "And then the trouble started."

"Although we compensated those guys according to federal law, they felt our actions were still illegal and claimed they hadn't caused any harm to the company."

"They said they never smoked inside the factory or incited other workers to smoke. They even communicated with the traffickers, asking them not to come, but the traffickers ignored them. They believe they're innocent and think we can't fire them. They demand Damian reinstates their jobs."

"Damian refused."

"And then they started coming to the factory to protest every few days."

Feeling her description might be too severe yet also inappropriate, Eulise Noble paused and corrected herself, "Well, you can't really call it protesting. Every time they come to the factory, they just stand at the entrance, trying to find Damian, wanting to get a solution from him."

"To ensure the factory's normal operation, Damian now sleeps there every day."

"Whenever those people come, he calls the police."

"..."

Listening to the account, Ethan furrowed his brows!

He couldn't understand why he didn't know about this!

"When did this start?" Ethan asked sternly.

Since they had reached this point, the two didn't conceal anything.

"About two weeks ago," Eulise Noble replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ethan continued to press.

"Because Damian felt, so far, the situation is under control," Alan Massey said. "Production in the factory hasn't been disrupted, and the company's shipments are normal."

"They haven't even come here," Alan Massey gestured to the ground beneath them.

He was pointing to the office area of Stanford Industrial Park.

"Damn it! So as long as it doesn't escalate, it's under control?" Ethan was almost amused by this theory.

In his view, this ongoing disruption was precisely a form of being out of control!

For God's sake, did these hippies attract drug dealers?

And those drug dealers still wanted to sell drugs to more people?

Damn it! Ethan absolutely couldn't accept this!

Yes! He was taking advantage of the cheap labor of hippies, which is why he used them! And he turned a blind eye to smoking, considering it too common in America. In fact, decades later, the San Francisco government even openly provided syringes to addicts and taught them how to inject in moderation!

But there were many ordinary people in his factory!

Like those drivers in the fleet, they had been with Thomas for decades, always honest and hardworking. Up to now, they were more like helpers, and in this situation, if they got involved, their families would be basically ruined!

These people came with good intentions because of Thomas' face!

And he, Ethan, had to ensure these people could return safely!

Thinking about this, Ethan was furious.

"Has anyone been influenced?" he asked, suppressing his anger.

"No," both of them shook their heads decisively. "Damian is keeping an eye on it."

This result relieved Ethan.

But the next moment, he said, "Both of you come with me to the factory. I want to see what he's thinking!"

With this decision, the two remained silent, and Alan Massey also volunteered his Volvo, driving his colleagues and boss to the factory in Milpitas.

However, just as Ethan was controlling his emotions, constantly reminding himself not to approach this issue with anger, as soon as they entered the Milpitas territory—

He heard the whirring sound of police cars.

This situation furrowed his brows.

And as Alan Massey stepped on the gas, driving them to the factory—

The scene that unfolded made Ethan's vision blur!

Because there were five police cars parked at the factory gate;

Twelve officers holding pistols;

A group of people huddled at the factory gate, observing the outside world;

Seven or eight people lined up, being pushed into cars by officers, some in black and some in white...