Chapter 171



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On the same day, Hayden’s name was clearly written on the disciplinary notice on the relevant responsible persons. She was suspended from her duties without pay for one month and had to cooperate to accept the internal investigation into the cause of the fire.

The Personnel Department used the notice that came out of the blue in the wee hours of the morning to reject Hayden’s resignation request with the excuse that ‘resignation during suspension of duties is not allowed’.

Hayden had nowhere to vent her anger and could not even go to the company.

Alayna visited her and brought her breakfast.

Stella sat on the hospital bed while she had some oatmeal. Her voice was still a little hoarse.

“Mom, is Noah coming today?”

Hayden lowered his head to blow on the oatmeal so they would cool. Hearing that, he frowned slightly, “Noah’s not feeling well these past two days and he’s hospitalized. He’s not in this hospital, but when he recovers he’ll come to see you.”

“And Dad?”

Under Harrison’s tutelage, Stella had managed to change her way of calling Joseph, now calling him directly Dad.

Hayden, however, snapped his head up sharply and frowned in disgust, “He’s not your daddy, don’t call him that.”

The sudden reprimand had startled Stella. Her eyes instantly turned red, “Mom.”

“Oh, it’s okay, it’s okay.” Alayna came to ease the situation and hugged Stella, “It’s a matter for you to discuss with Joseph, why you take your anger out on a child. Don’t cry, Stella.”

Stella was not originally a person who liked to cry. It was just that she was frightened by the fire and was still feeling uneasy since she woke up in the emergency room. This time, it was because Hayden’s voice was a little loud, but she was scared again.

Seeing her daughter cowering in Alayna’s arms as she sobbed, Hayden was also disgruntled.

“Stella, I’m sorry. Mom didn’t mean to scare you, Mom just…”.

“It’s just that your attention isn’t here.” Alayna helped her finish the words she couldn’t pronounce.

Then she rolled her eyes at Hayden.

“You’re not happy about being bothered by Joseph. There’s something hidden behind the fire business. You suspect you’ve been set up, but Joseph is no fool. He was in the middle of a fit of rage yesterday and after things are clearly investigated, he will no doubt regret it. If you can’t wait, you can go find out for yourself. If you want to help, say something helpful and don’t take sides. Noah is your son, but please don’t forget that Stella is also your daughter.”

All of Hayden’s thoughts had been seen by her. Hayden was slightly embarrassed.

“I know Noah has grown up without you, so you are guilty. You go and do what you need to do, I’ll escort Stella.”

Alayna’s tone was a little impulsive and she sounded like she was a little angry.

Ever since Hayden had learned that Noah was the son that was taken from him, his attention was in fact mostly shifted to Noah. It wasn’t disingenuous to say that she had neglected her daughter. After all, if it wasn’t because he wanted the two children to get along, he wouldn’t have let them stay together at the hotel and the matter of Stella getting caught in the fire wouldn’t have happened.

In the face of Alayna’s fury, Hayden didn’t know how to explain himself. Indeed, he felt guilty, but this time he had to get to the bottom of the cause of the fire. “I will end the matter as soon as possible and resign from the hotel.”

Before leaving, Hayden assured Alayna, “Nothing like this will happen in the future.”

“And Noah?”

“He is my son. I’ll find a way to bring him back.”

Alayna’s face relieved slightly. She lowered her voice and said, “When the time comes, I’ll help you find a lawyer.”

“Thank you.”

Hayden had a lump in his throat. This person who had stood by her side for so many years, despite the obstacles, was her best friend. They had met by chance at first, but who knew they would support each other for so many years.

The hotel temporarily issued an official notice about the fire.

It stated that the staff in the back kitchen had violated the kitchen management rules by smoking in the storeroom and causing the fire. Compensation was also being arranged for customers who had suffered scares and material losses.

There was not much public feedback on the Internet. The Public Relations Department had taken a timely action in which negative news was quickly deleted when it came to light. But, that was only an unofficial statement, the real reason was not clear until now.

“What’s going on, was it really Arnold who smoked in the warehouse, has he admitted it himself?”.

Hayden asked his assistant, Jeff, to come out to talk about the fire.

Jeff was also looking confused, “I’m not sure, this statement has been issued by Manager Duncan and several heads of the Personnel Department and the Public Relations Department after a discussion. Now, Arnold has already taken early retirement and returned to his home in Guangdong Province, so we have no way to ask him. If it wasn’t for his apprentice, Baron, rushing to save him without regard for his own safety, Arnold would have died by now.”

“Baron?”.

“Yes, I’m also thinking of asking him, how come I haven’t seen the man who took Arnold out that day?”.

“Baron was brought by Arnold from his hometown half a month ago, so you haven’t seen him. Somehow he got into our hotel through the back door and is now an apprentice in the back kitchen. His salary is calculated according to the trainee salary and he has not become a permanent worker. But after the incident, seeing that he rescued someone and avoided causing casualties in the company, the Personnel Department made an exception to let him become a permanent worker.”

Hayden nodded. He didn’t ask about Baron again, but asked, “Can you get me the surveillance video from inside the kitchen and the entrance that day?”

Jeff was in a quandary: “The police have taken the evidence and taken the original copy, but they left a copy. It should be on the computer in the security room for use in the internal investigation. It’s a very sensitive period now, won’t the one who goes and asks for it take the initiative to have it pointed at you?”

“You won’t be the one getting shot anyway.” Hayden looked at him, “I will take responsibility if anything happens. If you still treat me like your boss, find a way to get me the surveillance video.”

“Chief, how can you say that, have I ever disobeyed your orders?”. Jeff immediately showed a straight face, “Don’t worry, I am obligated to complete the task and find a way to rectify your name.”

“What do you mean by rectify my name?”. Hayden looked at him suspiciously, “I’m suspended from duty for non-compliance, what do you mean by that?”

“Chief, you still don’t know?”

Jeff’s mouth widened slightly. He hesitated for a moment and confessed truthfully.

“After the accident, people at the hotel say that you deliberately left little Noah behind to let your own daughter inherit the Beckham Family property after she married Mr. Beckham. Besides, everyone says that the reason Mr. Beckham suspended you from your duties is that you know about this affair.”

“Nonsense.” Hayden frowned and said in disgust, “Who’s the one always gossiping? When I get back to work, the first thing I’ll do is rectify the gossip problem. I’ve repeated it so many times, but still can’t change this bad habit?”.

“It’s not real, is it?”. Jeff immediately smiled, “I’ve already said it. These people are too free. Mr. Beckham is so close to you, so how can he do this kind of thing. These people also keep spreading the news that you and Mr. Beckham are over…it’s really ridiculous.”

“Well, that last one is true.”

A cold, ghostly voice sounded in front of Jeff.

Jeff flinched and instantly felt his head clouded by ominous dark clouds.

Were they really finished?

Jeff’s face immediately sank. Apparently, he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Had he just promised his boss he’d get her the video? Wasn’t this… positioning himself on the wrong side and sailing against the wind?

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