Chapter 333: Thank-you Gift and Aftermath

Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Thank-you Gift and Aftermath

"These were sent over from the special district. The Director brought them over this morning. They’re some of the more popular snacks from over there," Sean Hughes said, recalling what the Director had mentioned as he answered Zoe Sawyer’s question.

Perhaps the confused expression on Zoe Sawyer’s face was too obvious, because Heath Hale added, "The potential impact from this fire was severe. If it had happened, the economic losses would have been the least of our worries. The personal safety of the residents is what’s most important.

So, after the fire hazards were dealt with, they sent a few representatives over to report on the situation. They had someone bring these snacks over."

As for why they chose snacks, it seemed to be because word had gotten out about what Zoe Sawyer had said to Director Garland from Torvin.

Understanding the full story, Zoe Sawyer gave a resigned shrug.

’Fine. They’re already here, so I’ll just consider them a bonus.’

By the time Zoe Sawyer finished her breakfast and freshened up, it was already past nine in the morning.

As soon as she returned to the office, she heard Heath Hale say, "The Director wants to see you."

Zoe Sawyer asked with a puzzled expression, "Did he say anything else?"

"No, just go on over. It’s probably good news." Heath Hale’s voice was tinged with a smile as he recalled the Director’s expression from the day before.

’Good news... that means a reward!’

Zoe Sawyer’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she hurried toward the Director’s office.

She soon arrived at the Director’s office door, stopped to straighten her clothes, and then knocked.

"Come in."

Zoe Sawyer pushed the door open and asked with a wide grin, "Director, you wanted to see me?"

The Director looked at Zoe Sawyer’s beaming face, amused. "Alright, rein in that smile. It’s good news!

In light of your contributions to these three cases, as well as your past merits, the higher-ups have decided to give you a promotion and approve a bonus for you. Add in the thank-you money from Torvin and the special district, and it’s quite a hefty sum."

The Director pushed a bank card across the desk toward Zoe Sawyer and continued, "Because your situation is special, even though you’ve been promoted, you’ll continue to serve here.

There’s also a reward from the province—a housing subsidy for you. You can hold onto it and use it whenever you need to buy a place.

See if you have any other questions, or if there’s anything else you want. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I can try to get it for you."

After hearing about all the rewards, Zoe Sawyer did an little excited hop. "There’s nothing else I want, thank you, Director!"

Once the excitement subsided, Zoe Sawyer slipped the bank card into her pocket and then asked, "Director, what’s the follow-up on the Torvin and special district cases?

What were the verdicts for the business owner in Torvin and the contractor in the special district?"

The Director, seemingly anticipating her question, handed her a file from his desk. "Here’s the information. Take it back with you to read.

Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can go. Get some rest tonight. You’ve all worked hard these past few days."

Zoe Sawyer returned to the office with the file and started looking through it after sitting down at her desk.

In the Torvin case, the person storing hazardous chemicals was caught red-handed, so the chain of evidence was clear.

The verdict came down quickly. The factory owner was found guilty of illegal storage of hazardous materials and illegal business operations. He was fully aware of the dangers but broke the law anyway.

If the police hadn’t noticed something was amiss in time, a massive explosion could have occurred, causing severe casualties.

Nevertheless, his actions still constituted a crime, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

As for those in the factory who helped with the cover-up, they were reprimanded and ordered to attend a one-hour safety class every day for the next two weeks.

Each day, there would be random spot-checks on previous lessons. If they couldn’t recite the material, they’d be fined.

For those old folks, you could punish them by making them sweep floors or copy lines, and it wouldn’t matter. But a fine? That was absolutely out of the question.

To avoid the fines, all the old folks paid rapt attention in class, terrified of losing even a single cent.

Gathering evidence in the special district case, however, was more difficult. Even with testimony from workers and residents, closing the case anytime soon wasn’t going to be easy.

However, the contractor for Eldoria had been taken into custody. The nylon netting and foam boards in the complex were removed overnight, fundamentally eliminating the possibility of another fire.

As for the various expenses incurred in the process, they were to be fully borne by the contractor.

After reading through the file, Zoe Sawyer finally breathed a true sigh of relief.

Then she looked up at the others in the office, stood up, and planted her hands on her hips like a big spender. "We’re going for barbecue after work tonight," she announced. "My treat!"

Evan Keller chimed in, "Looks like our Captain Sawyer has struck it rich. It would be a crime not to fleece you tonight."

Zoe Sawyer patted her pocket and gave a couple of smug little hums.

Before returning to the office, she had specifically checked the balance on the card the Director gave her.

There was a full seven-figure sum in there. Add that to her salary and previous bonuses...

’Even if I treated the whole office to meals for three days straight, I could still afford it!’

While the atmosphere in the office was lively, elsewhere, outside a private high school, two students were arguing fiercely in the shadows.

At a street corner not far away, an unassuming black sedan was parked. A man stood by the car door, his eyes fixed on them.

"Leo Bell! You can’t go! This is obviously a trap! Your blood type is rare; you have to be especially careful!" a girl said, grabbing her friend’s sleeve, her expression anxious. "You have good grades. As long as you maintain your ranking, the school will waive your tuition and even give you a scholarship. Don’t take this risk!"

The boy, Leo Bell, clutched a sticky note in his hand. A phone number was faintly visible on it.

Leo Bell pressed his lips together, then reached out and forcefully pulled his sleeve from his friend’s grasp. "Elara, my mom is sick. I need a lot of money for her treatment right now, and this is the fastest way to get it."

’The school has been great. It gave me the chance to continue my studies.

My classmates are great, too. They don’t look down on me for being poor; they all find excuses to make sure I’m fed.

But cancer treatment is just too expensive. I can’t pin all my hopes on my classmates.’

Leo Bell had considered getting a loan, but he was a minor and had no job. Even the loan sharks wouldn’t lend to him.

Just when Leo Bell was in despair, a wealthy man’s butler found him and said he could give him a sum of money so his mother could get treatment.

The request wasn’t difficult; he was sure he could do it. And after it was done, he would receive another sum of money.

The butler didn’t force Leo Bell to make a decision on the spot. Instead, he handed him a sticky note with a number on it.

"Think it over carefully. Give me an answer within three days."