As the approaching bodyguards closed in, Er Zhu flashed a slight smile and dodged the attack of the tiger-like guards.
"Damn it, you dare to dodge?"
The bodyguards missed their target. A flash of anger and surprise crossed the eyes of the lead bodyguard. He swore and charged at Er Zhu again.
"What are you doing? Aren't you looking for lost items? Why are you fighting here?"
Just as the bodyguards were using all their might to apprehend Er Zhu, a voice suddenly came from the distance. Er Zhu turned and saw Zhang Qiang approaching with several police officers. Among them were Officer Zhang and Officer Li, who had responded to a call with Zhang Qiang last time.
"Captain, doesn't that person look a lot like Er Zhu?"
Officer Zhang squinted, looking at the man surrounded by bodyguards, and asked in a low voice.
"Don't talk nonsense. This is Er Zhu's hotel. Have you ever seen bodyguards at a hotel dare to corner their own boss?"
Zhang Qiang glanced over, but he didn't see clearly. He waved his hand dismissively and retorted.
Officer Li also felt that the person being surrounded looked like Er Zhu, but hearing Zhang Qiang's words, he remained silent.
Indeed, no matter how clueless a bodyguard could be in this world, they wouldn't be clueless to this extent...
"Captain Zhang, you're here at the right time. We've found the thief who stole Miss Chen's sapphire. It's him!"
Seeing Zhang Qiang and his team approaching, Captain Ma, the leader of the bodyguards, came forward, pointing at Er Zhu indignantly.
Er Zhu looked at his own bodyguard captain, then at Zhang Qiang and his team. He was so speechless that he didn't know what to say.
When hiring, he had repeatedly instructed Wang Xiaomei to find a smart bodyguard captain. But this woman, she had found him such a fool...
"Captain Ma, are you crazy? Er Zhu is the owner of Qingfeng Hotel. Have you ever seen an owner steal a guest's belongings?"
"Besides, this sapphire isn't the only one Miss Chen lost."
Zhang Qiang clenched his fists. He glanced at Captain Ma and the others as if they were idiots, then looked at the sapphire in the gift box.
Huh?
Captain Ma was utterly bewildered. He looked at Er Zhu and then at the sapphire in the gift box more carefully.
It was possible for a bodyguard to mistake the sapphire necklace, but it was unacceptable for them not to recognize their boss. Moreover, even if the bodyguards didn't recognize him, he did. Although he had only met the boss once...
As Captain Ma pondered, he unconsciously looked at Er Zhu. When he saw Er Zhu's calm eyes, his mind exploded like a thunderclap!
It really was the boss!
He had only caught a glimpse of the thief while focusing on the lost sapphire necklace, but this fleeting glance had led to such a grave mistake!
Slap!
The bodyguard who had just examined the gift box was about to retort when Captain Ma swung his arm and slapped him hard. The bodyguard spun several times on the spot, seeing stars.
"Can't you do your job more carefully? This is the boss!"
The bodyguard, about to protest indignantly, widened his mouth in disbelief upon hearing this.
Holy crap, it really was the boss!
He had heard that the boss was worth hundreds of millions. How could such a wealthy individual steal from others, especially from a guest at his own hotel!
The bodyguard stood there dumbfounded, not even feeling the pain on his face.
The other bodyguards were equally stunned. The person they had just accused of being a thief had suddenly become their boss. This reversal was too much!
The bodyguards who had been the most aggressive were now cowering, their heads bowed as if afraid Er Zhu would see them.
"I'm so sorry, boss. It was my oversight and my lack of diligence. Please give us another chance."
Captain Ma approached with an obsequious smile, apologizing to Er Zhu and begging for mercy.
He really was an idiot to have accused the boss of being a thief! Captain Ma cursed the bodyguard who had checked Er Zhu from head to toe in his mind, but his anger did not subside.
"You, is this how you do your job as bodyguards?"
Er Zhu looked at the flustered Captain Ma and the others. Although his tone was calm, Captain Ma and the others were sweating profusely from fear.
"We apologize, it's all our fault. As long as you spare us this time, we promise to work hard and never be careless again!"
Captain Ma's legs went weak, and he knelt before Er Zhu, his face pale and his body trembling.
"I'm sorry, boss. I shouldn't have mocked you just now, shouldn't have spoken without looking carefully. It's all my fault!"
"I'm sorry, boss. We shouldn't have listened to that idiot Captain Ma and tried to catch you. We were foolish, we were stupid!"
Wu Dali also felt his legs go weak and knelt on the ground, apologizing to Er Zhu. Seeing this, the other bodyguards also knelt down to apologize, some even slapping themselves.
"Alright, I've always kept a low profile, so it's normal that you didn't recognize me. However, your work attitude is unacceptable. I'll fine you three months' salary to teach you a lesson!"
Seeing the scene of wailing and groaning, Er Zhu was too tired to argue with them any further. He waved his hand impatiently and said.
"Thank you, boss. Don't worry, boss, we'll definitely do our jobs seriously from now on!"
Although a three-month salary deduction hurt, Captain Ma and the others were still very grateful. After expressing their thanks profusely, they left in disarray.
"Er Zhu, you should have fired all of them. If something like this happens again, it will affect your hotel's reputation."
As soon as the bodyguards left, Officer Li stepped forward, pointing angrily at the departing guards, reminding Er Zhu.
"Everyone works hard to make a living. If we can avoid firing them, let's try not to."
Er Zhu nodded, glanced in the direction the bodyguards had left, and said thoughtfully.
As the boss, it would be perfectly acceptable to fire those bodyguards. However, if he did, not only would his identity be exposed, but it would also be difficult for these bodyguards to find new jobs.
He would not do something that had no benefit and only harm. At least, not to these ordinary people.
"Er Zhu, you're too kind. Such kindness won't do you any good in business."
Officer Zhang shook his head. Just as Officer Li was about to retort, he also stepped forward, offering well-intentioned advice.
"Alright, this is Er Zhu's own business. Can you two stop giving him bad advice?"
Seeing Zhang Zhang about to say more, Zhang Qiang couldn't stand it any longer. He pushed the two aside as he spoke. Seeing Zhang Qiang intervene, although the two officers still had something to say, they could only swallow their words.