Empire of Shadows

Temporarily relying on the Pasreytos family is the best option Lance can currently imagine.

In any era and any society, the discussion ultimately revolves around value and demonstrating value.

It might differ due to varying social cultures, historical backgrounds, or other factors, but their essence remains the same.

Sometimes, in certain regions, value is perceived as wealth, while in others, it represents status or loyalty.

You must make people believe you are useful and have value to remain; only then will you be kept around.

Currently, Lance lacks significant power to display. If he doesn't want to flee, the best approach is to abide by the rules of the game, join one side, and become a "valuable person."

In reality, almost everyone has progressed this way!

Presidents, Speakers of the House, Senate Majority Leaders, various ministers, major capitalists, and even family heads.

They all have followed this path, but their journeys may differ slightly from those of ordinary people.

Big shots often drive cars, while the little guys can only run.

Driving a car has many advantages: it's easy, convenient, and allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way. You can hold the steering wheel with one hand and travel further on the road to "achievement and glory."

After all, if the car runs out of gas, they can always get out and walk a few steps.

But those who run have their attention focused on their constantly depleting physical strength and those… competitors.

They can't go too far before being defeated by fatigue and hunger, then overtaken by latecomers, ultimately choosing to lie flat.

The distance they cover from the starting point to where they stop is called "family accumulation."

Those who are a little luckier and unwilling to admit defeat may muster their courage and strength again to run for a while, but eventually, they will still fall.

The smarter ones will try to hitch a ride when a car passes by. Maybe you're not sitting in the driver's seat, maybe you're sitting in the back seat, on the roof, or even hiding under the car.

But at least you can go further and with less effort than those who run on their own two legs.

Although sometimes when the car has problems, you have to get out and push, or get your hands dirty from repairing it, these costs are entirely acceptable compared to those who are still running behind!

As long as the car can still run and the driver doesn't ask you to get off, it's worth paying some price for this journey.

If one day, you suddenly find that you also have the qualifications and money to buy a car, then this means that a new life is about to begin.

Of course, it is also possible that you will never be able to afford a car, or do not have the qualifications to buy a car, and can only follow other people's cars.

If you're lucky, you can go all the way to the terminal, although the probability is not high.

Because there will always be people on the journey who are better at pushing the car than you, people who are better at repairing the car, and even people who are more flamboyant than you.

Being kicked off halfway is the norm.

But this is also accumulation, because your children will have more advantages than those who have never hitchhiked.

Everyone has to go through this, no one is born as the Federal President. The current Federal President also started as a mayor's assistant.

He has some background and identity advantages, but he also climbed up step by step from the "bottom."

If Lance wants to go higher, he must have a "car."

After hanging up the phone, everyone in the room was looking at him. No one spoke, although some of them didn't understand why they had to rely on the Pasreytos family.

However, based on their trust in Lance, they didn't ask.

Lance patted his knee and stood up, "We can go home now."

"Drive back?"

"Did you think you were going to walk back?"

A group of young people finally showed some long-lost smiles on their faces, returned to the backyard, got in their cars, and openly embarked on the road home.

On the way, several police cars brushed past them, but no one came down to stop them and check if these people had alarmed the police system.

This is the interesting part about being protected by the rules. You will find that many law enforcement agencies have become deaf and blind.

On the road, Elvin asked, "Are we going to sell our lives to the Pasreytos family?"

Lance leaned half his body against the open car window. The wind outside was a bit chilly, just enough to dispel the heat in his heart, "We don't sell our lives to anyone. This is a transaction."

"We follow the rules, give him money and some loyalty, and let him protect us."

"When we have powerful strength, he will take the initiative to let us leave."

While driving the car, Elvin said, "I'm just worried that he will make us do some dangerous things…"

Lance wasn't too worried, "He won't do that until I help him build a faster, safer, and cheaper money-laundering company."

Most criminal groups are racking their brains over the issue of money laundering. On the one hand, there is the risk of money laundering. The tax bureau doesn't calculate with you based on 'how much tax you stole this time.' They calculate how much you owe them based on 'I heard your grandfather started doing these businesses.'

On the other hand, the high cost of money laundering is also a problem. The Kodak family's 55% to 45% fee is a typical example.

You desperately earn a million, but after one transaction, you only have 500,000 or even 450,000 left. Who can stand that?

So when Lance proposed a more stable, safer, and less costly money-laundering method, Mr. Pasreytos was a little tempted.

But it hasn't reached the point where it must be implemented, because every year there are always people who say nice things, trying to get something from him or others.

"It's good that you know what you're doing."

The convoy returned to the new house. They put the submachine guns and pistols into sacks and hid them in a basement that Lance had dug out himself.

Although it is very likely that the police station will not cause him big trouble, he still has to be vigilant. They just don't bother you today, it doesn't mean they won't bother you in the future.

He slept until dawn, never having slept so comfortably, but he was awakened by Alberto's voice at around 7:00 in the morning.

Alberto came over, partly to get the guns, and partly to re-agree with Lance about going to Yalan, and also to meet his "new brother."

"I knew it, Lance, I knew it. From the moment I saw you, I knew we would become good brothers in the future!" Alberto couldn't help but run over to chat with him after hearing that Lance had officially joined the group.

From the perspective of the Federation people and even others, the Sumerians are very united, but within the Sumerians, there is no lack of friction between the four major families on Sumeri Island and the Sumerian forces on the Federation side.

Just like all ancient forces that were once wealthy but have begun to decline, they always cling to orthodoxy, because only in this way can they continue to bask in the glory of their ancestors!

Sumerians who go out from Sumeri Island, no matter how well they develop outside, even if they become the president of the country, when they return to Sumeri Island, if they should be grandsons, they should still be grandsons.

Their rigid and inflexible approach has already caused some rifts between the four major families in the local area and the people on the Federation side. Perhaps it is not too obvious yet, but it will erupt sooner or later.

Within the Sumerians who immigrated to the Federation, it is not a completely monolithic group. The developed capitalist society and clear values of the Federation have impacted the concepts of many Sumerians.

They no longer abide by some traditional concepts and have become more like Federation people.

Of course, it is not to say that all traditions are good, but at least in terms of "having family and religious organizations," they believe that traditions should still be respected, but some people think this is outdated.

In short, there are also struggles within them.

If something really breaks out one day, the person with the greatest power will definitely live more comfortably.

Alberto hopes that Lance can become a good helper for him and allow his investment to get a rich return.

After the two hugged, they sat on the sofa separately. Alberto was very interested in some of the things that happened last night. After Lance roughly described the whole process, he couldn't sit still and walked back and forth.

"So exciting, Lance, you should have called me at the last moment…" He actually knew this was nonsense, but this way of expressing it could enhance his sense of involvement.

"And your joke was very interesting, how did you think of it?" He was referring to Heller diving next to him for half an hour.

When Mr. Pasreytos called, he mentioned this and kindly commented on Lance's sense of humor, believing that he could get better opportunities for growth.

The Federation is a very strange society. On the one hand, they refuse to let "newbies" join high-level circles, but on the other hand, they spare no effort to help those they like improve.

In social situations, humor and self-deprecation are always the most effective ways to attract people's attention. Every successful person has these characteristics.

Even if they don't, they must pretend they do.

There was once a politician with no sense of humor. In order to make himself seem humorous, he hired some people who specialized in writing jokes to write a lot of humorous things for him, which helped him achieve some success.

When he retired, he shared this experience, talking about this when he talked about "What to do if you have no sense of humor."

Lance shrugged, "Maybe it's innate."

Alberto laughed for a while, "Now that your affairs are almost resolved, can we set off for Yalan?"

Lance apologized for suddenly delaying his trip, "I didn't expect the problems to erupt all at once, or for things to develop so quickly."

Alberto didn't mind at all. "None of us wanted it to turn out this way, but thankfully, you resolved it perfectly."

"If nothing unexpected happens, you'll have good news when you return."

Lance looked into Alberto's eyes and, before he could look away, roughly understood the meaning behind his words.

He didn't point it out directly. "So, this can be considered a trip, right?"

Alberto nodded. "Alan has a lot of unique things to offer; you'll like it!" He winked. Beautiful women, fine wine, and inviting beaches—going to Alan when the weather starts to cool down is indeed a pleasure.

Especially when you have money!

Throughout the day, police cars in Goldport City were racing around with their sirens blaring. Many people didn't know what was happening, but according to rumors, the evidence gathering related to the Camilla gang's criminal syndicate, arranged by the mayor and organized by Chief Charlie of the city bureau, was nearing completion.

They were arresting the core members of the Camilla gang and would send them all to prison.

The police department disclosed some information that the public wasn't very aware of, such as reports that they were linked to at least forty-seven homicides.

Moreover, the majority of the victims were new immigrant groups and women. Chief Charlie stated that the Federation would protect the rights of anyone who came to the Federation through legal channels as much as possible.

This is the most basic respect for the human rights of both Federation citizens and immigrants.

To clean up the security issues in Goldport City, and also to ensure that these perpetrators receive a fair outcome, the mayor specifically instructed Chief Charlie of the city police department to control, arrest, and try the Camilla gang.

Over several days, a large number of police cars were seen rushing back and forth. It was said that the police had also engaged in fierce gun battles with some members of the Camilla gang, successfully killing some of the ringleaders.

Most of the remaining individuals had been arrested, but some were still at large. The police had issued wanted posters with rewards, and it was believed that there would be results soon.

It was also during this time that Mr. Chobaf proactively contacted Lance and arranged to meet him.

Perhaps considering the events of the past few days, Mr. Chobaf let Lance choose the location. Naturally, Lance chose the firm.

Mr. Chobaf took off his coat and hat as he entered. When he faced Lance, who was standing behind the desk, a certain indescribable emotion surged within him.

He had spent over twenty years spinning his wheels, and only after listening to Lance's advice and deciding to first become a "bitch" did he finally see some improvement.

But Lance had only spent half a year traversing the path that had taken him twenty years to complete.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they sat down separately. He asked with some curiosity, "How did you do it?"

Lance opened the cigarette case, indicating that Mr. Chobaf could smoke, but Mr. Chobaf refused.

He lit one himself. "Do what?"

"Do what it takes to become a…" He searched his mind for a moment before finding a word that he was somewhat jealous of, reluctant to admit, but definitely fit the context and the current situation: "Nouveau riche."

"Nouveau riche?" Lance chuckled. "It's not like I'm truly a nouveau riche. I haven't really joined the Pasreto family; I just provide them with some services."

"Everyone wants to serve the big shots, Lance. I want to as well." This wasn't a lie; it was his true feeling.

Ever since he showered the mayor with a large sum of money and became known as the "mayor's lackey," he immediately felt that the city had become as inclusive as the Federals advertised!

All the malice directed at him had disappeared, or at least it seemed that way on the surface. The people around him had all become nice.

When they saw him, they no longer glanced sideways as if they hadn't seen him but instead politely tipped their hats and greeted him, "Mr. Chobaf."

Every day was a pleasant day, except when he looked at the ledger, which resembled a black hole.

"I once thought I was so familiar with everything here, but now I realize how unfamiliar I am with it," he said with emotion.

Lance flicked the ash off his cigarette. "Every significant advancement comes at a price, Mr. Chobaf."

"You only paid the price of losing some money, but I paid the price of several good brothers' lives."

"I'd rather use money to bring them back."

"Money can be earned again, but when people are gone, they're gone."

Mr. Chobaf knew that Lance had detected some "jealousy" in his tone. He lowered his voice slightly. "Sorry…"

He paused for a moment. "There are two things I came to you for this time." After his emotions warmed up a bit, he began to talk about the main purpose of his visit.

"First, the Empire District can't become chaotic. It's right next to the port area, and if it becomes chaotic, it'll be terrible."

"Now that Camilla's people have disappeared from the streets, there's a lack of control, and some problems are bound to arise."

"The eyes of the world are on us. Don't let it get worse, and don't make the mayor look bad."

"The crime rate is an important indicator of whether an area is suitable for living. Don't screw it up."

Lance nodded after listening. "I'll take care of it as soon as possible." This actually represented the official recognition of Lance's "value."

He was stronger than Camilla, able to cooperate, obedient, and could also produce at least twenty thousand votes. This was already very valuable to the "big shots" in City Hall.

Therefore, Mr. Chobaf, as one of Lance's friends, was asked by the mayor to come and communicate with Lance.

"The second thing…" Mr. Chobaf himself found it a bit absurd. He didn't quite understand why before, but after seeing Lance and saying all this, he suddenly understood.

"The Camilla gang's assets will be handed over to you, but that's just in name. Some people find it inconvenient to manage them directly, so you'll have to help manage them."

"Each month, you can take 30% of the profits."

"Don't let anything happen to them!"

Lance wasn't surprised after hearing this. After all, Heller had left behind a lot.

Not to mention the manors, houses, and cars riddled with bullets, just the Empire Nights nightclub, along with other clubs, bars, and underground bars, would bring in huge profits every month.

They hadn't been able to interfere much before, still having to consider appearances to some extent, but now, they had the opportunity.

These assets would be auctioned off at extremely low prices, and then a management agreement would be signed with Lance, shifting all the operational and legal responsibilities to him.

It wasn't a question of whether he would accept or reject, but that he had to accept!

Lance didn't immediately agree either time. After a while, he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "I won't do the Red High Heels business."