The Reckoning of Love ( Sophia Yancey )

Chapter 55 A Mix of Incentives and Authority

By employing soft and hard tactics, Sophia first used Gavin as an example to intimidate the others. When they started to panic and fear imprisonment, she would extend assistance and favorable terms to encourage these individuals actively return the embezzled money.

Observing, Thomas wished he could stand up and applaud her. Amidst the chaos, about 4.2 million were recovered. Sophia glanced at it while the rest looked at her nervously. Most of these individuals returned the amounts specified by Gavin. However…

Even among close siblings, there were inevitably moments of concealment, so how could Gavin know the specific circumstances of every persan? She fell silent for a while before scanning the crowd. “Are you all certain about the amounts you owe?”

In the crowd, it was evident that some people’s eyes avoided her gaze. Those who had not lied were the ones who responded loudly.

She twirled a gel pen in her hand. “Everyone should calculate the amounts as accurately as possible. If other senior management were to find out that there are still outstanding debts, things might not go as smoothly….

“I-I seem to have miscalculated by around 980 thousand. That sum didn’t pass through my personal

account…

She chuckled. “You’re quite audacious. Not only did you embezzle company funds, but you also used your personal account for it?”

That person was flustered in embarrassment and immediately issued another IOU. Soon, three or four more people anxiously filled out more IOUS again, and the amounts they filled in were astronomical. In the end, the total came to 6.3 million.

At that moment, Joel asked in a low voice, “Miss Yancey, what about our jobs…”

He had also filled out an IOU for over 140 thousand. If they lost their jobs….

“As I just mentioned, I still recognize your abilities despite being influenced by Gavin. Sophia slapped her hand and injected a glimmer of hope. “So, work will continue as usual. I’ll persuade Mr. Lynch not to dismiss you all, but you must exercise extreme caution moving forward. If you make another mistake, I won’t be able to shield you from the consequences.”

“Miss Yancey, you’re beautiful and kind-hearted!” Joel immediately praised.

She smiled lightly in response.

“We’re all working under someone else. I understand that it’s not easy for any of us. Let’s all do our best from now on.”

The meeting ended.

The individuals, who had endured a great ordeal, left with relieved faces and smiled as they departed. Vague murmurs filled the air as some were cursing Gavin. “That b’stard! He could’ve died on his own but had to drag us down!”

“I know, right? In these IOUS of mine, he spent a few thousand on wining, dining, and women. I can’t swallow this anger either!”

A Mix of Incentives and Authority

“If he ever has a chance to be released, I’ll skin him alive!“

Sophia efficiently organized everything and neatly placed them into folders before handing them over to Thomas, who was unabashedly observing her. “Mr. Ulmer, I’ll leave it to you to handle the redemption of these IOUS

“Are you going to plead with Joseph?” he asked.

She packed up her computer and stationeries. “How is that possible? He won’t interfere in matters like this. He only cares about the results.”

“Right.” Thomas smiled. “So, what you just employed is a mix of incentives and authority, isn’t it?”

“So, you’re familiar with these strategies?” Sophia glanced at him sideways.

“I graduated from Grandview University.” He straightened his posture with pride. “Are you letting them off so easily?”

“What else can I do? The project is in a critical stage. Because of these deadweights, we have already lost a month’s worth of work collectively. If I terminate their employment and recruit new staff, it’ll only result in further time wastage.”

Time was valuable, especially on a construction site.

“However, we can no longer entrust them with the core tasks of the project. Mr. Ulmer, please arrange for someone to take over as soon as possible. In addition, I suggest you verify the information Gavin provided and gather evidence. This way, if anyone causes trouble in the future, you can take immediate action to apprehend them.”

Indeed, she never intended to settle accounts with these individuals all at once.