Empire of Shadows

In the study of Senator Cleveland's villa, Senator Cleveland splashed water on his face and sat down across from Lance.

It was evident that washing his face hadn't completely sobered him up, but it was slightly better than when he had first entered.

"Sorry, I had some drinks tonight!"

He explained his current terrible state, which was not a good state to meet a guest, even though Lance was not a guest equal to him in status or other aspects.

From a young age, the upbringing and education he received ensured that he always maintained his appearance and demeanor.

Even if the person sitting across from him was a beggar reeking of stench, the moment he decided to sit down, those negative things, the stench, or whatever else, would disappear from his eyes.

Not just him, but many people can actually do it, when they are cultivated and hoped for as top politicians from a young age.

But there are also some politicians who behave more deplorably; not everyone is like that.

Some people can behave like gentlemen, while others will even kick the door open with their feet.

You might think these people lack manners, not because they have multiple personalities, but simply because they didn't think they could go very far when they were born, so they lacked the mindset to restrain their behavior.

When they become more powerful, their fear of the world decreases, and the world's restraint on them also diminishes, so they will recklessly treat the world with their own understanding of it.

It's like some people like to add some unpleasant interjections when speaking; they see these as personality, but it's just a lack of manners.

If an ordinary person says "You're fucking great" to you, you'll think this person is a lowlife, but if a president says this to you, you'll think he's very interesting.

Actually, it's not that he's really interesting or has personality; it's just that his position makes people ignore the fact that this is a lack of manners.

Senator Cleveland is a qualified politician, and very well-mannered in all aspects.

Lance smiled and said, "It's okay, it's just a little wine; I believe it won't affect your judgment, Senator."

Senator Cleveland nodded, "Yes, I also believe that!"

He paused, "How much money did you bring this time?"

Very direct, and very efficient.

"Four million."

"Four million?"

Cleveland felt that after hearing this number, he seemed to be more energetic, which was much more effective than washing his face!

Lance nodded, "Yes, four million."

"That's much more than I expected."

"I thought it might only be around two million at most; how did you do it?"

Lance smiled, "The Kodak family has been around for so long; they have accumulated a lot of wealth."

"Those properties were mortgaged to the bank; the money came from the bank."

Senator Cleveland understood when he heard this; it was equally simple and efficient, and very safe.

He pursed his lips and glanced at Tom, who whispered, "The money has already been transferred to the account."

Senator Cleveland's face showed a little more smile; he now found Lance very pleasing to the eye, not only because Lance had solved some small troubles for him but also gave him so much money.

More importantly, Lance was sensible.

If Lance had not immediately deposited the money and had to meet him before depositing it, it would subjectively make him feel a little uncomfortable.

It would make him feel that Lance was actively seeking credit, or reminding him that the money came from him, or for some other reason.

But Lance directly transferred the money before coming over, which made people feel very comfortable; his coming here had nothing to do with that money!

After all, everyone likes "other people's sincerity."

"You definitely didn't come just for this matter."

Senator Cleveland rubbed his temples, "Tell me, is there anything you need my help with?"

Tom glanced at Lance from the side; it was rare for Senator Cleveland to actively offer to help others with something.

It was evident that he was indeed very satisfied with Lance.

Lance shook his head, "There's one thing I can solve myself, and another thing is about Goldport City."

"I've been reading the newspapers recently and noticed that the international situation is undergoing tremendous changes; if war breaks out, will Goldport City be affected, and how should we deal with the military?"

"Once a state of war is entered, the entire city may enter a state of military control; will that affect the operation of the casino?"

Senator Cleveland frowned slightly, "How do you know war is about to break out?"

Not many people actually knew about this matter; the Federation was looking for an opportunity to intervene in the war, and he was curious how Lance knew.

Although everyone knew that Congress couldn't keep secrets, after all, each senator represented the interests of their backing groups.

These people in these interest groups had their own relatives or friends, and the news would definitely spread, but it shouldn't spread so quickly, and spread to the bottom of society.

"I saw it in the newspapers; the newspapers have been mentioning their rudeness and the possible consequences, and I think the media is paving the way for the outbreak of war."

"The media is using these news stories to tell people that it's not us who want to start a war, but the arrogant Dantela Republic and their Prime Minister or something."

"We are only passively facing their war, so this is a war of self-defense, a just war."

"Under these reports, people will be more likely to accept the fact that war is breaking out."

He said some details he had noticed from the newspapers, and Senator Cleveland nodded as he listened, "Not bad, your observation is very meticulous."

"If war breaks out, the battlefield won't be on our homeland, so you don't have to worry too much."

"As for military control…"

He thought for a while, "I'll pay attention to that."

He paused for a moment, "When are you going back this time?"

Lance replied, "In about three or four days?"

"Of course, it can also be postponed if necessary."

Senator Cleveland nodded noncommittally, "I don't have time tomorrow; I should have some time the day after tomorrow afternoon; I'll arrange for a few people to meet with you."

Lance knew what he meant; he brought up this matter, which led to this meeting, so the people he would meet this time would definitely be able to solve his concerns.

"Do I need to prepare gifts?"

Senator Cleveland looked at him, a little amused, but also wanting to know what he would prepare, so he nodded, "You can prepare some; after all, some of them can indeed use them."

Afterwards, he chatted with Lance about the casino's operating situation, and whether the two major projects, the Imperial Palace Casino and the Water Park, had entered the preparation stage.

When Lance described these new projects to him, they all had huge development prospects, and even though he listened to similar reports every day, he was still attracted by the future that Lance described.

What the world's most luxurious casino, what the world's largest water park; if these things could really be built, they would definitely become huge cash cows.

Even if Lance couldn't do these things, his performance was enough for Senator Cleveland to value him.

The senator had drunk a lot of wine, and after chatting with Lance for another half an hour, his spirits became a little weak again, and he needed to rest.

Lance also got up in time to say goodbye, and Senator Cleveland asked Tom to see Lance off.

On the way back, Lance gave Tom an envelope.

"What's this?"

Looking at the envelope, Tom didn't immediately take it.

He knew what was inside, and the purpose of asking this was mainly to know why there was this money.

"A routine gift between friends."

Tom hesitated a little; it wasn't that easy to accept bribes when you were around Senator Cleveland, although they would also give them.

Because those who gave him money often wanted him to find a way to persuade the senator, and the issues that needed persuasion were precisely the issues that the senator opposed.

So he couldn't accept this money; if he accepted it, he would have to do things contrary to the senator's decisions, which would only make him further and further away from the core of this circle.

And those issues that were consistent with the senator's decisions didn't require them to pay these staff members some fees for lobbying or other purposes.

So it wasn't easy for Tom to usually receive black money; he didn't dare to take what was given to him, and there wasn't much he could take.

He hesitated for a moment and finally decided to accept Lance's friendship; he got along well with the senator, and this friendship should last for quite some time.

"Thank you!"

Tom put the envelope in his pocket without opening it immediately.

Lance casually explained, "This money was transferred from the casino's public account and has already been taxed for you; you can dispose of it as you wish."

The car slowly parked outside the hotel, and Lance said with a smile, "See you later?"

Tom nodded, "See you later!"

Lance glanced at the driver, "Take Mr. Tom back."

Looking at Lance's departing back, he was a little emotional; Lance didn't act like an ordinary gang leader at all, which was also one of the reasons why he accepted Lance's friendship.

When he returned home, the family members were already resting; he didn't go directly to the bedroom but came to the study.

After reviewing what happened today in his mind, he took out the envelope and opened it.

Inside was a transfer check with fifty thousand dollars written on it, and a piece of paper, which was the tax document.

He flicked the check, the sound was very pleasant, and the smell of ink emanating from it was moving!

This is power!

Back in his hotel room, Lance casually tossed his hat onto the low stool in the cloakroom. He took off his jacket, understanding why the Federation citizens liked to change into other clothes when they were at home—comfort.

"Have you found him?" he asked.

Hiram and Laun had come with him this time. Hiram wasn't present, but Laun was.

"We've found him. Hiram is keeping an eye on him."

Lance nodded. "Did you check the cinema?"

Laun replied, "We've already checked. The cinema plays our film four times a day, and the occupancy rate is not bad. I don't know the exact numbers, but people are always watching it."

"So, there's no such thing as not being able to sell tickets or no one watching it."

Lance curled his lip, "Then tomorrow, we'll pay Mr. Cerre a visit."

In the morning, Mr. Cerre drove his new car to the office.

Yesterday, besides the box office revenue from New Gold City, the box office from the surrounding cities had also been tallied, totaling more than five thousand seven hundred.

The actual operating costs were only the slow rotation of fourteen projectors and the labor costs of the employees—very low costs.

Of these five thousand seven hundred in ticket sales, the profit was about three thousand five hundred to four thousand, more than one hundred thousand a month.

Last month, there was a summer film exhibition, and he had purchased some new movies, which would be released at the end of July and the beginning of August.

At that time, his income would increase dramatically again. People loved movies and were willing to pay to go to the cinema to watch new ones.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile. Those people walking on the roadside would never understand his troubles.

How could he possibly spend so much money? It was such a headache!

He was already preparing for a new cinema. Now, the competition in this industry was a bit fierce. The suitable plots of land had either already been bought or were priced particularly high.

He was still hesitant and observing, afraid that fierce competition would lead to someone lowering ticket prices, triggering a chain reaction.

He was truly frightened by the five-cent movie tickets from previous years!

Moreover, recently, the cinema operators in Gold Province were planning to integrate their resources, and someone had suggested that they also establish an industry organization.

The purpose was to completely eliminate vicious price competition. He planned to wait until this matter was settled before considering whether to continue investing in building new cinemas.

He parked the car and went to the office. The newspapers for the new day had already been placed on his desk.

The little secretary swayed her hips as she brought him coffee and pastries. He smiled and patted her buttocks twice.

The little secretary wasn't annoyed. She scolded him with a smile and left with the tray.

In this day and age, if you wanted to find a job that paid forty-eight yuan and wasn't tiring, being patted on the butt twice was acceptable.

Just consider it being bitten by a dog!

Mr. Cerre began his "busy" day again, reading newspapers, reading magazines, drinking coffee, and eating snacks.

After an unknown amount of time, suddenly the little secretary knocked on the door. Before he could tell her to come in, the office door was pushed open.

The little secretary stood at the door in a panic, not knowing what to do, and several young men walked in from outside.

Mr. Cerre frowned and looked at them until a guy who seemed to be their leader sat down across from him.

"Mr. Cerre?" the young man asked.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before.

He sensed a kind of gangster vibe from these people, which made him a little nervous, but only a little.

He looked at the young man sitting across from him and asked, "Who are you?"