Empire of Shadows

In the hospital room, the male lead lay on the bed, the doctor having already treated his wounds, especially those on his face.

It was now covered with gauze and cotton, and no one knew what the situation underneath was like, but the doctor had told him that there was a high probability of scarring.

The male lead lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind blank. He knew he was finished.

He would have to, like his father or uncle, find an ordinary job and waste his life on the bottom rung of the assembly line.

No sparkle, no spotlight, nothing at all, only a gray, despairing life.

He didn't want any of that, but the door to a bright new life seemed to have been slammed shut in his face.

Of course, if he didn't mind more people going through his back door, perhaps some special clubs would welcome him, but the thought of it sent a chill down his spine.

He was a little confused as to why Gerald hadn't revealed his… gangster background from the start.

Wasn't that just screwing people over?

Just then, outside the ward, a robust "old man" who looked to be about fifty years old stood with the doctor.

He was an investor and the "patron" who had promoted the male lead.

"Is there really nothing that can be done?" This guy was called Serik, and he was a director of Triumph Film.

This movie was actually just one of Triumph Film's many investment projects. It was said to be "many" because no one was quite sure about the current development trend of sound films.

It was like there was a time when audiences particularly liked cult films, so a wave of cult films swept across the Federation and even the world.

The more absurd and terrifying, the better. Films that weren't cult films were met with a cold reception, and many didn't even recoup their costs.

Sound films were like a new "version," and no one knew whether audiences liked to watch romance, war films, or something else, so they invested in a lot.

Serik was a very charming character. Although he was not young, he always maintained a very fit physique, and his social status and success gave him a different kind of charm.

His slightly graying hair also made many girls feel that this was one of his unique charms.

But they didn't know that he was actually a pervert.

In the Federation, people with higher social status seemed to love producing perverts. Serik's perversion lay in the fact that he liked to watch his young wife being satisfied by others, and then he would go and satisfy the person who satisfied his wife.

He had many marriages, and even for the sake of money, his children could not accept what he did.

This time, the male lead lying on the hospital bed was one he liked very much, because the male lead also had a strong body. He liked that kind of young, strong body, which allowed him to recall his youth.

He even had an unspeakable fanaticism for this kind of thing. He felt that… every time he did this, he would become younger and stronger!

He was like a male witch, absorbing the power and youth of these young people!

If Gerald hadn't appeared, perhaps nothing would have changed, but Gerald's appearance aroused a hard-to-suppress desire in him.

He used a little trick, but the young man didn't buy it, so he had to arrange for the male lead to deal with Gerald and make him bow his head.

A young man who seemed to have no background would soon become a delicious meal on his plate.

Until this moment.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I know that some laboratories may have some new products, but those products can only make his scars look less…"

The doctor flipped his wrist, "You know, less hideous. Many scars are raised and bright red. Those new products will make them less protruding, and the color will be lighter."

Just hearing this made Serik feel a little nauseous. He had a bit of cleanliness, not exactly an obsession, but he couldn't stand it.

He raised his hand to stop the doctor from continuing, "Okay, I understand."

The doctor originally wanted to say that if he wanted, the doctor could try to contact those laboratories. They would definitely like someone to spend money to help them test their products.

But it seemed that it was not necessary.

"Alright, sir, if you need anything, just have the nurse come and find me. I'm in the duty room," the doctor quickly left.

Serik stood at the door, not going in. He didn't want to see that ugly face.

If he himself became like that, he might commit suicide!

But if it was someone else, then he better not see this person.

"Who did it?" he asked as he walked outside. As for the male lead inside?

An imperfect toy, abandoned by him, who pursued perfection, it was that simple.

As for taking another look?

What he wanted was a toy, not emotions!

The assistant, who had been trotting along behind him, said, "I inquired at the police station, and it seems to be someone from King's Harbor."

Hearing the name King's Harbor, Serik frowned noticeably.

Because King's Harbor was too big, whether it was the scale of the city, its scope, or the economic and political influence it generated, it was all too great.

If it was the power of King's Harbor, it would be a little tricky, but… he thought of Gerald's appearance and decided to test it out.

"We have partners in King's Harbor. Go and find out the details. Now, take me to the police station."

Soon, Serik arrived at the police station. The company's lawyer was already there. This was a very bad case.

Their lawyer was slamming the table with the police station because the police station had not sent anyone to arrest Lance and his gang. He believed this was the police station's negligence, and he said he reserved the right to sue the police station!

Seeing the boss arrive, the lawyer seemed to restrain his somewhat exaggerated performance, stood aside, and briefly introduced the situation.

"I want to see Gerald," he had an impulse from a deeper place, and he was enduring this impulse.

In theory, this was not allowed, but the lawyer pulled a police chief into a corner, and soon they got permission.

In the interrogation room, Serik saw Gerald.

Seeing that face again, which he couldn't tell if it was male or female, a beautiful face like a work of art, he sat on the other side of the table. Gerald looked very calm.

"You and your friends have gotten into trouble. The board of directors has noticed the situation here."

"Now tell me about their situation, and I can help you plead with the board of directors."

"You know, we are not those small production teams. Even if your friends have some ability, they are no match for us."

Triumph Film was not just Triumph Film. Its parent company, "Triumph Group," had controlling stakes in many companies, with a market value of hundreds of millions!

Even Triumph Film itself had a market value of over three million, and they believed that with the release of a series of sound films, the market value would continue to increase, possibly breaking ten million!

He wanted to let this young man know this.

He tried to slow down his speech so as not to seem so eager.

Gerald rolled his eyes, "I don't know anything."

Serik looked at the door. There were no guards. He moved forward, leaning forward, "Gerald, you are one of the few talented actors I have ever seen. You can go far in this field."

"We are all very optimistic about the development of film, you know?"

"Do you know?"

"That film, hailed as changing the film industry, has now grossed over four million at the box office across the Federation!"

"One film!"

Serik revealed some of his fanaticism, his fanaticism for art, for perfection. He even wanted to reach out and touch Gerald's hand, but Gerald dodged it.

"You have unparalleled physical conditions. With our training and guidance, you will become the most popular male movie star in the Federation!"

"You might even, one day, be on par with those opera stars!"

"You will earn countless money and have all the life you desire but cannot get yourself."

"You will wear expensive clothes, drive the most luxurious cars, and enter the highest-class places in the Federation. You will be surrounded by celebrities and politicians from high society, not those street gangsters!"

Gerald interrupted him, "Hey, those are my brothers!"

Serik looked down on these people a little, "That's still a gang. Do you think people respect a gang member or a glamorous superstar?"

"Come on, Gerald, give us your hand, and I guarantee your future will be smooth sailing!"

Gerald looked at him and couldn't help but laugh, "I don't like perverts."

These words caused the expectant smile on Serik's face to gradually disappear. He also retracted his hand and stood up.

He looked down at Gerald, straightened his shoulder clothes that had shifted a little because of reaching out, twisted his neck, and his eyes became less gentle than before, but rather a little gloomy.

"You will eventually find that you can't escape!"

After saying these words, he took one last look at Gerald and turned to leave the room.

Just as he left the room, he happened to see someone else coming to go through bail procedures. Without a doubt, it must be Gerald's.

He walked to the lawyer's side, "Just let him leave like that?"

"Shouldn't you do something?"

The lawyer looked at Serik speechlessly, "The law allows them to do this, and Gerald is not the perpetrator. As long as he doesn't leave Creek Valley City, he can go anywhere he wants."

"What a hassle!" Serik was a little dissatisfied. The so-called not being able to leave Creek Valley City was a joke to those who were not very obedient.

They were like Mundo, going wherever they pleased!

As for being arrested by the police?

God!

They had already left Creek Valley City, who the hell was afraid of the Creek Valley City police arresting them?

After cursing a few times, Ser里克 left the police station with his lawyer and assistant, but he believed they would meet again.

杰拉尔 was brought out by the lawyer, who was said to be a classmate of Lawyer 罗本.

The reason he didn't go to Gold Harbor City to develop, but stayed in this city, was because the lawyer industry in Gold Harbor City was too competitive.

Almost all of the federal well-known law firms had very important branches in Gold Harbor City, and they took on both ordinary cases and the cases of the rich.

If you didn't want to be affiliated with a large law firm and be exploited by it, then the final result would mostly be like Lawyer 罗本, specializing in some work that no one wanted to touch.

So he stayed in Creek Valley City, where the competition was not fierce, and it was suitable for early retirement.

"Mr. 蓝斯 didn't ask me to leave with you, so my work ends from the moment we leave the police station."

"Thank you for thanking Mr. 蓝斯 for his generosity, he is the most generous employer I have ever met!"

The young lawyer shook hands with 杰拉尔 and then drove away.

In just this short time, he drove over, got the legal documents, paid the bail, and then brought 杰拉尔 out of the police station, and he received a hundred dollars in reward.

Damn it, where did 罗本 find such a high-quality client?

This made him seriously consider whether to go to Gold Harbor City and work with Lawyer 罗本.

These gangsters are really rich, and they really don't treat money like money!

杰拉尔 knew where 蓝斯 lived, and soon came to the outside of the room where 蓝斯 lived. He knocked on the door and was welcomed in.

"Did they beat you?" 蓝斯 asked casually, sitting on the sofa.

杰拉尔 shook his head, "There was only me and another child inside, about fourteen or fifteen years old?"

"He was arrested for stealing bread from the bakery and locked inside."

"I may not be a match for those big guys, but dealing with a child..."

He chuckled and made a few boxing motions, "It shouldn't be a problem."

蓝斯 motioned for him to sit down, "I've spoken to the director, the filming plan will not change, now I'll invest, and you'll be the lead actor."

"I see those actresses like you quite a bit?" 蓝斯 teased him.

杰拉尔 blushed a little, "They are all very nice."

The young people in the room couldn't help but laugh. 海拉姆 even sat down next to 杰拉尔, "Have you slept with them?"

杰拉尔's face turned even redder, "Damn it, how could I do such a thing?"

This made 海拉姆 feel very disappointed, "I thought you had already slept with them, that's why you said they were very nice."

"If someone... you know, I would also think they were very nice."

With some harmless jokes, 蓝斯 raised his hand and ended the topic, "If they want to continue acting, you can talk to them."

"In short, everyone thinks this is an opportunity, so we can also give it a try."

This made 杰拉尔 very touched, because he knew that 蓝斯's decision must have been for his own sake!

Ever since the "Butt Defense War" broke out on the ship, 蓝斯 had been helping him, and this time he had to repay 蓝斯 by playing his role well in the movie.

He told 蓝斯 the news he had heard in the police station before. When he said that the movie's box office had exceeded four million, everyone was stunned.

Including 蓝斯, who couldn't help but hold his breath.

"Four... million?" 劳恩, who was standing in the corner, cursed directly, "What the hell is this?"

"What kind of bullshit can sell four million at the box office?"

"Fuck!"

He didn't know why he wanted to fuck, and he didn't know who he would fuck, but he just wanted to say it to soothe the ups and downs in his heart!

"That 塞里克 said he would make trouble for us."

蓝斯 shook his head slightly, "Don't worry about him, he will soon realize the gap between us."

杰拉尔 was a little curious, "Because we are stronger than him?"

蓝斯 laughed out loud after hearing this, "No, because we have fewer concerns than him!"

The next morning, 埃尼奥 brought a group of people from Gold Harbor City, with a car full of pistols and submachine guns, and even two potatoes!

蓝斯 found a villa here and rented it temporarily. 杰拉尔 was going to film a movie here, and he also planned to set up a company here.

What 杰拉尔 said last night about the four million box office really moved him.

Indeed, his current business of selling private wine is actually not much worse than this, but the four million brings not only economic income, but also changes in social status!

He also needed more legal income to obscure his more illegal income.

Today he made an appointment with 威斯特, because he still owed 威斯特 three thousand dollars, and last night 威斯特 had given him all the information that 蓝斯 wanted.

Including the filming procedures applied for by Triumph Film in Creek Valley City, as well as some of their specific situations.

Now was the time for him to feel 蓝斯's generosity.

When he came here, he saw a room full of people, obviously not wanting to come in.

After he went back, he also re-inquired about 蓝斯 and the 蓝斯 family. If he had inquired some time ago, he might have thought that he might not be able to say anything about their more powerful achievements.

But just a few days ago, after they executed an informant, they hung him on the street lamp at the entrance of the Dangerous Goods Administration, causing the Gold Harbor City Dangerous Goods Administration to lose face throughout the Federation.

And, they couldn't do anything about it.

Then people dug deeper and found out that the 蓝斯 family had actually unified the Empire District and other rumors before, and some people even said that 蓝斯 had substantially controlled the order of the docks.

Anyway, all kinds of true and false news continued, which also made 威斯特 a little more friendly, and of course a little more afraid.

"Why don't you come in?" 蓝斯 sat in the living room, with his legs crossed, calmly looking at 威斯特.

威斯特 immediately squeezed out a smile, "I was distracted, sorry."

He bit the bullet and walked in. There were many people in the house, either sitting or standing, and various weapons were placed on some of the equipment around him. He even saw grenades!

These lunatics!

He sat in a place not so close to 蓝斯. He suddenly felt a little uneasy.

However, soon, his unease was dispelled by the three stacks of cash that 蓝斯 had placed on the table, all old ten-dollar bills, three stacks, three hundred bills, exuding the unique smell of money.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, not knowing whether he should take it or not.

蓝斯 stretched out his hand and made a "please" gesture before 威斯特 bent over and stuck out his butt to take the money into his hands.

It was heavy, but it also made him a little worried.

"Mr. 蓝斯, I didn't actually do that much, maybe..." He wanted to return one or two of the stacks.

But 蓝斯 stopped him, "We are friends, and we should be generous to friends, right?"

"And next, we may still need to trouble you."

"That 塞里克, hurt my brother, we have to get justice for him, there may be a little friction at that time!" 蓝斯 gestured with his index finger and thumb to show how small the friction would be.

But 威斯特 looked at the people around him and the weapons they were displaying, and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Maybe they had different understandings of "small friction"!