Empire of Shadows

Lance sat in his office, discussing the evening's firefight with Councilor Williams, and the potential chaos in the city in the coming days.

As he was explaining his general approach to handling these issues, Elvin knocked on the door and stood in the doorway, looking at him.

They looked at each other for about three to five seconds, and then Lance said, "I have something to deal with right now. We'll talk later."

"Okay, call me when you have time," he said, and then hung up.

Only then did Elvin say, "They caught Stone."

"Stone?" Lance was also surprised. He wasn't sure if Bundy's people would have an important figure leading the team tonight. He didn't think core members would go, at most just some 'managers' or something.

Yes, they no longer used the more common gangster term '干部' (cadre). These people were all 'managers,' 'assistants,' and so on.

Someone who didn't know better, suddenly hearing their conversation, would definitely think they were a very legitimate company.

Only those who truly understood them knew that they were, in essence, a mob organization in the process of laundering its image.

Catching a manager was highly probable, but catching a core member of the Coda family, like Bundy, Gory, Fleming, or Stone, was highly unlikely.

The more esteemed a person's status, the more afraid they are of death. This has been proven on countless individuals.

In fact, it wasn't just the ancient emperors of another world who were constantly seeking the path to immortality; modern rulers were also plagued by this.

This was a problem that almost every ruler would face—

How could 'my' rule last longer?

How could 'I' live longer?

Even now, unbeknownst to Lance, but known to some, medical laboratories had already begun to try to extend human life through medical science.

Organ transplantation was a byproduct of the research process. They believed that giving people younger organs was a way to allow humans to live forever.

But the fact was that rejection would kill the recipient sooner than aging. Although it couldn't be used for immortality, it was fine for use in ordinary medical fields.

However, this type of research was not without any meaningful technological achievements. In fact, there were some.

For example, a certain medical group discovered an interesting phenomenon: younger blood provided more vitality to the body in all aspects than older blood.

In order to better experiment and find returns worthy of the investors' annual funding, they discovered through research that transfusing blood from younger carriers with smaller genetic variations into older individuals could maximize the activity of the older individuals' organs and ensure their physical condition.

In those young bloodstreams, there were also some things that scientists had not yet discovered, but that were able to take effect.

And this just happened to provide a better way out for those congenitally disabled children produced by inbreeding within those large families—a blood bank.

However, all of this had nothing to do with Lance. He couldn't touch that class.

The more powerful one was, the more afraid they were of death. Bundy and his brothers were also among those who feared death.

Those who suffered believed that death was liberation, but for them, death was the end of happiness, the beginning of fear, so they would not risk leading the team themselves.

But he never expected that Stone would actually be at the scene.

"Was the person brought back?"

Elvin nodded. "He's already been sent to the old house."

Lance got up, took the clothes hanging on the back of the chair, put them on, and casually took out a pistol from the drawer and inserted it into the holster. "Go take a look."

As he spoke, he gave another instruction, telling the people at the manor to withdraw.

He wasn't really going to attack Fegal's manor. Even if the defensive forces at the manor were relatively weak now, it would still take a considerable price to force his way in.

Their mission had been successfully completed this time, and there was no need to continue wasting ammunition and risking fighting with Fegal's people.

Soon, a convoy of several cars came out of the back door of the bank, drove into the night, and disappeared.

The intense gunfire made the streets even more deserted, let alone pedestrians.

Soon, the group arrived at the old house, and Stone was tied to a chair.

His face was a bit bruised, and his eyes were narrowed into slits.

Looking closely, the swollen part looked like a footprint. It didn't look too bad, at least he was still in good spirits.

When he saw Lance coming in, Stone raised his head, his eyes flickering. He looked at Lance and wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say it.

"This is our first time meeting. Has anyone ever told you that you and Fleming are quite similar?"

As the 'dark side' of the Coda family, Bundy would not bring Stone when attending those political or social activities. Even Gory rarely appeared with him in public.

So Lance had met Fleming, but not Gory.

But he and Fleming were quite similar, indeed the two brothers.

Gory didn't speak, he remained silent.

He believed that whether it was Bundy or his father, they would find a way to rescue him. All he needed to do now was wait.

Lance couldn't help but smile when he saw that he wasn't speaking. He looked at the people around him, "Mr. Stone doesn't seem to think much of us, he's not even willing to talk."

"Who can help him correct his views?"

A young man stood up. "Boss, let me teach him to respect others."

Lance didn't refuse. This young man was called Ted, a newly promoted captain. He walked to the wall and lit a cigarette.

Under Stone's incredulous gaze, Ted walked over and punched Stone in the stomach.

In an instant, the intense pain, as if his intestines were broken, began to attack him, and made him feel nauseous.

His body was tied to the chair, and the only thing he could do was curl up as much as possible, as if doing so could alleviate some of the pain in his stomach.

But Ted didn't give him more opportunities to experience these feelings. Instead, he grabbed his hair, made him raise his head, and then punched him hard in the face.

The great force made Ted unable to hold onto his hair. A tuft of hair remained in his hand, while Stone was knocked backwards.

Fortunately, the people around him supported the chair, otherwise this fall would definitely not be light.

He looked at the young man in front of him with pain and hatred in his eyes, but soon his eyes became soft and even a little foolish.

He recalled those people he had dealt with. When they looked at him with such eyes, he would only make those people more painful!

As a former perpetrator, he knew very well that when he stood in that position, he would subconsciously breed a desire to 'tame'.

He wanted to make those who were not convinced become convinced, and make those who were unwilling to bow their heads bow their heads. To this end, he could make people suffer!

Now that the positions of both sides had been reversed, he couldn't be stupid.

His eyes were clear and confused, looking like there was no ruthlessness at all. This look could even be selected for acting textbooks—"How to show a dazed and ignorant look."

But in his heart, he firmly remembered all these people. He would repay the pain he suffered today many times over!

Ted smiled coldly when he saw his eyes. He spread out his palm, bent his four fingers inward, and slapped Stone in the face. His entire face was instantly swollen even more.

He couldn't even feel the existence of his cheek!

Everything he had in the past was telling him to persevere.

He gritted his teeth, trying not to focus on his sore and numb cheeks, his eyes still showing so much confusion.

But this couldn't save him from being beaten. Lance watched him smoking with a half-smile. His 'game time' had just begun.

At least he had to wait until he finished smoking this cigarette before the game time would end.

On the other side, when those who fled back told Bundy and Gory that Stone might also be finished, the first thing Bundy and Gory did was not believe it.

Because only a few people knew about their secret sneak attack on Lance's ass.

The head of the Tita family knew, Fegal knew, and on their side, it was just the two brothers, Fleming and Stone, for a total of six people.

They themselves couldn't possibly leak the secret. If Fegal leaked the secret, he would only die even more miserably, after all, he was the bait.

As for the Tita family…

Bundy shook his head, he wasn't sure.

"The most important thing now is to determine Stone's situation!" He looked at Gory, "Don't worry, I'll call Lance."

"If Stone is really in his hands, no matter what conditions he asks for, I will exchange him back."

Gory nodded, without saying a word, just sitting there seemingly calmly.

But this seemingly calm was not calm at all. After all, he was his son, after all, he had raised him for so many years, and he would inherit everything he owned in the future.

Now that he was arrested, he couldn't accept it.

His current composure was just a strong composure in order not to affect others, he was actually very panicked in his heart.

Bundy looked at him, seeing that he couldn't listen to anything, and finally sighed.

Lance's phone number hadn't changed, it was still the old number, just transferred.

The phone was quickly connected, but Lance wasn't there, but fortunately, they seemed to have other contact information for Lance. After dialing a few more numbers, the phone was finally connected.

"I want to speak to Lance!"

Someone came in and said something in Lance's ear. Lance, with a cigarette in his mouth, said, "Don't worry about me," and left the room.

He went to another room and answered the phone, his tone carrying a hint of lighthearted pleasure, "It's me, what's up?"

"Mr. Bandi?"

Bandi took a deep breath, "Lance, hand over Stone to me, name your price."

One could hear the emotion he was suppressing. Lance chuckled twice, "I don't quite understand what you mean, Bandi. Stone isn't here with me."

Bandi's breathing on the other end of the line became heavier, and his voice deepened, "Come on, don't play games with me. We both know he's in your hands. Hand him over."

"How much money do you want, or what do you want? Name a price."

Lance waited for a moment, as if he was thinking, then asked, "You seem very certain that he's in my hands. Why?"

This sentence made Bandi pause slightly. He really didn't know how to answer, and could only say, "Don't say meaningless things. Tell me, what will it take to get him back."

"He's not here with me. I'm busy fighting Fegar's people, I can't spare any time for you, Bandi, so you should go ask others. Maybe Stone went to them."

"If that doesn't work, you can call the police. The police might be able to help you."

"I have other things to do, and don't forget, we're still at war. Don't fucking call me acting like we're on good terms!"

He slammed the phone down and then couldn't help but laugh.

On the other end of the phone, Bandi cursed a few times. He glanced at Gauri, who was full of expectation, and had to patiently say, "He said Stone isn't with him. I don't think he's telling the truth. I'll talk to Councilor Williams."

He then dialed Councilor Williams' phone number. Councilor Williams had been on the phone with Lance not long ago, so he definitely wasn't asleep yet.

After introducing himself, Bandi said, "Help me get Stone out of there, name your price."

Councilor Williams was well aware that Bandi calling him meant he had run into a brick wall with Lance.

He wouldn't take charge of Lance's affairs, as that would only worsen the relationship between the two sides.

He said with a smile, "I don't quite understand, what does Stone's disappearance have to do with Lance?"

"But I'll help you ask around, if he's willing to say."

Bandi was very annoyed. After thanking him a few times, he hung up the phone.

Councilor Williams didn't call Lance. Instead, he picked up his newspaper again.

James, who was sitting next to him, asked, "Don't you need to get in touch with Lance?"

Councilor Williams shook his head, "Once the wheels of a train start turning forward, they won't stop easily."

James nodded thoughtfully.

Lance returned to the room. Stone had clearly received an extraordinary "reward." He even breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lance arrive.

Lance raised his hand, signaling Ted to return to the wall and stand there. He looked at Stone, "Now, are you willing to chat with me?"

Stone licked his lips, "What do you want to know?"

Lance smiled, his white teeth seeming to glow in the night, "I'm very interested in your next plan."

Fegar's side saw Lance's men inexplicably withdraw, which was clearly different from their plan. He hesitated for a moment, but didn't dare to chase after them, and could only wait in the manor.

The Coda family didn't come, and the Dita family arrived later than planned. Fegar's face was very ugly.

He called Bandi, and the moment the phone was answered, he burst into abuse!

"You fucking said you'd come to support me as soon as possible, but I haven't seen your people yet. You son of a bitch is a lying swindler, Bandi!"

"I won't fucking believe anything you say anymore. Take your lies and your ugly face to hell, you bastard!"

Bandi waited until he was almost done cursing before asking, "Done cursing?"

This calm response suddenly made Fegar not know how to answer. He paused for a moment, and then Bandi's voice continued from the receiver, "I had Stone lead people to support you, but Lance's men ambushed them on the way, repelled our support, and also captured Stone."

"Not only have I suffered heavy losses here, but I've also lost my nephew."

"Fegar, I understand your situation, so I won't argue with you now, but you need to watch your tone."

"If you talk to me like that again, I'll stand on Lance's side!"

These words made Fegar angry, but he had no good solution.

In fact, he overlooked that Bandi and Lance weren't at peace. There were also conflicts between them, so what he said wasn't true at all!

"Sorry, I was too anxious."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Bandi said in a muffled voice, "Not causing me trouble is the greatest help you can give me!"

Originally, Fegar wanted to say something, but in the end he gave up.

He had a feeling that they were really finished.

It wasn't that they were about to die, but that they were no longer up to the task of facing an opponent like Lance.

The most precious quality of a person is to recognize their own shortcomings and weaknesses. As long as you recognize this, many problems will be solved immediately.

After Fegar hung up the phone, he sat on the chair with a frown, and fell into thought.

Late at night, Bandi called Lance again, but Lance didn't answer. The person who answered the phone said that Lance was already asleep, so he had no choice but to give up.

Early the next morning, he called Lance again, but Lance hadn't gotten out of bed yet.

It wasn't until after eight o'clock that Lance answered his phone.

"We both know that Stone is definitely in your hands."

"Lance, let's talk frankly."

"Yes, I did arrange for him to lead people to attack you. I admit it. After all, we are in a hostile state, and I did this out of my own considerations."

"Now that he has fallen into your hands, no matter what happens to him, I have only one request, give him to me."

"If he's dead, give me his body."

"If he's still alive, hand him over to me."

"Name your price, money, or anything else, it's fine."

"He's my family, and I'll go crazy for my family!"

"I just want him back now, dead or alive, that's all!"

This was an explanation to Gauri. Gauri hadn't slept all night and looked much more haggard.

In the morning, he had taken the initiative to tell Bandi that Stone might already be dead.

He now only wanted Stone's body back, so that he could… be buried relatively intact in the family cemetery. This was his last wish.

So this time, Bandi's conditions became more lenient, even death was acceptable.

Lance didn't interrupt him this time, and waited for him to finish speaking before asking, "Including letting you hand over your licenses and leave King's Harbor City?"

Bandi suddenly stopped talking, because he really couldn't agree to this condition.

Handing over their licenses and leaving King's Harbor City, what would they have left, what future could they have?

Bandi, who had been willing to do anything for his family just a moment ago, seemed to think… that just a nephew wasn't that important after all, to the whole family.