3. Threats

The booming voice of the man in his early forties did not shake Mark and Aileen's resolve. Both stood where they were, looking straight into Mr. William's face.

"Good afternoon, Sir. I'm sorry, we didn't mean to make a scene outside your office, but we need to talk to you as soon as possible, so..."

"Tell me here as soon as possible. Or if it takes longer, I'll let Laura listen and take notes. I'm in an important meeting with a client," Mr. William replied quickly.

"Um, actually, we'd like to have a word with your important client, if you'd let us, Sir?”

"What do you mean? And who is this gentleman, Ms. Aileen? Isn't he a new employee in your department, transferred from another branch?" Immediately, Mr. William turned to Aileen, whom he had gotten to know well during his two years of service.

"Uh, this is Mr. Mark Miller, Sir. We have an important matter to discuss with you immediately." Aileen finally replied, summoning all her courage.

She was not afraid of Mr. William. It was just that she had kept her capacity as Marketing Manager to avoid getting into trouble with the Director. So, in many cases, she usually just gave in rather than make an unnecessary fuss.

But, of course, this time was different. Mr. William's sabotage was a form of crime that had to be dealt with immediately. Therefore, all respect for the man she considered her superior was taken away.

William's eyes narrowed. He glanced at Aileen and Mark several times.

"Wait a moment. I'll be back as soon as the business with this client is done."

"Sir-" Mark was about to follow William into his office.

"Mr. Mark! Respect me as your superior, please! I asked you to wait, didn't I? So stay there!" Mr. William snapped loudly and harshly. Even his eyes glared at Mark as if he wanted to push the man who was taller than him.

So he abandoned his intention and went inside, remembering to close the door very firmly.

Unexpectedly, Mark forced his way in, and Aileen somehow felt she had to follow her lead. Laura tried to stop her, but she was no match for Mark.

The door was pushed open, and they found several customers in the room. They all seemed surprised by the sudden incident.

"I'm sorry, Sir. They forced their way in, and I couldn't prevent them..." Laura stammered.

"Take a picture of them!" Mark ordered Aileen quietly. His voice was masked by Laura's stuttered sentence.

Aileen quickly understood and picked up the cell phone that was in the front pocket of the blazer she was wearing. She tried to take several pictures showing the three clients present with Mr. William.

They were arguing with Mark, who was being mediated by Laura, so no one was paying attention to Aileen.

"Is this a meeting to discuss sabotaging company orders?" Mark boldly expressed his accusations to the whole room.

Naturally, William and his three guests looked stunned. They didn't know how to react.

"And who is that, Mr. William?" One of the slick, bald customers asked the Director, looking at Mark suspiciously.

"Oh, it's okay, Sir. Take it easy. He'll be my business. Let's end this meeting, then. We will continue our discussion at another time and perhaps another place." William angrily calmed his clients, who were fidgeting in their seats.

Then, all three got up and moved. William shook their hands, not caring about Mark, Aileen, or Laura.

"I will report this to the CEO. And I hope you will be vigilant if an inspector comes to your company to investigate Mr. William's sabotage case. And please answer all questions honestly because if you don't. Our CEO will know the right way to stop your entire supply of raw materials from any source!” Mark said threateningly.

Suddenly, William's three customers were wide-eyed and astonished by the words of the clerk, who looked like a lowly employee because of his uniform.

William hastily reassured them, "Um, please just ignore the words of this idiot. He's just a new intern here."

Turning to Mark, William shouted at him angrily,

"Shut up! Get out of here, and don't talk nonsense! Wait until the letter of resignation reaches your desk. Do you hear me?"

Mark snorted. Who cared about being fired from his temporary undercover position?

"Whatever you want, Sir. But the one who is about to be fired is none other than you. The one who sabotaged the central mission! The saboteur of the Headquarter order!" Mark accused, pointing to William's face without hesitation.

William seemed to give Laura a code through his eyes, and she ran out of the room. She didn't know what she was going to do. Aileen didn't care. She wanted to join in the condemnation of William, who had kept the headquarters in the dark about the accomplishments of the marketing department under his leadership. How annoying!

The three clients looked confused about whether to leave or stay in the room.

"Well if you'll excuse us, Mr William. This seems to be an internal matter for your company. Please handle it yourself," said one of the guests.

"And please, whatever it is, we have nothing to do with it," added another.

With that, the three men left the room, leaving William to face Mark with Aileen behind him.

"Oh shit! Who are you, huh? Henchmen of the headquarters, huh? Admit it!" William snapped, slamming his hand down on the desk.

Mark just smiled sarcastically, not wanting to answer anything that would reveal his identity before the appointed time.

"I'm the new intern, Sir. Just like you said," Mark replied simply.

"Tell me, Miss Aileen. Is she a central minion sent to investigate my performance?" William turned to question Aileen in an urgent tone.

"Does it matter, Sir? What's more important to me right now is uncovering a case of corporate sabotage that seems to have been carried out by the Director himself!" Aileen snapped, no longer having the slightest reluctance towards the man in front of her.

William Dawson was now nothing more than a sabotaging scoundrel who had kept her from being promoted when she should have qualified a few months ago. Damn right!

Suddenly, the door burst open again, and four tall, muscular men immediately ambushed Mark and Aileen.

"Stay where you are, or you'll regret it!"