Empire of Shadows

In the afternoon, downtown, Balz Investment Bank, on the busiest and most prosperous street, its huge gold-leaf signboard shone brilliantly in the sunlight!

Since its arrival, Balz Investment Bank had created a lot of news for the "Golden Port Today".

They initially claimed their signboard was made of gold, then someone came to steal the signboard one night, only to be injured by the falling sign.

His leg was broken, but enduring the pain of the fracture, he and three companions pushed the largest letter "B" onto a pickup truck and drove away.

The next day, the people at Balz Investment Bank discovered a letter was missing and reported it to the police.

This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞

Before long after the police were called, the three thieves also reported it, because they discovered the letter wasn't made of gold at all!

It was steel, only covered with a layer of gold leaf!

The price offered by the recycling station wasn't even enough to cover their fracture treatment, so the three clumsy thieves not only called the police but also sought media exposure, accusing Balz Investment Bank of deceiving the public and threatening to sue them.

Especially the clumsy thief whose leg was broken, he not only demanded Balz Investment Bank pay all his medical expenses but also demanded additional compensation of at least fifty thousand dollars for various losses.

In the end, these three fools were all sent in, but as a result, people knew that these signboards that looked like real gold were actually just gold-plated steel and not worth much.

The merchants on the opposite street had complained about them more than once, and there had even been disputes.

They used a large number of glass curtain walls, plus the "gold signboard", although the building wasn't very tall, the whole thing sparkled!

When the sunlight was strong, not to mention the merchants in those stores across the street, even pedestrians would be blinded by the reflections.

Many cars had accidents here, and the drivers all said that when they suddenly drove to a certain section, the glaring light made them unable to open their eyes, and they subconsciously steered and crashed into the side of the road.

Various lawsuits and troubles quickly made Balz Investment Bank famous in Golden Port City, not because their financial products were popular, but because they caused a lot of trouble.

But as a result, many people began to pay attention to this investment bank.

Today, its exterior walls have been changed a lot, no longer causing light pollution, and the gold signboard has also been changed to a rough, uneven, stone-like texture, which also no longer reflects golden light.

It makes it look somewhat mysterious and noble.

The small parking lot in front of the door is filled with luxury cars worth at least ten thousand dollars, and the gentlemen coming and going still wear full suits and ties even in twenty-seven or eight degree weather!

When Lance got out of the car at the door, someone quickly greeted him, "Sir, welcome to Balz Investment Bank, what kind of business are you here for?"

Lance looked inside, "I heard your financial products here are great?"

The man immediately showed a surprised expression, but quickly restrained himself, he didn't want to scare away a customer he had just gotten!

He led Lance inside while saying, "Are you familiar with our Balz Investment Bank?"

Lance shook his head, "Not really."

The manager began to introduce the origin of Balz Investment Bank to him, "Count Balz is a Jia'er nobleman, he was conferred and ordered by the Jia'er Emperor to secretly manage the royal family's wealth."

"He has investment abilities that are difficult for ordinary people to understand and believe, and in a very short period of time, he made the Jia'er Empire the world's leading military power!"

Lance couldn't help but ask, "Why haven't I heard of this?"

The manager quickly explained, "I said, this is secret management, the royal family doesn't want others to know about this…"

So you're just saying it out loud now?

Undoubtedly, it's a lie full of loopholes, but it has to be admitted that it does sound very bluffing at first, and in this era of backward information exchange, no one can really verify the authenticity of this matter.

And they used the word "secret", even if someone really took a boat to Jia'er and was able to find local nobles to inquire, even if they couldn't find out, they could say that this itself was a secret!

Lance didn't expose him and continued to walk inside with him. There were many similar situations in the lobby. Those young people were surrounding one or several people, introducing Balz Investment Bank.

"After Count Balz retired, he passed on his secrets of making money to Little Count Balz. The current Count Balz has inherited everything from Old Count Balz and is even more outstanding!"

As he spoke, the two had already arrived at the front counter. He took a document, "Shall we sit over there for a while?"

He had already assessed that Lance came in a private car, he had his own driver, which meant he could afford to buy financial products.

This is a potential, high-quality customer!

He had seen many colleagues realize their federal dreams, right here in this small hall, he had also closed several deals, but he was still some distance away from his federal dream.

He tried his best to facilitate every deal, taking one more step towards his dream every day, one step closer to the finish line.

The two came to a small sofa set where no one was sitting. There were such small sofa sets everywhere, with four or five individual sofas surrounding a small coffee table.

Soon, staff brought coffee and pastries. The manager briefly introduced himself, "My name is Wally, a customer manager. You can come directly to me next time you come."

He opened the material. There wasn't much text on it, mostly large photos, "This is the global industry of our Balz Investment Bank, covering eighty-seven countries, with a total of more than three thousand large investment projects and ten thousand small and medium-sized investment projects."

"We even control the economic lifeline of some small countries. Many people call us a powerful 'Gold Empire'!"

When he said these words, Lance could clearly feel that Wally himself believed everything he said.

Then he began to show Lance these investment projects, such as royal farms, royal ranches, and shares of internationally renowned companies…

Most of these industries are not located in the Federal homeland, and the few industries related to the Federation are not in Licarley State.

This made it difficult for them to verify, and Lance even believed that many of the industries were fictitious.

After introducing a bunch of investment projects that no one knew whether they really existed, Wally began to talk about joining, "…Mr. White (the surname Lance used), Count Balz believes that these years are a very critical moment."

"The global financial economy is facing a huge leap forward. If you carefully observe the financial and economic development of human society, you will find that every once in a while, it will usher in a huge increase."

"Technological breakthroughs and technical exchanges are the core driving factors!"

"However, none of us knows what investment can really make money. There is a lot of risk in it!"

"Count Balz once encountered danger, and a Federal couple helped him, so in order to repay the kindness and love of the Federal people, the Balz Investment Bank was established."

"We will help you manage your wealth and help you realize its growth. We have many high-quality investment projects around the world, which will bring you huge returns every month."

"If you are interested, I can introduce you to…"

After getting Lance's permission, he began to laboriously introduce these.

From financial product projects with a starting investment of one thousand dollars to projects with a starting investment of two hundred thousand, the returns of different financial projects are also different.

The lowest return rate is only seven percent, but even so, the income it brings is already a bit outrageous—

According to the current interest rate, you can take out a long-term, low-interest loan from the bank and then use the money to invest in these financial products, and you can also have a stable profit.

As long as it exceeds twenty thousand dollars, there will basically be a 15% return rate every month, and if it can exceed two hundred thousand, it will be a 20% return rate every month!

These financial products are obviously full of various problems, but as long as the brain is not blinded by greed, problems can be found!

Why don't they do business that is guaranteed to make a profit themselves, why do they still promote it to ordinary people, just because of… gratitude?

Okay, the logical loop is closed. Although they are all inferior lies, at least their story can justify itself, because Count Balz has received the favor and help of the Federal people, so he wants to give back to Federal society.

Not only did he expose that he was secretly managing the royal assets for the royal family, but he also publicized all the investment projects in a big way. Is this possible?

But under the temptation of high returns, everyone thinks it is possible!

As for those who don't fall for it?

They are filtered out. Here, only those who are stupid enough are needed, not those who are smart enough.

If you don't believe it, you can leave, but if you make trouble, it won't be easy!

After listening to Wally say a lot, Lance asked, "What products have you bought yourself?"

Wally was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "I bought this 'Gold Brick Three-Year Product', which has a 9% return rate every month."

Lance asked again, "Have you made your money back yet?"

Wally shook his head, "These financial products haven't been around for long, so it will take some time to make my money back, and I have reinvested all the returned profits!"

Looking at his sincere smile, Lance felt… actually, he is quite happy, at least for now.

"Mr. Lance, almost all of our employees have purchased the product, including our boss. You can absolutely trust us."

"If you have a little spare cash, I recommend you choose this 100,000 product, with a 17% return rate. Each month, you'll receive 17,000 in interest."

"In just six months, you'll break even, and then everything you earn each month will be pure profit."

"Once the contract ends, the principal will also be returned to you in one lump sum. After two years, you'll receive a total return of 500,000, including both principal and interest!"

Many people were dumbfounded when they heard so many numbers. Their minds were muddled, and they didn't even bother to consider whether it was a scam or not.

Lance observed the entire hall. It was magnificent, and everything seemed exceptionally high-end and normal. Everywhere was bright and spacious, making people believe from the bottom of their hearts that this wasn't a place for hiding dirt and grime.

"A bit presumptuous, but can I ask how many people have purchased your financial products?"

Lance specifically explained, "I believe most people's choices should be correct, so I hope you can give me a truthful number. If that number impresses me, I'll consider buying the maximum amount of product!"

Wally almost jumped up!

If this Mr. White really purchased 200,000 worth of financial products, he would receive a commission of 40,000!

That would be the sum total of all the money he had earned from childhood to adulthood!

"Mr. White, I must say, your vision is unique. At least seven thousand people have chosen to trust us, entrusting their funds to us for investment and profit."

"I know some people outside are questioning us, but think about it. It's not strange to have one fool, but is it not strange to have at least seven thousand rich fools, and for them to be foolish together?"

"So, this isn't a scam. The reason why the rich get richer is because of their courage and wisdom. Your courage and wisdom set you apart from them!"

After listening, Lance nodded slightly, "Can you use cash here?"

"Of course, we support both cash and transfers!"

He said, filled with anticipation!

At this moment, Lance was 40,000 yuan walking in his eyes!

Lance took out a cigarette, and Wally hurriedly bent over and stuck his butt out to light it for him, "If I invest so much money, can I meet Count Balz?"

"I believe 200,000 should be able to buy a chance to meet him, don't you think?"

Wally was stunned for a moment, "I have to ask for instructions, please wait a moment."

He became increasingly convinced that Lance really wanted to invest!

Soon, he went through a door to another room. After waiting for a few minutes, he still hadn't returned, but then he saw a familiar face, Barbara.

Barbara felt a little strange when she saw Lance. Lance had said before that he wasn't interested in these things. Why was he here again?

And recently... but she had also heard that Lance was now very rich!

She walked to Lance and sat down beside him, "Alone?"

Lance nodded, "There's a manager named Wally, he's not here right now."

Barbara looked at Lance, "Didn't you say..."

Lance smiled mysteriously and made a shushing gesture, "It's a secret!"

Barbara wasn't quite sure what this meant. Just as she was about to ask something, Wally came out from inside.

He saw Barbara at a glance and recognized her. He hurriedly walked over, "Mr. White is my client!"

He eagerly stated his position. He was well aware that these beautiful girls were more likely to win the favor of male customers. Barbara glanced at him, then stood up, "I and... Mr. White knew each other before, you lucky kid."

"Remember to buy me coffee later!"

She said, getting up and leaving, which relieved Wally. He was really afraid that the distinguished guest in front of him would be seduced by Barbara.

"I've asked my superiors. If you confirm your subscription of 200,000 worth of products, we can arrange a meeting with the president for you."

He added, "But it's only for ten minutes."

Lance slapped the armrest and stood up. Wally thought he had messed up. Just as he was thinking about how to remedy the situation, Lance suddenly reached out his hand, "Deal!"

"I'll bring the money to meet the president and hand it to him in person. Go arrange it and call this number when it's arranged."

"Tell him I'm very interested in the history of the Balz family. If he can satisfy me, I can invest even more!"

He picked up the coaster, wrote a number on it with a pen, left it for him, shook hands with Wally who was somewhat dumbfounded, and then left.

Today, Ennio was driving Lance, "I just heard people say that they can give a few percent, more than ten percent every month. Is that real?"

"Isn't that almost as high as our usury?"

Lance shook his head and said, "It's actually more vicious than usury, if they can deliver on it."

"If you lend 200,000 out for two years, asking for at most 10,000 a month is already the limit, otherwise no one would take that much."

"But they dare to take whatever amount you give, and they can give such high interest. Do you know what that means?"

Ennio drove seriously while shaking his head, "I haven't been to school much, I don't quite understand this."

"It has nothing to do with how much schooling you've had, Ennio. Not having gone to school doesn't mean you have to be a fool. Neither of us have had much schooling."

"They can eat into infinitely large funds and still give such high interest. The only possibility is that they never intended to let you make money from the beginning."

"No legitimate financial company dares to guarantee that their annual interest rate is above this number. What makes them confident that their monthly profit is above this number?"

Ennio didn't quite understand, "But haven't some of them already received rebates?"

This might be why so many people are being fooled, because they really saw some people getting rebates.

"You give them a hundred yuan, and they give you fifteen each month. This means they can at least fulfill their obligations for half a year."

"After half a year, they have two choices: either run away with the remaining ten yuan, or have more people join in."

"The former is unlikely, the latter is more likely, and you've already seen it, so many people!"

Ennio gradually reacted, and the car even sped up for a moment, "You mean, they're using investors' money to pay investors' interest?"

"My God..."

"They're scamming!"

Then he became nervous, "Then did you get scammed?"

Finally understood, but not completely.

"I'm not here for their scam, and I haven't been fooled. What I'm looking at is the money in their pockets!"

"Anyway, this money will be lost sooner or later, so I might as well take it and put it in my account."

"When the time comes, I'll set up a foundation, and I can use this money to help more people!"

Ennio stopped and sincerely exclaimed, "A noble ideal!"