Anti-hero of a certain comic

The vigilante incident that stirred up the turmoil in Star City finally came to an end after Oliver Queen was imprisoned in Iron Mountain Prison.

Although the Quinn family used a lot of network energy to try to plead not guilty on the basis of traumatic stress disorder, they wanted to transfer Oliver Queen, who was classified as a felon, to a mental illness rehabilitation center in Star City.

However, in the face of irrefutable and conclusive evidence and with one-sided public opinion, it was obvious that the judge and jury could not be allowed to take such a big risk, so Moira had no choice but to give up this plan.

However, Oliver Queen, who once again became the talk of the town, did not maintain his popularity for long.

After being confirmed by official media, the Palm Lake slum reconstruction plan that is about to be put on the agenda instantly attracted the attention of all Star City residents.

From wealthy businessmen to ordinary people, everyone was shocked by the news.

The Palm Lake slum has existed for seven or eight years. Since the Great Depression that swept through Star City, many factories have been closed and abandoned. As a result, countless people have been laid off and become homeless on the streets, relying on relief funds from the city government. Get by.

Some people were forced to embark on the road of crime, and some people had no choice but to become homeless people selling meat. In short, it was the darkest period in Star City, and a bleak cloud hung over everyone's head.

The only group that benefited from this was probably the street gangs that took advantage of the situation and developed. They used the Palm Lake slum as their base camp and absorbed many young people who had dropped out of school and were unemployed as new blood to strengthen themselves.

These gangs are like malignant tumors parasitic in Palm Lake, constantly sucking nutrients, and at the same time extinguishing the last hope of rebuilding the ghetto.

No one wants to open a factory or run a business in a backward area where gangs are rampant and villains are entrenched.

Those legitimate businessmen who have the courage to try often persist for less than a month before being scared away by gangsters who come to collect "management fees".

The corporate companies that are able to gain a foothold in Palm Lake are more or less with gang backgrounds, or they themselves are tools used by gangs to launder money and lend usury.

And there is nothing the city hall and police department can do about it.

The Palm Lake slum area has a population of nearly 100 million. The composition of the residents is complex. There are many immigrants from Mexico, India and other places. Street gangs of all sizes are intertwined, making it impossible to form an effective rectification environment.

Bureaucracy is always like this. If there are problems that cannot be solved during one's term, then leave them to the next one.

Over time, Palm Lake became a stain on the map of Star City, a special existence that was deliberately ignored.

So when people heard that White Industries and Quinn Associates were leading the effort to redevelop Lake Palm, they were both surprised and untrue.

Especially the residents who live in Palm Lake, most of them think this is just a gimmick thrown by unscrupulous capitalists.

The day after the news was revealed, it was [-]:[-] in the afternoon.

Near Seventh Avenue in Palm Lake, in front of the Double Star Building, which was once planned to be the tallest building in Star City.

A press conference, broadcast live to the entire city, is being held.

The young man standing on the high platform is the heir to the White family, which has always been known for its low profile.

Leo, who took over the family business from his father, was one of the most eye-catching gimmicks. Coupled with the platforms of Quinn United Enterprises and City Hall, reporters from TV stations flocked to the event.

They crowded in front of the wide open space of the Double Star Building, set up long guns and short cannons, and kept pressing the shutters of their cameras.

"We gathered in front of the Double Star Building today to talk about the future and development of this city. As the spokesperson, I should have said some high-sounding words, such as retelling the glorious history of the White family, looking back on the past, and looking forward to the future."

Leo's self-deprecation caused a burst of friendly laughter from the audience.

The young head of the White family won a lot of favor in his first public appearance.

"There is no such thing today. The building behind me once had the opportunity to become the tallest building in Star City, a shining pearl inlaid in the city's crown instead of being an unfinished building that is less than one-third complete. Appear in front of everyone.”

Leo pointed to the unfinished building behind him, his voice heavy and pitiful.

The shutter frequency gradually decreased, and the camera lenses focused on the young people standing on the stage.

Those journalists and members of the liberal media held their breath, their eyes full of anticipation.

"The Great Recession a few years ago shrouded Star City in a haze, and countless people lost their jobs and families, which also created the current Palm Lake."

Leo paused, continued to practice Stanislavsky's performance theory, and said passionately and forcefully: "I know that the residents living here think that Star City has forgotten them, but that is not the case. Starting from this double-star building, Palm Lake will Ushering in new change factories, public schools, welfare institutions, these will begin to be built."

"A better Star City, a city of tomorrow where gangs are no longer rampant and vigilantes are raging"

When the warm applause died down, Leo saw that the warm-up was almost over, so he raised his hand to invite Walter, who was sitting in the audience representing Quinn United Enterprises, and the officials of the city hall to come up.

This was all discussed before. After all, because of the fact that Oliver Queen is a vigilante, the share price of Queen Consolidated Enterprises has fallen, and they urgently need to restore the company's image; while the City Hall wants to attract public opinion and votes.

Everyone gets what they need, and naturally they hit it off.

The Palm Lake ghetto is a huge cake. No one cared about it before because it lacked strength and was not qualified to enter.

24 blocks, a population of nearly one million, gangs are rampant, and there are many immigrants. Who can take advantage of it?

Now with White Industries and Quinn Consolidated Enterprises taking the lead, Star City's two major economic pillars are leading the way, which will naturally attract a large number of speculators.

For example, Frank Potinard, who looked at Leo eagerly, was one of them.

This mafia boss has long been dissatisfied with the illegally profitable gang business. Frank's biggest goal is to become a big entrepreneur who can successfully enter the upper class.

"Mr. White, Portinar Construction, is more than qualified to take on the project in Palm Lake."

Seeing Leo walking down the stage, Frank quickly came over.

As the leader of the mafia, he still had a bit of a wink. He knew that the White family did not want to have anything to do with the gang, so he specifically asked the driver to pull the car to the side of the road.

"Thirteen of the 24 neighborhoods in Palm Lake need to be rezoned. There are also public schools, welfare institutions, and temporary housing. Mr. Potinar has a really good appetite. Do you want to eat it alone?"

Leo sat in the car and said with a half-smile.

He glanced forward and found that the driver was actually Helena.

Reminiscent of the last dinner they had together, the underworld leader's actions may not have been deliberate.

This is the rhythm of preparing to give yourself a woman, even if you give up a daughter, you still want to embrace the lap of the White family.

Leo's eyes looked a little strange, he had no intention of formally cooperating with the mafia.

"Potinar Construction Company is very experienced in the construction of major urban areas and resettlement houses. Moreover, the environment of Palm Lake is complex, with many immigrants, and the base camp of the Triads is also here. I can also be used to deal with these people. ."

Frank's attitude was more cordial than last time, and the mafia leader's majestic demeanor was gone.

Just like a licking dog

But if you think about it carefully, this is understandable.

After all, the cake of Palm Lake, with the joint efforts of White Industries and Quinn United Enterprises, will only grow rapidly and create unimaginable economic value in the future.

If Frank can get a piece of it, he will not only benefit a lot, but also use the White family as a stepping stone to enter the circle of powerful people in Star City.

"Frank, if you want others to believe in your strength, you must first prove yourself. Martin Summers has the courage to fall out with the Triads, what about you?"

Leo smiled, there is no free lunch in the world.

If the mafia wants to gain support, they have to fight with their lives. After all, this is the only bargaining chip they can offer.

"Mr. White, let me think about it."

Frank's smile was slightly stiff, and he hesitated for a moment, still not giving a clear answer.

"I have something else to do tonight, so let Helena have dinner with you."

Leo and Helena, who was sitting in front, looked at each other, their eyes collided, and then they quickly moved away.