Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 720 - 673: Substituting Inferior for Superior

"Baron Adams, may I ask where you obtained the equipment and technology for this factory? Did the Adams family engage in related work in this industry before?" Perfikot dropped the gloves stained with oil, looking extremely serious.

Facing Perfikot's inquiry, Baron Adams immediately stated that he knew little about the matter, as the management and technical issues of the factory were all handled by a specially hired manager.

Perfikot immediately asked him to call the manager over and posed the question again.

Facing the stern Northern Count, the manager replied, "Count, the Adams family's factory has been in the industry for over half a century. We have considerable experience in manufacturing related products and have accumulated sufficient technological know-how.

This batch of equipment was purchased specifically for this project, and according to the supplier, it uses the latest technology."

Upon hearing this answer, Perfikot looked at him with a strange expression, not knowing if he really didn't understand or had taken advantage.

Yet, she had no intention of covering up any wrongdoing and directly said, "Latest technology? This batch of equipment is merely camouflaged and refurbished, but it's all stuff from ten years ago, with even older technology. If I remember correctly, this should be obsolete.

Yet you say it's the latest technology. You'd better give me a reasonable explanation, or I'll assume you're living in the past twenty years."

Perfikot's words immediately changed the countenance of everyone present, and Baron Adams was so angry he almost resorted to violence, but fortunately, he was restrained by those around him.

Nonetheless, this noble Baron, who consistently maintained old aristocratic manners and propriety, furiously scolded the manager, "Speak! What's really going on?"

The manager was now sweating profusely, collapsing to the ground unable to utter a single word.

Knowing this error, he realized not only was his job at risk, but if the Adams family pursued the matter, he might not even save his life.

Seeing this, Perfikot, unwilling to bother further, directly said to Baron Adams, "This person probably can't provide anything valuable for the time being, so check the transaction contracts and archives directly!

Though this pertains to the Adams family, considering this is the first practical project of the Empire's five-year economic development plan, the Empire officially has a reason to intervene."

Without waiting for Baron Adams to respond, Perfikot ordered her attendants to deliver her commands, summoning the Northern intelligence department and police to handle the matter.

The intelligence department arrived quickly, controlling relevant personnel in the Adams family factory and conducting simple interrogations directly there.

Police soon followed, sealing off the entire factory while also, per Perfikot's directions, cooperating with the intelligence personnel to search the homes of these relevant persons to gather more evidence and information.

Those in the Adams family factory were not professionally trained, quickly revealing what they knew under the intimidation and inducement of the intelligence department, and compiled the information for Perfikot.

"It's really... laughable and lamentable that for such a simple reason, such a mess was made in such an important project!" Perfikot tossed the intelligence back onto the table with a bizarre expression.

Though she found it amusing, no one in the Adams family dared to laugh; after all, such a major incident was a huge disgrace to them.

"Count, what exactly is going on? The Adams family wishes to know the whole story and pursue the instigators of this affair." Baron Adams, now controlled in emotion, politely asked Perfikot.

Despite controlling his emotions, Baron Adams was deeply angry inside.

The family had expended vast resources, leveraged numerous favors, and relations to obtain the project, anticipating it to become an important foundation for the family, only to have it exposed that the purchased equipment was rigged—this spelled a serious crisis for the Adams family.

If Perfikot deemed this the Adams family's responsibility and sought accountability, the entire family would pay a steep price, possibly even being dealt with as an example by the Empire.

Considering this involved cabinet and Northern Territory interests, the five-year economic development plan had just been announced; the cabinet needed achievements, the Royalist Party required benefits, the Northern Faction needed airships built...

Should there be an issue impeding the project's progress, the interests of all sides would be severely compromised.

The problem has arisen, and it was caused by the Adams family, so it's obvious what consequences they would face if the parties sought accountability.

Thus, Baron Adams urgently wanted to know what was going on.

"Very simple, someone tried to profit by using inferior goods." Perfikot explained casually to Baron Adams.

She was not surprised by such, never holding moral expectations for businessmen; therefore, she wasn't particularly concerned about the matter.

"Count, I hope you can let the Adams family handle this matter! The insult suffered must be personally cleansed by the Adams family!" Baron Adams said solemnly and affirmatively, even appealing to family honor.

Whether such counts as an insult to the Adams family, Perfikot neither affirmed nor denied, yet since someone was willing to take on the matter that she didn't find particularly significant, Prenaturally, Perfikot had no objections.

So, she nodded and said, "Then I'll grant the Adams family this privilege; you may handle the matter, but I require an answer that satisfies me."

"Rest assured, the Adams family will definitely provide a satisfactory answer!" Baron Adams answered emphatically.

However, even if Perfikot hadn't declared it, Baron Adams would still demand an explanation, as it concerns the family's foundation in the Northern Territory.

"Whether or not you provide me with an answer is not important; what's crucial is that this project can't have any mistakes. I can refrain from holding the Adams family accountable, but you must give me a satisfactory account, understood?" Perfikot pressed on the intelligence material on the table, seriously addressing Baron Adams.