Empire of Shadows

Chapter 635 Two Stories [666+3]

Boni lay in bed, watching his mother. His mother didn't have much education, but life had taught her how to face the world.

Honesty isn't always the best choice.

But it's definitely not the worst.

"I understand, Mom," he said, making his decision.

The next morning, he didn't even bother with work arrangements, simply telling people to carry on as usual. Then, he took his best friend, Karl, to the Imperial District.

Standing before the magnificent building, Boni wasn't as captivated as he used to be. Instead, he was contemplating the potential consequences of his actions.

Karl, on the other hand, was as awestruck as he always was, gazing at the luxurious building as if it were a vault, overflowing with wealth.

"One day, I'll have a house like this!" he thought, clenching his fist.

He and Boni had grown up together, both from poor families. After completing basic education, they entered the workforce.

Despite looking only sixteen or seventeen, they had already been working for two or three years.

Poverty was harsh, whether in the Federation, Dantella, the Empire, or Slader.

Exploitation and oppression weighed heavily, like a massive lead block, making it hard to breathe.

Before the war, his life was a blur. It wasn't until he fled to the Federation and witnessed the extravagant lifestyle and heard stories of ordinary people changing their destinies that things changed.

A seed was planted in his heart, quietly taking root and sprouting under the nourishment of desire.

As they walked on the mirrored marble mosaic floor, both felt a sense of inferiority. They were out of place amidst the decor and the gentlemen in suits who looked at them with knowing smiles!

They felt like clowns, wishing they could hide in the shadows.

After the secretary inquired, the heavy solid wood door was opened, and they were allowed to enter. They walked into the office, where Lance had them sit across from him, and instructed the secretary to bring them coffee.

"I thought your work would take a little longer," Lance said, a statement tinged with warning or reminder.

He already knew who the bastard was. Originally, he intended for Boni to find out, but he had discovered it first.

He wanted to remind Boni who was the boss and who was the employee.

Boni didn't seem to understand the meaning behind the words. His expression underwent subtle, rapid changes.

Difficulty, hesitation, impulse, reason…

Many emotions flickered across his face. Finally, he mustered his courage and said softly, "Mr. Lance, I have something… I'd like to talk to you about."

"Stories!" Lance said with a smile, taking a cigarette from the pack and gesturing for them to help themselves. "I like stories. I hope this one pleases me."

"Go ahead, say what you want to say."

Boni didn't take a cigarette, but Karl did. He couldn't afford such expensive cigarettes himself.

The moment he lit the cigarette with the desk lighter, the rich aroma was a far cry from the two-cent packs he usually bought. It was an absolute treat.

He squinted his eyes in contentment, as if he were floating on clouds!

Of course, that was just his imagination. It wasn't that magical.

Boni took a deep breath. "Last time, you asked me to investigate the gentleman who organized the gathering. I found him. His name is Hope Wright."

Lance nodded. He already knew this, and gestured for Boni to continue.

"I learned a bit about Mr. Wright's deeds. He has been dedicated to… helping refugees solve their problems, finding many charities, and bringing in a lot of supplies and medicine."

"I don't know how to say this, but he hopes to draw attention to the refugee community, so that more people will help us and keep us away from hunger and disease."

He emphasized slightly, "Mr. Lance, Mr. Wright is also a good person."

"Are you finished?" Lance asked.

The question caught Boni off guard. However, he quickly nodded. "Yes… No, I don't know how to say it. I think… he's a good person. We shouldn't hurt him."

Lance exhaled a puff of smoke, nodding noncommittally. After a few seconds, he asked, "What does that have to do with me?"

"Sorry?" Boni thought he hadn't heard correctly. "Are you saying…"

Lance emphasized again, "Whether he's a good person or a bad person, does it have anything to do with me?"

"I only need his name, his information. Whether he's a good person, who he's helped, who he's hurt, does it have anything to do with me?"

"Just like whatever I plan to do, what does it have to do with you?"

He shook his head and said, "Boni, you're a good young man. You have qualities that I admire. I admire your refusal to bow down to life."

"I admire you, so I gave you an opportunity, instead of life giving you one."

"Life only seeks out your weaknesses and tries to crush you."

"You didn't do what I asked you to do. I'm very disappointed."

He shook his head. "Although I still admire your noble qualities, it's clear that we're not on the same wavelength."

"I've lost confidence in our future cooperation. Perhaps you can go to that… Wright guy?"

"Go find a job with him. His work should be to your liking."

"You're fired."

"Sorry."

Actually, he wasn't that disappointed. It's normal for a young man who hasn't been beaten down by society to the point of despair to still have some dreams and pursuits.

Although Boni felt uncomfortable and found it hard to accept, he still respected Lance's decision. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lance."

Lance shook his head. "You don't owe me an apology. I hope you won't regret your decision in the future."

"I'll have Melo settle your wages. If you encounter any trouble, you can come to me."

"Although you no longer work for me, we're still friends."

Boni nodded. "Sorry… and thank you."

Karl watched everything unfold in stunned silence. Why did it happen so quickly?

He saw Boni stand up. He couldn't continue to express his shock. He quickly stood up as well.

Then, the two said goodbye to Lance and left the office.

The moment they walked out of the office, Karl nudged Boni. "Are you crazy?"

Boni shook his head, stumbling a few steps from the push, regaining his balance, and continuing to walk outside.

Karl followed closely. "You lost this job. Do you know what that means?"

"It means we lost our income. We'll have to be like before, like stray dogs looking for food in the streets!"

"Sorry, not just one. A pack, you, me, and them!"

Boni quickened his pace. He didn't want to talk about it here. People were already looking at them.

Karl noticed them too. He shut his mouth. The two quickly left the company. Standing at the door, Karl completely exploded. "Fuck, what the hell is going on in your head?"

"What are we going to do now?"

"Follow that Hope guy?"

"He values you because of everything Mr. Lance gave you. If you lose that, he won't value you at all!"

"I always thought you were a smart person, but I didn't expect you to be hopelessly stupid!"

"Enough!" Boni shouted. The surrounding pedestrians all looked over. He had to lower his voice again. "Mr. Hope is a good person. He does have some ambition, but like he said…"

"A beggar can only save another beggar, but a rich man can save us all!"

"He's helping as many people as possible, and I don't want to be a bad person who hurts a good person!"

Karl laughed in anger. "So you're going to use our future to exchange for your Hope's future?"

"What the fuck!"

"Don't you know, whether you do it or not, he's doomed!"

"Fuck, your brain really needs to be checked by a doctor!"

Boni's face was also ugly. "Even if he's doomed, I hope his death has nothing to do with me!"

After saying that, he turned and left. Watching his good brother's back, Karl felt for the first time that he was very naive and very stupid, so stupid that he didn't know what to say.

He put his hands on his hips, his body full of anger, but nowhere to vent. Just as he turned around, he saw the gate not far away again.

He thought of something, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

His breath still carried the aftertaste of the expensive cigarette. After a few minutes, he seemed to have made some kind of decision and walked towards the company again.

The secretary was curious about this little guy who had returned not long after leaving, but she still followed the procedure, notified Lance, and only brought Karl in after receiving permission.

"Only you?"

Lance looked at him, as calm and indifferent as before.

Karl nodded. This time Lance didn't ask him to sit down.

Before, they were Lance's subordinates, and Lance would allow them to sit down, but now they were just ordinary people, and they lost the qualification to sit across from Lance.

Karl swallowed, feeling a little ruthless in his heart.

He didn't want to move out of the big house, didn't want to go back to New Port and eat those days-old, rancid-smelling foods, and he didn't want to live a lifetime of poverty.

He wanted to be above others!

"Mr. Lance, actually, yesterday Hope called us over. He said some things that I thought you might find interesting."

Lance looked at him thoughtfully, and after a moment, an expression appeared on his face. "Come, sit down and tell me. I believe this is definitely another story, an interesting story."

He had his secretary bring over a fresh cup of coffee and took out a cigar. "Want to try one?"