Empire of Shadows

"Uncle Bolton, I heard that this apartment is your own purchase, not rented, is that right?"

Lars looked at the water glass on the table, not intending to touch it. Mr. Bolton was always expecting him to take a sip and then use, "How is it? I told you, the tap water here has no peculiar smell, it's even sweet," to prove his point.

He had to change the subject, and as soon as he opened his mouth, it was a topic that Mr. Bolton couldn't ignore.

The corners of Mr. Bolton's mouth couldn't help but turn up. The facial muscles that were originally trying to show some color finally couldn't hold back and turned into a less serious smile. Even his idea of ​​getting Lars' affirmation on the slight sweetness of the tap water was ignored.

"Gerald told you all these things?"

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

He took a deep breath, feeling like, "You still found out, I have to admit this." "Yes, that's right, I bought this apartment."

"You may not know what I experienced when I first came here, but in any case, I have accompanied the growth of this city, and it has also rewarded me with the best gifts."

"I bought a house, got married although divorced again, have insurance, have a work card, I don't need to worry about the emperor's soldiers dragging me out of bed in the middle of the night, giving me a gun that won't fire and asking me to be loyal to the royal family."

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

He couldn't help but laugh a few times when he said this, "I'm not bragging, Lars, this is the Federal dream, it shines into my life, and I hope you can become like me."

"Be diligent, work hard, be able to endure hardship, and this society will reward you with everything. If it hasn't happened yet, it's just that it will come later. No matter how late, it will definitely come. This is the Federation!"

"付出，就有回报！"(Pay, and you will be rewarded!)", The way he looked like a missionary trying to fool rural farmers made Lars feel a little nauseous.

"You are really an amazing person!", Lars complimented insincerely, which made Mr. Bolton laugh even louder.

He likes to share his most successful things with others, all the things he desperately wants to show off, and now he has succeeded.

"You can also do this, buy a property here, have your own life, and get immigration status."

"As long as you are willing to work hard in a down-to-earth manner!"

As he spoke, he paused, wiping the white foam that had formed at the corners of his mouth from talking too much, "I haven't asked yet, what kind of work do you do, Lars?"

He gave Lars an obvious "I'm looking at you" and "I can see that the clothes you are wearing are not bad" look, looking Lars up and down again.

Lars maintained his politeness and smile, "I work for some local people, not the traditional kind of work. I handle some tricky things for them, and then they pay me."

The rather rich smile on Mr. Bolton's face suddenly diminished a bit.

Most workers who honestly and actively cooperate with capitalists' exploitation and oppression don't really like the things Lars said.

This represents instability, represents risk, and is not the same as the life he wants to live.

The atmosphere suddenly became a little stiff. This cannot be blamed on Mr. Bolton. Most ordinary people are actually unwilling to have anything to do with gang affairs.

"That's good.", He replied perfunctorily, already wanting Lars to leave, and even looked at the clock hanging on the door leading to the bedroom with a very large movement.

Lars acted as if he hadn't noticed, "I haven't been here for very long, and I don't know much about the situation in King's Gold City."

"Uncle Bolton, you have lived here for a long time, you must know this place very well. I wonder if you can introduce me to the living conditions of the Imperials here?"

Mr. Bolton seemed a little hesitant, but considering that Lars might have also joined a gang, he ultimately couldn't refuse.

"There are about 30,000 Imperials who have obtained identity cards in King's Gold City, and the rest are... illegal immigrants."

"We Imperial immigrants who have already obtained identity cards go to the St. Naya Cathedral for gatherings on weekends."

"I've heard that other people also have some gathering places, but I haven't participated."

He pondered for a while, "Considering that you and Gerald are good friends, I'll give you a piece of advice, don't have contact with the Camille Gang."

When Lars asked about this "Camille Gang", Mr. Bolton stopped talking.

At the same time, he said that it was getting late and he had work to do, so Lars could only get up and say goodbye.

Although he didn't see Little Red Riding Hood, he gained some understanding of the Imperials living here.

As for the Camille Gang that Mr. Bolton mentioned, Lars didn't quite know what they did, but he already had a guess in his mind—

The one who can stab you with a fatal wound is often the one you least expect.

People are always very vigilant and careful when dealing with enemies, and only when facing their own people will they relax their vigilance, and then they will be stabbed in the heart.

Fortunately, the weekend is just a day away. This time is just right for Mr. Anderson to use his brain to figure out whether to settle the debt.

In the afternoon, Lars went to the company. He told Alvin that selling Mr. Cote was okay, but he still had to talk to him about it.

This time when he came to the company, everyone was greeting him.

Capable people are welcomed and valued everywhere. Even the beautiful receptionist at the door, who was painting her toenails, took the initiative to look up and say "Hi" to Lars.

Fordis was not here, he had also gone out to work. Lars went directly to Mr. Cote's office, he was on the phone.

In order not to be annoying, he did not enter Mr. Cote's office, but waited at the door. Only when there was a voice inside calling him did he walk in.

"Sorry, the phone call took a little long, it's almost the end of the month."

The second quarter is coming to an end, and the third quarter is about to arrive. At this time, some companies will try to borrow money everywhere in order to make their books look good so that they can fool investors and shareholders.

This is also a relatively busy time of the quarter for financial companies and banks. Most of the business is overnight dismantling, three days, five days, or one week.

The interest is very high. Alberto had just negotiated a short-term loan for a week. He spent 200,000 here, and the other party paid him 215,000 yuan including principal and interest after a week.

It seems that the interest is not very high, only 15,000 yuan, but in fact, this interest is really not low.

This company has a good reputation and sufficient collateral. They will sign a formal loan contract with legal benefits.

Even Alberto at this time hoped that the other party would not repay the money or could not afford to repay the money, so that he would be qualified to legally plunder the other party's property through judicial channels.

He was in a good mood!

"Sit down, Anderson called me and said you did a great job.", He opened the cigarette case, turned it in one direction, and let Lars take a cigarette from it.

"On the phone, he said dirtier words than the dirtiest bitch I've ever seen. I'm a little angry now."

"I'm considering whether to really recover the money, or find a way to vent my anger. Lars, what do you think?"

After getting the first order and having Anderson take the initiative to call him, Lars' personal ability has been fully demonstrated.

Alberto wanted to know what Lars would choose if he were him.

Lars said almost without hesitation, "No one will have trouble with money. If I were you, Mr. Cote, I would take back the money that belongs to me, and then vent my anger properly."

Alberto clapped his hands, very satisfied with Lars' answer, "You're right, I won't have trouble with money...", He pondered for a while, "Do you have any follow-up ideas?"

Lars also did not hide his thoughts, "Mr. Anderson cares a lot about his restaurant, so I plan to continue to work on the restaurant."