Empire of Shadows

Lance left decisively.

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He was so decisive, without any fuss, that Bridge felt it was unbelievable. The blonde secretary, holding coffee, was just about to knock on the door when she saw Lance walking out.

She was a little stunned and a little at a loss, watching Lance walk to the elevator and press the button, while she peeked into the room.

She didn't know who to give the coffee to, or whether to throw it away.

In large companies, it is very impolite to give the coffee prepared for Lance to someone else, even if Lance hasn't taken a sip.

But this cup of coffee was really not cheap, and she didn't know if she would be punished for throwing it away. She could only stand there blankly, with no one caring about her.

In the room, Bridge was a little confused, "The intelligence says that this Lance is just a child from a poor local family. The only thing he can show off is that he formed a gang?"

He wanted to laugh a little.

Whether a gang is scary or not depends on who you're talking to.

If you're talking to ordinary people, to those without a social background, gangs are people who can take their lives, and they will be very afraid.

In fact, this is indeed the case. Even if it is unreasonable for gangs to collect protection fees, no one will refuse.

Because they know that if they don't pay, there will be trouble.

But very few gangs would extort large companies. The big capitalists only need to make a phone call to cause trouble for these gangs.

If the intelligence said that Lance was from one of the five major families, he might choose other methods to communicate with Lance, or even not communicate at all, and let him earn the money.

But this is just a small gang. He doesn't know what Lance's confidence is to make him do this.

Manager Lenny didn't know how to explain this matter. Even if he told Bridge that Lance had only used half a year to gain a foothold in this city, he believed that Bridge would not listen.

Because from Bridge's point of view, even if Lance did some incredible things, he was not at the same level as him.

"Forget it, let the legal department prepare to sue him. We can also talk to the mayor…" Bridge quickly shifted the focus of his work to the next client, instead of continuing to pay attention to Lance.

When the elevator door slowly opened with a ding, Lance noticed several imposing security guards standing outside the elevator door, as well as the manager who had sent him to take the elevator before.

They looked at each other for a moment, two or three seconds. Lance stepped out of the elevator car, "So many people are welcoming me?" he asked.

The young manager immediately put on a smile. He thought that Lance had reached an agreement with the company, and continued to compliment, "Of course, you are our most respected guest!"

Lance glanced at him with a smile that was not a smile, "It better be!"

This sentence made the manager's smile freeze for a moment. He couldn't understand what Lance meant. Did they reach an agreement, or did they not reach an agreement?

He didn't know, but it seemed that this gentleman didn't intend to argue, so he would continue to treat it as if they had reached an agreement.

"Of course, I sincerely respect you, sir."

Lance stopped talking nonsense with him and strode towards the door.

The driver, who was smoking a cigarette next to the parking lot near the company, immediately threw the cigarette butt on the ground after seeing Lance coming out of the company building, got into the car, and drove over.

"Back to the company."

After he returned to the office in the Imperial District, he had people call over those representatives of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce.

They had a good time during this period, because they also knew that the price of grapes was soaring, and everyone's face revealed a kind of heartfelt happiness.

The thing these people liked to do most every day was to get up early and buy a copy of today's latest "Market News", and then turn to the agricultural and trade products column to find the "Grape" label.

They would compare it with yesterday's price to calculate how much money they made today!

This speed of making money… was really too cool, and Lance was not greedy, he would only take away a small part of their profits. Every day they woke up, they became richer, and this kind of life was fascinating!

They liked, or even loved, Lance.

When almost everyone arrived, Lance had someone close the door.

"Today, people from the Ligee Group notified me to talk about our contract…"

In one sentence, everyone focused their attention. This was related to their income, and they would naturally be nervous.

"Undoubtedly, our investment is correct. They believe that the price of grapes will rise to at least three hundred yuan or more."

"In other words, our contracts are now worth at least two and a half million."

Everyone in the room was gasping for air. Although they knew that this money was not all theirs, about 60% belonged to Lance.

But even if 40% was left, that was one million!

They invested a total of only 370,000 or 80,000, and now it's one million?

Everyone's face showed a smile, but some people also showed a look of annoyance, because they invested too little!

But then, Lance's words made them feel as if they had fallen to the bottom of the valley from their original mood of considering whether to buy a house or a car.

"But they don't intend to recognize the legality of this contract. They plan to sign a new contract with us and give us grapes at a price of 270."

Someone couldn't help it, "Mr. Lance, we can't agree to them, this is unreasonable!"

Lance nodded, "Yes, it's unreasonable, so I rejected them."

"But they will sue us, and you know, for lawsuits involving huge sums of money like this, we have to face not only their legal department, but also our own lawyers, who are like hungry wolves."

These words made people silent. The lawyers of the Federation… all their lawyers will talk to you about professional ethics, but almost no lawyers will talk to you about the principles and bottom lines of being a human being, let alone social morality.

Because they don't have it at all!

The more excellent the lawyer, the less human he is, because humanity will only make them make wrong choices and judgments.

In the Federation, people never judge whether a lawyer is successful by how much fairness he has fought for the weak, but by how many capitalists and dignitaries they have strangled fairness for.

This society is so cruel and realistic, and far less beautiful than people imagine.

For a case involving two million like this, if you want to find an excellent lawyer, the other party may offer a basic lawyer fee of about 30,000 to 50,000, and an additional "commission" judged based on the percentage of the case value.

Some top lawyers may get a super high percentage of 40%, but even a more ordinary lawyer will require more than 15%.

Their reasons are sufficient - give me 40%, and you can still have 60%.

But if you don't give me this 40%, you won't have even 1% left!

The old man's turbid eyes flashed with fire, "If we find a better lawyer, we may have to take out 400,000 to 500,000…"

This is the case if you win. If you can't win and keep dragging on, the lawyer fees will continue to increase…

The others were silent.

Someone asked, "Can we expose them to the media?"

Lance shook his head, "Although this is a way to get public opinion to help us, public opinion help cannot change any actual results. We have to file a lawsuit, and we will be bitten no matter what."

"Either they bite us, or the lawyers bite us."

Two and a half million, 30%, 750,000, plus miscellaneous expenses, about 800,000.

After deducting the cost of more than 800,000, there will be only 700,000 to 800,000 in profit left (if the lawsuit is won, the Ligee Group will fulfill the contract, instead of paying liquidated damages).

This refers to the case where everything goes smoothly.

But this case may not be so smooth.

After they discussed for a while, the old man finally looked at Lance, "Let's listen to what President Lance has to say!"

People were quiet now.

Lance looked at the old man with a strange look. This old guy did have the qualities that only an old man could show, that is, rich experience.

Of course, in this kind of occasion, it is indeed necessary to have someone who is not on his side, is rich in experience, and can make people quiet and listen to him.

Lance crossed his legs, "The market value of Ligee Group is calculated in billions. If they have to drag us into a lawsuit, it will be difficult for us to get any real benefits from it."

"It is possible that some of their phone calls will prevent us from finding a good lawyer, or those lawyers will offer amazing prices to embarrass us and force us to retreat."

"Now this matter has actually become two things."

He held out a finger, "First, our money."

Then he held out a second finger, "Second, our face."

"I plan to solve our problems by mortgaging this contract to the bank, and give part of the profits to the bank for the former."

"I think its final selling price will be more than 350 yuan, and we will sell this contract to them at a price of 275 yuan per ton."

"In this way, we will have a profit of about 1.5 times, about 1.5 million."

"The advantage of doing this is that we have no trouble. They are no match for the bank."

"Then, there is the issue of face."

"But you don't need to help with this part. This is our specialty."

Some people in the room laughed. They probably knew what Lance meant.

"So, the reason I've called you all here today is to ask if you accept this outcome. You can expect to earn a profit of around five hundred thousand to five hundred and fifty thousand, doubling everyone's investment."

"If anyone disagrees, we can split the shares and let you handle them yourselves. Or, you can come up with a plan and entrust me to handle it for you. Either way is fine."

"I can guarantee that I will do my best."

The atmosphere in the room became lively again, and Lance took out a cigarette.

Clearly, he could have earned several hundred thousand more legally, but now he was being forced to earn several hundred thousand less. He would make the Ligee Group understand the price of provoking him.

Before he had finished his cigarette, they had reached a decision. "Mr. Lance, we agree to your proposal."

"The fact that you can double our investment is already an incredible miracle!"

"We aren't greedy!"

Lance looked at the old man who was speaking on their behalf. "I forgot to ask last time, how should I address you, sir?"

The old man was somewhat flattered. "My name is Roger, Mr. Lance. You can call me Old Roger, Roger, or Jeff, whatever you prefer."

The smile on his face made him look several years older—all his wrinkles were piling up.

What a mess!

"Mr. Roger, there's something you said wrong!" Lance didn't use such an intimate form of address, but rather his full name.

"What?" The old man, Roger, looked a little bewildered.

"And that is, we must be greedy. Only more greed and desire can drive us forward."

"If you're not greedy, you might as well go back to farming!"

The astonishment on Roger's face and the sudden laughter of some of the younger people seemed to create a divide between the two groups, but in the end, everyone unified their thinking, even if they were still a little unclear.

Lance patted his trouser legs, stood up, "Now that we've reached an agreement, I'll go and handle this matter now. I'll let you know if there are any further developments…"

Lance needed to find a bank to take over the contract, and he would definitely go to Jonathan. Jonathan's employer, Parkway Bank, was one of the largest banks in the Federation.

It might not directly confront a comprehensive agricultural group with a certain monopoly status like the Ligee Group, but if it was just a contract, they would have no problem.

When Jonathan heard that Lance was visiting, he turned down other work and received Lance.

Headquarters had already received some information and gave him two choices: to go to a slightly less developed area as president, or to stay here and be in charge of all loan business in Goldport City.

After a comprehensive assessment by Parkway's risk department, the "wage loan" was considered a very promising product, and they were planning to launch a series of related businesses.

Moreover, the company's think tank believed that society was more accepting of this type of loan and repayment method.

Because to some extent, it was equivalent to workers withdrawing their wages in advance!

Currently, they only planned to do a maximum of three installments, with a realization rate of 89.5%. That is to say, if a worker could get a total of one hundred dollars in wages in three months.

Then they could get a loan of eighty-nine dollars and fifty cents from the bank at once, and then they would not be able to receive wages from the company for the next three months, because the wages would be withheld by the bank.

What if they ran away after getting the money?

The bank would not do business with such high risks, they would only do business with small or no risks.

In short, Jonathan had made a great contribution to Parkway Bank, and his status had improved a lot now.

"Lance, is there anything I can help you with?" At this time, Jonathan was all smiles to everyone. In the banking system, every step up the ladder was a substantial change.

Lance was his benefactor, and he knew that.

"Do you have any cooperation with the Ligee Group?" Lance sat in the chair, adjusted to a comfortable position. Although he did not explain his intention, it gave Jonathan some speculation.

These agricultural groups had always been like this. Want to make money from them?

Maybe, but they can only allow you to earn a little. If you want to eat meat and let them drink soup, then it is basically absolutely impossible.

Jonathan picked up the phone, "I need to ask."

Soon the phone was connected to the Goldport City branch. After the branch manager chatted with him, Jonathan hung up the phone.

"We have business dealings, what's wrong?"

Lance handed over the contract, and also explained his intention, "I don't want to compromise, so I thought of you."

"This contract can bring at least seven hundred thousand to eight hundred thousand in profits for the bank, and I believe they will not come to make things difficult for you."

"In other words, it's like you picked up eight hundred thousand for nothing."

Jonathan's expression changed. He chose to stay in Goldport City because it was easier to achieve results here.

Although he no longer needed to be responsible for a specific number, it would still be a very impressive achievement if he could introduce a profitable loan.

He carefully read the contract and couldn't help but ask, "So you estimate that the price of grapes will rise to three hundred and fifty dollars a ton in more than a month?"

He was a little unbelievable, but Lance's confidence made him have to believe this, "You wait for me to make two more calls."

"Please."

A few minutes later, after Jonathan finally confirmed that there were no problems with the contract, he placed it on the table, "The price of grapes is indeed rising rapidly, and it is indeed possible to exceed three hundred and fifty dollars."

"The president needs a guarantee that if the final price is lower than three hundred and fifty dollars, you need to make up the difference to us."

Lance directly extended his hand, "Deal."

Letting the bank earn this money would allow him to have a better connection with the bank and closer cooperation in the future.

And if he gave it to the Ligee Group, they would only treat him as an easy target.

Subsequently, a large sum of money was transferred from the bank's account to Lance's account, legitimate funds.

Looking at such a large sum of money coming in, Lance felt comfortable all over.

As for the Ligee Group?

They were in big trouble!

In the evening, Patricia had just come out of the Commercial Services Bureau when she saw Lance standing on the sidewalk reading a newspaper. The smile on her face suddenly became lively, and amidst the heartbreak of some men, she took the initiative to run over.

"Hi!" She took a small hop as she approached Lance, then shouted loudly.

Pedestrians on the road looked over here, but soon smiled. Who could show a bad expression to a girl in love?

Lance seemed to be frightened, and the newspaper in his hand fell down because he couldn't hold it. Just as Patricia was about to laugh at him for being timid, he grabbed her in his arms.

She was a little shy, "There are so many people watching us."

Lance just hugged her, and didn't kiss her, which made her feel a lot better, but even so, her face was red.

Amidst the teasing of some female colleagues, she quickly got into Lance's car, "Today isn't the weekend."

Lance nodded, "Something came up. I remember when Barbara (Patricia's cousin) had her birthday last time, you had a cousin who worked in customs, right?"