“Lance is an unreasonable person!” Sam’s voice on the phone was full of grievance.
“I’ve already apologized to him and even guaranteed to compensate him for his subordinate’s medical expenses, but he still refuses to hand over Lisa.”
“Sir, I have no foundation here. I can’t force him to do anything. Won’t this displease Mr. Hoff?”
Sam, after being scolded and threatened by Lance, thought long and hard before finally calling the mayor.
He knew this would lower his standing in the mayor’s eyes, but his damned work hadn’t even fully started, and he had already encountered such a big obstacle.
He didn’t even know what to say. He even somewhat regretted coming to Golden Port now. If it weren’t for the introducer telling him that the mayor would value this job highly, which made him somewhat tempted.
How he wished he were still in Paradise City now! At least he wouldn’t be bothered by someone trying to provoke and threaten him!
The mayor listened quietly, then pondered for a moment. “I’ll talk to Lance. You arrange another girl for Mr. Hoff.”
“He’s not displeased because you didn’t send Lisa. His dissatisfaction stems from the fact that when he needed to vent some emotions, the ‘toy’ you promised him wasn’t delivered.”
“Since you lost one, send him a better one, along with your sincerity. Do you understand what I mean?”
A Golden Port Socialist Party opinion leader couldn’t truly have much “real affection” for an Imperial illegal immigrant working in the sex trade.
His anger was simply because he had already bathed, cancelled some unimportant work, and prepared various tools for venting emotions, waiting from afternoon until evening.
Not only were several hours wasted like that, but he even walked around his home in a bathrobe like an idiot! His anger was directed at being fooled, not at whether a certain girl had arrived or not!
His assistant had consistently told Sam “a reasonable explanation,” not “bring Lisa.”
Sam could actually figure it out if he thought carefully, but things happened too fast, so he didn’t have time to settle down and think.
Constantly being angered, and perhaps deep down, there was even a thought of “letting Mr. Hoff rage, triggering the mayor’s anger, and thus helping him deal with Lance.”
However, it was clear that politicians in a city as important as Golden Port, with its economic and political status, were more rational than politicians in a city that developed through gambling and pimping.
The mayor’s words had already made Sam realize that his idea of using the mayor’s power to deal with Lance had fallen through.
He could only agree. But he also added, “Lance said we’re not allowed to use Imperial girls, otherwise he’ll cause us trouble again.”
The mayor was slightly displeased. “Mind your wording. He must have said he’d cause you trouble, not us.”
“Since he’s made a demand, then you find some other girls. I don’t believe that besides Imperial girls, there isn’t a single girl from other ethnic groups in Golden Port.”
Sam was still struggling. “But they’re cheap, and…”
The mayor directly and rudely interrupted him. “Don’t say certain things over the phone, and remember, this is your job, not mine.”
He paused for two or three seconds to allow Sam to process it, then his voice returned to a somewhat normal tone. “Alright, I’ll communicate with Lance and tell him not to bother you.”
“The next two years are very important for us. I don’t want any plans to derail. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Although Sam was unwilling, he could only agree. “Yes, sir, I understand.” After hanging up, he glanced at Booker, walked back and forth a few steps, and picked up the phone. “Do we have any good spot goods now?”
The buzzing voice from the other end of the phone said, “Yes, what price range, and what are your requirements?” Sam recalled the image of Mr. Hoff, who was like a hero in some people’s eyes, and his little fetishes.
He said, “Young, not too tall, good figure, someone who makes you want to bully her.”
“White skin, dark brown hair, not easily compromised—you know, some people like resistance.”
“Two to three thousand is fine.”
He remembered something. “Oh, right, not from the Empire, including other Imperial girls.”
The person on the other end of the line couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you in love with some Imperial girl?” Sam cursed a few times.
“In short, no Imperial girls, and no Federal ones either. I don’t want any trouble. It’s best if they’re illegal immigrants…”
The person on the other side waited for a while. One could hear him flipping through something like a catalog. After about three minutes, the sound stopped.
“Three thousand then. This one was originally three thousand five. When do you need it?”
“Immediately!”
Meanwhile, in Creek Valley City, an immigrant girl from outside the country, longing for life in the Federation and big cities, was waiting tables in a restaurant.
Lunchtime was very busy. Creek Valley City was becoming very popular due to its pleasant climate.
Many people came here to travel or reside, and its proximity to the north of Golden Port contributed to its relatively prosperous downtown.
Creek Valley City had over three hundred thousand residents, but its population growth rate was rapid.
The local city hall believed that in ten years, Creek Valley City’s population could potentially exceed five hundred thousand.
Doubling in ten years was already the limit of their imagination! But regardless, the rapid population and urban growth created many opportunities here.
“Here’s your order…” From behind, she brought two plates of tomato beef macaroni to the table. The female customer at the table seemed to be doing something else.
The moment she turned, she bumped into the tray in the girl’s hand. It fell onto the female customer’s skirt and also stained her own pants.
Two screams echoed in the restaurant. The girl’s face immediately fell into despair. She felt extremely unlucky and didn’t know how much she would have to pay for the skirt.
Now, she could only apologize while trying to help the customer. The manager also walked over.
“I’m sorry, I’ll compensate you,” she said sadly.
The female customer showed a smiling face. “It’s alright. I used to be a waitress too and encountered these things.”
“Last time I was in your position, a lady forgave me. Now I want to pass on that kindness, so I won’t make you pay for my skirt.”
“But you have to accompany me back to change. I don’t live far, just next door…”
This delighted the girl, and the manager also breathed a sigh of relief.
He gave the girl a look that said, “You’ve got to handle this,” indicating that today’s dishes would be discounted, and then left.
The girl readily agreed. She took off her apron and left the restaurant with the female customer. The large stains on the snow-white skirt embarrassed the girl herself.
She tried her best to shield the female customer from curious glances.
Perhaps the female customer saying she used to wait tables made the girl not have a hint of wariness towards her, and she chatted with her a lot.
Her residence was not far; they reached it by cutting through two streets from the alley.
As they entered the house through the back door, avoiding her neighbors from discovering her embarrassment, they soon arrived at the female customer’s “home.”
As soon as she entered, the girl felt something strange. All the furniture here was covered with cloth, and the floor was covered with newspapers, as if it had just been renovated, or was in the process of being renovated.
She looked back at the female customer, somewhat puzzled, but she was not greeted by the very polite female customer, but by two seemingly fierce adult males.
She had already realized something was wrong. Her incredulous gaze lingered on the woman for a moment.
She turned and opened her mouth to scream for help, but an arm choked her neck.
She struggled violently against the thick arm, but it was meaningless and useless. In a state of oxygen deprivation, she gradually lost consciousness.
The male customer still dining in the restaurant saw something outside the window, then stood up, paid, and left, leaving behind an empty table, unfinished lunch, and a girl who never returned.
A panel van soon left the city, speeding towards Golden Port.
Perhaps the restaurant manager or owner would call the police because the girl never returned, but it was more likely they wouldn’t.
This was because they employed illegal immigrants, and once the police started investigating this case, they would definitely investigate his employment practices.
At that point, they would not only gain nothing but also face potentially hefty fines, so they would not do that! As for the girl’s roommate, or anyone else? It was possible, but again, the probability was small.
No one wanted trouble, for any reason. So, basically, her disappearance couldn’t even cause a ripple, like a small stone dropped into a lake.
Her disappearance was like a speck of dust falling onto the water’s surface, creating not a single ripple.
The girl who was going to apologize for her behavior was still on her way.
The mayor had already called Attorney Orson. Shengda Law Firm, like Golden Diamond Law Firm, was a large national law firm and had always cooperated with the mayor.
The mayor had collaborated with their firm and Orson himself many times.
Additionally, Orson helped the mayor handle some matters outside the law, so he was considered one of the mayor’s confidants. This was a very important network.
For Attorney Orson, it could even be said that if one day he grew tired of being a lawyer, he could directly enter politics with the mayor’s influence.
Lawyers entering politics had always been a super popular trend in the Federation, and they had great advantages.
The Federal voters and taxpayers, who did not understand the law, foolishly believed that lawyers who understood the law would be more careful to follow the rules than incompetent politicians and dangerous capitalists.
However, what they didn’t know was that the authority and strictness of the law didn’t make lawyers cautious, but rather taught them how to exploit loopholes in the law.
For lawyers who could break their moral bottom line for money or other reasons, and who were accustomed to exploiting loopholes, to enter politics… Hopefully, the people of the Federation would be happy!
“Sam told me some things. Go talk to Lance and make him understand who is truly in charge of this city!”
Attorney Orson looked at the receiver in his hand and found it very interesting.
Although the mayor’s voice didn’t sound very angry, he was certainly displeased. He then thought for a moment and personally made a trip.
This was the second time Orson had met Lance. In his eyes, Lance was a very interesting young man.
After a brief handshake, he sat down opposite Lance’s desk. “I hear you and Mr. Sam had a very unpleasant falling out.”
Lance opened his cigarette case and pushed it towards him. “We have some philosophical differences.”
Attorney Orson chuckled. He found Lance’s wording very interesting. “For instance?”
Lance shrugged. “For instance, I still believe I’m a human, but he clearly isn’t anymore.”
Attorney Orson didn’t react at first. It was the first time he had heard such a statement, but he quickly realized it was related to Sam’s work.
Connecting it to his damned work, Attorney Orson seemed to understand.
“What you said isn’t a big problem.”
“But, Mr. Lance, animal trainers can work with beasts, because that’s a job, nothing else.”
“We don’t demand that animal trainers sleep with beasts, or even breed with them. Outside of work, you can be human, and he can be a beast.”
“But during work, you are colleagues. There are no humans, no beasts, only who performs well or poorly.”
Lance shook his head slightly. “I hear lawyers’ bottom lines are very flexible. It seems that’s true. Is work more important than being human?”
Facing Lance’s sarcasm, Attorney Orson was not at all angered. As a lawyer, being cursed at and insulted was perfectly normal.
There were also some people who lost lawsuits because of him, who would curse every foul word imaginable, but he didn’t care at all. If he cared about these things, he would have died of anger long ago.
He subtly tucked his chin, almost proudly saying, “I’m just more focused on my work than you are.”
“Moreover, work is work, and life is life. Outside of work, I also donate to charities or help those in need.”
“Only those who distinguish between work and life can go further in this great era.”
Lance listened as if deep in thought, then said, “I will seriously consider it and try, but I’m not sure if I can do it, or when I can do it.” This was typical perfunctory talk.
Attorney Orson still maintained his gentle demeanor. “You have plenty of time to contemplate your life and future, but you cannot waste others’ time.”
“Mr. Sam’s, mine, and even his.”
Lance remained unmoved. “I have no intention of interfering with Mr. Sam’s work. I’ve already told him that as long as he doesn’t use Imperial girls, I won’t trouble him.”
“Moreover, this concerns a more important level of work. If you are truly dedicated to your work, you should be on my side!”
He paused. “I am unifying the Empire District. These one to two tens of thousands of votes, I believe, are very important to the mayor.”
“Plus, I’ll soon have the dockworkers’ votes secured, at least twenty thousand valid votes, Attorney Orson. Can these make you more focused?”
Attorney Orson’s expression changed slightly. He pondered for a moment. “I will convey your thoughts to him, but if you lied…”
“No one lies, Attorney Orson!” Lance said with conviction.
Not long after, Attorney Orson left. Although Red High Heels’ work was also important, it was the kind of importance that only showed results in the long term, and it wouldn’t have much effect in the short term.
One couldn’t directly and brazenly use these things to threaten others; that would make the mayor a common enemy to everyone.
Instead, the votes Lance mentioned were the key factors that could directly and effectively determine the distribution of power within the city. Their priority would clearly be higher than Sam’s work.
Attorney Orson went directly to the mayor’s office and briefly explained these matters. The mayor pondered for a while, then nodded slightly.
“If he can handle these things, then leave it alone.”
Attorney Orson nodded, indicating he understood. If Lance could handle this matter, then nothing would happen.
But what if he couldn’t? No one said, because they all knew the consequences of failing.
During this time, Sam also called Lance, asking for his two abducted subordinates, in a very unpleasant tone.
In these past years, everything had gone smoothly for him in Paradise City, and he had developed the habit of not being refused.
Now that Lance made him unhappy, he certainly wouldn’t have a good tone with Lance again. Ultimately, the two ended their phone call in displeasure.
In the afternoon, the new toy arrived. He personally took this new toy to meet Mr. Hoff. As the mayor said, Mr. Hoff was merely dissatisfied that he had been deceived by a pimp, not that he had any genuine reluctance about Lisa.
When he saw the new toy, and Sam hoped he could help Red High Heels train this new toy, Mr. Hoff generously forgave him.
The girl was fastened to an iron frame, her face showing defiance. It seemed she hadn’t yet realized the fate that awaited her.
But none of this concerned Sam. He returned to Red High Heels to continue ordering. Since Booker’s group was no longer useful, he had to get the toys in order as soon as possible. He stayed busy until past ten at night before returning.
These past few days, Red High Heels had been filled with the smell of paint. He had gotten a new house.
As he took a shower, ate something, and prepared for bed, he suddenly heard what sounded like movement in the attic.
A chill ran down his spine. He grabbed a weapon, called over two subordinates, and the three bravely went up to the second floor. One of his subordinates was forced to poke his head into the attic and look around, but felt nothing.
A subordinate suddenly said, “The sound seems to be coming from outside. Is something hanging on the roof?”
“Power lines, or something else?”
The three went up to the attic. It was pitch black outside. Sam walked to the window.
Before he could open it, a black shadow suddenly crashed against the glass with a bang! This was already terrifying enough.
Even more terrifying was that the thing seemed to be a person…
(End of this chapter)