Empire of Shadows

"Joe, this is yours… …"

"Thank you, thank you all, thank you Mr. Lance… …"

A police officer's face was full of smiles. He took the envelope from these young people and walked to the side.

Under the gaze of some people, he opened the envelope and took out nine five-dollar bills from it.

The smile on his face suddenly became even warmer!

This also filled the faces of other police officers with anticipation. They had never openly looked forward to an extra income like this before.

In the past, the income was not very stable, sometimes more, sometimes less, and there was also the problem of hiding money.

Some police officers received the money, but did not take it out and hid part of it, so everyone's money would naturally be less.

Like John, he had been collecting money for half a year, making many things difficult and causing the income of the entire precinct to decline to a certain level.

But now, all of this will become a thing of the past.

People lined up to receive money with smiles on their faces as if it were the New Year. Everyone would thank Lance, because this money was given to them by Lance.

It was not until the end that it was the turn of Brook, the precinct chief. He thought he wouldn't have any, but unexpectedly, Lance had prepared one for him as well.

Looking at the envelope, which was obviously thicker than the others, someone jeered, "Why don't you open it and let us see."

Precinct Chief Brook was slightly apprehensive at this time, but looking at the gazes of the others, he knew that there would definitely be no problem if he didn't open it.

But everyone would inevitably be disappointed, and even have some other thoughts.

What people hate the most is not that they are poor because they have no ability, but that everyone has no ability, so why am I the only one who is poor?

Although this description may not be entirely correct in this matter, it is the most appropriate method.

Precinct Chief Brook finally opened the envelope. He believed that Lance would not make things difficult for him.

The fact was indeed so. Thirty ten-dollar bills were stacked together, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Forty-five for grassroots police officers, sixty for front-line police officers, one hundred for precinct heads, two hundred for deputy chiefs, and three hundred for him. This number was very appropriate.

It would not separate him from the "masses" and also showed his uniqueness.

"Two donuts for everyone, my treat!"

He raised his hand high, and the police officers in the precinct immediately cheered and applauded.

In fact, this money was just "routine money". Everyone knew that he definitely had other income from Lance.

But knowing is knowing. As long as Lance can be fair in this matter, everyone will not have any dissatisfaction in their hearts.

You can't always expect a clerical worker at the bottom to get the same amount as the chief. The current gap has not caused anyone to feel dissatisfied.

If anyone thinks they can also get extra income from Lance, then they can completely try their luck.

This is only a share for some of the police officers. There are also those on the night shift and those on vacation. The entire composition will last for two to three days.

Precinct Chief Brook, including Precinct Chief Duke, did not have any objections to this. Although it seemed that Lance was constantly increasing his influence in the police system, and might even surpass them.

But Lance didn't give them any "sweeteners" either!

They also have very important power in the profit-sharing system, which is the power to create the list.

Who can receive money and who cannot receive money is up to them, so even if both of them know that Lance wants his people to distribute money, there is no reason to object. That's why.

He left them some dignity.

The police are a very closed group, and this matter quickly began to spread throughout the police system in King's Harbor.

Not every precinct can distribute so much money, and not every police officer is qualified to receive this benefit.

But now, Lance's appearance has solved this problem.

Although the profit-sharing system will definitely affect the interests of some police officers, in front of the vast majority of police officers, the interests of these few people are not so important.

The real open conspiracy is like this, even if you know it is a trick, a purposeful plan, you still can't stop it.

Some precinct chiefs have already begun to contact Precinct Chief Brook, wanting to talk to him about the profit-sharing issue and the issue of Lance.

This is a trend.

On a weekend morning, Lance took the time to attend Mr. Jobaff's funeral.

He was placed in a very cheap, ordinary coffin. The ordinary wood exuded a sense of decay. The uneven paint marks could feel the painter's carelessness when painting.

Mr. Jobaff, who had been simply touched up, was lying in it. The putty on his face was so thick that it looked like looking at a freshly plastered wall.

But if the putty is not thick enough, it cannot cover his purplish-blue face. He should be peaceful, not unsettling, otherwise God will not like it.

He was surrounded by some cheap flowers, and there were no other decorations. The suit on his body also exuded a cheap taste, and it didn't look expensive at all.

In fact, he had several expensive suits, but I don't know where they went. It is possible that someone collected them.

He didn't have any valuables on him, except for a photo of him and his wife when they were young, which was the only thing he took with him when he left this world.

Perhaps he himself had never thought that he would leave this world in such a down-and-out way.

The priest was perfunctorily performing his last prayer in this world for him. No one was willing to speak, and no one wanted to summarize his life.

In fact, there are not so many reference factors to evaluate whether a person is successful or a failure. It only depends on whether he is rich, powerful, or poor when he dies.

No matter how wonderful the scenery of his life journey is.

After the priest read out the eulogy, he announced the end of the memorial service and that he could be buried.

Some people still came today, forty or fifty people, most of whom were old employees of Jinda Bank.

They had been taken care of by Mr. Jobaff for the longest time, and they had also spent a long time together.

People will have feelings after spending a long time together. People who raise cats and dogs for a long time will treat the small animals as their own children. Of course, some people will treat cats and dogs as their own parents.

What's more, this is a living person. They have jointly experienced the best era and also enjoyed everything brought about by working for Mr. Jobaff.

Several middle-aged women who looked a little old even cried out loud. On the one hand, they were really reluctant to part with Mr. Jobaff. How could such a kind person die like this?

On the other hand, they were still crying because they were uneasy about the confused future.

Without Mr. Jobaff employing them out of old affection, they didn't know what kind of job they could find at this terrible time to continue to carry the heavy burden of life forward.

The crying made the funeral more solemn and desolate. When his cheap coffin was put into the tomb, people began to offer their last flowers.

This was also the last interaction between Mr. Jobaff and the living people.

Lance also walked to the side of the tomb and offered a bouquet of flowers that he had brought. It was thrown into the tomb along with Mr. Jobaff's coffin.

He didn't have too many negative comments about this man. He was just a speculator in a political struggle, or a failed speculator.

There is never right or wrong in political struggles, only victory or defeat.

This time he lost, so it makes people feel that he is very bad now, but what if he won?

Would people pity the fate of his opponents?

Lance shook his head and sincerely wished that Mr. Jobaff could go to heaven, and then moved to the side.

As the entire process came to an end, the workers backfilled the soil and sprinkled grass seeds on the tomb soil.

If it were a more upscale funeral, they would directly transplant good turf, or even make a marble or other precious stone protruding coffin lid.

But this is a cheap funeral. That money is not worth the money to transplant turf, let alone the money for marble.

Sad or calm people began to leave. He was lying there, and in the next few years, he would truly die in the true sense.

No one will remember him anymore, including his employees, who will forget him in their new jobs, or have all their impressions of the past worn away by life.

"When can his houses be transferred to my name?"

Lance did not leave immediately, but walked to the sunny side of the cemetery. Dense tombstones stood on the gentle hillside. In the sunlight, they were hidden among the green grass, and there was actually a trace of tranquility and sacredness!

Solemn, dignified, and not frightening.

This is the place where life ends, but looking at the plants that emerge from the soil, this is also the place where life sprouts.

Lawyer Robben followed him, "It may take some time. First, we have to determine that these properties of his have not been mortgaged in any other way."

"Secondly, we may have to face some lawsuits regarding the issue of residual value."

Lance turned to look at him, and he explained.

"If I mortgage something worth one hundred yuan to you for the price of one yuan, if I cannot redeem it, then in theory, this thing belongs to you."

"But if there are many… …"

He made some small gestures to show that unclear state, "… … debts that need to be resolved, then the court may consider the issue of realizing the residual value of this thing."

“For example, if the court determines that those people are ‘victims,’ then they might consider auctioning off this house and giving you the portion of money he owes you, compensating the remaining money to those victims.”

Lance frowned, “Is there such a precedent?”

Lawyer Robben nodded and said, “Yes, but not many, so we might have trouble, but it’s not absolute.”

“It depends on how the judge defines those depositors.”

“However, I believe they are unlikely to determine that those depositors who suffered losses are ‘victims.’ If they really do that, then the judge will definitely offend all the banks at the same time.”

“After all, Mr. Chobaf also has many artworks and antiques that are mortgaged to those banks.”

“But we can’t completely… ignore it. If this case alarms the State Prosecutor's Office or the State Court, it may also cause some unnecessary trouble.”

The price of those houses themselves is not actually that expensive. Even if there is real competition, Lance is not afraid, but doing so is a bit troublesome.

In fact, there are many things behind this matter. Mr. Chobaf's investment industries are more than just that, including more than one million in urban infrastructure construction.

If the Bay Area's wealthy people were to invest in these things themselves, they would definitely not do it.

But if they are allowed to take over this part at a very low cost, they will definitely not hesitate at all.

With the help of the Bay Area, those depositors can basically only admit their bad luck.

The bank went bankrupt, the bank owner committed suicide, and no inheritance was left. Unless this case has some special political significance, it is difficult for it to change.

The main audience of Jinda Bank is immigrant from the Empire…

Seeing that Lance did not ask any more questions about this matter, he started talking about another matter, “The companies you asked me to register before have all been registered, and they can be used anytime, anywhere now.”

“This is the material…”

He gave Lance a thick file bag from his briefcase. Lance had previously entrusted Lawyer Robben to register some domestic and foreign companies. These shell companies might come in handy at some point.

The most recent one is to use it to discuss cooperation with the Ligee Group.

Lance took the file bag, took out a check and handed it over, “You have to help me keep an eye on the transfer of the real estate. I may not have much time recently…”

Lawyer Robben readily agreed to this. Lance is now his big client, and he must satisfy Lance.

The weather in mid-to-late September is no longer so hot. Although the temperature change may only be two or three degrees, it is precisely these two or three degrees that make people feel a huge difference.

On the streets of the Empire District, posters of William showing a mouthful of white teeth frequently appear in those bulletin boards.

Interestingly, the photographer of this poster is a professional photographer. He used some other methods to make William's teeth look radiantly white!

According to his explanation, people are more willing to believe in a healthy adult federal light-skinned male with healthy teeth. They always associate teeth with social status and ability. Lance doesn't understand their way of thinking.

Voting starts on September 25th and ends on September 28th, and the results will be announced on the 29th and 30th.

On October 15th, the old and new congressmen will complete the handover of work, and the new congressmen will officially take office.

In other words, William is only a little over three weeks away from becoming “Councilor Lawrence”.

“Lance, are you free?”

“There is something I want to talk to you about.”

In the morning, Branch Director Blue suddenly called. Lance asked him to come directly. A dozen minutes later, he saw him in the office.

“Coffee or black tea?”

Lance called out twice, but a new front desk girl pushed the door in, “Where did Corinda go?”

The new girl was a little restrained and a little scared. After all… although everyone said that Lance is a good person, and the Lance family are all good people, this is still a gang.

She is a third-generation immigrant from the Empire District. She found this job because she had received some training, mainly in clerical work.

Seeing that Lance was paying high wages, she tried it out due to the pressure of life. Fortunately, she became a new employee.

“Ms. Corinda went out on a date…”

Lance had a high probability of guessing who it was. Without a doubt, it was Arthur.

He looked at Branch Director Blue, who immediately said, “Coffee, please.”

Lance glanced at the new secretary again, who quickly went to prepare it.

The door closed again, and Branch Director Blue directly stated his purpose for finding Lance.

“Charlie called me. He wants to meet you alone, just you and him, no one else. You decide the location.”

Lance nodded noncommittally and continued to look at him. Then he started talking about the second thing, “That… Mr. White is having a little trouble.”

Mr. White refers to Lance's nominal father. He frowned slightly, “What happened to him?”

Before, his wife said that she had fallen and was hospitalized, and there was not enough money. Lance also asked Alvin to send some money over, and at the same time kept an eye on them for a period of time, and did not find anything unusual.

Now that he suddenly mentioned this matter, Lance realized that it might be related to him, otherwise Branch Director Blue would not have come to talk to him specifically about this matter.

Branch Director Blue sat on the sofa, clasping his hands together, then opening them again. Just as he was about to speak, the secretary pushed the door in with the coffee.

He said “Thank you” and picked up the coffee and took a sip.

The secretary left quickly, and he continued, “A new household moved in next door to them, and then they called the police saying that they often heard screams in the middle of the night, and then the police arranged for people to dispatch.”

“Several rookies didn’t know about your relationship with the White family. They searched White’s residence and found that the basement of the White family looked like a torture chamber.”

“His wife was tortured to the point of being on the verge of death, as well as his daughter.”

“His daughter is also pregnant.”

Lance had already realized something, “Don’t tell me it’s his.”

Branch Director Blue squeezed out a smile, “You guessed it right.”

“What’s even more troublesome is that his wife said that their two previous children were actually killed by Mr. White.”

Lance replaced the identity of one of the White family’s lost children. If it is now confirmed that the two missing children are already dead, then Lance’s identity will be a bit awkward.

In fact, no one will feel that they cannot contact him just because Lance is not a real federal person. Perhaps they cared about the identity issue at the beginning.

But now, what they care more about is profit!

The awkward thing is that Lance now uses the White family's surname in his official identity. If it is confirmed that he is not a member of the White family, he may have to change his name.

After all, people will think, you are not a child of the White family, wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to use this surname again?

This is the awkward thing. Not to mention that many signatures need to be re-signed, people will also feel that this is like a farce!

“Is the case still in your hands?”

Branch Director Blue nodded, “Yes, but because someone died, this case must be reported.”

The branch does not have a criminal case office, only the headquarters has one, so it must be reported.

Once reported, it will be in Hunter's hands, and some changes may occur.