Part 6

Just had an insightful conversation with John and reflected on the day's events. He wanted to see Cynthia, the HR head, and requested an employee handbook. Just also asked for access to the intranet portal, which Cynthia said would require a business email ID. Just agreed to check back the next day. Just then went to see Aval, who was unaware of a problem looming. They discussed Just's day at the factory and Aval explained his role in the business. Just was surprised that Aval didn't know all the details. Just processed the information, his mind already formulating a plan for future business endeavors. He thanked John for the insightful conversation, feeling invigorated by the wealth of knowledge he had gained. John patted Just on the back, expressing his pleasure at being able to impart some wisdom. With the drive back to the head office drawing to a close, Just found himself reflecting on the day's events. He was grateful for the opportunity to explore the manufacturing facility and gain insights into the complexities of the production process. As the car pulled into the head office parking lot, and both John and Just entered the office building. John apologized, his tone reflecting his genuine regret. I am sorry, Just. We will have to continue our discussion some other time. I believe Ovil is waiting for you in his office. You should go and see him now. Suggesting this, John hurriedly made his way to his office, leaving Just in the lobby next to the reception area. Just could not see Ovil just yet, there was some more work that he needed to do before concluding his day. With a sense of purpose, Just walked up to Aisha, who looked as amazing as the day before. Hi Aisha, how are you doing today? Just greeted her warmly, his eyes reflecting genuine interest. Aisha, immersed in her work, looked up in surprise at Just's approach. Returning his smile, she couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about his sudden appearance for the second day in a row. Mr. Gray, what a pleasant surprise, she remarked, her tone laced with curiosity. What brings you back to the office today, and can I help you with something? Her mind raced with questions, wondering what could be the reason for his frequent visits, especially considering his association with prominent figures within the company. Just replied calmly, no particular reason, I was out with John to see the production facility. Hey, listen, I am wondering if it is possible to see Cynthia, the HR head. Aisha replied, I know she is in the office today. I can check if she is available. Give me a minute, please. She picked up a phone and dialed a number. Soon, Cynthia answered, and Aisha explained, Hi Cynthia, someone is here to see you. His name is Just Gray. Are you available to see him? Aisha intently listened to Cynthia speak. Okay, I will guide him to your office. Aisha put the phone down and faced Just, saying, she is available to see you now. Just could notice a strange expression on Aisha's face. Maybe it was something that Cynthia said on the phone. Aisha wanted to say something but stopped, instead she simply replied with a big smile on her face, her office room is this way. Please follow me, I will take you to her office. Stepping away from her reception desk, Aisha moved closer to Just, allowing him a clearer view of her attire. Today, she wore a stylish cream shirt paired elegantly with a black skirt. Her choice of attire exuded professionalism and sophistication, perfectly complemented by her sleek black shoes. Just couldn't help but notice the meticulous details that adorned her appearance. Her long, vibrant red nails caught his attention, shimmering under the office lights. The glossy finish of her nails accentuated their rich red hue, creating a striking contrast against her cream-colored shirt and the backdrop of the office environment. Aisha guided Just through the office corridor, she paused at the second to last door and gestured towards it. This is her office. If you need any further assistance, you know where to find me, she said with a warm smile before returning to her reception desk. Taking in Aisha's directions, Just approached the door and gave it a gentle knock. Inside, Cynthia sat at her desk, engrossed in her work, a cup of coffee in hand. The sound of the knock drew her attention away from the computer screen, and she looked up with a welcoming smile. Come in, Cynthia invited, motioning for Just to enter her office. Hi Just, Aisha said you were looking for me. So, how can I help you? Just replied, I wanted to see you before the end of the day. I was at the generator production facility all day with John and Champ. Cynthia nodded her head and spoke, this is great, I hope you are getting good experience. Even I have never been to that facility. Just replied with a yes, and he did learn a lot of different things there, and it was fun meeting all the people who work there. That sounds great. So, what brings you here? Cynthia inquired, eager to assist. With a lot of enthusiasm, Just replied, I was talking to Champ, and he told me that every employee who starts working at the facility gets an employee handbook. He didn't have any copies there in the factory, so he suggested that I should collect one from you. Cynthia was impressed by Just's thorough approach towards researching the business. Despite being only 14 years old, he seemed genuinely interested in delving into every aspect of the company's operations. I have a few copies of the handbook that you're looking for, Cynthia said with a smile. She reached into a drawer in her desk and retrieved a colorful booklet with a glossy finish. Just marveled at the quality of the handbook, recognizing its durability for long-term use. She handed the employee handbook to Just and remarked, it's great that you requested this handbook yourself. As you will be visiting the workplace often, you'll need it. Make sure to go through the entire handbook at least once. Just expressed his gratitude to Cynthia for providing the handbook, appreciating that it was exactly what he needed. But he had another request, one that only Cynthia could fulfill. As he took the handbook from her hands, he politely continued, I was hoping that you could help me with another thing. Cynthia leaned forward with interest, ready to assist. Yes, what else can I help you with? She inquired. Just's mind raced as he contemplated his next request. He knew it was a long shot, as accessing the intranet portal typically required employees to have signed contracts with the company. Despite the slim chances, he decided to give it a try. I was hoping to get access to the intranet portal, where you have all the policies and programs listed, he said calmly. Cynthia felt a surge of nervousness upon hearing Just's request. She understood the implications of what he was asking, but whether she should consider granting his request was a different matter altogether. The internal network of the business has sensitive information which should not be shared with people outside of the organization. Still, she reasoned with herself in her mind, it should be okay as Just is like a family member of OVAL. Oh, the portal, I am not sure if that will be possible at this time. We will have to generate a business email ID for you and then give you access to one of our computers, as the intranet is only accessible from the office Wi-Fi. So, you will only be able to access it when you are in the office, she continued explaining the complexities and giving him access, I would need to put in a request with the IT department to generate a business email ID for you. Due to time constraints and workload on the department, the earliest they will be able to work on this will be tomorrow. I will send them a request right now, you can check back with me tomorrow for more information. Just was happy as there was still time, even if he got the access to the portal next day, he would still be able to gather the necessary information and time. Just nodded understandingly, appreciating the efforts required to grant him access. He thanked Cynthia for her assistance and understanding, promising to check back with her the following day. I would go and see Aval now, he replied. Cynthia replied, don't worry, dear. I am always happy to help. If you need anything else, you are always welcome in my office. With these greetings, Just stood up from his chair and started walking outside. As he left the office, Just noticed it was almost time for the office to close. He should rush to Aval's office, as Just entered Aval's office, he noticed that Aval was on his phone. Aval gestured toward Just to come inside and take a seat while he continued to talk on his phone. While sitting across from the table, Just could not believe that there was a massive problem about to fall upon Aval's laps, for which he was completely unaware. Just was tempted to tell him, but he also did not want him to be troubled before it is actually time. Soon, Just was lost in his daydreams, strategizing plans to save Aval. Once Aval finished his call, he warmly welcomed Just into his office, eager to hear about Just's day at the factory. Just was equally excited to talk about his day, my day was great, the production plant is huge and very well planned. There are so many things that I learned today and there is so much more that I want to learn by going back. I am simply impressed seeing the level of attention to detail and camaraderie between everyone toward the business's success. Aval's face lit up with satisfaction upon hearing Just's words. He thanked Just and replied, I am glad that you liked it. That factory is our pride, and I am lucky to have all these amazing people working together towards a common mutually beneficial goal. Hence, I like to think of it as a team effort. Just, do you know about all the techniques and processes that happen in the production plant? Just asked curiously. Aval, with a slight smile, responded, no, I'm not really knowledgeable about all the techniques and processes that happen in the manufacturing plant. That's why I have John and Champ. They offer their expertise and manage all the operations on their end. My focus is more on innovation and making strategic decisions, especially when it comes to major changes that require funding. Just was perplexed by this revelation. He had assumed that Aval, as the business owner, would know every detail of his own enterprise. Sensing Just's confusion, Aval continued, I don't have to know all the details. My role is to see the business from a bird's eye view, making strategic decisions to achieve our short-term and long-term goals. You, on the other hand, have a special opportunity to learn from the best. Remember, when I started this business, we didn't have all the expertise we do now. We learned as we implemented and experimented with different processes. Just felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward Aval and his own opportunities. He understood that while working on the floor and managing the business shared a common goal, their operational processes and objectives differed. Aval aimed to optimize his multiple ventures, while Champ focused on improving the efficiency and quality of the products in the manufacturing facility. In their respective roles, both men could be considered successful. As the clock chimed five in the evening, Aval rose from his chair, signaling the end of the workday. It's time for us to leave. Come, I'll drop you back home, he said to Just, gesturing for him to follow. The scene shifted to the middle of the bustling city center, where Maya sat at her desk, her eyes fastened to the clock on the wall. She watched as the minutes ticked closer to the end of the workday. She had been immersed in her tasks all day, but now, she couldn't wait any longer in anticipation of checking with Just and all the evidences he had gathered during his visit to the production facility. She felt a surge of excitement and anticipation that washed over her, her mind already running with different ideas and making plans for the day ahead. As soon as the clock hit five, she packed up her belongings to leave. Right when she was about to leave her desk, her phone buzzed with a call from Bella. She smiled and quickly replied, Hi, Bella, I was thinking of calling you right now. But you called me first. Are you free from your work? Bella was at the cafe wearing her uniform and was about to wrap up her work as well. She called Maya as soon as she removed her apron and hung it on a hook at the back office. Bella had also been mulling over Aval's case all day and was eager to get back home and see Just. I have just finished my shift, and I am about to head back home. How about you? Bella inquired. The conversation unfolded, and Bella suggested that Just would be home soon so they both should reach home as well. Maya agreed to Bella's suggestion. Later that evening, Bella unlocked the door to her cozy home. Right behind her a sound of the doorbell rang and filled the home. A wide smile spread across her face as she knew it would be Maya. She swung open the door and indeed it was her. She looked tired, but her excitement and energy radiated outwards. Hey, Bella. It's so good to see you, Maya exclaimed, as she stepped inside and gave Bella a warm hug. Bella returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. You too, Maya. I've been looking forward to our chat all day. Both made their way to the living room, settling onto the comfortable couches as they caught up on each other's lives and soon delved into more serious matters regarding the case. I've been thinking a lot about the evidence we've gathered so far, Bella began, putting one hand on her mouth as if she was thinking. It seems like the evidence that we have right now will not be enough to help Oville. There must be something more that we could do. We need someone's help who works in the office. Maya nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. I feel the same way. In order to dig deeper we will need someone who can help us from inside the business. Just alone cannot gather all the evidences without raising suspicion. I have already tried all my contacts and links but, no luck so far. Maya's expressions turned dry. I am sure we will find something if we keep trying, Maya continued, trying to encourage Bella, simultaneously encouraging herself. They spent the next several minutes brainstorming ideas, pouring over documents, and discussing potential strategies. Till then, the only reliable source of their information was the reports in the brown file given by Samuel. Although Maya did investigate on her own, but reached the same conclusion that Oville was guilty. However, this was not the favorable outcome they wanted. Meanwhile, just fell into step beside Oville as they made their way through the office toward the parking lot. As they walked, just couldn't resist the opportunity to ask Oville about the wire manufacturing business. John told me that you approved the wire manufacturing business idea. What made you think that was a good idea? He inquired. Oville nodded thoughtfully, recalling the decision-making process. Yes, I did approve the idea, but it was John's brainchild, he explained. He conducted an extensive market research and presented his findings to me. I was impressed by the potential he saw and believed it would be a valuable opportunity for us to pursue. Just curiosity peaked further as he probed, what was in that report? I want to understand what factors I should focus on when faced with decisions like these. Understanding the earnestness behind just questions, Oville embarked on an explanation. There's no set criteria for justifying a decision, he began sagely. At best, we can only make educated guesses based on the data we have at hand. There's no guarantee whether an idea is good or bad until we put it into practice. As an entrepreneur, you should always remember that making a decision is hard, but not making one is even worse. Reflecting on the wire making business proposal, Oville continued, when John presented this idea to me, it was just that, an idea. He hadn't fully fleshed it out. He mentioned the potential benefits of reducing wire costs in generator manufacturing and the scarcity of businesses in that niche. However, accepting the proposal required solid market research. We needed details such as market size, a comprehensive market overview, customer purchasing behavior, expected growth rates, and, most importantly, when we would break even with our investment and start turning a profit. Oville continued, seeing his report, I could see the potential in his idea. His report suggested there was a growing market and demand for wire in both corporate and consumer markets. Furthermore, a promise of relatively short time to break even was the icing on the cake. All these factors together made this a great business opportunity that we could tap. Moreover, the reason he gave was compelling. He showed that copper wires alone contributed to 20% of our businesses' expense on raw materials. He advised that based on the Pareto's principle we should strategically reduce this cost. Moreover, we used copper wires a lot, not just in wires but also for winding rotors of our generators. Oville starts to impart wisdom on just, now, as an entrepreneur you should see these opportunities with a balanced approach. In this instance, I recall a section from Brilliant Supply Chain which considers finance as one of the two legs of a business. A business can only walk or stand if its legs are strong. Hence, to understand and analyze a business from a higher perspective, finance is a great tool. Let me give you an example, imagine you have a million dollars at your disposal. How would you invest it to double your wealth? One option is stocks, which indeed offers the potential for high returns, but it's essential to recognize the inherent volatility of the stock market. While an average annual return of 10% is conceivable, it's crucial to understand that actual returns can fluctuate significantly due to market dynamics and individual stock performance. Furthermore, this process can be slow. Oville continued elaborating, another option can be to invest in production equipment. While it's true that such investments can yield substantial returns, the timeline for recouping your investment may differ. Recovering the initial investment in production equipment typically depends on several factors, including market demand, operational efficiency, and the depreciation of assets. These are some of the most important points that a good report discusses and knowledge about finance is critical when developing reports like these. It's not uncommon for the payback period to extend for long periods of time. However, a cost and benefit analysis report can streamline the decision-making process. Although cost and benefit analysis report does not use details from balance sheets or income statement. If you study them, it clearly shows factors like amortization, equity, liabilities, cash flow, etc. All these things are very important for a business, hence form the basis for decision-making. Just was a bit overwhelmed with all this information. There were many questions brewing inside him, but he knew that most of these questions were simply because of his own lack of knowledge. Instead of asking further questions, he simply wrote all the terms in his notebook to research them later. Among all the different questions, there was one question he knew that only Aval could answer. So, he cleared his throat and inquired, what does John get for his idea? Just was curious as he wondered there must be some vested interest of John behind his suggestion and efforts in creating the report. Aval contemplated the question and wondered how he should explain this to him. He thought it was another fantastic opportunity to teach Just about another crucial aspect of business. He started by explaining, well, that is a very good question Just. To answer this question, you should first think why does anyone work for me? Everyone who works for me expects something in return. Now, that something is different for different people. Some want money, some want promotions, some want recognition, and some just want experience and are change agents. Personally, I like the last kind of people, who are change agents. John is an old friend and already holds a big position in my business. Also, because he had been working with me from the start. Aval continued, it was not very tricky to understand what he would want. He left his family business to help me set up my empire. So, I gave him a percentage of the wire manufacturing business's profits. All the investment was mine, but he gets a cut from the profits earned. We call it royalties. Now, making that decision was easy for me because I have personally known John for many years. But how will I decide how to compensate other people working in this business? There are several ways a business can compensate its employees like contributions, year-end bonuses, we can sponsor a family holiday, giving gifts, promoting the person to have more power and responsibilities, etc. You can be as creative as you want, it is an open field. The only important factor here is that the employee must be rewarded for his or her contribution. Furthermore, the employee must know that he is getting favored and recognized. This is important for the employee's morale and promotes further contributions to the business. This is how we promote loyalty towards the business. To summarize his thoughts and explanation, Aval said, as entrepreneurs, we are business-minded, but being the head of an organization requires us to be people-oriented. We must understand their physical and psychological needs. Cynthia is a great asset for the business as she understands this very well. She can guide you in her ways and help you understand human psychology, when you are ready for it. As the car rolled to a stop in front of Aval's house, Just felt a pang of disappointment. He had been thoroughly enjoying his conversation with Aval and didn't want it to end just yet. However, he knew that all good things must come to an end. To his surprise, upon braking, Aval turned off his car and started unbuckling his seatbelt. Just's heart skipped a beat as he watched Aval turn off his car. Are you coming inside? Just was overjoyed seeing this new development. Aval replied, Oh yes, Bella should be home. I haven't seen her in a few days. On the weekend she was busy with her cleanup event and yesterday I had some work. Just nodded and with a big smile on his face commented, Sounds like we're having something good for dinner today. Hinting that Bella would cook something good for dinner, as Aval was coming in. I hope it is spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. My favorite. Aval replied, anticipating the delicious food. Just eagerly followed Aval out of the car, feeling a rush to get inside and see Bella. Doorbell rang and Bella opened the door. Seeing Aval and Just both standing at the door. Oh, hey guys, what a pleasant surprise. Bella's face turned pale seeing Aval standing outside. She had a hint of fear in her voice. Aval noticed her tone and spoke, Are you hiding something? It was actually true. She was hiding something. Bella does not reply, instead simply steps aside to let the two in. Upon entering they saw a female figure sitting on the couch to which both had different reactions. Were Just was excited and jumping to see Maya, Aval had never met her before. Hence, he thought he might be intruding. He waved at Maya with a simple hi and turned to address Bella, I am sorry to have come unannounced. I did not know you had company today. We can catch up later. Stating this he turned around to walk back towards the entrance. Seeing Aval leave, Bella spoke, No no. Come on in. This is my friend Maya and Maya this is Aval. She did not want Aval to leave, as they haven't meet in a few days. On the other hand, he was already inside the house. Maya stood up and walked forward to meet Aval. Of course, who does not know Mr. Aval, award winning business tycoon, also known for his versatility in business management style and owning businesses in diverse categories. Your reputation precedes you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Aval thanked Maya and took a seat on the couch. As everyone settled into their seats a thought dawned on Just. He realized that Maya was at home to discuss Aval's case. But they could not discuss the case in front of him. He had no idea about the case yet. There's no other option, we will have to tell him. Otherwise, we cannot discuss the case. He thought in his head. There was a weary silence in the room, everyone waited for the other person to speak first. Just broke the silence and spoke, Aval, there is something that you should know about. Aval's brow furrowed slightly in curiosity and his keen gaze shifted between the other three people sitting next to him. He could sense the tension in the room as all gazes were set on him. What's this about, Just? Aval could not shake the feeling that it was a very intense moment, just started the conversation so he had to tell him now, Aval, this might come out as a shock. But this is coming either way. Someone has filed a case against you for environmental negligence and failure to comply with governmental regulations. Aval reacted with an utter disbelief and shock, what? Is it April 1st today? I like pranks but I don't understand this one. His reaction was understandable but even Maya and Bella reacted to Just's statement. He told him about the case. Maya and Bella called out SOS in their minds, swiftly shifting their gazes among themselves. Even they were shocked hearing Just's comment. Now, everyone's gazes were on Just. He continued, yes, it is true, and Lily filed the case this Sunday. This was the second bomb that fell on Aval. He knew Lily, his expressions turned traumatic. Why would she do that? She did discuss the allegations with me once, however, I assured her that all the allegations were false. Aval paused for a second and continued, how do you all know about this? Maya and Bella understood there was no use hiding anymore. The secret was out. So, they also decided to butt in. Bella spoke first, actually, Lily is Maya's friend and colleague. She was the first one to find out about the case. Maya started speaking, I understand that the step she took was irrational. However, I have seen the case file she was working on, and she had a few evidences against you. I don't think that her intentions were wrong. That is why she filed the case against a total of 10 businesses, not just your business. Maya hid the fact that she was the one originally working on the case. Maya disclosed all the details about the case to prepare Aval for the upcoming challenges. She remained calm while answering Aval's questions and tried to de-escalate the situation. This news will be all over the city once the case opens in court. Aval poured out his frustration and spoke, why should we trust you? Your friend is the one to put me in this mess. Maya knew that Aval was right, but their intentions were never to file an official complaint. It was only for a story in the newspaper. Maya replied, I am only trying to help you, and also because I want to help Justin Bella. They strongly believe in you. So, I am also keeping my mind open. However, you should know that I will be a great asset for your case. It's better to have me in your team rather than playing against you. Aval knew that the news would eventually spread out defaming his business and all the reputation he has earned over the years. Cases like these sometimes drag on from a few weeks to a few months. Aval understood that he should have more allies assisting him at this time rather than enemies. He remembered a statement of his legal advisor. She assured him that he will be safe from any legal matters, and he could rely on her. She constantly monitored the compliance, contracts, certifications, and other legal formalities for the business. Aval calmed his nerves down and replied. I already have a legal advisor who will represent me in the court. I have full confidence in her. I think it will be best if you all work together on this. Moreover, she knows the business from inside out and she will have access to company's records. If you need any other assistance regarding the case, I will make that happen. Aval addresses Maya and asks, Do you think you will be able to add anything in this case? Maya knew that a legal advisor was a great asset for any business. They are hired for specific situations like these. Still, she was very confident in her own skills. Hence, she confidently replied, In my seven years of experience working as a journalist, I have worked on countless cases like these. I have investigated allegations and also proof of innocence. I am one of the few subject matter experts in this region. Your legal advisor may know the business, but I know environmental compliance and requirement guidelines. Aval was convinced that Maya would bring a new perspective to the case and be a great asset, so he decides to trust her. Okay, then I will arrange your meeting with Olivia for tomorrow. It will be better that you explain the situation to her. Bella raises a concern. I am very sorry, I am working at the cafe tomorrow. One of the staff members is on break. So, I will have to cover for her. Don't worry mom, we will take care of everything while you are busy at the cafe. Just replied with a confident tone. We will brief you in on our conversations tomorrow. Bella trusted Justin and Maya to handle the situation effectively. Even if she was not available for the meeting with Olivia, she could rest assured that Justin and Maya would give their best. Maya again took the charge of the situation and consoled Bella, we will still need your help. Maya knew that Bella was free on this coming Saturday and Sunday. I would like you to visit the dumping grounds near Nimua City. That is where all the industrial waste is discarded on the landfill. Some people who live there are witnesses and testifying against Aval for toxic waste disposal. I would like you to talk to everyone in that community and find out how many people are affected. Bella gets excited on hearing her quest. She was wondering if she would be able to help Aval in any way, and Maya's quick thinking and the ability to take charge as yet again proved to be an invaluable skill. She was quickly able to find out what Bella was good at and how to utilize her skills. This sounds great. I am great at talking to people. Moreover, I know almost everyone in that area. We used to live there, before I bought this house. Maya shifted her attention towards Justin asked him to describe the evidences he had gathered, during his visit to the production facility. Listening to Maya call out his name, Justin sat attentively on the couch and elaborated on all the experiences and evidences that he came across. Aval was impressed seeing Justin speak. So, this was your agenda for going to the production facility today? You wanted to gather evidences. Just clarifies, no, it was a coincidence that John took me to the production facility today. I simply hopped onto the opportunity to find evidences that could help you. As the conversation grew, the discussion got pierced by a sharp ring on Maya's cell phone. Maya saw that it was an unknown number and she wondered who it could be. Speculating about the person calling she spoke, I will have to take this. She answered the phone as everyone else continued their discussion. Soon the pen that Maya was clutching slipped out of her hand, catching everyone's attention in the room, creating a weary silence. With the phone stuck to her ear, Maya's expressions changed again. This time it was fear and confusion that could be seen on her face. With an utter disbelief she spoke in a loud voice to interrupt the person on the other side of the line. How can she get arrested? She was not supposed to leave the house. As soon as Maya finished her call, everyone gathered around her and eagerly inquired, what's wrong? Who was on the call? Are you okay? Finding herself in the middle of so many questions, Maya shook out of her shocked state and spoke. Lily has been arrested, her voice trembling with emotions. She has been accused of public indecency, disturbing the peace and inciting violence during a protest outside Mr. Lee Kum's office. Everyone except for Maya believed, Lily must be at fault. Still Bella inquired, but why would she do anything like this? Maya now simply frustrated with Lily's unexpected fits, simply replied, no one knows what she does and why she does it. Her actions are a complete mystery to me. Lily, the very person who had filed the complaint against Ovil, now found herself on the wrong side of the law. The irony of the situation was now lost on them, and everyone exchanged wary glances, each contemplating the implications of Lily's arrest. Maya somewhere still wanted to help Lily and to unfold the mysteries behind her actions. She thought in her head, I told her to stay inside the house. Why would she pull off a stunt like this? Bella spoke out of curiosity, since she is the one who filed the case. She must be protesting because she thinks Mr. Lee is the biggest culprit. Maya disagreed with the statement, Mr. Lee is not involved in this case. He is not one of the 10 businesses accused of environmental negligence. Suddenly a new revelation hit Maya, maybe she found another breakthrough evidence related to this case. This was the only case she was working on when I last checked with her. Another breakthrough. The case suddenly got a lot more complex and shrouded in mystery. Lily was the only key to deciphering the case now. Ovil spoke up, there seems to be more to this case than what meets the eye. She must know something that we don't. Can you elaborate on how she was arrested? Maya proceeded to explain the circumstances surrounding Lily's arrest, recounting the events that had unfolded outside Mr. Lee Kumpf's office. She recalled that Lily had volunteers with her when she was arrested. This meant that she was there only for a peaceful protest. Something is not right. Something happened outside Mr. Lee's office. I need to talk to her. But it was not possible to get in touch with her. Since she was under arrest, all her possessions would be confiscated, and she would not have access to her phone. Bella inquired, who told you that she was arrested? Maya quickly replied, it was my boss, Samuel. If the information came from Samuel, this meant the information was true. Ovil finally stepped forward, I will try to make some calls and see if we can talk to her on the phone. Saying this Ovil stepped aside from the group and started dialing. Soon he came back with a dull face, it is not possible to talk to her. She was getting very violent. Hence, she has been quarantined at this time. Earliest we can see her is tomorrow. Maya could not shake the feeling that Lily got herself into something big. It was not a common practice to get quarantined at a precinct. I will go and see her tomorrow. Maya replied with a sense of determination to uncover the truth. Just chimed in, looks like it will be only me and Ovil who will see Olivia tomorrow. Ovil spoke right behind just, it will be only you. I have some important work to attend tomorrow. Moreover, I haven't been summoned yet. So, we have time to work on this problem. I think that you are the best person to loop her on his case, after all you know more about this case than me. Bella, her mind racing with questions, spoke with a hesitant voice. What does this mean for us? She asked, her tone laced with uncertainty. Ovil, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation, took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. It's hard to say, he admitted, his voice tinged with concern. But there is a possibility that Lily's arrest could be linked to her case against the Ten Businesses. We should try to get in contact with her. Maya, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern, spoke up, her voice resolute. I will get to the bottom of this. She asserted, her mind already racing with plans of action. Just seeing this drama unfold in front of him, was simply brewing inside with a mixture of feelings and emotions. He wanted to help with everything. However, he also knew that his contribution in this case is to talk to Olivia and get her on board this case. Ovil was filled with gratitude seeing everyone's trust in him. Thank you, guys. I really appreciate everyone's help with this case. Especially, thank you for believing in me. Everyone nodded in agreement, and Bella replied, of course we trust you silly. We are family. Now, who's hungry? Saying this Bella stood up with an intention to cook for everyone. Maya soon followed leaving Justin Ovil to chat. The evening came to a close with shared moments of laughter and planning for the next day. Eventually, Ovil left for his house and Maya stayed with Justin Bella for the night. The next morning sun cast a warm glow over the city as Maya set out to meet with Lily, her mind racing with questions and possibilities. Just left for the head office to see Olivia and Bella left the house to attend to her shift at the cafe. Taking each step forward filled their hearts with resolutions to make a difference. Maya soon reached the precinct and inquired about Lily. She was requested to wait while the front desk employee made a call to check on the status of Lily. In a short time a tall muscular man, wearing a police uniform walked out from the back office. The name plate on his chest showed his name as Miles. Officer Miles walked closer to Maya and informed her, hi miss. I am told that you are here to see Lily. Is that right? Maya nodded in agreement, yes officer. She was arrested yesterday for protesting. Officer Miles, what is your relationship with her? Maya was shocked that officer was asking personal questions from her. However, she did not have any other option but to answer. After all this was the only way to see Lily. Maya replied, we are friends. She is also my colleague. We work for the same newspaper. Officer Miles shook his head in understanding, okay miss. I believe no one told you about Lily from your office. Maya's heart started racing. She anticipated that another twist was about to fell upon her lap just now. No, officer. I was informed about her arrest yesterday. So, I came in today to see her. I did not get in touch with anyone from the office yet. Officer Miles with a convincing tone spoke, Lily was bailed out this morning. She is no longer here. Listening to this the floor beneath her feet rolled. This was completely absurd. Who could have bailed her out so soon? Maya thought in her head. She thanked the officer and tried to gather additional information about Lily. Can you please tell me who bailed her out? Officer replied, I am sorry miss. As you are not a close relative, we cannot disclose any information. I hope you understand, we must follow the protocol. With no more leads leading to Lily, Maya was completely clueless about her whereabouts. Still in hopes of finding her, Maya stepped out of the precinct and started relentlessly calling all of her colleagues and friends. Meanwhile, Alva anxiously waited to hear from Maya. Why was Lily arrested was a mystery that could shed some light on a lot of different answers they have been searching. No one in Maya's circle of friends or colleagues had heard about Lily. It was indeed a peculiar situation. Without wasting any time she called Alva, Lily is missing. Someone bailed her out this morning, before I could reach the precinct. Alva stood up from his seat shocked. What? It is only 9.30 now. How can she be bailed out before 9? This was indeed a shocking revelation. As Alva and Maya were talking on the phone just walks into his office. Seeing just Alva replied to Maya, okay, please try to find her. Let me know when you get a hold of her, Maya agreed and cut the call. Just could sense the tension hanging in the air. He could feel that something was wrong. Hence, he inquired, is everything all right? Everything was not all right, but Alva tried to downplay the situation as he explained it to Just. Maya is trying to get in touch with Lily, but it might take some time. You should not worry, are you ready to meet our legal advisor? Just jumped with excitement, yes, I am ready. Alva navigated Just to an adjoining office room just across the narrow hallway. It was so close that Just wondered, how come he never noticed this door? On the door it said, Olivia Martis, legal advisor. Upon entering the office room, the space seemed small and lacked any visual appeal. Moreover, there were no windows in the room making it feel claustrophobic. Olivia noticed Alva and Just and quickly stood up to greet them inside. Hi Alva, good morning. Alva returned the greetings and then introduced Just. This is Just, the one I told you about. I will have to take a leave as I have a meeting with one of our investors. It is starting soon. I will catch up with you two later. Alva turned to Just and said, she does not know anything about the case yet. So, it is up to you to get her up and running. I trust you Just. Saying this Alva left the office in a hurry. Olivia greeted Just and invited him to take a seat opposite her. Hi Just, I have heard so much about you. Especially from Cynthia. Just blushed a little and replied, I hope you have heard only the good things. Oh, yes. All good things. Anyways, so you are here to discuss the case right? Olivia tried to converge the conversation as she was also curious to learn more about the case. Just replied, yes, we need your help with Alva's case. He told me that you will represent him in the court. So, there are some details about the case, that you should know. Olivia intrigued with Just's statement, pulled forward and sat attentively to listen. As you already know, someone has filed a case against Alva for environmental negligence and failure to comply with government regulations. My friend Maya did some investigation on the case and discovered some shocking evidences. Olivia, Alva briefed me about the case, but he did not tell me about Maya. Can you please elaborate? Just shared all the details about the case, including the allegations, evidences and witnesses. He also shared the data collected by Maya. After shedding some light on the case, Just curiously asked, what do you think? How will you approach this case? Olivia thought for a brief moment and replied, well, the investigation starts with an assessment of the case. First, I would need to see all the related documents. Then comes the part where I would do my complete research about relevant laws, statutes, regulations and case precedents that apply to this case. Only after the initial phase of the investigation would I be able to develop a strategy around defending Alva. The first day of the court would involve the opening statement where the defendant, that is us, would request to dismiss the case based on our own evidences. On the other side, the accuser's lawyer would try to get the case accepted for further discussions. While Olivia was explaining how she would approach the case, something clicked in her. Just, you said that Maya wanted to check contracts and financial statements for some suppliers, right? Just replied, yes, she told me that while she was investigating the case. She stumbled upon some roadblocks. She did not have access to the company's database. She wanted to investigate two suppliers in specific. Just, I understand if you don't agree with me, but I have a reasonable suspicion on Maya. She has more information about the case than she is telling us. Narrowing down the investigation with such accuracy means that she must have access to the case files submitted in court. Olivia raised a concern. Just strongly opposed this suggestion. Maya was helping them and in Just's mind, there was no reason to suspect Maya. It might be a coincidence that she was investigating these specific suppliers. Olivia continued, I understand how you feel. However, I would still like to verify my suspicion on her. Is she coming to the office today? Just replied, I am not sure if she is coming. She had gone to see Lily today. Olivia asked, Lily, do you mean the girl who filed this case? Just replied, yes, but it is not how it looks. Lily was arrested yesterday for protesting outside Mr. Lee's office. Hence, she got quarantined at the precinct. Maya decided to see her only to investigate and help Ovil. Olivia's suspicion grew even more. Now, she desperately wanted to meet Maya. Their conversation continued until it was about lunchtime and someone knocked on the door. Olivia said, come in. Ovil entered the office with a wide smile on his face. Hey guys, what's going on? Any progress? Olivia replied, I am up to date on the case. However, there is nothing we can do until we get a copy of the case file submitted in court. It will only be available once the court sends you the summons. However, we have been working on checking the company policies and trying to gather evidences about compliance with regulations. We also have third party audit reports and certificates issued by the government that support our case. Looks like you got this. Case solved. Ovil remarked comically trying to lighten the mood of the office room. Olivia replied, not quite. We will need a lot more to defend you in court. Hence, we will wait for the court to tell us what records are submitted to the court and what witnesses they will use against us. Looks like you two are not in the mood for a joke. How about this one? Ovil began with a grin. Why don't scientists trust Adams? Olivia and Just exchanged curious glances before Olivia responded, I don't know, why? Ovil chuckled before delivering the punchline, because they make up everything. Just was the first one to start laughing, oh, you mean make up everything, and eventually Olivia also started laughing behind him. Ovil was in a good mood. Just speculated Ovil's meeting with the investors went well. He wondered if he would ever get a chance to go along with Ovil in one of these meetings. Soon he was thrown out of his daydreams when Ovil said, what would you two have for lunch? Olivia, I hope you did not bring your lunch today. I am in the mood for some sushi. Just got excited and Olivia nodded in agreement. They all stepped out for lunch while walking to the car. Just inquired from Ovil about Maya. Have you heard from Maya? Is she coming to the office today? Ovil replied, I had a conversation with her right before I entered the office. Maya is not coming to the office today. She said she is going to a local library to research some older cases and business disputes. She will meet us at home in the evening. Just nodded to Ovil's statement and finally, they all headed out for lunch. As the day was about to end, Olivia and Just got ready to leave for home with Ovil. Olivia's only reason for visit was to meet Maya. Once home, they were greeted by Bella. Maya was already inside as she sat on the couch. Olivia, this is Bella, and this is Maya. Ovil introduced the ladies with a wide smile on his face. Soon everyone occupied a space on the couch. Bella served the freshly brewed coffee to everyone. The conversations grew, and eventually, Olivia leaned forward with a fixed gaze set on Maya. She wanted to clarify her suspicions about Maya, so, Maya, I heard that you have been investigating the case on your own for a few days now. I wonder how you narrowed down the details of this case so accurately? Her tone was gentle and non-probing. Maya hesitated, her eyes darting nervously around the room as if searching for an escape route. Um, well, you see, it's a bit complicated, she began, her voice trailing off uncertainly. Olivia's suspicions cemented seeing Maya flinch like this, slave to her curiosity. She inquired again. I have a reasonable suspicion that you had access to the case file submitted to the court. She pressed, her tone firm but not accusatory. Maya sank into her seat shifting uncomfortably from one side to the other. Her fingers fidgeting tangling among themselves. Maya was cornered and now she would need to explain her side. Okay, I hate to admit it, but I have been working on this case from last three weeks, she admitted reluctantly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Everyone in the room was shocked by this revelation. Maya continued, I am sorry, I hid this fact. But I had specific instructions from my boss Samuel. He advised that the people involved in this case were very dangerous. So, I should lay low and pretend that I was not working on this case. Ovil chimed in, what do you mean by dangerous people? Maya described, some of the businesses under suspicion of environmental negligence have powerful connections with politicians and the underworld. Samuel told me once that the heads of these businesses have often been involved in killings and missing person cases. They always come out unscathed. Maya continued, this was the reason that I was pulled out of the case. I hope everyone understands. Olivia's eyes widened in surprise at Maya's revelation. She was both relieved and confident in Maya's decision. She knew that while Maya was asked not to work on this case, she still worked tirelessly to help Ovil. In this moment, she could feel how powerful she was in her resolve. A true journalist, fearless. Eventually she spoke, so you've been involved in this case from the beginning. This is a good thing and works in our favor. It is time that you tell us about all the details relevant to this case, what evidences are in that file, and what proofs did you acquire to prove Ovil guilty? Maya relayed all the details about evidences against Ovil's business from photographs to air and water quality test reports. I verified all these records from the source and they are all correct. The only way for them to be false is if there is a bigger collusion than we all are anticipating. The reports were conducted by big, reputed organizations. Ovil replied, a fact about organizations is that they all need monetary funds to operate. I suspect that we should start investigating from the beginning. Olivia takes the charge and advises everyone to share their research results to understand their current strategy for tackling the situation. What information have you all gathered so far? Just started, I visited the generator manufacturing plant. There I discovered the use of sustainability initiatives implemented by Ovil. I have photographs of installed and working, renewable sources of energy like windmill and solar panels. Here is the list of evidences that I gathered, most of them are process related. Moreover, Ovil is funding an initiative with the help of his design and engineering team to build new generation of generator that will achieve 70% efficiency. Ovil, I don't think that discussing the new generator will be a good idea. It is only in the conceptual stage. Moreover, disclosing this project means discussing our intellectual property. Other players will also start working on this concept. Bella objects, I think it will be fine. You are investing in projects that will eventually be more environmentally friendly. It will be a good example to show your commitment to environmental sustainability. Ovil nodded in agreement, I think you are right. But, I think that we should abstain from disclosing too much information on the new generator. Maya started speaking, I investigated a few different things. I have studied the laws imposed by the city and state. Although I am not sure if we comply with them or not because I don't have access to the company's data. Further, I conducted a toxicity test around the dumping ground and discovered traces of toxic waste. However, no one can really prove if it came from Ovil's business. I believe it is a wild guess that Ovil could be involved. After all, the dumping ground is used by almost everyone living in the proximity of that area. But somehow, there are some witnesses who saw Ovil's company truck dumping the toxic waste. The legitimacy and intentions for their testification are still unknown. Just jumped into the conversation, I discovered that there are no chemicals or toxic elements used in the manufacturing of generators. The only part that was toxic, was the painting. But due to the adoption of new powder coating technique two years back. The only toxic component in the manufacturing process was also eliminated. Now, the waste produced by the painting process is mineral based, which is safe to dispose off. Maya, moreover, the names of the people listed in the witness list do not have any affiliation with the dumping facilities. I tried to find the witnesses but no luck there. Bella, buds in, I think that is why Maya asked me to investigate around that part of the city. My goal is to talk to people who live there and check if they have noticed any habitat destruction, migration of animals, or dead animals due to toxic waste. Further, I will also try to find the witnesses who are testifying against Ovil. I will start my investigation from Saturday when I am off from my work. Finally, Ovil chimed in, I guess, I will check on the progress of the new generator then. We have a meeting with Ethan tomorrow. Will you like to attending that meeting, Just? Just, of course. I couldn't miss it for anything. Listening to everyone speak, Olivia puts one of her hands on her face and folds the other in front of her chest before she started speaking. Maya, can you see me in the office tomorrow? I think we should delve into the documentations together. Just, you can have fun tomorrow and enjoy your meeting with Ethan. Same for you, boss. Bella, I will wait for your results. Meanwhile, if you get any more ideas, please let me know. Everyone nodded in agreement, and eventually after long discussions and a heartwarming dinner, everyone leaves for their respective homes. The next day was a gloomy morning. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the sun could not be seen anywhere. Everyone prepared for their day ahead. Bella looked outside and commented on the weather, looks like it will be a chilly morning. She could not shake the feeling that it was an ominous, cloudy day. Such a gloomy and sad day. I wish it clears up soon. She had no idea that her premonition about the day was correct. A few kilometers from her house, Oval left his room preparing his morning breakfast. Scrambled eggs and coffee. He stepped outside to grab his newspaper and check his mail. With the newspaper, he found a plain, ordinary-looking letter with no special markings or details other than his name and address. Without thinking too much about it, Oval took it inside to read. Inside he opened the letter as he took sips from his coffee. His hands trembled as soon as the letter was opened. It had an official letterhead of a district court and formal legal language written to invite him for the first day of hearing at court on the next Monday. As he read through the letter, he could see all the details like his information, the case details, and also what would happen if he failed to acknowledge the summons. The weight of the words sank in, sending a shiver down his spine. In this troubled time, Oval searched for his four pillars of support, Bella, Just, Maya, and Olivia. Somewhere in his heart, he knew that he would be okay, but seeing the summons in front of his eyes was unnerving. Naturally, with all this turmoil in his head, he got a bit late to leave his house. By the time he reached the office, Olivia was already delving into the details of the case based on the general guidelines provided by Maya. Seeing Oval, Olivia greeted him. Good morning. She could see that Oval was down and did not exude as much energy as he usually did. Before she could ask him anything, there was a knock on the door. It was Aisha. Good morning, Olivia and Oval. Someone is here to see you. Maya was standing right behind Aisha. Seeing Maya, both got rejoiced and quickly invited her in. Maya, we have been expecting you. Please come on in. Olivia spoke. Maya entered and spoke directly to Oval. Are you okay? You did not see me outside. I was standing in the reception area when you walked right past me. Oval was completely lost in his mind, fighting his thoughts. Oh, I am extremely sorry, I did not notice you there. I was lost in my own thoughts. Olivia knew that it was very uncommon for Oval to be lost in his own thoughts. Intrigued, she asked, is everything okay? You seem tense today. Oval replied, actually, I got the summons for the court today. Although, I knew it was coming, still it is unnerving to see it actually appear and in my hands. As he was speaking, he slipped his hand into the top internal pocket of his jacket and pulled out a white envelope. Olivia and Maya exchanged worried glances as they observed Oval's reaction, their minds already racing with thoughts of the impending court date and the challenges it would bring. They knew that the next few days would be crucial in preparing their defense and gathering evidence to support Oval's case. Olivia approached Oval, her expression sympathetic as she placed a reassuring hand on Oval's shoulder. We'll get through this, she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. Oval forced a tight-lipped smile, grateful for Olivia's words of encouragement. I know, he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty. The weight of the impending trial hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over their plans for the coming days. With a deep breath, Oval tucked the summons into his pocket and squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Finally, just entered the office and greeted everyone. Hi, everyone. Oval, I did not find you in your room. So, I thought you might be here. Are you ready for the meeting with Ethan? The meeting is about to start. Just noticed some tension in the room and further inquired, everything okay? Maya replied, Oval got the summons today. Although everyone was expecting the summons, still it was like a heavy burden on their hearts. Just nodded his head and understanding the reason for tension in the room. He remarked, it is okay, we have been preparing for this. It is important that we stick to the plan and continue working to gather evidences. Oval nodded and replied, you are right, just. I am ready for the meeting. Let's go and face our battles. Olivia chimed in, I will try to get in contact with the court to access the case files now. Maya and I will start analyzing the company records. With these words, everyone takes off to their respective duties and plans to meet back at Just's house and regroup with Bella. A few days pass, and it was finally the day of the trial. The courtroom buzzed with anticipation as Oval, Olivia, Maya, and the rest of the legal team took their seats. Their collective focus honed on the task at hand. The tension in the air was palpable. Each member of the team acutely aware of the stakes involved. Olivia shared a reassuring smile with Oval, her eyes silently conveying her unwavering belief in his innocence and her determination to secure his acquittal. Oval returned the gesture with a grateful nod, his confidence bolstered by Olivia's unwavering support. She took her place at the prosecution's table, her expression steely as she prepared to present the opening statements to defend Oval and his business. Her gaze flickered across the room, pausing briefly on Maya, Bella, and then Just. A tense look could be seen on everyone's face. Their eyes settled on Olivia and then the judge as he entered the courtroom. His presence commanded attention as he took his seat at the front of the courtroom. His robes billowed behind him like the wings of a great bird of justice, lending an air of solemnity to the proceedings. In the grandeur of the courtroom, a hush fell over the crowd as the judge, a figure of stern authority and wisdom, gave a solemn nod. This was the unspoken signal that marked the commencement of the hearing. The prosecutor, a man known for his razor-sharp intellect and persuasive eloquence, took center stage. He began his opening statement, unveiling a series of compelling evidences and reports that painted a grim picture of environmental damage and the displacement of innocent animal habitats. As he concluded his statement, the tension in the room was palpable, a silent testament to the gravity of the case at hand. The judge, having listened attentively to the arguments from both sides, acknowledged that the prosecution had presented a valid case. He decided that they must be given a chance to put forward more evidence, which would ultimately result in penalties and punishments based on individual business footprints. The judge spoke with a voice that echoed through the courtroom, as the case involves ten different businesses and everyone has their own legal representatives, this makes the case complex to judge. Hence, the court will split the case for each defendant where each will be given separate time to present their case. The judge continued, the next court proceeding will begin starting next week Monday. Further, every alternate day will be allocated for this case. The first hearing will be conducted for Mr. Ovil Winson on Monday, judge continued to allocate dates for the rest of the defendants. Further he requested, the court requests everyone to submit their case reports and any other details related to the case within this one week. Saying this, the judge picked up his wooden hammer and tapped it on his desk to conclude the hearing, Olivia walked back to the gallery where everyone was sitting. Before anyone else could say anything, Olivia explained, this was expected that the case would be registered for trials. Don't worry, we still got this. Our battle has postponed to another week giving us more time to prepare. Acceptance did not come easy for everyone, especially Bella, who was breaking down into tears. Still, nothing could be done. Ovil just comforted her and took her outside. Reaching back home, everyone settled on the couch at Judge's house, while discussing what documents to submit and sharing strategies about how to represent Ovil. Somehow, Maya was still concerned. Her journalistic instincts were shouting that still some crucial information missing about the case was missing. But she could not point to the problem. She still felt that the prosecutor had an upper hand. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a text message from an unknown source. Maya opened the text message and her eyes gouged with shock seeing the contents of the text message. Her shock reverberated in the room as she jumped up and shouted, Lily, seeing the text message. Everyone immediately surrounded her, inquiring, Maya, Maya, Maya. What is going on? She did not respond as she was immersed in the text message. Finally, she snapped back out of her phone and looked around. It is Lily. I don't believe that she is texting me. Moreover, she has some important information about Ovil's case. She has sent me some coordinates and advised that the information is in a pen drive hidden inside a wooden box. Bella quickly responded, but she has been missing for so many days. Now, you have been searching for her for the last five days. Why would she come out now and that too with the details about the case? Just remarked, I don't trust this. I think it could be a trap. Maya shrugged off all concerning remarks and replied, I think this is legitimate. She has sent me another message where she has described the details about how she was pulled out of jail by Samuel. She has asked me to rest assured as she is under his protection. There is no doubt in my mind that it is her. Moreover, she was arrested outside Mr. Li's office. I have a feeling that he is connected to this case somehow. I think she knows something that none of us know yet. I am willing to take this risk. Ovil said, I think you should not go alone. I will come with you. Just also showed interest in going. But, Ovil stopped him, everyone else should stay at home. We will be back soon. Ovil and Maya quickly made their way to the car and started driving. The coordinates took them outside of the city. Looks like the coordinates are for this abandoned warehouse. Maya spoke, checking her phone. Ovil moved inside the abandoned property and parked his car facing the building. I will leave the car running with its lights on. There are no lights here. So, we can use the car's lights to see our way in. Maya agreed, and they both stepped out of the car. Upon entering the warehouse, they had to pull out their phone lights as the warehouse was still dark and the car lights did not reach inside. Maya expected to see Lily there. However, there was no sign of her. They both started searching for the wooden box. The warehouse seemed abandoned for a very long time. The wooden pallets inside were rotting, and the warehouse was full of junk and garbage. It seemed like finding a needle in a haystack, impossible to find in all the random clutter. Still, they pressed on. Maya checked inside an office room and saw a wooden box placed on the shelf. The box looked equally old as all other items in the warehouse. But where everything was disorganized and toppled over, only this box was placed upright in the right orientation. Navigating her way through all the garbage, Maya made her way to the shelf and opened the box. Indeed, there was a pen drive inside. She quickly picked up the pen drive and leapt outside to see Ovil, who was still trying to search for the box. I found it. Maya raised her hand and showed Ovil the pen drive that she had just found. This is great. You made a good call taking the risk to come here. Come on, let's get out of here. Maya and Ovil reached the exit door and were about to open the door when Ovil stopped Maya. From the window he saw some cars entering into the warehouse parking lot and blocking his car's exit. Some dark shadows emerged from the cars. Because of the lights directly facing the warehouse, they were not able to identify anyone. Sensing the risk, Ovil instructed Maya to stop and not go outside. Maya, looks like we have company. Let's wait here and see what they want. Soon, approximately 20 men gathered outside of the warehouse and simply waited without making any moves. Maya said, looks like they are waiting for us to come out. Ovil said, we don't have any other option. My car is there, and this is the only way to go out. Give me the pen drive. Maya handed him the pen drive, and they both exited the warehouse, putting their hands in front of their face to shield their eyes from the bright lights falling on them. Soon, they got surrounded by men all wearing black long coats and hats. They had bats and other weapons in their hands. Seeing this, Ovil raised both of his hands and gestured to surrender, intending not to fight. Maya soon followed Ovil by raising both of her hands. A person wearing a similar black dress emerged from behind, addressing Ovil, Mr. Ovil Winson, it is a pleasure to meet you. This was a menacing voice, the person had an aura of a killer. He continued, we did not expect to find you here. The situation turned out to be even better than I imagined. Who thought we would find a golden goose in this ruins? His face was not visible as all the light sources were behind him, the pleasure is all mine. So, what's the reason behind this pleasant coincidence? Ovil said mockingly, being sarcastic. Seeing this, the people surrounding Maya and Ovil pushed them down on their knees. They kept their hands above their heads, still gesturing surrender. After all, there was no other way for them to escape this situation. The head of the gang spoke again, I believe that you have something that belongs to me. It will be better for you to hand it over peacefully, otherwise I have other methods which will not be as peaceful. Ovil tried to play dumb and stall for time. This got the boss to lose his patience. Stalling? For what? No one is coming to save you here. You know better. Now, I have a very low tolerance for waiting. You have six seconds to make a decision before I shoot this girl. As he said this, the gang leader pulled out a gun and shot a bullet on the floor close to Maya. Next time she might not be this lucky. Immediately Ovil reached in his pocket and pulled out the pen drive they found. Without any hesitation, he threw the pen drive towards the gang leader and said, here, this is what you want. Don't hurt any one of us. Please. A sinister laughter could be heard filling the area. The gang leader simply smiled and walked back to sit inside one of the cars as he tossed the pen drive in his hand. Slowly, everyone receded to the cars, leaving Ovil and Maya still kneeling on the ground. Once everyone was gone, they both stood up and made their way to Ovil's car. They could not believe what happened to them. Ovil said, Maya, are you okay? Maya replied to his concern, yes, I am fine, but now we will never know what was on that pen drive. Ovil smiled and pulled out the pen drive from his shoe. Are you talking about this? Seeing Ovil with the pen drive, Maya was completely lost. How do you still have it? I saw you giving them the pen drive. Ovil replied, yes, I did give them a pen drive. I hope they like the same songs that I do. Otherwise, they will be very mad. Ovil chuckled again and put on a wide smile on his face stretching from one end to the other. So, you gave them a dummy pen drive. Saying this, Maya also started laughing out loud. But their happiness was short-lived. Ovil raised a concern, we have a problem. As we found the pen drive, it is obvious that the one who sent you the message was Lily. But how did these guys know that we would be here? Maya was equally confused, I have no idea. Was it Lily who tipped them? Ovil replied, she is on the run. I don't think it was her. She texted you from a new phone number. The only way they could know this location is if they are tracking your phone. Maya got very scared hearing this, am I a target? Why would anyone track my phone? No one other than you, Bella, Just, and Olivia know that I was working on the case. Indeed, it is a very troubling situation. I don't think that any one of us would collude with them. Ovil replied, I have another theory in mind. What if the phone company itself is tracking you? Their software could track the key words like Lily, case, or evidence. If they did not know about your involvement. They do now. Someone who owns the telecommunication business would have access to this kind of information, Ovil said. Maya continued this story, I use the services from H networks. Does that mean, Mr. Lee Kempf? Ovil said, these are only speculations, and it will be very hard to prove. It is good that we got hold of the pendrive at least. Let's head back. As Ovil pulled out of the parking spot and the headlights of the car fell upon a familiar face that Maya had seen before. It was the same person she saw exiting Samuel's office on the day Lily filed the case. He was sitting in a car that was turned off and simply waiting. She could unmistakably remember his face because of that large scar on his face. As she did not know what to make of this, she kept her mouth closed about that man. Soon Maya and Ovil were back home. Just let the two in and as soon as they entered. They were bombarded with different questions coming from all directions. Ovil calmed everyone down, guys, one at a time. But before we answer anything. Just quickly go and grab your laptop. As instructed, just brought out his laptop. Everyone encircled the laptop as Ovil plugged in the pendrive. He navigated through the interface and opened the contents of the pendrive leaving everyone in a state of shock. This evidence inside the pendrive had the power to turn around the case for everyone involved. No one expected this turn of events. Ovil instructed Olivia, Olivia, it is not safe to hold this evidence with us. Quickly upload these evidences on the district court's web portal. I want this done tonight. The scene shifted to a few days and it was Ovil's second day at the court. Ovil's gang entered the courtroom with a resolution to win the day. Everyone was very proud and confident in their investigation and evidences they gathered. Especially the evidence given by Lily could change the direction of the case completely. The judge entered the courtroom and asked everyone to settle down. With that announcement, the proceedings of the case began. The judge asked the prosecutor to start presenting his case first. With this cue, the lawyer sitting on the opposite end of Olivia stood up and addressed the court. The prosecutor LLB. Rakesh Pandit was no slouch, on the contrary he was a well respected lawyer in the community. Known for his distinctive approach to his cases and presenting style in the courtroom. Rakesh started with his opening statement. Your honor, today I stand before you not just as a prosecutor but as a representative of each and every regular citizen of this city. I want justice for the wrongful deeds that these big businesses have done that not just affect the people of this city but also the animals and the planet as a whole. We share the living space on this earth with other living beings hence we must act responsibly to maintain a healthy living environment for everyone. Your honor, today I stand here to address a grave misconduct on the rights of everyone living in this community and also all the living beings that cannot speak but have experienced the effects of the actions of a mischievous business, that is Winson Group. I understand that this might be a great accusation but I have some proofs and evidences that will portray a picture of the environmental misconduct portraying Winson Group as the evil who should be punished for its evil deeds. With this I would like to present my first evidence that shows that Winson Group has ignored the governmental regulations and failed to meet regulation requirement necessary for their business. Rakesh started with a solid opening statement portraying Ovil's generator manufacturing business as a plaintiff for everyone in an attempts to rally up emotions of distrust towards Ovil. Rakesh turned around to pick up a document placed on the table where he was sitting. Your honor, he began his gaze sweeping across the room. The prosecution asserts that Winson Group has shown a clear lack of environmental initiatives. They have neglected to uphold compliance orders and acquire the necessary permits and licenses for their operations. Dr. Rakesh's voice echoed through the courtroom, commanding attention. Allow me to present to the court a compliance order issued by the local environmental protection agency from two years ago. He presented the document, its contents highlighting violations related to increased air pollution surrounding Winson's generator manufacturing facility. As per this notice, Dr. Rakesh continued, the deadline for implementing improvement measures was the end of last year. However, a recent environmental study conducted by students at Bright Switch University has revealed that air quality has worsened since the notice was issued. He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. Furthermore, he added, our thorough investigation uncovered the use of toxic elements in Winson's production processes. A murmur rippled through the courtroom as Rakesh's words settled over the audience like a heavy fog. Those residing in close proximity to the manufacturing facility exchanged anxious glances, their concerns palpable in the hushed whispers that filled the air. All eyes turned to Olivia, who sat poised at the defense table, ready to counter each accusation with unwavering resolve. Olivia's expression remained composed, her focus unwavering as she prepared to counter each of Rakesh's accusations with meticulously gathered evidence and steadfast resolve. As Olivia rose to address the court, a sense of determination radiated from her. She began by acknowledging the efforts of JUST for conducting a thorough investigation and gathering the evidence required for this part of the argument. With a calm yet resolute voice, she cut through the tension in the room. Your Honor, she began, her gaze steady, I would like to address each of these accusations with evidence that unequivocally demonstrates Winson's unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. With a flourish, Olivia presented a stack of meticulously organized documents. Your Honor, I would like to draw the court's attention to a recent article from Brightswitch University, she began, holding up a magazine cutout. This is the latest edition of their monthly magazine. Here the article highlights a significant error in air quality readings, falsely attributing pollution to areas where no manufacturing plants exist, including the heart of the city. The article also states the reason for the false readings of the defective testing kits sent by the supplier. Furthermore, she continued, I would like to present a short video in the court showcasing the overview of production operations at the Winson generator manufacturing plant. With precision, she cued up the video recently edited by Just, allowing it to play on a television screen in the courtroom. As the video unfolded, showcasing the environmentally conscious practices implemented at the facility, Just felt a swell of pride knowing that his contributions were being recognized in the pursuit of justice for Ovil. As the video came to an end, Olivia began explaining her rationale for presenting it to the court. Your Honor, as you can see from this video, Winson's manufacturing plant has implemented two sources of alternate energy, a windmill and solar panels. Today, we produce 30 to 35% of our energy needs using renewable sources. Now, we do admit the use of diesel for testing generators at the production facility. But, she stops briefly and starts tossing the documents to find a specific document. With purposeful movements, she pulled out another document from her pile and presented it to the court. Your Honor, diesel is a necessity as the products are meant to operate on diesel in the real world. To solve this problem, we purchased one of the best titanium-based catalytic converters on the market to test and install on our products. Here is a purchase order from one of our suppliers. These converters effectively reduce harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons into less harmful substances during the testing process. Now, regarding the issue of toxic substance use and the notice sent to us by EPA, Olivia continued, her tone unwavering. This notice was issued over two years ago, with a deadline for implementation by the beginning of last year. We took prompt and sufficient actions to address the requirements outlined in the notice. I would like to draw the court's attention to a specific portion of the video, where we demonstrate our powder coating method for painting parts. This method was adopted to comply with the EPA's orders. Not only does it produce minimal waste, but the waste generated is mineral-based and safe for disposal, minimizing environmental damage compared to traditional spray painting techniques. Olivia once again delved into the pile of documents and retrieved several papers. Your Honor, please take note of these communications between our company and the local EPA office, she stated, presenting the documents to the court. Here, we've outlined our plans to address the issues raised and provided estimated timelines for implementation. We received a satisfactory response from the office regarding our proposed changes. Additionally, we submitted a third-party audit for compliance with ISO 14001 to further demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship. With a confident demeanor, Olivia prepared for Dr. Rakesh's rebuttal. She knew the prosecution wouldn't concede easily, but she was ready to defend her client's integrity. Your Honor, Dr. Rakesh began, I understand that the issue related to the EPA may have been addressed, but I still have reasonable suspicion regarding the use of toxic elements in the facility. He continued, Miss Olivia, do you recall the recent incident at the production facility? Dr. Rakesh held up a newspaper cutting for the court to see. This highlights an incident where a worker died due to poisoning. Furthermore, the local government has observed a migration of animals around the Winson manufacturing facility, with many animals found dead. This suggests possible water and air contamination, potentially violating the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. With this, Dr. Rakesh was done and let Olivia present her side of the story. Olivia stood up to present her case. This time in her mind she thanked Bella and Maya for their contributions to the case. She starts, Your Honor, I believe that Dr. Rakesh does not read his newspapers right. He found the case where one of our factory workers died but he missed this news. Olivia pulls out another document. It was a newspaper cutting, Your Honor, please note that the migration of local animals has a direct relation to the recent forest fires. The forest in this part of the city was severely damaged which could be the reason for the recent migration of the animals. Now, there is no way of telling what these animals are doing and why they are doing it. But I can certainly address the second accusation of one of our factory workers dying. Olivia pulls out a doctor's report and presents it to the court. Your Honor, I would like to clarify two things. The worker who died, did not die while working at the production facility. He was at his home. Here is the medical history of that worker clearly stating his long history of heart-related issues. Now, the worker did have mild food poisoning but that cannot be linked to water or air poisoning. We have medical records of other workers who work similar shifts. They are all healthy and show no sign of poisoning. Hence no reason to suspect CWA or CAA violations. Moreover, there are no toxic elements used in the manufacturing of the generators. The only part of the production process that had the potential to be toxic was painting. However, after switching to the powder coating techniques we have reduced the toxicity of the painting process to close to zero. Olivia continued, Your Honor, I understand that complying for CWA and CAA are very important. Hence, we have taken the relevant steps to ensure we always comply with these regulations. Again, she reached into the pile of documents and pulled out three documents this time. Here I have the employee handbook that educates every employee on the best practices to handle waste and lists all the steps that are expected of them. The handbook clearly states all the best practices related to sustainability listed proving that all of our staff is well trained and aware of their responsibilities. Further, I have the training records that show our managers and team leads conduct regular health-related training sessions preventing cases of injuries or mishandling on the production floor. Over here on the other side I also have reports from our QA team who routinely check the air quality and testimonies of experts who have visited the facility stating that the working environment at Winson Generator Manufacturing Plant is a safe environment. Olivia passed all the documents to the judge for him to analyze the documents. With this, I would like to pass on the baton to Mr. Rakesh. Rakesh thought it would be an easy to win case. However, Olivia was great, she had conducted a thorough investigation and collected all possible evidences. He felt the pressure of the case increasing. Still intending to win, he stood up again with a new resolve and addressed the court. Your Honor, even if Winson performed regular quality checks, the validity of their tests is questionable at best. Moreover, I would like to call a witness to the court and his testimony will change the direction of this case. Please allow me to call Todd Wesley for direct examination. The judge promptly acknowledged Dr. Rakesh's request and allowed the witness to step up to the witness booth. Rakesh approached the witness. So, Mr. Todd, can you please explain to this court what your name is and your relationship with Winson Production Factory? Todd cleared his throat and spoke, My name is Todd Wesley. I am a former employee of the Winson Production Factory. Rakesh took over the conversation and asked, Is there anything that you would like to tell the court? Yes, Your Honor, Todd replied and continued, I worked with the quality assurance team at the production plant. During the time I worked there, I noticed multiple instances where the generators had very low performance and very high gas pollution. It was a complete batch of the generators that was defective. Instead of reworking on the products, the office staff ignored the test results and passed the generators to be sold in the market. Thank you, Todd, Dr. Rakesh replied, turning to the judge and addressing the court, Your Honor, this is a clear case of negligence in the business. Even after the complaint from the internal QA team members, the products still passed inspection. Here is the report that shows the emission levels of Winson generators when compared to competitors. This report was conducted by a non-profit organization this year. It suggests that on average, Winson's generators produce more carbon dioxide and pollutants in the form of unburnt fuel. With this last statement and evidence, Dr. Rakesh tried to convict Abel for the last time. He knew that there was nothing that Olivia could say to prove Todd wrong. He was their former employee and had access to internal information. Olivia was indeed puzzled seeing this new revelation. She did not have any comeback for the witness who stood in front of the court. Her gaze shifted and met with Abel. It was like he wanted to tell her something. She quickly moved her ear close to him and he murmured something in her ear. It was a quick second of interaction and soon Olivia could be seen back in her spirit. She stood up with the same zeal and confidence. As she stood up this time, Olivia acknowledged everyone's efforts in the case, especially Abel, who had always been eager to adopt and implement changes to protect the environment. She approached the witness booth to counter question Todd. Mr. Todd, it is great to meet you. I believe we have never met before. However, I have a question. I believe that you don't work for Winson Production Factory anymore. Can you please tell the court the reason why you left your job? Todd stumbled for a second, unable to answer. Eventually, he did. My employment was terminated. Olivia, great, can you please explain to the court what was the reason for your termination? Todd, I was terminated because of a reduction in the workforce during the last recession period. Olivia, were you compensated for your termination properly? Todd, I was given three months of salary and the yearly bonus. Olivia, perhaps there is still some resentment lingering in your heart for the business to let you go. Would you like to comment on this? Rakesh objected to this statement and requested the judge to abstain from such questions because of their irrelevance to the case. Olivia persisted, okay, I admit it was just speculation. But perhaps there could be some other reason for Todd to step up today. Olivia turned to Todd in anticipation that he would say something. However, Todd remained silent. Seeing this, she turned to face the judge again and stated, Your Honor, my next evidence will change the direction of this case. I am sure Todd and Rakesh would be shocked seeing my next evidence. The judge gestured to Olivia to proceed. Thank you, Your Honor. So, the evidence that I would like to present to you was submitted to the court last week Monday on the court's online portal. The judge looked through the submitted documents. Meanwhile, Olivia brought out a copy of the report that was submitted. Your Honor, this report is a personal bank statement of a third-party person who is not here but is very much involved with this case. I am talking about Mr. Lee Kumpf. The judge requested clarification, what does he have to do with this case? Olivia, Your Honor, Mr. Lee was the one who bribed Todd to come here and testify against Ovil and Winson Production Factory. The evidence is this, his personal banking details. On the second of this month, a transaction of $200,000 can be noticed, and this transaction ended up straight in Todd's bank account. Moreover, Mr. Lee is a direct competitor of the Winson Generators. There is a clear benefit to Mr. Lee if the reputation of Winson Generators goes down. The market share for his products would increase by damaging the reputation of my client. Rakesh objected again. He said, Your Honor, the defendant is trying to divert the attention of the court. However, judge overruled the objection as he wanted Todd to explain the money that appeared in her bank account. The judge addressed Todd, can you explain the reason you have this amount in your bank account? Todd was speechless. The judge noticed Todd's reluctance. With this, the judge ordered the arrest of Todd for perjury for misleading the court. This statement dragged Mr. Lee into this case. The judge ordered an official complaint to be filed against Mr. Lee, and he would be sent summons to present himself in court. Olivia, thank you, Your Honor. I would still like to address another concern the prosecutor highlighted. The report that he mentioned about pollution is somewhat misleading. Please note that the conversions on that report show emissions in tons. This report suggests the total amount of carbon dioxide released by the generators. Please note that this was not a controlled study where the number of generators was kept the same. Instead, this study shows the total carbon emissions based on the total number of generators sold. We boast an astonishing 67% market share. In that respect, our emissions levels are very controlled and less compared to our competitors. Olivia continued, I would also like to bring another fact to the court's notice. Oval and his team are constantly working to improve the efficiency of their products. Currently, they are working on a new generation of generators which will theoretically achieve a 70% efficiency compared to the current generation of generators which are already very efficient. With this, I would leave the case here to Mr. Rakesh if he has any other compelling evidences against Winson Production Plant. I would be happy to address those concerns. This time Rakesh was completely speechless. His brain was running wild thinking about anything else that he could use to convict Oval. Suddenly, as I caught another paper placed on his desk. Seeing the paper, a sinister grin formed on his face. He know that this time he got Oval. He picked up the paper evidence and presented it to the court. Your honor, I understand that witness had ulterior motives and even I was fooled. The involvement of Mr. Lee is a complete surprise for me as well. However, this does not mean that Winden Group is completely innocent. Here I have another evidence that has the potential to convict Mr. Oval. He moved in front of Oval where he was sitting and directly addressed him. Mr. Oval, do you recognize this email? Is the email slug used by your business employees? Oval replied with a yes, to which Rakesh turned and addressed the judge. Your honor, please note that Mr. Oval has identified the email on this document. I would like to present this document to the court. He handed the document to the judge and continued his accusation. Your honor, in front of you is an email conversation between one of the employees from procurement department of Winson Group and a questionable supplier from Democratic Republic of the Congo. Your honor, this conversation clearly states that Winden Group was negotiating the prices for tantalum and tin from a supplier who was sourcing conflict minerals from a country that is restricted for trade in this country. Further, I have additional evidences that this supplier is not a new supplier for Winson Group. Instead, they have been working together for last six years. Rakesh was not done yet. He turned to Oval and spoke. If you don't mind children working in the mins, why would you case about people who live near the dumping grounds where you dump all of your waste? With the same sinister grin, he looked at Olivia and returned to his seat, letting Olivia defend his evidence. Olivia was completely calm and did not even object to the direct attack on Oval by Rakesh as she could see something in Rakesh's eyes. She started addressing the court with, your honor, I understand the frustration that Mr. Rakesh is feeling at this time. None of his criticisms have worked so far. Now he is through accusation around that does not even link together. Supplier and dumpling are completely different topics. However, I will address both of them. Olivia shared an innocent smile with Rakesh and stated searching her pile of documents which was left with only a few more documents. As she had already handed the rest to the judge. She turned and spoke, your honor, talking about something and doing soothing are two completely different topics. I would like to present two more documents to the court that portray an accurate picture of where we source out raw materials. She paused and yet the judge analyzed the document before she began to speak again. As you can see, the supplier that prosecutor Mr. Rakesh is talking about is Eagle Alloys Corporation. This is a very reputed supplier and known for its ethical sourcing practices. Further on the documents, you can see the list of raw materials that we have bought from Eagle Alloys Corporation. There is no mention or invoices about purchasing tantalum and tin from the supplier. We were discussing the cheapest option with them. The interesting fact here is that we bought our supply of tantalum and tin from another supplier called Global Advanced Metals Proprietary Limited, your honor. This is again a very reputed supplier with years of industry experience and known for its ethical sourcing. We have never bought raw materials from Democratic Republic of the Congo or Rwanda in Africa. Olivia took a break to sip some water and then started addressing the court again. Your honor, now I would like to address another acquisition from the prosecutor regarding not caring about the lives of people living in the city of Nimua. For this, I would like to call a witness Mrs. Bella Gray. Bella was shocked hearing her name called out. She got scared at first as she was put on the spot. However, this was the time when she could contribute to Oval's case directly. She mustered some courage and walked towards the witness booth. Olivia approached Bella and questioned, Bella, please briefly tell the court about yourself. Bella started, yes, my name is Bella and I have lived in this city since I was born here. Initially, I lived in the Nimua city before I bought a house not too far from the downtown area and moved in with my son. Olivia chimes in, I suppose that you have conducted a survey by talking to the people living in Nimua city. Did you find any problems, health concerns, or complaints from the people who live in the city? Bella replied, no, your honor. Since I have lived in that part of the city for many years, I have personally almost everyone who lives there. I recently conducted a survey for checking the environmental impact of the recent dumping. I have not met anyone who has claimed that they have met with any unexpected health issues. Road kills are very common in that area but no dead animals or destruction of habitat was observed by the local community. Olivia addressed the judge or said, your honor, please note that there are no unexpected issues noticed by the local community. With this, if Mr. Rakesh has any questions for Bella, he can ask. Stating this, Olivia returned to her seat and Rakesh approached the witness booth. Bella's heartbeat raised knowing that difficult part of being the witness was still to come. When Mr. Rakesh will ask questions, she should remain calm. However, just the thought of remaining calm got her heart beating even faster. Rakesh starts with a comment, so, Mrs. Gray, it is great to see you. If you are nervous, don't be. No one punish you for a wrong answer. Rakesh wanted to scare Bella even more in hopes that she would make a mistake and reveal any information that she is not supposed to reveal. Trying to intimidate her, he pushed even harder by saying, okay. Okay, then let us start. Can you please tell the court what is your relationship with the accused, Mr. Oval? Bella replied, we are seeing each other from last two years. Rakesh, it means that you have a very strong reason to save your boyfriend. Your honor, please note that personal connection and emotions are a very strong motivation for bending the truth and fabricating false evidences. Saying that Rakesh turned to face Bella and accused her, I am sure that you don't have any proofs to back up your clam as you conducted the survey yourself, right? Olivia objects to the statement from Rakesh, objection your honor. This is a direct attack on my witness. To which judge sustained, giving Olivia the signal to continue. I know something like this could happen hence, we were prepared for this situation. To prove the point that Bella just raised, I would like to call another witness to testify. Your honor, please. Judge allowed the next witness and a young man in his 20s enter the witness booth. Danielle, can you please state tell the court about yourself? Danielle started, I am Danielle Swing, I live in the city of Nimua. I live there with my parents. Olivia continued, great, do you know Bella? To which Danielle replied, not really, my parents know her. But I was out for studies in another city and have only moved back home two years back. I think it was the same time Bella moved into the city. Olivia, your honor, please note there is no prior connection or motivation for manipulating the evidence. Can you please tell the court if you have seen or heard anything unusual happening in the area where you like? Danielle rejected the possibility and verified by saying, I have friends everywhere in the city. If anything like was happening around us, I would know. Olivia, I have one last question for you. Were you forced into giving any testimonies today? Or are you here under your own free will? Danielle, I am here because of my own free will. Bella approached me on Saturday, and she asked different question related to environment and other topics. She said she was approaching everyone. I thought I should help her in her quest. This brought me here today. Olivia addressed the judge and said, your honor, the witnesses intentions are clear and water. I don't have any further question. Rakesh stood up and he said, I don't have any question for the witness. Olivia was surprised seeing Rakesh did not counter question the witness. Possibly, he was also starting to believe that awful was innocent and it might be a case of framing. Still, Olivia was not done. She wanted to hit the hammer when the metal was still red hot. Hence, she requested the judge, your honor, I have one more witness that I would like to call to the witness booth with your permission. Judge simply raised his hand gesturing to proceed. Olivia said, I would like to call Miss Maya to the witness booth. Maya swiftly made her way to the witness booth and Olivia began by her favorite first question. Please tell the court about yourself. Maya, my name is Maya, and I am a journalist working for the local newspaper Daily News. Olivia, great. Maya, can you please tell the court about your association with this case? Maya, certainly, I was the one who was investigating this case for the newspaper before the case was filed into the court. Olivia, can you please describe what were you investigating and what were the results of your findings? Maya, yes, your honor. The case was handed to me the editor and chef of Daily News. The case file already had many evidences that could accuse the 10 businesses. However, my mentor and boss Mr. Samuel wanted me to verify the information for a story in our newspaper. When I started the investigation, all the evidences pointed all 10 businesses to be accountable for environmental negligence. I conducted my own tests and found toxic waste in the dumping ground. However, during the investigation, a point clicked into my mind. Why were only these 10 businesses getting accused? There are a total of 232 businesses in the local vicinity and also people living in the area use the same dumping ground. So, this raised more question than answers. Maya paused for a second and looked around the courtroom to find Ovil. Ovil gave her a subtle nod with which she started speaking again. Your honor, a new evidence that we found changed the entire direction of the case as we know it. It diverted the case from being an environmental misconduct to a framing case where a business tried to frame another business to gain an upper hand. I am talking about the person commonly associated with the Business H Network, Mr. Lee Kumpf. The evidences that we submitted to the court on last Thursday is a complete detailed conspiracy against Winson Group. Maya had to clarify her statement by saying, I don't know if other businesses are at fault or not as I only worked closely with Ovil and his team to find this evidence. But my investigation, I am fairly certain that Winson Group was framed into this case. However, another thing to note is that there is some culprit who has dumped toxic waste in the dumping area which could eventually leak into the water bodies. Olivia, seeing that Maya was done stated, I don't have any further questions your honor. Rakesh by this time completely convinced that he had lost this battle and Ovil was in fact innocent. Stated, I don't have any question for the witness your honor. Finally, Judge called upon both parties to give their closing statements to conclude the case. Rakesh steps in first, your honor, with all the evidences presented in court and as the defendant said there was some toxic elements dumped into the dumping area. Clearly, someone is responsible for this gruesome act. Now, whether it was Ovil's business or someone else, it can only be concluded after a full investigation. I would request the court to abstain from giving a verdict about the case until a complete unbiased investigation of the case. That is it from my side, your honor. Saying this, Rakesh bowed his head concluding the case. Now, it was time for Olivia's closing statement. Olivia stated, your honor, I understand that there is a need for further unbiased investigation on this case. However, I would like to point that we have successfully countered all the allegation placed by the prosecutor with the utmost evidence and testimonies. I don't believe there is any need to keep my client tied up with this case as this will only harm his and his business's reputation further. Especially considering that there was a clear conspiracy to loop Winson Group into this case despite being innocent. We have provided ample evidences that there are no toxic elements used in the manufacturing practices. Moreover, my client has gone above and beyond to protect the environment than the basic mandates of the governmental laws. The ISO 14001, AIA, and compliance reports for CAA and CWA are all testaments for this commitment. I would request the court to deliver a just judgment for this case that it needs. Further, I laid the judgment in the kind hands of the honorary, my lord. With this Olivia bowed her ear concluding her closing statement. With this everyone in the court held their hearts and all their emotions to hear the final word list of the judge. The air in the courtroom grew thick with tension. All eyes were on him as he spoke, his words carrying the weight of their hopes and fears. I can understand how unnerving it is for an innocent person to fight for his own right when he know he is right but all evidences are against him. I would comment the defendant's team to have fought this battle with courage and conviction. Judge paused for a second. There was a pin drop silence in the courtroom as everyone anticipated his next words. He started speaking again, finally, listing to all the evidences, witnesses, and analyzing all the evidences presented in the court. The court deems Winson group is not guilty. Further, the court assures that proper actions will be taken against H Network's owner, Mr. Lee Kumpf if he is the mastermind behind his orchestration. Mr. Oval Winson will be eligible for a compensation. Further, the court orders a cleanup of the dumping ground to prevent leakage of toxic waste into the water bodies. With this I conclude this case and Mr. Oval Winson is free to go. A collective sigh of relief filled the courtroom as the judge's gavel came down with a decisive thud, signaling the end of a long and arduous battle. The tension that had gripped the room like a vice released all at once, replaced by a palpable sense of jubilation and vindication. Oval's name was cleared, his innocence upheld in the eyes of the law, Olivia's eyes shone with tears of joy as she rushed forward to embrace Oval, her heart overflowing with relief and gratitude. For weeks, she had fought tirelessly to defend him, and now, finally, her efforts had paid off. Maya watched from the sidelines, her chest swelling with pride as she realized the impact of her contributions to the case. Her dedication and determination had played a crucial role in securing Oval's freedom, and she couldn't be prouder. Just then Bella exchanged triumphant smiles among each other and made their way to reunite with Oval and Olivia in the celebrations. Maya waited for the team at the courtroom door, adoring the team and acknowledging everyone's efforts in this case. While waiting, her gaze leapt outside beyond the confines of the courtroom. She noticed someone familiar. It was Samuel, he stood at some distance. He was talking to someone whose back was towards Maya. Hence, she couldn't see that person's face. Not thinking about it too much, she pulled her gaze back into the courtroom to find the gang. By this time, Oval, Olivia, Bella, and Just were walking towards her. As everyone reunited, they started celebrating and walking towards the exit. Maya saw Samuel once again. He saw Maya and ended his talk with the unknown person and started walking towards Maya. As everyone approached closer, Samuel instead of talking to Maya, addressed Oval with a big smile and joy on his face. Oval, I am so happy for you. I knew that you would win this battle. After all, you had one of my best on your side. Samuel spoke, pointing towards Maya. After a short introduction with everyone, Oval and Samuel started talking among themselves. Seeing the two chat was like they were good friends and had known each other for many years. Olivia, Just, and Bella also started discussing the events of the day and telling each other how happy they were to see Oval free from all charges. Maya's gaze shifted again, scanning the area. Suddenly she noticed a man. It was the man with a scar on his face. What was he doing at the court? Seeing that man shivers fell through Maya's body. From the attire of that man, Maya could tell that Samuel and this man were talking just now. How does Samuel know this man? She thought in her mind. Suddenly, a thought struck her mind. The entire story rewinds in her head. She was connecting dots about how everything makes sense now. Samuel and Oval always knew each other, and Oval was the one to give Samuel the brown case file. It was all a plan, and its mastermind was Oval. He orchestrated this entire ordeal from Lily to the court case. Even when Samuel knew that Lily was impulsive, he still let her work on the case. Similarly, there were many questions generating in her head, and the biggest question of them all was why? What would Oval gain from this? At this time, she knew that there was a lot more to this story than what met the eyes. However, she did not have any proof that Oval was the mastermind. She did not have any other choice than to keep her ideas to herself until she finds relevant evidence. With a new resolve to get to the bottom of the truth, she decided to track down the scared man and investigate this ongoing case on other nine businesses. She was also curious about why would Oval want to frame Mr. Li. All these things will be discussed in the future book and the sequel of this story. Until then, all the resources, case studies, evidence, and reports are present on the Brilliant Supply Chain website. Subscribers will get access to all the resources related to the story.