Empire of Shadows

Mr. Jobaff sat in the car. The driver asked him several times before he realized the driver was asking, "Where to?"

"Just drive around," he said.

He took out a cigarette and lit it, gazing out the window at the children laughing and running on the street, at the young men and women with smiles on their faces, at the old people sitting at round tables by the roadside, chatting and drinking coffee.

Time seemed to slow down suddenly, in a way he couldn't understand.

He inhaled the smoke, which traveled down his throat and into his lungs, making his entire chest feel as if it were soaking in warm water.

The nicotine was absorbed through the mucous membrane and sent into the bloodstream. Seven or eight seconds later, the nicotine penetrated the blood-brain barrier and acted directly on the brain, causing it to secrete hormones that made Mr. Jobaff feel a little more relaxed.

He didn't know when he had stopped really looking at the streets of the Imperial District.

In fact, this place was like his second hometown. He had come here when he was very young and devoted himself to his work.

He and his wife had no children. After his wife fell ill and died, he never remarried.

He had once thought about remarrying and having a child, but later gave up the idea because he gradually felt the city and the country were unfriendly to him.

He began to strive, work hard, and struggle, hoping that some changes would make people look up to him and respect him.

He wanted to ensure that if he had a child in the future, the child would not have to bear the heavy burdens he had endured.

By the time he had achieved this, but not completely, he had already missed the opportunity.

Fortunately, he still had relatives, and he could start a foundation…

It had been a long time since he had looked at the streets here so calmly, because the more he was suppressed, the more he wanted to stand up and tell those people that he could do it too.

When did life change?

When did he start chasing after work?

He didn't know. Maybe it started when people looked down on him. He was like that, but he didn't know it himself.

Now, with his mind emptied, he suddenly felt that what he was doing seemed quite boring.

Does it matter whether others respect him?

He has money and is respected. He doesn't need to care about what those people think of him.

He had a feeling that he was "laughable."

He was a little envious of Lance. He easily achieved what he wanted but couldn't. Envy turned into jealousy, even some hatred and disgust.

He couldn't finish the cigarette in his hand. He suddenly realized the situation people often talked about—

When you think you are a very smart person, the worst thing is when you encounter someone smarter than you!

Now he was in that situation. He felt that he had actually reached the limit of what an imperial immigrant could do, but Lance did better in less time and at less cost.

His stomach suddenly felt uncomfortable and he felt nauseous. He quickly threw the cigarette out the car window. "Let's go back."

The driver turned the car around, and it quickly merged into the traffic.

When it was mixed with other vehicles, no one could tell which car was carrying a big shot and which car was carrying a small fry. Perhaps this was one of the few moments when everyone was the same!

Back in his office, the head of his campaign team pulled him aside and they had a meeting together.

"Joe, the situation is very bad for us right now. You have to be prepared to fail," he said, sounding pessimistic, which made Mr. Jobaff feel a little down.

Seeing that his client didn't want to talk, as the service provider, he could only continue, "Strategically speaking, our campaign strategy is perfect, but in terms of campaign tactics, we are far behind."

"You can't get the support of the local gangs. Even if we make it to the final voting day, how many voters can you guarantee will be on our side?"

He sighed, "I don't want to sound so pessimistic, but that's the reality."

This wasn't the first time Jobaff had taken Lance so seriously. His level of concern for Lance had risen another notch. He couldn't help but ask, with some envy and jealousy, "If I don't get their support, I can't become a councilor?"

"Why can they do this? I don't understand!"

The team leader sorted out his thoughts before saying, "They may not have that much political influence, but they can disrupt our elections and campaign activities."

"They can also threaten people not to vote for us, or even do something more extreme."

"The people at the bottom of each district want a stable and safe life. I heard that the Lance family is doing well in this regard."

"They are not ordinary gangs; they are gangs with social and political influence."

"Even within the rules of the election, we may not be their opponents, let alone now that they are using methods outside the rules."

His words were clear and direct. Now the Lance family was starting to disrupt their campaign. If they couldn't stop them, all the campaign plans would be a joke.

Jobaff was a little unwilling to give up. He had paid so much to get to where he was today.

Now he was only one step away from entering the upper class of Goldport City.

Why?

Why couldn't he understand him?

Why couldn't he run next time, or later, instead of now?

Mr. Jobaff was annoyed. His fists clenched tightly, but he quickly loosened them.

"If… I mean, if the mayor could say a few words for me?" he asked, looking at the campaign team leader with a glimmer of hope.

The latter still shook his head. "It can't be done, Joe. The mayor is not from Goldport City. He doesn't have that much influence."

"It might even have the opposite effect."

"The best way now is for you to be able to persuade the Lance family to compete fairly with you."

"Or you can give up this election, or persuade them to give up this election."

"Apart from these few options, I really can't think of any other way."

Jobaff pursed his lips. "What if we hire a security company to protect our campaign activities?"

He never thought that one day he would have to do this kind of thing.

He had only seen it in the newspapers before. At that time, he didn't quite understand why, when multiple candidates in the presidential election participated in campaign activities, not only were there local police and state police cooperating, but also military personnel involved.

Weren't their opponents in the election all federal people, even possibly acquaintances or friends? Why did they still do this?

Now, Mr. Jobaff had a little understanding.

The lure of power was too great. Even if they were friends, even if they were their own people, if a bullet could solve the problem and allow them to win the final victory,

those old men would never be stingy with five cents to send a copper bullet into the other person's body.

After listening, the campaign team leader considered for a while. "That's a good idea too. I know a security team. I'll contact them first and see."

He made a phone call in front of Mr. Jobaff and explained the situation.

When the other party heard that the Lance family might be causing trouble, they refused to take the job.

The reason was that their current manpower was not enough to support them taking on more work, which was not quite the same as what they had talked about on the phone just now.

The person in charge made another phone call, but the other party still refused.

They were unwilling to stand on the opposite side of these gangs who could take submachine guns and fight in the streets. They just wanted to make money, not lose their lives.

"I'm going to find the mayor!"

Mr. Jobaff left these people and went directly to the mayor's office.

He had paid so much for the mayor, and now he needed help.

If the mayor was willing to help him, then he would still be the best follower by the mayor's side.

If the mayor was unwilling to help him, then he would not… take any extreme actions, but would quietly return to his proper place.

He had paid so much, but the mayor was unwilling to treat him as one of his own, so it didn't really matter whether he was one of his own or not.

The mayor was still working at this time. Recently, many people had come to Goldport City to check on the investment situation here.

It sounded a bit incredible. The city's order was already chaotic, so why would anyone come to check on the investment environment?

In fact, this was the environment that capitalists liked the most.

Like the Goldport City of the past, the order was stable, the class was solidified, and no one could easily change the status quo.

Almost all the industries that could make money were firmly controlled by the locals, and they had ways to force investors to hand over everything and then slink away.

That kind of Goldport City was safe and peaceful, but it was not a good place to invest!

Large buildings had already stood there, and newcomers had no place to set foot, but now it was changing.

Large areas of ruins also meant there was an opportunity to build their own skyscrapers!

The secretary came out of the office and said to Mr. Jobaff outside, "The mayor is waiting for you, Mr. Jobaff."

Mr. Jobaff liked this secretary very much. She was young, energetic, and very measured. Her way of dealing with people was first-class.

Being with her gave one a feeling of being respected and valued, without feeling neglected.

He nodded and smiled in greeting, then entered the mayor's office.

The mayor twisted his wrist, and the joints made a clicking sound. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Joe Baff sighed softly, "My campaign has run into some trouble."

The mayor pressed his hands on the edge of the desk and leaned back in his chair, his eyes showing no emotion. "So, what's wrong?"

Mr. Joe Baff recounted all the troubles he had encountered. Listening to his troubles, the mayor yawned, feeling a bit tired.

He hadn't rested much at noon, making him feel sleepy now. He reached out and pressed a button on the phone, "Get me a strong coffee."

After speaking, he looked at Mr. Joe Baff again, "Didn't you look for bodyguards or a security company?"

"I did, but they're not willing to take my job."

The mayor was also taken aback for a moment. He chuckled a few times, "It seems your fellow townsman, Lance, is very famous, at least more so than you."

This was a fact, and Mr. Joe Baff had nothing to argue with. He just felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

This kind of discomfort and dissatisfaction is actually quite normal when a person has been leading in their field of expertise for a long time and takes pride in it.

Suddenly, one day, someone breaks their lead in a very short time, and they will feel dissatisfied.

He didn't speak, just remained silent.

The mayor frowned, "The situation in Goldport City is indeed a bit chaotic right now, but I believe it will get better soon."

He paused as he spoke, observing Mr. Joe Baff's expression, "I know Lance and the Lance family. We've had contact with them. They are indeed very arrogant."

"They've bribed the police of the Imperial Branch and the local residents. It's normal that no one wants to take your job."

"Because those people are just bodyguards, security guards. They are not gang members accustomed to fighting."

"If you want to find someone who can stand up to him, you'll have to find another gang of similar strength."

Mr. Joe Baff shook his head and said, "I don't know that many gang members. I've heard of them, but I don't have any connections."

"The only gangster friend I knew was also killed by Lance when he dealt with Camilla's gang."

The secretary walked in with the coffee, placed it on the desk. The mayor said thank you, then picked it up and took a small sip.

It was bitter, but it was indeed refreshing, "Do you know the Wolf Gang?"

Mr. Joe Baff shook his head, "I don't know much about these gangs, but I do know something about the Five Great Families."

The mayor didn't talk to him about the Five Great Families, but focused on the Wolf Gang, "The people of the Wolf Gang have some conflicts with Lance and his people. The friction between the two sides is escalating."

"You can seek their help."

"You still have some influence in the Imperial District, and you also have a base of supporters. These are what the Wolf Gang needs."

"If you can cooperate, you can curb Lance to some extent. At least in the election, they will become cautious again."

The mayor stopped talking at this point, "That's it. Think about it. I'll have my secretary give you a number later. After you've made a decision, you can call this number."

He picked up the coffee and took another sip, then looked at Mr. Joe Baff, "I have to work now."

Mr. Joe Baff also bowed slightly and left the office, obtaining a number from the secretary.

On the way back, he kept hesitating about this matter. Should he do as the mayor said?

He was very conflicted. This was an internal matter for the Imperials, and he believed that external forces should not be introduced.

But… Lance did disrupt his campaign activities, making him further and further away from his dream.

This intense conflict and struggle made it impossible for him to make a decision.

After returning home, he still hadn't made a good decision until late at night.

Early the next morning, he came to the office and talked to the head of the campaign team about this matter. Listening to Mr. Joe Baff's worries, the person in charge asked him a question.

"You think this is a conflict between you and shouldn't escalate the problem."

"But, Joe, did Lance and his people communicate with you in a friendly manner?"

"They were the ones who escalated the conflict first, not you!"

"You are no longer friends. Why do you still have to consider things that only friends would consider?"

"If you really want to treat him as a friend, then you might as well give up the election!"

"Sometimes I think Lance and William are suitable politicians. They use any means to win, but you can't!"

His words made Mr. Joe Baff fall into deep thought. His heart was full of contradictions.

On the one hand, he didn't want to completely fall out with Lance. On the other hand, for his pursuit of victory, he could give up everything.

Perhaps, it was time to make a decision!

The person in charge didn't continue to persuade, but left quietly. At this time, Mr. Joe Baff needed quiet.

Just as he was considering whether to make a complete break with the past, the mayor and the secretary were also discussing this matter.

"Do you think Joe Baff will call Professor them?" The mayor asked the secretary while writing a document. He seemed to be giving the secretary a "test."

The secretary considered for a while and gave a positive answer, "He definitely will."

The mayor became interested, "Why are you so sure?"

"I heard that the relationship between Lance and Joe Baff has always been very good, until he wanted to run for municipal councilor in the Imperial District, then they had an unpleasant falling out."

"But these contradictions are not absolutely irreconcilable. How can you be sure that he will definitely call?"

The secretary smiled slightly, "Because he has no way out."

"In the past, even if he retreated, he was still the respected Mr. Joe Baff."

"But now people obviously respect Lance more, not him."

"He has no money, no reputation, no status. He has lost everything. Besides becoming a municipal councilor, he has no other way out!"

The mayor was very satisfied with the secretary's answer. He leaned back in his chair with a smile, "Your analysis is very thorough. Yes, he has absolutely no way out except to keep running forward."

"The longer he hesitates, the more firm the result!"

The mayor had no doubts about this. It's like those scams. Sometimes when the scam is halfway through, some people already understand that it is a scam.

But the sunk cost is too high, so high that even if they know it's a scam, they will definitely be scammed again to beg to get back what they lost!

Just like Joe Baff at this time, if he doesn't give in, everything will still have a chance, and he can still get back everything he wants.

But as long as he gives in, everything will be completely gone!

Some people can't see through this point, which is why many scammers scam from dozens of dollars, hundreds of dollars, to thousands or tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands.

They have completely understood human nature!

The mayor felt the breeze outside the window, and a hint of contentment appeared on his face, "Wade will be transferred away soon."

"We have very few enemies left!"