Empire of Shadows

Taiwan Novel Website → 𝗍 𝗐 𝗄 𝖺 𝗇 . 𝖼 𝗈 𝗆

An apartment, located in the mid-levels of the city.

The most prosperous areas of King's Port City are actually in two locations. The first is the commercial district in the city center, which is home to King's Port City's most interesting money pits.

From the most luxurious hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and clubs, to the most famous adult industry establishments, strip clubs, and casinos, almost all are located here.

When people say 'every inch of land is worth its weight in gold,' they are talking about the city center of King's Port City.

The other area is the port and the surrounding area, which is more geared towards the 'working class'.

If renting a private room in a strip club in the city center and hiring a dancer to dance for you for thirty minutes costs at least fifty dollars,

then in the cheap and lively bars in the port area, you can enjoy the same for only ten dollars, and for an extra five dollars, you can even get an excellent service—

This is not illegal, because according to federal law, illegal erotic transactions refer to specific acts that occur, but this does not count.

Sailors carelessly spend the money they worked hard to earn, and the girls are also busy earning money through labor, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Apart from these two places, other areas are not considered lively.

As long as it's not lively, the house prices won't be too high.

Looking at this apartment with its so-so price, Lance began assigning tasks before even getting out of the car.

"Erwin, you and... (Partner A), you stay downstairs and watch out for anyone coming out. If you see that idiot running out, stop him. There's a crowbar in the trunk."

"Ethan, you and... (Partner B), go upstairs with me. Your main job is to help guard the door. If anyone comes to watch, you're responsible for dispersing them."

"Remember, look fierce."

Lance emphasized, "If this job goes smoothly, I'll mention it to Mr. Cody and get us some commission. This kind of work isn't illegal, and it makes money faster than working."

He patted Erwin on the shoulder, "Guard the door well; your job isn't easy."

Erwin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You don't have to comfort me like that. I know what I'm supposed to do."

Lance smiled and punched him lightly, then opened the car door and took the baseball bat out of the trunk.

The three of them walked towards the apartment building. There was a service desk at the entrance, and a security guard who looked about forty years old was stunned when he saw them come in.

He hesitated, seemingly wondering whether he should fulfill his job duties, but fortunately, Lance helped him make a choice—

He raised the baseball bat at the apartment's security guard, who immediately raised his hands and sat down, "I don't know anything, sir."

Lance had Ethan press the elevator button. He explained, "We're here to find someone. We won't damage anything in the apartment. If anything is damaged because of us, leave a bill, and I'll take care of it."

"But, don't do anything stupid other than what I tell you to do."

"Thirty dollars a month, no need to risk your life for the capitalists."

After hearing this, the security guard's face showed a look of serious consideration, "You're right, sir."

Lance retracted the baseball bat, and the three of them entered the elevator and pressed the button for the "4th" floor.

The old-fashioned elevator always made Lance feel a little unsafe. Ethan's hands were shaking slightly, unsure whether it was from excitement or fear.

Partner A seemed more excited, "Will I need to take action later?"

"Should I punch him in the cheek or kick him in the balls?"

"If I break his head, will there be any trouble?"

Lance rolled his eyes, "This time, you just need to watch me. Don't do anything before I give the order."

After arriving on the fourth floor, they came to the door of an apartment. Lance knocked hard on the door, "Is anyone inside?"

He knocked for a long time, but no one answered. However, Lance heard footsteps inside. Obviously, this gentleman wasn't planning on opening the door.

He immediately adjusted his strategy and continued to knock hard, "You didn't pay your sanitation fee this month, you son of a bitch! If you don't open the door, I'll lock it and starve you to death!"

To the surprise of Ethan and Partner A, footsteps sounded in the room, "Damn it, I just paid the sanitation fee!"

Immediately afterward, the door was pulled open forcefully. However, what greeted Mr. White, the debtor, wasn't the security guard's or the apartment manager's face that deserved a beating.

Mr. White immediately realized something and tried to close the already opened door with all his might, but obviously, Lance was faster!

He pushed hard inside, and the moment the door was pushed open, Mr. White picked up the fish tank that had grown green moss beside him and smashed it at Lance.

Then came the vase, some books, and other things.

Whatever he could grab, he threw at Lance. After dodging and weaving, Lance finally approached him.

The moment he tried to run into the inner room, a baseball bat struck him on the back.

With a dull thud, Lance twisted his shoulders and walked towards Mr. White, who was screaming on the ground.

By this time, his screams had alarmed some of the surrounding residents. He glanced back at Ethan and Partner A, "Tell them to get back into their rooms. If there are any other problems, call me. I need to have a good chat with Mr. White."

Then he closed the door, and the screams inside the room instantly became much quieter.

Those who had poked their heads out, seemingly intending to watch the excitement, immediately closed their doors when they saw Ethan's grinning face.

Living in this kind of place, who the hell cares if their neighbor has gotten into trouble?

As long as the trouble doesn't involve them.

Inside the room, Mr. White was still howling on the ground. Lance took out a cigarette, pulled one out, and lit it.

He looked himself over, covered in the stinky water from that smelly fish tank, a pungent odor.

There was also a streak of blood on his arm, where the fish tank had hit him. His eyes were unkind as he walked up to Mr. White.

Mr. White, who had recovered from the shock and pain, scrambled away from Lance by four or five meters, "I don't know you!"

Lance took out the contract and showed it to him, "Three thousand five hundred dollars, remember?"

Undoubtedly, Mr. White clearly remembered the money. His eyes darted around, "That was forced upon me. I can't afford to pay back this money at all."

Lance picked up the contract and looked at it, "But you didn't seem so troubled when you took that thousand dollars."

"Mr. White, to be honest, I don't have any direct relationship with the finance company. They pay me, and I resolve the debt. If you have any complaints about this contract, you can find a lawyer to sue them."

"But you can't let me lose my job and let me and my brothers go hungry because of your dispute with them."

"Now I'm giving you a chance. Don't make things difficult for me, and I won't make things difficult for you. I just need to take three thousand five hundred dollars to report back, instead of taking your money and you away from here."

"Mr. Cody told me before he sent me here that the money doesn't matter, but he must bring the person back..."

"You know, these big shots sometimes prefer to let some money go uncollected, just to vent their anger."

"Once you get there, whether you can survive or not, whether you'll be disabled or not, I can't predict at all."

"If you think three thousand five hundred dollars is more important than your life and health, nod now, and I'll immediately stop asking you for money, and we'll leave immediately!"

"Tell me your choice, Mr. White."

Mr. White's expression was very fearful. This money had actually been owed for two years, and interest had stopped being calculated a year ago.

Alberto knew very well that for people who didn't intend to repay the money, even if you told them that the interest was ten times the principal, they would act as if they didn't care. Anyway, they never intended to repay the money from the beginning.

Those who borrow high-interest loans are actually the same at heart. When they lack money, let alone huge interest rates, even if it's a hundred times the interest, they won't frown before signing their names.

As for whether they can repay it or not, who the hell cares?

If they really cared about that, would they still borrow high-interest loans?

Some people are like this, holding some侥幸lucky psychology, thinking that these people won't do anything to them for a little money.

Mr. White didn't speak. Lance held the cigarette in his mouth, grabbed the handle of the baseball bat with both hands, and raised it high.

He immediately showed a look of horror, even breaking his voice, "I don't have money!"

"You're lying!", With a whooshing sound, the baseball bat slammed hard on Mr. White's femur. His femur was still quite hard, but there should have been a bone crack. The sound was a bit scattered, not so solid.

He hugged his thigh and rolled on the ground. The pain of a fractured bone was unbearable, and even his snot came out!

Lance looked at Mr. White, glanced at the kitchen, walked over, and picked up a dining knife.

This made Mr. White even more afraid!

Lance wiped the knife, "I'm an Imperial, an illegal immigrant. God knows when I'll be caught by the Immigration Bureau and sent back."

"As long as I can survive here, Mr. White, I'm willing to bear the risk of killing someone, but are you ready to be killed?"

Watching Lance walk into the bedroom, take out the bed sheets, and start spreading them on the ground, Mr. White trembled all over, and even the bone fracture in his leg didn't seem to hurt so much anymore.

His expression was extremely狰狞ferocious, struggling, and finally, he seemed to cry out, "In the flower pot on the balcony!"

"Damn it, F*ck!"

"Take the money and get out of my apartment, I'll sue you!"

Lance grinned, "That's your business, Mr. White!"

He walked onto the balcony and smashed several flower pots onto the ground. From among the broken pots, he found two packets of chips wrapped in kraft paper, totaling five thousand yuan.