Empire of Shadows

Life is full of firsts.

First steps, first runs, first words, first time eating alone, first time going to school, first time…

Remember the first website domain name 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞

“Firsts” accompany people's growth until the very end, and they don't disappear just because you get old.

When the time comes, they still happen, including the first death.

Some firsts are meaningful, like the first time… wiping your butt.

You have to overcome your fear to complete this terrifying task, so you don't soil your pants.

And there's also the first time entering another stage, like Lance and Patricia.

This was the first time the girl truly felt the sensation of being pierced. Honestly, it wasn't great, but luckily Lance was gentle and ended it quickly, not making her feel uncomfortable or tortured.

In fact, getting used to something always takes a process, and it can't be solved in one go. This is just the beginning.

Lance didn't leave that night. He and Patricia talked a lot, chatting about interesting or uninteresting things.

When people who like each other are together, even boring things become interesting.

When the Lawrences returned home in the evening, they found Lance's coat. Although they had already accepted this outcome, they were still a little unsure what to say when it actually happened.

Many people treat raising children as raising small animals, but children are not small animals after all.

You don't care if the small animals you raise are promiscuous with stray cats and dogs, but you care if your children are doing stupid things.

Besides Lance and Patricia, the couple tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep soundly. This actually meant that, barring any major accidents, they would be tied to Lance and his people.

At seven o'clock in the morning, William and Emily got up. They couldn't sleep, probably because they were getting old.

The two were preparing breakfast in the dining room. William stood in the kitchen, lost in thought, "Why do I have to be here?"

He looked at Emily and asked, "I thought I should be in bed or on the toilet. You know, scientists say that morning is when a person's memory is best!"

Emily put the chopped ingredients into the salad bowl and handed it to him, "You better mix these things before they get up!"

She ignored William's words and started frying beef cubes. Federation people believe that eating meat for breakfast will give you energy for the whole day.

The large beef cubes became tempting during the frying process. She also fried bacon and eggs.

That's the good thing about a multi-burner stove. As long as the person using it is flexible enough, they can do many things at the same time.

At seven twenty, all the food was placed on the table. Emily washed her hands and walked upstairs. William seemed to want to call her back, but he opened his mouth and finally closed it.

He actually felt… he could wait until he left before waking up the two young people, otherwise it would be a little awkward.

Emily knocked on the door, "It's already dawn, Lance, and Pat."

"Okay, Mom, I know!" Patricia rubbed her eyes. She was still a little confused.

Lance, what Lance?

Then she suddenly remembered that she just wanted to have a little chat with Lance last night, and then inexplicably…

She was a little shy, but there was also an unspeakable feeling. She looked at Lance curled up in the corner and couldn't help but laugh.

She didn't expect Lance to sleep like this!

You know, this is the gang boss, that kind of big shot!

But look at him, he's now like a normal big boy, clinging to the corner of the wall, as if that's the only way he can feel safe!

He quickly woke up. He greeted Patricia, who forced herself to suppress her shyness, "They've already made breakfast and are waiting for us in the dining room."

Lance rubbed his eyes and sat up, "I almost forgot about this!"

He said as he and Patricia went to the bathroom to wash up, using the new toothbrush, which Patricia had originally replaced herself.

More than ten minutes later, the two came to the dining room together. Lance was not restrained at all, and you couldn't feel that he had done anything last night.

He also greeted William very enthusiastically.

Perhaps it was because he behaved so normally that William didn't feel too embarrassed.

The four of them sat down at the table.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Emily asked teasingly. She actually liked Lance quite a bit.

Lance didn't have the rudeness of ordinary gang members. He seemed like a gentleman, very cultivated and capable.

If he could have been born into a prominent family, perhaps he would have achieved even greater things, but in any case, she didn't dislike this guy.

Not to mention that he was also very good-looking, and he and Patricia looked very good together.

Lance rubbed his neck, "The bed is too soft. Fortunately, I had a wall over there, otherwise I suspect I would have fallen off!"

Emily couldn't help but laugh, "Are you not used to sleeping on soft beds?"

Lance shook his head, "No, I prefer them harder."

Emily looked at William, "Honey, it seems we have to add a bed purchase plan to the to-do list."

William nodded, "I'll go choose one with you when I have time."

This actually represented acceptance. In fact, William still wanted to ask some more sensitive questions, but now was not a good time to speak.

The breakfast was very satisfying. In fact, breakfast can't be described as satisfying, but everyone has this idea.

Lance had someone send Patricia to work, while William followed him in the car. There was still a lot of work to do today.

As for Emily?

She would go for a beauty treatment in the morning, eat something outside at noon, socialize with some ladies in the community in the afternoon, and then prepare dinner…

Sitting in Lance's car, William finally had the opportunity to ask the question in his heart, "Are you planning to marry Patricia?"

Lance looked back at him, "Why do you ask?"

"I mean, why do you think I wouldn't marry her?"

William shrugged, spread his hands, and didn't know what to say, "I don't know…"

Lance lit a cigarette and gave one to William. He had hardly smoked at William's house.

"Patricia is a very good girl. I like her very much, and you are also a good family. You don't need to worry about these things, William."

"I'm not just playing around with her. We will get married and then have children."

"Maybe there will be a little bit of purpose in it!"

William continued, "You want to use our family to become a true local."

Lance nodded, "That's right."

In fact, Lance's identity couldn't withstand investigation. If he was really a local, why would Imperial immigrants and illegal immigrants work for him?

If he was an Imperial, how did he get a local identity?

These things can't stand investigation, but they can be very "resilient."

Before there is evidence to prove that he is not a Federation citizen, he can fully enjoy the treatment of a local in law.

And marrying Patricia, he will be able to integrate into the local area better. People won't care if he is really a local, because his child with Patricia, the one who will inherit everything from him, is a local!

"If you need to tell a lie, I hope it's a super lie, and she's the last one to know the truth!"

Lance said with a smile, "No one is lying, at least I'm not."

After he arrived at the office, he quickly found a group of people and asked them to follow William's instructions, including Burton. Everyone had to listen to William today.

Because today is the start of the free clinic day.

This is Mr. Chobaf's campaign strategy. For poor people, anxiety about their body and health is always the number one problem.

They are troubled by their physical condition, but because they cannot afford expensive medical expenses, they are unsure if they are sick.

In this situation, some people will develop panic, and it will intensify.

There are no well-known hospitals in the Imperial District, only two small hospitals with no reputation, and more are individual clinics.

But even individual clinics are very expensive.

Mr. Chobaf's campaign team's strategy is indeed very meaningful. By providing regular free clinics to the public, he can gain the support of this group of people. This is a very clever method.

As early as nine o'clock, the park was already crowded with people. This time, Mr. Chobaf also put in a lot of effort, finding seven or eight doctors to come over and having people help maintain order.

These doctors cost him a total of five thousand yuan. They are not well-known doctors, nor are they department directors, just ordinary doctors who have just been promoted.

Because it doesn't involve treatment or surgery, the cost is not too high, and Mr. Chobaf used some rhetoric to make them feel that this is a meaningful thing.

The people on the scene are indeed very welcoming to them, and Mr. Chobaf will also give those queuing up things with his campaign flyers.

If there are no accidents, this should be a successful free clinic event.

But neither William nor Lance could let it succeed!

"Why isn't it ready yet?"

"I've been waiting in line for more than half an hour, when will it be my turn?"

"Damn it, does it take you so long to see one patient?"

The people waiting in line for the free medical consultation started making a fuss, and the line became somewhat chaotic, with those further back becoming increasingly dissatisfied.

Those responsible for maintaining order on the scene hurried to resolve these issues, but perhaps their tone wasn't quite right, as they soon began arguing with those people, escalating into pushing and shoving.

This isn't a civilized region, nor is it an era where everything can be approached rationally. When pushing and shoving occur, it means there's a high probability of physical conflict escalating.

What's more... these people were arranged by Lance!

Soon they were fighting, and the scene was a mess. A doctor who tried to break it up was punched a few times.

Tables and some medical equipment were overturned, and police cars quickly arrived.

They not only took away those who caused the trouble but also the organizers.

In the words of the police, if you didn't hit him, why wouldn't he hit someone else and only hit you?

In short, everyone was taken back!

The free medical consultation, which was supposed to be a good thing, was inexplicably interrupted.

The doctors, worried about being attacked, also urged to leave. The free medical consultation, which was planned for a whole day, ended in less than two hours.

The ground was covered with Mr. Chobuff's campaign posters, all covered in footprints!

The news quickly reached Mr. Chobuff, and his brow furrowed deeply.

"What's wrong?" the campaign team leader asked him.

He told the truth, "The free medical consultation was disrupted. They said our staff on-site got into a fight with the people in line, and then they were all taken to the police station."

"The hospital said many instruments were damaged and asked us to compensate according to the price..."

The team leader immediately said, "This might be a measure by William or Ross!"

Mr. Chobuff frowned. The call came from the hospital. The damaged instruments weren't too expensive, only a few thousand.

But they reminded him that if they couldn't ensure the safety of the doctors and equipment next time, it would be best not to look for them.

Hospitals and doctors never lack patients. If they didn't want to continuously expand the hospital's influence, they wouldn't necessarily come to the Imperial District to do this kind of activity, even if it was paid.

Mr. Chobuff put down the phone, "If they did this, I'm worried they might not only target us."

The campaign team leader's face didn't look so good either. In fact, his plans were indeed good and very targeted.

But unfortunately... they were sabotaged.

This sabotage had nothing to do with his ability, but it could mistakenly make people think he was incompetent.

"Joe, if they keep using such tactics, I'm afraid we don't have many good solutions," he said in a low voice.

"If they compete with us using legitimate methods, I guarantee our strategy is the best."

"But they don't play by the rules, which means our strategy may face some problems. We need to re-formulate our strategy."

Re-formulating the strategy meant that all the previous efforts were wasted, including the money.

This made Mr. Chobuff, whose finances were already somewhat inconvenient, very dissatisfied, but he had no other good solution for the time being, so he could only nod in agreement.

But not long after, the bank called again, saying that they were causing trouble at the bank as well.

By the time he arrived at the bank, there were already many people gathered around.

Some people were arguing with the manager in charge of loan approvals. When Mr. Chobuff approached, he already knew what had happened. He pushed through the crowd and walked inside.

Those he touched took off their hats and greeted him, after all, he was one of the prides of the Empire and a banker, which naturally made people value him.

"Gentlemen, any problems can be discussed in my office," Mr. Chobuff invited.

He didn't want to make things too bad, but obviously, these people didn't follow his plan.

One of them shouted loudly, "If you can't handle such things, don't advertise them everywhere. It's been half a day, and not one person meets your loan requirements."

"Mr. Chobuff, you are the pride of the Empire, but is the pride of the Empire deceiving the people of the Empire like this?"

Mr. Chobuff looked back at the manager and squeezed out a smile, "We can sit down and talk about it."

The man's attitude was firm, "No, I want to talk about it on the street today. Tell me what's wrong with my business plan and why you rejected me!"

Mr. Chobuff looked at the onlookers around him. He knew that the best way now was to solve the problem in front of everyone.

He had someone bring the plans of these people and quickly glanced at them.

Very mediocre business plans, nothing outstanding or eye-catching.

But to say there were any shortcomings, obviously there weren't any. They belonged to the kind that could be given or not given.

Now the bank didn't have much funds, so Mr. Chobuff's idea was that those without representativeness shouldn't be given loans.

The man took his business plan and read it aloud. The surrounding people hadn't received a high level of education. They could only analyze the plan with their limited abilities.

The plan itself was mediocre, but the wording was a bit clever, making the people around nod and think it was a good plan.

This made Mr. Chobuff feel a headache.

He hesitated for a moment and finally chose to solve these problems first. He had already seen reporters coming over.

He looked at the man, "I also carefully looked at your business plan. It looks ordinary, but your ability is good. I am willing to give you a chance..."

He had already compromised, but the man suddenly disagreed!

"Did you see that we have attracted people's attention now, so you have to reluctantly approve me against your will?"

"Mr. Chobuff, we regard you as the pride of the Empire, but you seem to be just fooling us like fools!"

"Before I came, many people entered your bank with dreams, but when they came out, their dreams were shattered!"

"You can't do such activities, you can completely not do them, but you shouldn't deceive people!"

These sonorous words made some people around suddenly support him and give him support.

In front of everyone, the man tore up the plan in his hand and threw it away, "Even if I beg for food, I will never enter your bank again."

"I used to respect you, Mr. Chobuff, but now you are just like those Federal capitalists, exploiting our kindness. You make me feel disgusted!"

Before Mr. Chobuff could say anything, he turned around and left.

What was even more fatal was that the other people also tore up the documents in their hands, spat, and followed him away.

Some people who were queuing to submit their plans looked at the documents in their hands and recalled what they had just read, which was even worse than theirs!

Didn't this mean that their own plans were definitely not good?

When the first person suddenly stopped queuing and left with their dreams, others quickly realized the reality and left the queue.

Mr. Chobuff wanted to stop them but couldn't. He watched those people look at him with dissatisfaction, ridicule, and even disgust, and then leave.

He knew that his reputation in the Imperial District, the prestige he had cultivated for so many years, was rapidly dissolving and collapsing!