Darkstone Code
Chapter 237 - 0235 Choice, determination, hesitation

Chapter 237: 0235 Choice, determination, hesitation

The act of ousting the President has become the most pivotal matter for the entire Federation right now. Society has united around the group with this objective at its core, contributing their efforts, as people become lost in a fervor.

They wander around all day with empty stomachs, harboring hatred towards the President, convinced that he has made a mess of everything, despite knowing deep down that this isn’t entirely true.

The rapid economic decline, financial crisis, and international rejection all require an outlet for emotional release. The Bail people, who once dreamed of being a dominant nation, were suddenly jolted awake by reality, needing to vent their "waking anger."

Undoubtedly, the President becomes the best target.

For the Progressive Party, the troubles they face are hardly fewer than those of the President. After toppling the President, deeper international exchanges must be initiated. How to carry them out, and to what extent is most appropriate, handling friendly forces, handling malicious forces, international trade, international relations, international politics...

All of these issues plague the upper ranks of the Progressive Party. Despite appearing relaxed, as they begin promoting the benefits of more international interaction on TV, they too are unsure of what it truly takes to at least not do poorly, unlike the President.

Everything is a stage of exploration, but they handled certain issues well, such as the Progress Party Committee Vice Chairman finalizing some international trade orders, which is more motivating than anything for the Bail Federal society right now.

However, this news is still under wraps. It must wait until the President is successfully impeached and ousted from the President’s Mansion, when the Progressive Party Vice President takes over, providing a backdrop for the upcoming elections.

Look, as soon as the Progressive Party takes office, they start working and achieve success that the Conservative Party, who only blame their own people, cannot match.

As for the quota and development method of international trade, the Progressive Party’s upper echelon advocates orderly development, not complete liberalization at once.

No one knows what role the Federation will play in the international community. Complete market liberalization might worsen the domestic economy.

The Mayor hesitated in the face of Lynch’s questions. Lynch knew this was the time to push harder. "Landon, we’re friends, but to me, you’re also like an uncle. We often sit together and discuss things that only concern us. You need to help me with this, and it’s not just helping me, but also helping yourself."

"If you can secure freedom of trade approvals or licenses for me, I can give you a firm promise right now: I will hire no less than two thousand workers locally, and if my business outside thrives, this number might increase!"

Lynch placed both hands on the corner of the table, his torso slightly leaning forward. Yet he exhibited not humility, but an unexpressed aggression or assertiveness through his expression, tone, and demeanor.

Without any language or means of expression, he could make the Mayor feel his determination and the potential consequences if this matter was messed up.

The Mayor hesitated for a while, furrowed his brow, and finally nodded slowly. "Maybe I can try, but you must understand, even I cannot persuade those people. I’m just an ordinary Mayor!"

The Mayor’s response gave Lynch a sigh of relief and satisfaction. He picked up his knife and fork again. "I only need an opportunity, a ticket. If you can’t deal with those people, I can chat with them, or someone can chat with them."

Hearing Lynch’s words, the Mayor relaxed his somewhat conflicted expression.

Ultimately, any rules have a buffering zone or elasticity. Utilizing this buffer depends on Lynch’s subsequent performance.

Transferring benefits is a common approach, but hiring a high-level lobbying group is also a great strategy. Sometimes, favors are more useful than money!

After discussing the serious topics, the Mayor asked Lynch an unexpected question, "I heard you’ve been getting close to a woman named Vera recently, and that this woman is married."

The Mayor wielded his knife and slice through the meticulously cooked steak. He lifted a piece of meat, wiped some sauce, then raised his fork but did not immediately place the meat in his mouth.

From Lynch’s angle, he could still see some sauce mixed with meat juice slowly oozing down from the meat.

After the inexplicable gaze returned from the meat chunk, Lynch neither admitted nor denied. It’s not that his attitude is ambiguous, but whether he admits or denies, neither seems ideal. Denying or affirming might not be better than staying neutral.

He laughed and asked, "Is the Mayor interested in my personal life?"

Then the Mayor finally put the meat chunk into his mouth. He chewed a few times, swallowed, shaking his head while continuing to cut his plate’s food, "I’m not interested in your private life, but I’m interested in that woman’s husband. You know, we all want to keep Ristone here. He betrayed us, so he must pay the price."

He proceeded to recount how he and the state extended various support and policies to the Ristone Group over the years, from initially endorsing them, enabling banks to provide low-interest loans, to freely granting various policies.

Merely annually, they receive tax exemptions exceeding two million, creating tension with the State Tax Bureau’s office chief.

With support from various quarters, Ristone finally became a pillar industry for Sabin City. Yet their return was betrayal, the Mayor’s most intolerable offense.

While expounding these matters, his appetite remained high, persistently talking and eating the steak in his dish. When he nearly finished his meal, he had almost said all about the conflict with Ristone.

Stuffing the last piece of meat into his mouth, he declared, "Since they don’t like it here, let them return what they’ve gained over the years with interest, or they won’t leave."

The Mayor tore half a roll, smeared it with various jams, "That woman’s husband is a key figure. Perhaps you can persuade her, which would benefit us both. I can request the Judge consider more during sentencing."

Suitably, Lynch put down the utensils, picked up the napkin to blot his lips and nearby potential sauces, then placed the napkin on the table, "A sumptuous dinner, delicious taste."

Suddenly their conversation switched gears, with the Mayor wearing a broader smile, speaking less seriously, just like small talk, "If you enjoy it, dining with someone my age must be dull."

Lynch shrugged, "Learning is also dull, yet knowledge guides mankind forward."

Unnoticeable flattery pleased the Mayor. After a brief chat, Lynch bid farewell.

Back home, he called Asir, requesting a survey of what assets Ristone holds in Sabin City.

From the dining experience with the Mayor, Lynch perceived that even without finding Gap, the Mayor would attempt his utmost to retain Ristone and Neo in Sabin.

As the company’s downfall is certain, why not prepare knives and forks where it will fall?

The growth of capital is never through hard work, but plunder.

While handling some company affairs, Vera brought a pot of coffee.

She rarely entered Lynch’s study, not because Lynch forbade it, but she refrained from entering when Lynch wasn’t there, respecting Lynch’s privacy and secrets. She understands how to respect a man, including a boy.

Yet this time differed from the past. Occasionally, Vera would bring coffee but would leave afterward. This time, she did not leave, instead sat on the chair opposite Lynch.

"What’s the matter?" Lynch set down his file and looked at Vera.

She nodded slightly, her complexion showed some blush, "I’m considering returning tomorrow, as seemingly there’s nothing pending."

Lynch took less than two seconds to roughly understand, "Did someone speak ill words?"

It appeared as a question, though he stated it in a tone that signified certainty of occurrence.

Vera didn’t indicate either affirmation or negation, reinforcing Lynch’s certainty that such a situation might exist.

He furrowed his brow, "You can’t go back for now. Regarding the problem involving Mr. Gap, while dining with the Mayor, I casually asked..."

His single sentence drew Vera’s attention.

"Mr. Gap has become a pivotal figure in the Ristone Group Company’s board, against the Mayor and Governor. He seems to hold some extraordinary information."

"Given the current scenario, it’s possible Mr. Rinio and others intended to hide or send Mr. Gap away, but evidently they failed, as Mr. Gap escaped without cooperating."

"If you return, you might become a breakthrough point, kidnapped or hurt, forcing you to divulge information that you’re unaware of."

The more Lynch spoke, the more sorrowful Vera’s expression became, her gaze blended with a hint of dread!

A woman getting kidnapped... Reality isn’t a movie where kidnappers might offer various indulgences, letting her vent over distasteful food.

They would only harm, humiliate, and pressure her!

Momentarily, silence enclosed the room.