Darkstone Code

On the TV, Ferrari was at City Hall, under the Federation flag, with a Bible and Federation Code beside him. He stood before a large crowd of reporters and cameras, solemnly swearing to uphold the symbols representing the Federation, and pledged to be a clean mayor dedicated all his energy to the city's development.

Talking about not engaging in corruption and serving humanity, as if it were true.

Well, what he said is true. Perhaps the majority at this moment can feel a special sense of mission, this sense of mission making them truly believe they will become the person they want to be.

History is not short of such people, upright and righteous. However, such people usually do not have much record in history books because they all live short lives and lack significant deeds for posterity to read about. What they leave behind is only their spirit.

In another room, with delayed television images from the scene on screen, Lynch finished signing a contract and exchanged it with the gentleman beside him, smiling and shaking hands.

This was the conference room of Golden Exchange Bank's city branch, where some businessmen willing to sell their companies for almost nothing to Lynch to offset their bank loan debts had gathered.

Mr. Jonathan was the first. His expression was peculiar at this moment; half a lifetime of efforts had been completely abandoned in the previous second, exchanged for nothing but relief.

He left nothing behind; his house, car, savings were all gone, including his much younger wife.

He didn't know if he had just experienced what people often talked about; a moment to review everything in his first half of life, scene after scene flashing before him, eventually pausing at this very moment.

Everything felt like a dream, but dreams are meant to end. He handed over the contract with his signature to Lynch and shook hands with him.

Half a lifetime's effort seemed like a dream, a dream leaving him only a startup assistance fund from Mr. Lynch and a ticket to Nagariel.

Jonathan felt emotional; he somewhat understood this was Lynch's tactic, but there was no way to blame anyone.

Lynch did not violate the law or harm or threaten him to sell his company cheaply.

Moreover, Lynch did not use malicious competition tactics to disgracefully drag Mr. Jonathan's company down. Lynch did not do that.

He just let the bank choose to collect owed payments a bit sooner, a method faultless in any way. He had seen it clearly over these days; if he hadn't understood, he couldn't have been wealthy before.

He couldn't hate Lynch. Lynch took away everything from his first half of life but gave him hope for the second half. His feelings were complex and contradictory.

"Mr. Lynch, congratulations on getting what you wanted!", Jonathan said humbly, using respectful language, because he knew clearly that Nagariel was also Lynch's territory, and he might not want to fall into misfortune, so he'd better show respect to Lynch.

Of course, his slight jab at Lynch in his words wouldn't bring any negative consequences, because victors are always generous. They've already won; they don't mind showing their generosity to others!

Lynch shook his arm with a smile, "I'm just helping you break free from the deadlock. Only eggs that can hatch have value. As for these…", shaking the contract in his hand, "they'll consume what little energy you have left, without offering any feedback. Once you reach Nagariel, you'll understand."

Jonathan sighed heavily, as if wishing to exhale all his displeasure. He forced a smile, "I'll head to Nagariel soon, and at that time, I hope Mr. Lynch can provide some guidance and help. I'm not familiar with the area!"

Lynch patted Jonathan's arm in comfort, "Of course, you will soon find how intelligent your decision is; this will be an important turning point in your life and the most significant decision you've ever made!"

Jonathan stepped aside willingly, as other gentlemen were lining up to sell their enterprises at extremely low prices to Lynch.

If they didn't do so, the bank would "legally auction" their assets. Everyone knew the Federation wanted to benefit from judicial auctions, delegating third-party institutions, such as banks, for auctions.

Likewise, when banks need to dispose of assets, they require a third-party institution for auctions to avoid suspicion. However, these institutions are sometimes not very well-known, and many may not even realize such auctions exist or cannot find the auction locations even after knowing.

Rather than transferring their assets to the bank at cheaper prices and accruing huge debts, selling to Lynch cleans the slate, offers some aid, plus the money from Lynch's acquisition and an important opportunity.

None of those coming here were fools. Like Jonathan, they may have been perplexed initially but have come to understand calmly over the days, accepting the situation as a game they were bound to play.

One gentleman after another sold their enterprise to Lynch—it should be noted this transaction resembled more an unwarranted transfer. Lynch didn't give them much money because their businesses weren't valued!

From the bank's evaluation, they can't even cover the loans and interest if the companies were auctioned off, so Lynch wouldn't give them much money. Otherwise, Lynch would wait for them to go bankrupt and pick up pieces from the bank.

If they didn't give Lynch money, they should already call out to the "generous and kind Mr. Lynch." How could they expect more money?

This is Lynch's excellent trait; he wouldn't offer much "acquisition" money, but he would give these people another sum through "investment" or "assistance" for starting businesses in Nagariel.

Though it looks like the same thing, it's not; in terms of transfer, issues of business assets have been thoroughly cleared.

The money Lynch provided is additional investment, whether setting up factories or running other businesses in Nagariel, whatever they do, their company will include Lynch's shares, as it's his investment. This requires another contract.

It may sound utterly despicable, but who is to blame? This is capitalism; this is the game mode of the capital world—winners take all, and losers have no bargaining power!

One contract after another being signed, Lynch writes checks with minimal figures, swallowing assets potentially tens to hundreds of times or more than the acquisition price.

This is why, during economic downturns, the expansion speed of capital predators is exceedingly fast.

Because they can collude with City Hall and banks to aggressively take over troubled companies without restraint.

If they don't merge these enterprises, these companies cannot operate and provide jobs for society.

The City Hall and local leaders certainly don't want to see this. They prefer companies to "assume more social responsibility," acquiring more troubled companies and offering more jobs quickly, for which they might overlook some issues.

In special times, special measures should be used!

Uncontrolled capital grows stronger in each financial or economic crisis, ultimately becoming a terrifying monster.

Once the last bankrupt person exchanged a contract with Lynch and received a check, everything came to an end. Ferrari also announced becoming the interim mayor of Sabin City before many staff and media reporters, until the next mayoral election.

To set the mood, Lynch asked the bank staff to bring over champagne. He stood directly below the TV, raising his glass, "To new life, new beginnings!"

…

After seeing everyone off, Lynch didn't leave the bank, as there were still some procedures remaining to be settled.

While relaxing on Helen's shoulder during the break, Helen suddenly asked a question, "Boss, aren't you afraid the bank will ask you for money after buying these bankrupt businesses?"

Helen didn't involve that much in the whole process, nor has she engaged in true capital-level stratagems and tactics. She naively thought buying these businesses, chased by the bank and ready to be liquidated, was not worthwhile.

Those companies had numerous debts with the bank, and though buying them cost Lynch not much, he assumed those debts, which would become a big headache for him.

Lynch chuckled, satisfied with Helen, pleased she could massage well and exert some force, relaxing him anytime and anywhere, which he liked.

So, he didn't mind answering some superficial and naive questions, "Who said I have to repay the bank?"

Helen paused momentarily with her hands, and Lynch coughed, prompting her to resume. "But these enterprises owe the bank money, and the bank has started to collect," she said.

Lynch shook his head, "They can't repay, so banks must recover losses as much as possible before their total bankruptcy, so the bank rushes the collections, even willing to use legal teams."

"They understand well if the last assets go uncollected, their issued loans will become bad debts, and higher-ups will disapprove."

"But I'm different; I can repay any time, so banks won't rush me. They want more interest!"

"Banks call daily, persuading those who don't need loans to deposit money, yet pretend not to see those needing money for circulation."

Lynch laughed as he spoke, "It's a complicated world!"

Indeed, he left unsaid that when these enterprises' value was squeezed dry, he'd split and bankrupt them.

By then, he needn't repay and could profit again.