Johnny was a worker at Listoan Chemical Factory. Six years ago, during an "accident," he and so of his colleagues lost parts of their skin.
Yes, their skin. Who knew that the chemical gases produced by heating those materials would quickly erode their skin? The exposed skin turned red, blistered, and then the outer layer peeled off.
The factory's official statent was that errors in their production process led to such severe consequences. This included failing to control the dosage precisely, not following the standard procedures, not wearing full protective gear, and not handling the accident site according to protocols.
The company's explanation seed reasonable, with every point well-docunted. However, so of them, including Johnny, knew that they had followed the factory's requirents exactly. The real issue was a mistake in the factory's laboratory formula, leading to the severe outcos.
They agreed to the company's terms because if they didn't, not only would they receive no compensation, but they would also be sued by the company as the company had lost a significant amount of money, reputation, and workers due to their operational mistakes.
Later, the union's lawyer told them they had a strong chance of winning a lawsuit against the factory. Just as everyone was about to celebrate, the lawyer reminded them that winning would require a long, two to three-year lawsuit and exorbitant legal fees. The amount they might receive in the end wouldn't even cover the lawyer's fees.
Moreover, their condition had worsened. One colleague had severely damaged his trachea and lungs by taking deep breaths during the accident out of panic or for so other reason.
Ultimately, they had to sign an agreent with the help of the union lawyer. They admitted the accident was their fault, and the company, out of humanitarian spirit, provided so compensation.
The money was barely enough for initial dical expenses. Within three months, Johnny was kicked out of the hospital. His wife divorced him, and his children avoided him, calling him a "monster" and fleeing from his desperate hugs.
Now, he lived in a welfare ho, waiting for death and being paraded out to show his misery whenever important visitors ca to highlight the ho's challenges.
Losing so skin ant bacteria could easily proliferate in his body. In the early years, he had so money for treatnts and ointnts, and his resistance was relatively strong. Now, many of his exposed muscles had turned black and developed black circles, indicating severe infections. The doctor told him that without roughly two hundred thousand bucks for dical treatnt, he could die anyti from septicemia or organ failure.
Today was one of the last days he could still see the sun. Lying on a bed in the yard, Johnny gazed up at the sky, which appeared gray and hazy. Inwardly, he sarcastically thanked the company for at least providing them with protective goggles, which allowed his eyes to still see, albeit blurrily.
Soon, he heard the director's scolding, a lot of noise around him, and even exclamations from people. What were they shouting? The mayor? Did the mayor co?
Johnny's eyes flickered briefly, but he soon resigned himself to his fate. Even if the mayor himself ca, it wouldn't change a thing for him. He decided he might as well make the most of the little life he had left, knowing no one would bother to take him out of the room to enjoy a bit of nature normally.
On January 1st of the new year, the entire city of Sabin was shocked by the report "Hell Is Empty, Devils Walk The Earth!"
People had long known about these groups but had always used various ans to ignore them. When soone ripped off their veil of numbness, they finally had to face the bloody reality.
The first to react was the mayor. He specifically chose this morning to visit the welfare ho to see the victims of the accident, cancelling all his other engagents.
Next ca social elites, opportunists, journalists, and onlookers.
The mayor, in front of the public and journalists, expressed his shock, anger, and sadness at these events. The atmosphere was heavy, but they didn't know that Johnny, nearby, was mocking their reactions.
The mayor had known about these issues long before but in a different context. In the past, these people, regardless of their condition, were just part of a number in so reports. Just a small part, not the whole. No matter how their lives were threatened and endangered, their nas wouldn't even appear in that docunt.
Anyone seeing "11 injured" would never imagine that these eleven people weren't just suffering from minor cuts or bruises.
Vibrant lives couldn't lt the coldness of data unless people saw it firsthand.
When Johnny ca to his senses, he only heard the mayor's last words: "Thorough investigation."
After ending his semi-improvised speech, the mayor felt it was enough. He had shown his stance to the people. Honestly, he hadn't planned to handle Neo like this before.
Essentially, such an exposure would not only sha Neo and Listoan Group but also the workers' union, the city hall, and the indifferent society as a whole.
Maybe that was why he hadn't thought of this approach, but Lynch did.
He called Lynch yesterday to ask about this issue, and Lynch's answer surprised him.
He rembered Lynch said over the phone that instead of avoiding these issues, he should acknowledge them. People would appreciate those who had the courage, responsibility, and willingness to change, and they would hate the silent perpetrators more.
Silence cannot hide their cris.
More importantly, this could set Listoan Group as a negative example, and no matter what happened after, people would only be glad and think they deserved it.
So, today's events unfolded. In fact, about seventy percent of the speech that Johnny just missed was the mayor's apology.
He apologized to those mistreated over the years, to society, and he begged for forgiveness. He also insisted on bringing so people to justice.
His speech was a great success. Whether it was the social elites, dia reporters, or onlookers, they all applauded enthusiastically and looked forward to it.
However, what everyone was looking forward to might be different.
Social elites hoped Listoan would follow in EverBright's footsteps and collapse, which would be a rare opportunity for all industries.
Pillar companies in a region would not only bring benefits; from certain angles, their downsides would outweigh their contributions. Because of their dominance in regional finance and economy, they would almost endlessly exploit local resources to grow themselves. All small and dium enterprises under such companies' "care" would be dood to work for others forever. They would have no chance to grow because once they did, they would compete with the pillar company and eventually fail.
Now, this stone pressing down on those businesses was about to be lifted. They had every reason to be happy.
What about others?
Reporters were excited about the big news, which ant significant social reactions, more wealth, and greater personal influence.
Ordinary people simply looked forward to seeing the downfall of the wealthy and powerful, nothing more.
Led actively by Mark, people started the "tradition" of donations. It was as if initiating donations could turn misfortune into luck. At this mont, Johnny beca focused, curious about how much they would donate and how much he could get for his treatnt.
At this point, the mayor also slipped out of view, moving to the edge of the crowd to stand with Lynch.
His assistant handed him a handkerchief to wipe his hands. The assistant had noticed the mayor secretly wiping his palms twice, probably due to emotional reasons causing sweaty palms.
"Why did you decide to join this ga?" the mayor asked curiously. It wasn't convenient to discuss this over the phone yesterday, so he asked now.
Lynch didn't joke or dodge. He had to clarify his position and demands, avoiding conflicts with others' demands, which was crucial for forming a united front.
"I'm interested in the machines in Listoan's factory—sewing machines, cutting machines, steam irons, and so other small things…" Lynch turned to the mayor. "Do you think auctioning these items would be enough to compensate these people for their suffering over the years?"
The mayor's eyelid twitched. He suddenly felt cautious. "What do you intend to do?"Please vote for this novel at /series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link
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