As someone who was involved in a significant business secret alongside ~500 other people, there are a lot of things people will keep quiet about. And with enough leverage, you can keep even large amounts of people quiet.
Also, don’t discount the average “line working” type person - they’re relatively honest, ethics are always shoved up their ass so they think those up the totem pole are super honest ethical people since that is what is preached at them. They mostly interact with other line workers who are also relatively honest, so it’s an absolute unimaginable to them that their superiors are less honest people than the drug dealers down the street. As a result, they give the benefit of the doubt to odd behaviors and actions, when really the should he scrutinizing.
Basically, a lot of people are in on it, and a lot more are in on it but don’t even know it.
As someone who was involved in a significant business secret alongside ~500 other people, there are a lot of things people will keep quiet about. And with enough leverage, you can keep even large amounts of people quiet.
Also, don’t discount the average “line working” type person - they’re relatively honest, ethics are always shoved up their ass so they think those up the totem pole are super honest ethical people since that is what is preached at them. They mostly interact with other line workers who are also relatively honest, so it’s an absolute unimaginable to them that their superiors are less honest people than the drug dealers down the street. As a result, they give the benefit of the doubt to odd behaviors and actions, when really the should he scrutinizing.
Basically, a lot of people are in on it, and a lot more are in on it but don’t even know it.