Chapter 258: Understated
From the moment the incident occurred until the entire state branch knew the cause and details, less than fifteen minutes had passed. Soon after, the state branch issued a response.
First, they demanded that the bank manager at the scene soothe the injured George and persuade him to abandon reporting to the police.
Reports said George’s head was bleeding heavily from the blow and that he lost consciousness en route to the hospital.
If the police got involved, this could turn into a disturbing and embarrassing scandal. The reasons were complex—internal struggles within banks, institutions controlling both wealth and power, never ceased.
If the police investigated Bennett’s responsibility and the causes of the conflict, some things the bank wanted hidden from the public might be exposed.
These things were unpleasant; the public could guess some, but guessing and confirming are two different states—like people suddenly becoming wealthy and rumors that their wealth came from criminal acts.
Such baseless, jealous speculation might be close to the truth, but without evidence or exposure, it wouldn’t affect their public image.
Ultimately, Bennett was transferred from the branch to a small bank under Sabin City because some envied him and wanted to cause trouble for George—to humiliate him.
If these matters were exposed, it would be devastating for some, so they insisted the bank manager soothe George and stop him from pursuing the matter.
Fortunately, the bank manager acted decisively. In less than half an hour, he reported to the state branch that he had successfully convinced George to abandon reporting and investigation.
As the cause of the incident, the branch decided to suspend Bennett and investigate existing problems.
At that moment, in the hospital bank office, the manager was casually chatting with George.
George had a wound about half an inch long on his forehead. The injury wasn’t caused by the crystal nameplate.
Those triangular crystal nameplates placed on desks to indicate the room’s occupant were crafted to avoid causing harm.
Each corner was polished smooth.
The real cause of the wound was the face of George’s ring. When Bennett struck George’s forehead, George immediately twisted the ring face and scratched him hard.
The gem’s sharp edges easily tore the skin, leaving a cut. Blood flowed through his fingers, frightening Bennett.
“The headquarters is furious about today’s events. Bennett’s chance of recovery is basically gone,” the manager said lightly, describing a once-promising bank employee suddenly plunged into a bleak future.
Actually, the manager disliked Bennett, but kept it hidden, carefully watching and accumulating power to strike decisively when needed.
The branch’s interference in his personnel matters was not good. If today the branch could override George, tomorrow it might do the same to him!
Nothing was impossible—given enough interest, undermining a second-tier city branch manager was just a matter of paperwork.
They might assign him an assistant, and everything would be over.
Though he had done nothing recently, he was actively contacting friends in the branch and headquarters who were close to him. After this sudden incident, he mobilized these forces. Under pressure, the branch immediately issued a satisfactory resolution: internal investigation of Bennett and suspension of his duties.
Anyone who worked in a bank knew that once investigated, even if innocent, their career ended at that moment.
Bank power struggles were so fierce that even the cleanest person might not rise, let alone someone with a bad record.
People were complex, and society even more so. Even if the investigation found nothing substantial against Bennett, it didn’t mean he was completely innocent—just that no one discovered his faults yet.
Next, Bennett would be shuffled to unimportant, marginal posts—perhaps a records room or warehouse in some small town, living a numb life with the lowest rank.
Lying in the hospital bed, George sneered, “Thanks for speaking up for me…”
Before the manager arrived, George had contacted some friends at the hospital. Some told him others besides him and his friends were involved.
He hardly needed to guess who was behind this or why, but still appreciated the manager’s help.
The manager waved it off, “No need to thank me—I’m protecting myself too.” If he didn’t act, his authority would quickly vanish under the branch’s interference.
But he couldn’t understand one thing: “What exactly did you say to Bennett to make him treat you this way?”
George smiled intriguingly, “You’ll find out in a few days.”
If this ended here, it wouldn’t match George’s recent endurance and restraint. He wanted not only to overturn Bennett but to crush him utterly, so he could never recover.
Changing the subject, George apologized, “I may ask to dismiss some employees when we get back. I hope you’ll support me.”
His previous concessions had emboldened some to side with Bennett. Now it was time to clean house.
Cruel?
No, this was reality. Those who firmly stood with George might have a brighter future, but those who bet on the wrong side must face a harsh end.
The manager fully supported George. He had no sympathy for bank employees who quickly sided with the parachuted cadre.
After speaking, the manager stood to leave. “When will you return to work? Or do you need more days off?”
George confidently replied, “Anytime. I’m ready to start again!”
On the same day, some anonymous letters appeared on the desks of the branch and even headquarters managers.
Photos detailed a powerful figure abusing his authority, mostly involving illicit relationships. These people had just made unfavorable remarks against Bennett.
Now the photos gave more reason to demand harsher punishment against Bennett. Bennett’s family also received these letters; his wife was on the way to Sabin City with their family.
Meanwhile, Bennett, back at his rented place, was unaware of what awaited him. He sat on the bed, holding his head, deeply troubled.
He knew he had made a grave mistake and shouldn’t have treated George that way. If he had held back and apologized, things might have turned out differently…
No, not much would change. He knew Annie…
Suddenly remembering something, Bennett jumped up and rushed to the next room. He lost control because George had mentioned Annie. Now he realized something—George knew Annie, her identity, and their current situation.
A suffocating, despairing suspicion spread quickly. When he opened the door, Annie was sitting on a chair watching TV.
She hugged her legs, her face calm and unreadable.
“What’s wrong?” Annie asked, and they locked eyes.
Bennett was filled with confusion and anger, while the woman remained almost unnervingly calm.
After several minutes of staring at each other, Bennett suddenly said, “You came to me with a purpose—you’re working with George!”
The more he spoke, the more certain he became that his suspicion was correct. This woman was in cahoots with George. A raging sense of betrayal overwhelmed his reason, mixed with a sharp pain in his heart.
“I treated you so well, and you conspired against me with the others!” His voice was thick with despair. He had thought this was the start of a good life, but he was foolish to believe that.
This wasn’t the beginning of anything good—it was a trap from the very start, and he had stumbled into it like a fool.
Faced with Bennett’s fury, the woman said nothing in defense. She calmly asked, “Will you hit me?”
Bennett had indeed considered it—not just hitting her, but much worse. Though they had lived together for a long time, he had always respected her unwillingness to go further.
Even when they were naked together, she had kept her final boundary intact. Bennett admired that strength, seeing it as a form of resilience, a refusal to yield to a cruel reality—wasn’t that like him?
So he never pressured her. He planned to wait—wait for everything to end and a new beginning to come—before crossing those lines to celebrate their fresh start.
But he never expected it was all a lie from the very beginning.