Mr. Jobav had heard of Red Heels’ business, and even had some understanding of it.
The girls they sent out were always lively, but not every one brought back was necessarily intact—some were missing limbs, or even dead.
You could never truly understand the twisted preferences of those seemingly respectable figures!
One girl who had served an important figure disappeared overnight because she spoke carelessly. Her companions worried she had been abused, but she had said she entered a house, changed into special clothes, and then whipped and harmed an adult Federation male, for which she was rewarded.
The important figures knew about Red Heels and implicitly allowed its existence. Clearly, it wasn’t that they couldn’t shut it down, but rather that they didn’t want to, because it too had its value.
Many big capitalists or politicians in Federation high society enjoyed hunting.
But did they truly hunt frequently because they loved hunting?
No, they didn’t enjoy the competitive process between hunter and prey; they simply enjoyed killing.
There was once a governor in the Federation who liked to act as a butcher on his farm when he had nothing else to do.
Some viewed his behavior as a display of loyalty to the landlord class. Others claimed that even as governor, he hadn’t forgotten the tradition of farmers, personally slaughtering pigs, cattle, and sheep, which was a kind of heritage.
This earned him many votes and political donations from local farmers and the landlord class.
The public and media believed these claims, thinking he was truly just maintaining some farming traditions and aiming for more votes.
Until a sudden disappearance case erupted, and all clues eventually pointed to him. Only then did people realize that besides slaughtering pigs, cattle, and sheep, he also had other similar hobbies.
Of course, the person who exposed this matter might not have done so for the sake of justice. In Federation high society, there was never a word like “justice,” only “interest.”
Human desires are like that. Some can be controlled, but some, as they accumulate, gradually become uncontrollable.
Rather than letting them get out of control and cause massive destruction, primarily self-destruction, spending some money to release pressure through “legal” means became a good option for them.
From a judicial perspective, illegal immigrants are transparent, non-existent.
When they disappear, no one reports it to the police, no one searches for them by contacting the media, and no one bothers to do anything for a group of people without identity.
So this became a safe method. Only by releasing their desires and pressures could they better serve society.
It was seen by Liam, and even Heller, as a ladder, a shortcut, to the upper echelons of society.
It truly allowed contact with many important figures: church pastors, respectable members of Bay Area high society, celebrities, and dignitaries.
When they had desires and needs, they would definitely contact Red Heels, because it was one of the few places in Golden Port City that could satisfy their special fetishes.
Having the contact information and connections of these people was indeed very tempting for ambitious individuals at the bottom.
Mr. Jobav’s eyes flickered. Lance reiterated his stance, “I won’t do this.”
“Whoever likes to do it can do it, but I won’t do this.”
“Mr. Jobav, I also advise you not to touch it.”
“You think that because of this, you’ll have more intimate connections and closer relationships with those important figures, but to them, you are the only witness who holds evidence of their crimes.”
“When they need you, they’ll naturally see you as a reliable person.”
“But when they don’t need you, they’ll start to worry whether you’ll expose their affairs or trade them away.”
“Those who do this business don’t end well, no matter who they are.”
“I believe that when the news of Liam’s death suddenly spread in society, his clients were probably happier than I was!”
Mr. Jobav looked at Lance, listening to his words, and finally realized he had been a bit too eager. “You’re right. I shouldn’t think about these things.”
Lance nodded. “Your value isn’t there, Mr. Jobav.”
He didn’t continue discussing the matter, as it was a disreputable affair. “I will report it truthfully to the mayor.”
The serious topic concluded. A hint of seriousness left Mr. Jobav’s face, replaced by a softer expression. “That person has been under a lot of pressure recently, Lance. What do you think I should do next?”
He increasingly admired Lance and wanted to hear Lance’s opinion.
Lance offered him a suggestion. “Continue to leverage your strengths, Mr. Jobav.”
“The richer you are, the more they will depend on you. That is where your value lies.”
“When you have no money, that’s when you lose your value.”
“If you want to gain more respect, then become richer!”
Mr. Jobav soon left. Sitting in his car, looking at the lively law firm, he now had an increasingly peculiar feeling.
It was like… observing the entire process of a volcanic eruption. Perhaps now it was just emitting some smoke, not even a tiny spark of fire, but the seismic rhythm it generated beneath the ground could already be clearly perceived by people.
When he heard from the mayor that Lance could provide twenty thousand votes, his first thought was that it was impossible.
Even though the Imperial District had over a hundred thousand Imperial people, only a small number of them had voting rights.
But now he understood. Those twenty thousand votes didn’t all come from the Imperial District.
Upon returning to the mayor’s office, he immediately went to see the mayor. He was no longer young, but when facing the younger mayor, there was no sign that he commanded the respect due to his age.
Of course, he himself had no need for respect.
“I have already met Lance. Lance agreed to two proposals, but he stated that he will not do the Red Heels business.” From the moment he entered, he stood by the door.
Although the room’s decor wasn’t luxurious, it was certainly not shabby.
There was a simple sofa, and three chairs opposite the mayor’s desk, but the mayor had no intention of asking Mr. Jobav to sit down, and he himself did not actively move to sit.
During this time, he felt that the hierarchy in the Federation was even more terrifying than in the Empire!
Those nobles would sometimes put an arm around your shoulder and crack a few jokes, but here…
The mayor put down his pen. “I’m not familiar with Red Heels, nor do I intend to understand it. All I need is the stability of the Imperial District, and the votes he can control.”
The mayor frowned slightly, pondering for a moment. “Sometimes you should learn from him!” This sounded like a comment, or possibly a hint of something else, but Mr. Jobav didn’t seem to catch it.
“Alright, I have a lot of work to do. Go about your business. Don’t just stand here; it’ll make others think I don’t respect the elderly.”
Mr. Jobav bowed slightly, “I’m getting old, and the doctor advised me to move around more. Sitting for too long isn’t good for my back.”
The mayor’s lips curled slightly. People always love power, and that is the charm of power.
Even if you point at a pile of feces and say eating it will bring benefits, some people will rush to shove it into their mouths!
He raised a hand, gesturing for him to “leave,” and Mr. Jobav promptly exited the office, while the mayor returned to his work.
As the nominal and actual ruler of this city, how could he not know about Red Heels?
It’s just that his future was destined for the presidential palace or Capitol Hill, so he tried his best to avoid touching these matters if he could.
But he hoped that someone loyal to him could take it on. Perhaps it wasn’t needed now, but someday, it might be.
The next morning, at the docks, a large crowd gathered around Elvin.
Most of the people here had heard what happened recently. News on the docks spread very quickly, but no one was thinking of helping Lance.
It wasn’t that they were ungrateful; it was just that for most of the blue-collar workers, they were ordinary illegal immigrants. Perhaps if Lance fell, their job and survival problems would become more severe.
However, these issues did not mean they couldn’t survive here. Lance merely gave them a job, allowing them to barely fill their stomachs and have some hope.
It didn’t mean they would engage in a shootout with a “well-known” gang for a few dozen dollars a month.
Now that the shootout seemed to be over and the Camille Gang was a thing of the past, these blue-collar workers immediately gathered around Elvin when he arrived at the docks.
They excitedly asked about what had happened recently, such as why the battle started, whether there were any losses, and other follow-up questions.
Elvin was there today to recruit some people. Lance had said in a meeting last night that the higher-ups wanted the Imperial District to stabilize quickly.
The Camille Gang, that big mountain, had been moved, so a new big mountain had to be put in its place.
This new mountain wasn’t entirely chosen by the important figures above; it was also a “test.” They had to quickly deal with the street gangs and small factions that might cause a decline in public order.
Twenty-odd people managing an administrative district was clearly too exaggerated. They needed some peripheral members.
“…It will definitely be more dangerous in the gang than working on the docks. This time, we lost seven people…”
When Elvin mentioned this, it was clear that those who had been enthusiastic moments before began to ponder, and even shrink back.
Death is always a terrifying thing. Losing seven people in one go made them consider whether it was worth it.
Of course, some were willing to join. Elvin didn’t immediately agree. “I’m just telling you now. We need about one hundred to two hundred people, and each person will get thirty-five dollars a month.”
“In addition, we will guarantee your food and housing. If you get injured due to conflicts, we will also provide treatment.”
“But these conditions are actually quite good, and Lance told me that once our situation improves, your income will gradually increase.”
“Ordinary members will earn about forty-five to sixty dollars a month, and core combat members can earn around eighty dollars.”
“Recently, we will be very tired because we plan to take over the Camille Gang’s territory in the Imperial District comprehensively. Some people will definitely fight us for it, so some battles will certainly occur.”
“But you don’t have to worry too much; large-scale firefights are unlikely. And if there is a real firefight, we will also be there.”
Elvin said a lot. Some were afraid of injury and death, and retreated.
Others felt that working on the docks was ultimately not a permanent solution. As long as they couldn’t solve their identity issues, they would never get their full wages.
It might as well be better to join a gang and fight for it.
People, after all, have to do something for themselves!
Elvin had the message spread. Not everyone who wanted to join would be accepted; they only needed the elite!
Lance, from a distance, saw them, turned around, threw his cigarette butt on the ground, ground it out with the tip of his shiny leather shoe, and then entered the office of the dockworkers’ union.
He was there to see Vaughn (one of the vice presidents of the dockworkers’ union). He didn’t want the rumors spreading on the streets during this time to cause unnecessary trouble and derail his plan to control the dock area.
Vaughn was already there. Although he didn’t look like a member of the working class, he had the disciplined schedule of a worker, perhaps one of the few ways he was close to the working class.
Lance knocked on the door. Vaughn was reviewing some documents. He seemed surprised to see Lance, then immediately stood up, walked around the desk to greet Lance, and shook his hand. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
The two entered the room. The New Year was approaching, and the temperature was already quite low.
Lance took off his trench coat and hung it and his hat on the coat rack. “A lot has happened recently. Many times, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.”
“I didn’t interrupt your work, did I?”
Vaughn proactively had two hot coffees sent over. “No, just some matters from the General Union,” he said, referring to the Federation Dockworkers’ General Union.
Lance sighed faintly. “You must have heard some things related to me.”
Vaughn nodded. “I was initially incredulous.”
No one could imagine that the young man they had been working with had actually overthrown a long-established gang and was now stepping onto the stage of the times.
Moreover, Lance and the Lance Family were also beginning to appear before the public, which made Vaughn a little flustered.
A collaboration between the dockworkers’ union and a gang, or rather, a family?
He didn’t know.
Lance pulled a check for a thousand dollars from his coat and placed it on the coffee table.
He looked into Vaughn’s eyes. “I’ll be going to Yalan in a few days to inspect some factories. Plus, I really can’t spare any time this month, so I’m giving you two months’ donations all at once.”
Vaughn instinctively glanced at the check. It was for a thousand dollars.
The price he and Lance had discussed before was not this.
Perhaps seeing Vaughn’s confusion, he explained that the extra two hundred dollars were for buying small gifts or something to bring smiles to everyone, as the club would reopen after the New Year, and he would still rely on their care.
This sounded like a joke, but it was also a test. If Vaughn said “this is difficult,” it would mean something had gone wrong with his club rental.
If he didn’t say anything, it meant there were no problems.
Vaughn’s mind raced. The three hundred dollars in the small account were still in the safe, and now he had another thousand.
He suddenly felt his scalp getting warm and itchy, and couldn’t help scratching it. “Lance…”
“Difficulties?” Lance asked.
Vaughn took a deep breath. “They’re rumored to be…”
“A gang?”
Lance directly stated, “Do you think we are?”
Vaughn shook his head. “I don’t think you are…” As he was speaking, the secretary knocked on the door and brought in two cups of coffee.
After they each said thank you, the secretary thoughtfully closed the door as she left. In the moment the door was about to close, her gaze lingered on the check on the table.
“Vaughn, we never extort or blackmail anyone. We can say that the money we earn might not be legal, but it’s absolutely justifiable in good conscience.”
“If they hadn’t forced us and tried to kill us, none of this would have happened. We’re just resisting due to pressure.”
“No one wants to enter this line of work, but this world doesn’t allow us to do anything else.”
“I can promise that the docks are still yours. No one will interfere with your work.”
“And, if you feel our cooperation is no longer suitable, you can stop at any time. I actually just hope that our people can have a better working environment and atmosphere at the docks, that’s all!”
“All my efforts are aimed at improving their situation, with no other thoughts or intentions.”
He leaned slightly forward, “Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance too.”
Vaughn looked at Lance for a while, then at the check. Ultimately, he convinced himself. “Alright…”
“What about Scott?”
Vaughn put the check away. “I’ll persuade President Scott.”
Lance thought for a moment, then took out another check. It already had a number on it: two hundred dollars.
He handed the check to Vaughn. Seeing the confusion on Vaughn’s face, he smiled, “My appreciation!”
“Don’t refuse. Aren’t we friends?”
Having accepted the first check for a thousand dollars, the second check for two hundred dollars didn’t seem so difficult to accept either.
He finally put it in his pocket. “You always make people feel awkward, Lance.”
He said this, but from the smile on his face, it was clear he liked the gift.
The New Year was approaching, and he could buy his wife a beautiful new dress and give his children some pocket money. They were at the age for dating, and they always complained about not having enough money.
Vaughn could also buy himself that branded razor he always wanted, or a new pair of leather shoes?
He had many choices, built upon having more freely available wealth.
It was only when one reached his social class, or perhaps, understood life, that they would truly grasp the meaning of “household income” and “disposable wealth.”
Sometimes, your monthly income doesn’t represent the money you can freely spend!
Mr. Lance, he’s truly generous!
(End of this chapter)