Empire of Shadows

"Uncle Burton, I heard you bought this apartment yourself and didn't rent it, is that right?"

Lance glanced at the water cup on the table, with no intention of touching it, while Mr. Burton had been eagerly waiting for him to take a sip and then use "How about it, I told you, didn't I? The tap water here has no strange taste, it's still sweet" to prove his point.

He had to change the subject, and as soon as he spoke, it was about something Mr. Burton couldn't ignore.

The corners of Mr. Burton's mouth involuntarily curled up, the facial muscles that originally meant to show a tint of seriousness ultimately could not hold back a not-so-serious smile, even his desire to get Lance's affirmation on the slightly sweet tap water was overlooked.

"Did Jerald tell you all this?"

"It seems you two are indeed very good friends!"

He took a deep breath, with a feeling of "It's been found out by you, I have to admit it," "Yes, that's right, this apartment is mine."

"You might not know what I went through when I first came here, but in any case, I accompanied the city's growth, and it returned to me the most wonderful gift."

"I bought a house, got married although I divorced later, have insurance, have a work card, I don't need to worry about the Emperor's soldiers dragging me from my bed in the middle of the night, handing me a defective gun to serve the Royal Family."

"The only thing I need to do is to put in my labor, and then reap my reward!"

He couldn't help laughing a few times as he said this, "I'm not boasting, Lance, this is the Federation dream, it has shone into my life, and I hope you can become a man like me."

"Hardworking, determined, and capable of enduring hardship, society will reward you with everything, if not now, then just later, no matter how late, it will definitely come, this is the Federation!"

"To give is to receive!", his face had the pious holiness of a preacher conning country farmers, which made Lance feel a bit nauseous.

"You really are a remarkable man!", Lance complimented unwillingly, making Mr. Burton laugh even louder without inhibitions.

He liked to share his most successful, everything that he desperately wanted to flaunt, now he had succeeded.

"You can do the same, buy a property here, have your own life, and secure an immigrant status."

"As long as you're willing to work hard with both feet on the ground!"

He paused, wiping the white spittle from speaking too much from the corner of his mouth, "I haven't asked yet, what work are you doing, Lance?"

He gave Lance an obvious "I am evaluating you" and an "I can tell you're wearing nice clothes" look, scanning him up and down, looking at Lance another time.

Lance maintained his politeness and smile, "I work for some local people, not in the traditional sense of employment, I handle some tricky things for them, and they pay me."

The originally rich smile on Mr. Burton's face suddenly lost some of its vigor.

Most of the workers who obediently cooperate with capitalist exploitation and oppression don't quite like the things Lance just mentioned.

That represented instability, represented risk, and wasn't the kind of life he wanted to live.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit stiff. Mr. Burton couldn't be blamed for that, most ordinary people actually didn't want to have anything to do with gang affairs.

"That's quite good." He responded, already wanting Lance to leave, making a point of looking at the clock hanging over the bedroom door with exaggerated motion.

Lance acted as if he hadn't noticed, "I haven't been here for very long and don't know much about the situation in Golden Port City."

"Uncle Burton, you've lived here for a long time and must know the place very well, I wonder if you could tell me about the life of imperial people here?"

Mr. Burton seemed hesitant, but considering that Lance might have joined a gang, he ultimately couldn't refuse.

"There are about thirty thousand imperial immigrants in Golden Port City who have already obtained their identity cards, and the rest are... illegal immigrants."

"Those of us who have obtained our identity cards, we often go to Saint Naye Cathedral for gatherings on weekends."

"I've heard that others have their own gathering places too, but I never attended any," he pondered for a moment. "Since you are friends with Jerald, let me give you a piece of advice: don't get involved with people from the Camille Gang."

When Lance inquired about this "Camille Gang," Mr. Burton remained silent.

At the same time, he mentioned it was getting late, he had work to do, and Lance could only stand up to take his leave.

Although he hadn't seen Little Red Riding Hood, it was somewhat of an insight into the lives of the imperial people who lived here.

As for the Camille Gang Mr. Burton spoke of, Lance wasn't very clear on what they did, but he had a suspicion—

It's often the person you least expect who can inflict a fatal wound on you.

People are always extremely cautious and careful when dealing with enemies. It is only when facing their own people that they let their guard down, only to get stabbed right in the heart.

Fortunately, the weekend was just a day away, giving Mr. Anderson plenty of time to consider whether he should settle his debts.

In the afternoon, Lance went to the company where he told Elvin that selling out Mr. Kodi was no issue, but he still had to talk it over with him.

This time at the company, everyone was greeting him.

Capable people are always welcomed and valued everywhere, even the pretty receptionist at the door painting her toenails greeted Lance with a "Hi."

Fodis wasn't there; he too was out working. Lance went directly to Mr. Kodi's office, where he was on a phone call.

Not wanting to be obtrusive, he didn't enter Mr. Kodi's office. Instead, he waited at the door until he heard a voice inside inviting him in before entering.

"Sorry, I was on the phone for a bit too long, it's almost the end of the month."

The second quarter was coming to an end, and the third quarter was upon them. At this time, some companies, in order to look good on paper and fool investors and shareholders, would desperately seek loans.

This was also a busy time of the quarter for financial companies and banks, with most of the business involving overnight deals, or those lasting three days, five days, or a week.

The interest rate was high; just then Alberto had secured a short-term loan for a week. He put out two hundred thousand, and a week later he'd be repaid two hundred and fifteen thousand.

At first glance, the interest might not seem that high, only fifteen thousand, but in reality, it wasn't a small sum.

The company had a solid reputation and sufficient collateral. They would sign a formal loan contract, one with legal effect.

Even now, Alberto secretly hoped they wouldn't pay him back or couldn't afford to, so he could legally seize their assets through judicial means.

He was in a great mood!

"Sit down, Anderson called me, you did very well," he said as he opened his cigarette box, turned it around, and let Lance take out a cigarette.

"On the phone he swore more than the dirtiest woman I've ever seen. Now I'm a bit angry."

"I'm considering whether I really want to collect this debt or find a way to get some proper revenge. What do you think, Lance?"

Securing the first order and getting Anderson to call him directly, Lance had fully demonstrated his personal capabilities.

Alberto was very curious to know what Lance would choose.

Lance hardly hesitated as he said, "No one turns their back on money, if I were you, Mr. Kodi, I'd take back what's mine and then get my sweet revenge."

Alberto clapped his hands, very satisfied with Lance's response, "You're right, I won't turn my back on money..." He pondered for a moment, "Do you have any further thoughts?"

Lance didn't keep his thoughts to himself, "Mr. Anderson is very fond of his restaurant, so I plan to continue targeting it."