Empire of Shadows

Hearing Lance's name from the receiver made the mayor slightly surprised, but immediately followed by annoyance.

"How can you be sure he did it?"

Chief Dale looked at the car parked on the opposite side of the road and said softly, "Because he's here!"

Under Chief Dale's gaze, lawyer Robben led a group of bailed-out people to the car. He bent slightly, his face full of flattering smiles, "Mr. Lance, I've brought everyone out. If there's anything else you need, call me anytime."

He liked clients like Lance; rich, quick to pay, and most importantly, constantly in "trouble."

Constant trouble meant that lawyer Robben could constantly get new work from Lance and receive new rewards.

And most importantly, whenever Lance needed him to grease certain palms, it was essentially letting him use Lance's money to continue maintaining his connections.

Of course, Robben's clients weren't just Lance, but Lance's business volume had been higher recently, and the benefits he and his friends could get from it were naturally greater.

"Thank you, Mr. Robben. Keep in touch."

Lawyer Robben didn't have the airs of those elite lawyers at all. He bent over, stuck out his butt, and even put his hand to his face to bid farewell to Lance, "Goodbye, Mr. Lance."

There was a reason why mainstream lawyers looked down on him. At the very least, he lowered the average level of criminal lawyers in Gold Harbour City, and by no small margin.

But for lawyer Robben, face meant nothing to him. Having already specialized in working for the underworld, he only cared about one thing: how much money he could make, not whether he had face.

After lawyer Robben drove away, the others gathered around.

Several young men supported the bartender, who still couldn't stand up on his own.

Lance frowned, "What's wrong with him?"

The manager leaned over, "Mr. Lance, he was beaten up by that Lucal and still can't stand up. His stomach hurts."

"Send him to the hospital. Don't worry about the medical expenses. Make sure the doctor checks him thoroughly. If he's injured, remember to have them issue a diagnostic report."

"The company will cover this expense, and after you guys go back, rest well for two days. I'll have Elvin give you an extra sum of money."

"Don't run around. There might be work at any time."

"I've noted what you experienced inside. I'll get justice for you."

Lance looked at the weak bartender and told them to wait here a little longer, "I'll arrange for a car to come over later…"

After explaining these matters, Lance's car left, and Chief Dale withdrew his gaze from the car body that disappeared at the end of the road.

"He came in person, as if making some kind of provocation to us. I feel it's a bit tricky."

Chief Dale's tone seemed to reveal a hint of weakness. He did want to climb higher, even using the job of the Hazardous Materials Administration to climb back to the capital.

If he could climb back this time, then he would no longer be a small character, the kind that was dispensable. He would also become a big shot that could not be ignored.

He originally thought this journey would be very easy, but what he couldn't imagine was that not too long after the Hazardous Materials Administration officially began to perform its duties, so many things had happened.

He could still remember the corpse hanging in mid-air in the morning, swaying in the sea breeze, and even his nostrils could feel a trace of unsettling stench.

He actually knew that it was just a hallucination in an uneasy mental state, but he couldn't ignore this hallucination.

People had already started dying. No, it should be said that the more intense counterattack of these local forces had begun. He was very worried, worried about whether he could really return to that place, and also worried about his safety.

He didn't know how many people would die. He began to doubt whether it was really worth them doing this.

The mayor heard a hint of weakness hidden in his tone and immediately said in a very strong tone, "Dale, they're afraid!"

"Because they're afraid, they'll hang a corpse to scare those who intend to inform, because they're afraid!"

"There are so many bars in this city. They can't control everyone's thoughts. I believe our cause is right, and the gentlemen in Congress and Mr. President can also see our efforts."

"The more difficult the situation, the more beautiful our achievements, and the higher our value in the eyes of the big shots!"

"If you were put in a place where no one drinks, your work would be easier, but do you think anyone would value you?"

"I know our start is a bit difficult now. We have to face the entire city, but believe me, we will eventually be the victors!"

"And think about it, if you give up, if you don't resist, how long can you stay in this position?"

"Will they let such an important position be given to someone who doesn't resist?"

"Think about it carefully. I think we have a chance to win. Don't be defeated by difficulties!"

Chief Dale cheered up again after listening to his long speech, "Yes, you're right. I won't be defeated by temporary difficulties."

"But this incident has also made me realize that the enemy we are facing is more difficult to deal with than I imagined."

The mayor breathed a sigh of relief, "So, that's why we're here. They want to see us take care of this place, so let's show them!"

He originally wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say it.

After this incident, the people obviously wouldn't trust the Hazardous Materials Administration too much and wouldn't feel that they could protect the personal information of informants very well.

So from the mayor's point of view, what Chief Dale should do most now is to give the people an "explanation," randomly find a fool, say that this person is the leaker, and then dispose of him.

Only in this way can he regain his image in the minds of the people.

But the Hazardous Materials Administration was Chief Dale's own territory, and the mayor couldn't interfere too much in the other party's work. He could only hope that Chief Dale could understand this as soon as possible.

After hanging up the phone, he said to his personal secretary, "Let Brinton take action as soon as possible. I'm already tired of hearing bad news about Lance, and that stupid Lance family of his!"

Saying that, he stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the vibrant city outside, "The war has just begun!"

When Lance returned to the office, Fordis came over, "Paul invited you to dinner tonight. There's no one else, just our own people."

Lance considered it and didn't refuse.

Today, he could be said to be in the limelight, and he directly chose a very clever position and time node. When the struggle between the locals and the mayor's faction was constantly escalating, his statement was like a clear position and banner.

Now the locals don't care at all whether he is a local in the true sense. Sometimes everyone's "standards" for locals are very low.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a local by blood to be a local. A spiritual local can also be considered a local!

Undoubtedly, Lance slapped Chief Dale hard. Many people couldn't help but laugh when they saw the news in the newspaper or heard the news.

The more ordinary and unremarkable Lance's reputation was, the greater the force of this slap. Mr. Pasreto couldn't help but laugh after knowing it.

Now he alone contracts more than 70% of the high-end liquor sales market in Gold Harbour City, so the Hazardous Materials Administration will also be his "enemy."

And everyone has also reached a consensus, that is, Lance cannot "fall."

The five family heads have already communicated. In fact, the context of the whole thing is very simple, from their point of view.

If Lance can always live well, the longer he exists, the better he lives, the wider the influence of killing the informant will be.

But conversely, if Lance and the Lance family fall quickly, for whatever reason, it will make people think that this is the mayor's faction's revenge.

Some small gangs may therefore become neutral, especially those whose size and power are not as good as the Lance family.

So Paul's invitation to Lance to dinner this time, in addition to being a statement, he also intends to talk to Lance about this matter and give him some funding.

Weapons, or something else, it depends on what Lance needs.

After agreeing to Paul's invitation, Fordis left. They have a lot of work to do recently, because Alberto himself also has a bar, which is not small in scale.

Now that the Hazardous Materials Administration is chasing people around like mad dogs, they have to take care of that bar as well.

"How is Boton today?" After solving some of the work at hand, Lance asked Elvin.

Elvin immediately replied, "I heard that he started working early in the morning, no different from the past. I have already had people watching him."

"After we left last night, he had a big fight with his daughter Nancy, and then Nancy packed her luggage and moved out. She went to her boyfriend's place."

Lance raised his eyebrows, "A kind of protection."

Elvin quite agreed with Lance's point of view, "I think so too."

Letting Nancy break away from things related to the gang and Lance, and even letting her social circle stay away from gang life, is the greatest protection for her.

I have to say, his approach is very correct. Without intersecting lines, there will be no connection and conflict.

As for avenging Robb?

Nancy may have such an idea, but she will never be able to implement it in her life, because she doesn't have the ability.

"Also, while you were away, Geralt called. He's on his way back."

Geralt is filming a movie in Creek Valley City, through connections Alberto arranged.

Now, capital, including the mob, has started to become interested in sound films. Coincidentally, that film crew directly converted a silent film into a sound film and is already in production.

Geralt's physical attributes are excellent. Originally, he was just a character without much plot, but now the director and screenwriter both believe he can have more plot and has become an important supporting character.

Creek Valley City, as one of Goldenport City's important satellite cities, also prints and distributes 'Goldenport Today'.

This morning, he saw his cousin Robb's body in the newspaper, so he immediately asked for leave and rushed back.

Erwin glanced at his watch, "He should be here before twelve."

Creek Valley City is only a little over a hundred kilometers away from Goldenport City, so people often say that Creek Valley City's population loss is directly related to Goldenport City.

The city hall planned and began to implement the construction of a railway from Goldenport City to Creek Valley City. This is a railway that will not be connected to the entire railway network, specifically serving people traveling between the two cities.

The mayor of Creek Valley City strongly opposed it, but the state government believed that it would help the interaction between the two cities. With the promotion of the Socialist Party, the construction of this railway was approved, accelerating Goldenport City's 'blood-sucking' speed on Creek Valley City.

However, it will take at least one or two years to complete.

Lance wasn't worried about Geralt's return. After all, compared to his cousin who was like a stranger, they, these people, were his true 'family'.

A little after eleven thirty, a car stopped outside the office, and Geralt got out.

After greeting some people he knew, Erwin took him to Lance's office.

After meeting, Lance hugged him. Geralt smelled of perfume, and at this time, Federal men didn't have the habit of wearing perfume, which made him feel a little awkward.

As soon as he sat down, Geralt couldn't help but ask, "What happened to him? Is it like what the newspaper said?"

Lance nodded, not quickly, "Yes, he sold the information about our bars to the Hazardous Materials Administration. We had two bars shut down."

Geralt immediately showed some indignant expression, "That damned guy, he deserves it!"

He said, then became a little nervous, "This won't affect our relationship, will it?"

"I never understood what he did, and I won't support him."

Lance nodded, "This is between him and us, it has nothing to do with you."

He looked at Geralt's hesitant look, and Lance leaned back, "We don't need to hide anything from each other."

If it hadn't been for Lance's help, Geralt would have suffered on the smuggling ship!

He pursed his lips, "I have some things there that I might need your help with."

Erwin came over and sat next to him, "We are brothers, you can tell us directly."

Geralt explained why he needed help.

Because he was very handsome, he was very popular with the girls, as well as the director and screenwriter, on the set.

Of course, the director and screenwriter were considering his background, but people are visual animals. A handsome man can not only look good, but also add some content to their movie.

For example, Geralt, who was originally supposed to be the fourth or fifth supporting actor, is now the first supporting actor.

They gave him a new identity—a wealthy family's young master like a flower.

This not only stole some of the scenes that originally belonged to the first and second male supporting actors, but also made the lead actor a little unhappy with him.

He was too good-looking, which would make the protagonist look less dazzling, which would make the audience think that the heroine must be blind to be with the protagonist.

This is a movie about love.

So they took advantage of Geralt's lack of experience in acting and often made trouble for him.

The director had talked to him privately, saying that if he had a backer, he should bring it out as soon as possible, otherwise these people would only become more and more excessive.

Before, he felt… he wanted to succeed through his own efforts, so that Lance and his friends would be proud.

But as those people threw dead rats, cockroaches, and the like into his room, even into his water glass, he felt that Lance had to come forward.

Listening to what he said, Lance found it a bit funny, "You should have called me earlier to tell me. Don't forget what we do."

Erwin couldn't help but laugh, "We don't plan to run for any Federal Good Youth award. On the contrary, I'm a little interested in these people. Didn't you tell them about your relationship with us?"

Lance raised his hand, "We have a little reputation in Goldenport City, but we may be a little lacking in Creek Valley City, but it doesn't matter. They will soon know who we are."

He thought for a moment, "I have other things to do tonight. We'll go to Creek Valley City together tomorrow morning, so we can finish it in the afternoon and come back without wasting time…"

All day, the Hazardous Materials Administration didn't seem to come up with any countermeasures, which made those who wanted to gain benefits through reporting feel uneasy.

If they didn't have any countermeasures, who would dare to risk being killed to sell out the locations of those bars?

At least until they find the mole, these people will not report.

In the evening, Lance drove to Alberto's place first, and then went to the manor in the Sumeri District together.

When they met, Mr. Pasreto was personally cooking barbecue.

"Every Sumeri man is proficient in barbecue!" Mr. Pasreto didn't care about the smoky atmosphere here at all. He even invited Lance to come over and barbecue together.

Many armed bodyguards stood around the lawn. On the manor's buildings, Lance also saw some people carrying rifles like sentries.

It looked like the security here was very tight.

Lance and Alberto put on aprons together and came to the barbecue grill.

Different from the Federal people's barbecue style, Sumeri people like 'big'. They either string a lot of meat together and put it on the grill, or they put a whole leg of lamb or a large piece of beef on it.

Instead of cutting it into small pieces and grilling them separately.

Just watching it is very enjoyable.

The three surrounded the barbecue grill, and Mr. Pasreto skillfully used the fork in his hand to judge whether the barbecue was cooked.

His movements were very skilled, as if he often operated these things.

"Lance, you gave all of us a surprise. Today, the most discussed topic is you."

"Some things are not easy for us to do. You know, once we do them, it means that the speed of things will be accelerated."

"But you doing it is completely no problem."

"You made a key decision at a critical moment. Everyone said that we should give you something. I want to ask, what do you want?"

He turned around and looked at Lance, like a genie granting wishes in a fairy tale, asking for Lance's wish.