Sunday, when the traditional funeral industry was once prosperous, was the only holiday for undertakers. Because the church on this day belongs to the Holy Lord and His followers, not the corpse.
But anyway, our Grande has not experienced this kind of prosperity. This day is like every day in Grande, leisurely... Oh no, Grande is not leisurely today, because Zach is urged by Old Hank. Next, I contacted the people from the decoration company, and Grande's renovation will officially start today.
As preparation work, everyone has been busy since early in the morning, occupying Benjamin's warehouse that was vacated anyway, and moved all the things in Grande's original office, reception room, showroom, and rooms on the second floor to prepare for the construction. The team makes room.
Oh, by the way, I need to mention that yesterday Zach failed to find the opportunity to grab Kyle and ask him why he was interested in Alice. After Laura proposed the Parker Elementary School charity plan 'completely' spontaneously, she grabbed Kyle and Kepler to discuss it seriously. After having lunch with a group of hired farmers, she booked Alice's elementary school in the name of charity. cake, and then hurried back to the West District to make arrangements.
Zach estimated that he would be able to get feedback from the West End people today.
The construction team arrived on time. As soon as Grande cleared all the debris on the long side of the L-shaped building, they drove their big trucks into Grande's backyard.
Before everyone could say a final goodbye to the former Grande, workers rushed into the room with hammers and drills and began to demolish it.
The only construction worker whose name Zach remembered was the guy named Austin. He seemed to be a little boss, and he personally set a goal for today's work. It was a simple word, "Demolish-"
The original two walls from the showroom to the office correspond vertically to this part of the room on the second floor, as well as the ceiling that separates the first and second floors (Grande’s new layout is in Volume 18. Chapter 14).
When a chaotic roar came from inside Grande and a group of workers were busy working, Austin ran out with empty hands, smiled and stood next to Zach who was standing bored at the door of Benjamin's warehouse, "Last time, I The proposed new staff dormitory. Mr. Grande, how have you considered it?"
Remember, after the Grande layout is completely changed, the living area for employees will be greatly reduced, leaving only a few rooms on the short side of the L-shape. The corresponding first floor is the kitchen and dining room, which accommodates the current layout. Rand's few people are enough, but if Zach wants to recruit new people, there will be no room.
This guy suggested Zach. Construct separate dormitories on vacant land in the Grande.
Zach still didn't give him an accurate answer, "It's not needed yet, but I will contact you if necessary."
Austin smiled and did not continue to ask questions. He started chatting and randomly inquired about some gossip, such as. "Yesterday at Bishop's funeral, I heard that many powerful people arrived..."
Zach followed the other person's curiosity. Talk about some little things about the West Enders and the big shots in Barton, such as the Bishops' family making a bad face throughout the whole process, Porky Quinn from the Quinn family not coming, Mayor Anthony being as impressive as the rumors say, and the dress worn by Pixar being very old (Lonely) The owner of Pixar Department Store, Jackson intentionally asked Zach to ask Falcon. But Zach ignored him)...
Austin was very happy to hear this, but Zach had nothing to be happy about, because these 'little things' he said at this time were all he gained from yesterday's funeral! As you all know, Zach wants to see and hear more. Taken away by Falcon...
When Zach begins to find little gossip to satisfy Austin's interest, conveniently enough, Grande has a visitor.
Zach frowned, watching the black 'Herman Extended Car' turn into the Grand's backyard amidst a chaotic roar, patted Austin on the shoulder, motioned for him to leave, and walked towards the guests. passed.
"Mr. Herman." Zach held the handle of the car door and slowly opened it. He stood beside the car with a calm face and nodded to the acquaintance who got out of the car sideways. Regardless of whether the intention is good or evil, etiquette must be followed first.
The opened car door let out the full smell of alcohol. Herman, whose skin was abnormally flushed, glanced at Zach, twitched at the corner of his eye, turned around and sat back, and directly grabbed the whiskey in the keg next to the car seat. He took a swig from the bottle, then slowly moved his body to get out of the car again, leaning against the car body crookedly, staring at Zach without saying anything, and a newspaper was stuffed into Zach's arms.
Zach pursed his lips, opened the newspaper directly, and turned to the social section. As expected, the front page occupied the entire page, "Major accident at Hermann Factory, casualty compensation agreement in progress."
Zach was not interested in reading the content, but he quickly scanned it to find what he wanted to pay attention to. Does anyone know what Zach wants to see? Hint, it’s a number. Zach was looking at the casualty statistics of this human society city to see if they were accurate enough to match the demon's Earthbinder count...
The result is gratifying. The numbers are accurate. The death toll in the explosion has been confirmed and matches the number Mike mentioned. However, the number of people being treated... continues to grow. I was wrong, I shouldn't have used the word pleased. But, forget it, I understand.
Zach didn't quite understand Herman's intention of throwing the newspaper to him, "Mr. Herman, is this?"
"Are you blind?!" Herman grabbed the wine bottle and leaned on his car door to maintain his balance. "Can't you see the words compensation for casualties?!"
Zach frowned and took a serious look at Herman. This guy who once looked like an old man looked very tired and in pain. And more importantly, Herman didn't seem to have any intention of settling a score with Grande at this time. Didn't this guy realize what Grande had done before? Or did this guy selectively forget what he did to Grande? !
Look, the renovation of Grande is in progress...
Speaking of decoration, Zach turned his head and looked at the side door on Grand's back porch, where Austin, who was peeping over here, retracted his head.
Zach shook his head and held Herman in his arms. The smell of alcohol on his body showed that every cell in this guy's body was immersed in alcohol, which made his body extremely heavy. But it didn't matter to Zach, so he easily pulled Herman up and walked to the warehouse.
"Sorry, Mr. Herman, as you can see, Grande's office is occupied. Please come here."
Herman's body was stopped by Zach, and he turned back with a flushed face. He glanced at the main building of the Grande, which was shaking slightly from the roar, and snorted heavily, "It's best if it's demolished."
Zach frowned and glanced at Herman. He shook his head and didn't respond. But it is clear that Herman did not have selective amnesia, nor was he so stupid that he did not realize what Grande had done. Then his intention of coming here made Zach even more confused.
All of Grande's staff are now in Benjamin's warehouse. Alas, there are not many people, just Louise, Alice and old Hank.
Louise was the first to come to help Herman, but she seemed to be drunk and frowned subconsciously. Unexpectedly, this small gesture seemed to annoy Herman. He pushed away Zach and Louise who were supporting him arrogantly, "No need to help! I can walk by myself!"
In two steps, the old man leaned towards the haystack on one side. After a pop, he struggled twice. His exquisite formal clothes were covered with dry grass stalks, and he reluctantly assumed a 'sitting' posture.
Zach waved his hand, intending to apologize to the others for now. Ask for private space for conversation and keep others out of the way for a while. But he didn't need to ask, to know. Someone has repeatedly emphasized that they want to participate in everything Zach does!
That's old Hank! This strange old man flicked the carpenter's plane in his hand! With a tone full of disgust and the same roar as Hong Zhong, "Why can't it be quiet wherever you go!" He took the lead and left.
Louise grabbed the frightened Alice and quickly followed behind Old Hank. Zach and Herman were the only ones in the warehouse.
Zach curled his lips, pulled up a chair, and sat in front of Herman, who kept patting hay on him more and more. "Mr. Herman, I think you should realize that Grande is not in a state to receive any, I mean any affairs."
Zach watched Herman curse in a low voice at the hay all over his body, and realized that in his current state, it was impossible for Herman to cooperate and listen to anything he said. What's more, if there is something in this kind of words!
Yes, Zach was preemptively rejecting whatever Herman was going to say next.
If you don't care about Grande Gray's professional attributes, just look at the 'injury compensation' mentioned by Herman before. The simplest logic is that regardless of the 'injury', Herman must be responsible for the 'dead' people. In addition to compensation for their families, Herman obviously owes the deceased themselves the last thing in their lives, and Grande is a funeral home.
Even if it was the simplest logical conclusion, Zach didn't want to accept it!
The reason was equally simple. All the upper-class people in Patton had watched Grande being attacked, but in the end it was discovered that Grande was plotting against Hermann, exposing the fact that Hermann's factory was about to close. Now Grande is going to pick up Herman’s compensation cooperation, what does this count for? ! Does Grande still have a stand
"Mr. Herman." Zach tugged at the corner of his mouth, and impolitely picked up the other person's chin with two fingers and pointed it towards him, "Mr. Herman, what are you doing here?" Now he could only ask directly.
Herman's eyes twitched, and he slapped Zach's finger off, then stretched out a finger and looked at Zach, "All inclusive."
Zach pursed his lips and said, "What's the package?"
Herman waved his hand and said, "Your Grand distribution, the one who does the cremation..." Mill said, "One million, all covered, no matter how many people are behind!"
It seems to be the simplest logic. Herman is proposing a business proposal to Zach. This proposal includes the 'reassuring' figures in the newspaper that match the earthbinders that Mike said, and it continues. Growing numbers.
"Refuse." Zach answered directly and in line with his heart.
Herman opened his mouth and pulled the flesh on his cheek ferociously. Hate was the expression on his face now, "One hundred and one!"
Zach frowned and looked at Herman, "No."
"One hundred and three!" Herman waved his hand, "This is my bottom line!"
Zach stood up and lifted the stool casually, ready to put it back down. He didn't want to get entangled with this ugly-looking guy.
"One hundred and five!" Herman struggled on the haystack a few times without standing up, waving his hands and shouting.
Zach pursed his lips, it was necessary to put an end to this meaningless conversation, "I won't answer no matter what you say."
Wow! Hermann stood up, then immediately fell back. Staring at Zach who was obviously startled, he didn't know what he was thinking.
After the momentary surprise passed, Zach shook his head again and didn't want to care about this guy anymore. He was going to go inside the Grande to see the progress of the demolition.
"two hundred."
When Zach was about to walk out of the warehouse, Herman suddenly spoke in an unusually calm voice, "I will send the contract to your branch in the afternoon. It doesn't matter whether you agree or not. I have scheduled a press conference at noon. I will send you the news." Let him go, if you want Grande to be pestered by those reporters, huh, just continue to refuse!"
Zach frowned and turned to the other party, "Mr. Herman, does it make sense for you to do this?"
"Yes!" Herman's hands began to fumble clumsily on his coat. Compared to his chaotic limbs, his mind seemed to be completely clear and he knew what he wanted to do and what he wanted to say!
Zach impatiently pushed aside Herman's hand, which had been rummaging around for a long time without finding anything. He reached into the inner pocket of his coat and took out an invitation.
Zach frowned and looked through it, seeing his name written inside, Zachary Grande. The occasion for the invitation was a noon luncheon at Lister House.
"You're invited too!" Herman saw that Zach had gotten the things, and his shaking hands went limp. "Huh, you'll know if it makes any sense at that time."
Zach looked at the invitation. The handwriting was still very new. This reminded Zach of the dinner the night before yesterday, which was the same as Bishop's funeral. It gathered Barton's powerful people, but was suddenly canceled. It was also on Amelia's schedule. that one.
Zach's curiosity had limits. He glanced at Herman and took a deep breath. It felt bad to always be guessing. It's time to get some answers.
A bit of red gushed out from the depths of the vampire's eyes. After occupying the center pupil, he was dissatisfied and filled the entire irises, and then the entire eyes. "Herman, a lot of things happened between us."
After a slight sluggish look on his face, Herman nodded and explained the charm in detail. The vampire's words had bypassed the rejection of Herman's brain and he could proceed to the next step.
"Although we are definitely not friends, we are already very familiar with each other, right? No need for those boring treaties (hidden confidentiality agreements), you know that will have no effect on me or Grande. Let's have a How about an honest conversation?”
The 'false' logical basis was implanted in the other party's mind and began to be extended based on it. Herman was 'persuaded'.
Zach waved the invitation in his hand and asked the first question, "Is this luncheon a compensation for the dinner the day before yesterday?"
"You also know about the dinner party the day before yesterday? Humph! Yes." Although under the eyes of charm, Herman still retained his character.
"Factory." Zach hesitated for a moment. Although it felt bad to always guess, once the question was asked, it would be no fun at all. Regardless, Zach needs answers, whether it's to help Anthony, who was unprepared for the explosion, or to consider Grande's future attitude toward Herman, "Who blew it up."
"I."(..)