chapter 31 Who dares to slander Mr. Jackson!

"I say, auntie, you better speak more politely. Who said I stole your bag?" Jackson was getting unhappy. Being mistakenly accused as a thief is annoying for anyone. Besides, the bag was entrusted to him by Alivia, so how could it be stolen? The woman glared at him and demanded, "Are you going to return it or not?" "I didn't steal your bag. Why should I return it?" Jackson retorted. Seeing Jackson's refusal to return the bag, the woman seemed to be waiting for this moment and shouted, "Help! Catch the thief! An employee of the Griffith Group, he stole my bag and won't admit it!" At this time, it was the end of the workday, and many employees were gradually entering the lobby. Hearing the shout, they all gathered around. "Big sister, who stole your bag?" someone asked. "Him! This young man! He stole my bag and won't admit it!" the woman pointed at Jackson, screeching. Everyone turned to look at Jackson, frowning in disapproval. Only a few people looked puzzled, feeling that Jackson looked familiar. This was inevitable. Jackson, although he made big news, had only been at the company for a few days. Most people had only heard of him but never seen him in person. Nobody thought that Jackson could be the thief. "Young man, which department are you from?" "Such a handsome face, why stoop to stealing an older woman's bag? Ah, it's a disgrace to the Griffith Group." "It's shameful! So young and learning to steal!" The employees all showed disdain. In any era, a thief is always unwelcome. Especially in modern times, being caught stealing in public can lead to a severe beating from someone more hot-tempered. Facing the condemnation, Jackson remained silent, took out his phone, aimed it at the woman, and snapped a photo. He then sent this photo to a Facebook contact named 'Spider'. "Hey, hey, hey, young man, why are you taking a photo? Planning to take revenge later?" Seeing Jackson take the photo, the woman's expression changed, and she tried to grab the phone. Jackson tucked away his phone, "Since you say I stole your bag, what's wrong with taking your photo? You slander me and think you can just run away? I'll tell you, there's no way! I will find you no matter where you are!" The woman truly changed her expression, not expecting this young man to be so meticulous. While feeling nervous, she shouted louder, "Everyone, be witnesses! This young man stole my bag and took my photo. He will surely take revenge on me later! Are all employees of the Griffith Group as shameless as him?" "Big sister, don't lump us with him!" "Does anyone know this guy, which department of the company is he from? I feel like I've never seen him before." "Call the police! Take him to the police station!" The employees were outraged, determined to deal with Jackson and not let him disgrace the company. At this moment, a group of people emerged from the elevator, led by Wade, with other employees from the second group. "Hey, isn't that Mr. Jackson?" Seeing Jackson surrounded, Wade was startled and quickly stepped forward, "What's happening here?" "Leader Wade? Is this kid from your business department?" An employee who recognized Wade pointed at Jackson and asked. "Yes, what happened to him?" Wade was clueless about the situation. "This kid stole this lady's bag and won't admit it. Now we caught him red-handed. You came just in time, take him to the police station!" the employee exclaimed. "What?!?" All employees of the business department, including Wade, were dumbfounded. Jackson stealing a bag? That seemed impossible. Everyone in the business department instinctively reacted the same way. Not to mention Jackson's character, just a few days ago, he brought a 7,500,000-dollar business deal to the company, and his commission alone was over a million dollars. And what about Jackson’s status? Even the Chairman backs him up! Would such a person stoop to stealing a bag? Are you kidding me? "There must be a misunderstanding here," Wade said, wiping sweat from his brow. Although he and others in the department didn't believe the accusation, the crowd was too agitated for him to speak out carelessly. "Misunderstanding? There's direct evidence. This kid has shamed your business department, and you, as his leader, are still defending him?" someone shouted loudly. "Mr. Jackson, please explain yourself." Wade was finding it hard to cope. However, Jackson seemed distracted and said lazily, "Explain what? No matter what I say, they won't believe me, so why bother talking more." Seeing Jackson's attitude, everyone became even more annoyed, clamouring to send Jackson to the police station. "What's going on?" Just then, a puzzled voice came from behind the crowd. Everyone turned to look and saw a portly middle-aged man. Dressed in a suit and with his hands behind his back, he clearly looked like someone from the company's management. "It's Deputy Manager Jett from the HR department!" "Great, he's a relative of the Chairman, with him intervening, this matter will be much easier to handle!" "That's right, we need to give an explanation to this lady and the company!" The employees became excited. "This must be a leader from the company! Please come and see, this employee of yours has stolen my bag and he's so arrogant!" Seeing Jett Griffith, the old lady seemed to have found her backbone. "Lady, please don't panic, let me ask this young man first." Jett Griffith looked like he was going to inquire about the details of the incident. "Eh, aren't you Jackson from the sales department? How could you... steal a bag?" Jett Griffith looked surprised when he saw Jackson. "Jackson? The one who brought 7,500,000 dollars to the company?" "He shouldn't be short of money, why would he..." "That's what you don't know. Nowadays, it's peaceful in the country, and no one starves. But many people want something for nothing, addicted to being thieves. Not lacking money? It's in their bones to be thieves! It's a habit they can't change!" The employees discussed among themselves. Hearing the employees' discussions, Jett Griffith looked enlightened and then somewhat disappointedly sighed, "So that's it. Ah, Jackson, I really appreciated your abilities, but your actions have disappointed me too much! You're young and able, why become a thief?" "Jett Griffith, stop pretending. You know best what's going on." Jackson showed a mocking expression. He let the old lady insult him and the employees scold him, waiting for the person behind this. The people he offended in the Griffith Group were just three. Frederick and Carlos were immediately ruled out by Jackson - the former lacked the ability, and the latter the courage. That left only Jett Griffith, whom he had just offended today, and only he had the capability and audacity. As Jackson expected, Jett Griffith was behind this. Thinking this, Jackson felt disappointed. Clearly, from the moment he received the message from Alivia, it was a trap waiting for him. Alivia's task was to guide, handing over the bag to Jackson, and then the rest was left to the old lady and Jett Griffith to play their parts. Hearing Jackson's sarcasm, Jett Griffith's expression didn't change as he righteously said, "Jackson, I know you, but I won't bend the law for personal gain. I have to be responsible to the company and this lady." "Jett Griffith, let's be clear, just say what you want to do." Jackson sneered. Jett Griffith sighed, "Jackson, I had high hopes for you, but you've violated company rules and the law. Now, as the Deputy Manager of HR, I'm telling you, you're fired." "Want to fire me? You better ask your Chairman cousin if he agrees!" Jackson scoffed. Jett Griffith shook his head, "I know my cousin well. Although he appreciates your abilities, your actions have seriously damaged the company's image, and he won't show leniency." The commotion had already attracted the security, and the security chief Zyaire quickly approached with his team. "Deputy Manager Jett, I heard someone stole something? Where is the person?" Zyaire greeted Jett Griffith and asked. "It's him, Zyaire, please take him to the police station," Jett Griffith pointed at Jackson and said. "Sir, Sir?" Zyaire looked up and when he saw the 'thief's' face, he stopped in shock and confusion, "What's going on here?" "Can't you see? I've been made out to be a thief!" Jackson snorted coldly. "Who dares to slander Mr. Jackson!" Hearing this, Zyaire got angry, his eyes widened as he scanned the crowd. Unlike others, Zyaire was a retired special reconnaissance soldier and had been a criminal detective for several years, skilled in interrogating countless criminals. He was exceptionally good at judging people, and any disguise couldn't escape his eyes. To put it bluntly, Zyaire believed anyone present could be a thief, except Jackson! The aura around Jackson was something a thief could never possess! Murderous, iron-blooded, ruthless! If Jackson had killed someone in the company, Zyaire might believe it. But if Jackson was a thief, Zyaire would only say no way! "Zyaire, Jackson stole this lady's bag, we have both the person and the evidence, how can you say it's slander?" Jett Griffith frowned. Zyaire directly said, "Deputy Manager Jett, sorry, but without solid proof, I absolutely won't believe it. Given Mr. Jackson's character, he wouldn't do such a despicable act!" Jett Griffith's face darkened. Even a small security chief dared to talk back, infuriating him. He decided that once this was over, he would make sure Zyaire lost his job! Seeing the situation turning unfavourable, the old lady sneered, "No solid proof? Isn't the bag he's holding solid proof? Did I force it on him?" "Lady, you say the bag is yours, but do you know what's inside it?" Jett Griffith's eyes lit up, thinking women are indeed more eloquent at crucial times.