Empire of Shadows

In the study of Senator Cleveland’s villa, Senator Cleveland washed his face and then sat down opposite Lance.

It was clear that washing his face hadn’t completely sobered him up, but he was a little better than when he had first come in.

“Sorry, I had a few drinks tonight!” he explained his current poor state. This was not a good state to be in when meeting a guest, although Lance was not a guest on equal footing with him in terms of status or other aspects.

The upbringing and education he had received since he was a child had made him ensure his appearance and speech were proper at all times.

Even if a foul-smelling beggar were sitting opposite him now, the moment he decided to sit down, those negative things, the smell, or whatever, would disappear from his eyes.

It wasn’t just him; in fact, many people could do this, when they had been cultivated and had hopes placed on them to be top-tier politicians since they were young.

But some politicians behaved quite poorly. Not everyone was like this.

Some could act like a gentleman, while others would even kick open a door.

You would think these people lacked upbringing, not because they had so much personality, but because when they were born, they didn’t think they could go that high, so they lacked the thought of restraining their own behavior.

When they became more powerful, their fear of the world decreased, and the world’s constraints on them also decreased. They would then treat the world with their own understanding of it.This was like someone who likes to add some not-so-nice-sounding particles to their speech. They see these as personality, but this is just a manifestation of a lack of upbringing.

If an ordinary person said to you, “You’re fucking good,” you would think this person was a low-life. But if a president said this to you, you would think he was very interesting.

In fact, it’s not that he is really interesting or has a personality, but that his status makes people ignore the fact that this is a lack of upbringing.

Senator Cleveland was a qualified politician, and also very well-bred, in all aspects.

Lance said with a smile, “It’s okay. It’s just a little wine. I’m sure it won’t affect your judgment, Mr. Senator.”

Senator Cleveland nodded. “Yes, I believe that too!”

He paused for a moment. “How much money did you bring this time?”

Very direct, and very efficient.

“Four million.”

“Four million?” Cleveland felt that after he heard this number, his whole person seemed to have become more energetic, much more effective than washing his face!

Lance nodded. “Yes, four million.”

“Much more than I expected.”

“I thought it would be at most about two million. How did you do it?”

Lance smiled. “The Kodak family has existed for so long. They have accumulated a lot of wealth.”

“Those businesses were mortgaged to the bank. This money came from the bank.”

Senator Cleveland understood when he heard this. It was also simple, efficient, and very safe.

He pursed his lips and glanced at Tom. The latter said softly, “The money has already entered the account.”

A smile appeared on Senator Cleveland’s face. He now found Lance very pleasing to the eye, not only because Lance had solved some small troubles for him, but also because he had given him such a sum of money.

More importantly, Lance was very sensible.

If Lance had held on to this money and not deposited it immediately, but had only deposited it after meeting him, then this would subjectively make him feel a little bit unhappy.

It would make him feel that Lance was proactively taking credit, or reminding him that this money came from him, or that there were some other reasons.

But Lance had directly transferred the money before coming over, which made people very comfortable. His coming here had nothing to do with that sum of money of his!

After all, everyone likes “the sincerity of others.”

“You definitely didn’t just come here for this,” Senator Cleveland rubbed his temples. “Go on, is there anything you need my help with?”

Tom, at the side, glanced at Lance. It was not often that Senator Cleveland would take the initiative to offer to help someone.

It was clear that he was indeed very satisfied with Lance.

Lance shook his head. “There’s one thing I can solve myself. The other thing is about Golden Port City.”

“I’ve been reading the newspapers recently and noticed that the international situation is undergoing a huge change. If a war breaks out, will Golden Port City be affected, and how should we get along with the military?”

“Once a state of war is entered, the entire city may enter a state of military control. In that case, will it affect the operation of the casinos?”

Senator Cleveland frowned slightly. “How do you know that a war is about to break out?”

Not many people actually knew about this matter. The Federation was looking for an opportunity to intervene in the war. He was very curious as to how Lance knew.

Although everyone knew that Congress couldn’t keep a secret. After all, every congressman represented the interest group behind them.

The people in these interest groups had their own relatives or good friends. The news would definitely spread, but it shouldn’t spread so quickly, and spread to the bottom of society.

“I saw it in the newspapers. The newspapers have been mentioning their rudeness and the possible consequences. I think this is the media paving the way for the outbreak of war.”

“The media is using this news to tell people that it’s not us who want to start a war, but the arrogant Dantra Republic and their prime minister or something.”

“We are just passively facing their war, so this is a war of self-defense, a just war.”

“Under these reports, people will be more likely to accept the fact that a war has broken out.”

He mentioned some details he had noticed from the newspapers. Senator Cleveland listened and nodded. “Not bad. Your observation is very meticulous.”

“If a war breaks out, the battlefield will not be on our home soil, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“As for military control…” he thought for a moment, “I will pay attention to this point.”

He paused for a moment. “When are you going back this time?”

Lance replied, “Probably in three or four days?”

“Of course, it can be extended, if necessary.”

Senator Cleveland nodded noncommittally. “I don’t have time tomorrow. I should have some time the day after tomorrow afternoon. I’ll arrange for a few people to meet with us.”

Lance knew what he meant. He had brought up this matter, which had led to this meeting. Then the people he would meet this time would definitely be able to solve his worries.

“Do I need to prepare a gift?”

Senator Cleveland looked at him, a little amused, but also wanted to know what he would prepare, so he nodded. “You can prepare some. After all, some of them can indeed use it.”

Then he chatted with Lance about the operation of the casinos, and whether the two major plans for the Palace Casino and the water park had entered the preparatory stage.

When Lance described these new projects to him, they all had huge development prospects. Even though he listened to various similar reports every day, he was still attracted by the future that Lance described.

What world’s most luxurious casino, what world’s largest water park. If these things could really be built, they would definitely become huge cash cows.

Even if Lance couldn’t do these things, his performance was enough for Senator Cleveland to take him seriously.

The senator had drunk a lot of wine. After chatting with Lance for more than half an hour, his spirit became a little weak again. He needed to rest.

Lance also got up to leave in a timely manner. Senator Cleveland had Tom see Lance off.

On the way back, Lance gave Tom an envelope.

“What is this?” Looking at the envelope, Tom did not immediately take it.

He knew what was inside. The purpose of asking this was mainly to know why there was this money.

“A daily gift between friends.”

Tom was a little hesitant. It was not so easy to accept bribes by Senator Cleveland’s side, although they would also give them.

Because the people who gave him money often wanted him to find a way to persuade the senator, and the problem that needed persuasion was precisely the problem that the senator held a negative attitude towards.

So he couldn’t take this money. If he took it, he would have to do something contrary to the senator’s decision, which would only make him farther and farther away from the core of this circle.

And for those issues that were consistent with the senator’s decision, there was no need to pay them, these aides, some fees to do lobbying or other things.

So it was not an easy task for Tom to usually receive bribes. He didn’t dare to take what was given, and what he could take was not much.

He hesitated for a moment and finally decided to accept Lance’s friendship. He and the senator got along pretty well. This friendship should be able to be maintained for a considerable period of time.

“Thank you!” Tom put the envelope in his coat, without opening it immediately.

Lance explained by the way, “This money was transferred from the casino’s public account. The tax has already been paid for you. you can dispose of it as you wish.”

The vehicle slowly stopped outside the hotel. Lance said with a smile, “See you later?”

Tom nodded. “See you later!”

Lance glanced at the driver. “Take Mr. Tom back.”

Looking at Lance’s departing back, he was a little emotional. Lance’s performance was not at all like that of an ordinary gang leader. This was also one of the reasons why he had accepted Lance’s friendship.

When he returned home, his family had all gone to rest. He did not go directly to the bedroom, but came to the study.

After going over what had happened today in his mind again, he took out the envelope and then opened it.

Inside was a transfer check for 50,000, and also a piece of paper, which was a tax document.

He flicked the check. The sound was very pleasant. The smell of ink emanating from it was touching!

This is power!

After Lance returned to his hotel room, he casually threw his hat on the low stool in the cloakroom. He took off his coat. No wonder the people of the Federation like to wear a different set of clothes at home, because it’s comfortable.

“Have you found the person?” he asked.

This time, Hiram and Lawn were with him. Hiram was not here, but Lawn was.

“Found him. Hiram is keeping an eye on him.”

Lance nodded. “Have you checked the cinema?”

Lawn replied, “I’ve already checked. The cinema over there will show four of our movies every day, and the attendance rate is not bad. I don’t know how many exactly, but people are always watching.”

“So, there is no such thing as not being able to sell tickets or no one watching.”

Lance pursed his lips. “Then tomorrow we will go and visit this Mr. Thurray.”

In the morning, Mr. Thurray drove his new car to the company.

Yesterday, besides the box office from New Golden City, the box office from the surrounding cities had also been tallied: over 5,700.

The actual operating cost was only fourteen projectors slowly turning, and the labor cost of those employees, all of which were very low costs.

Of this 5,700 in box office, the profit was about 3,500 to 4,000, which was more than 100,000 a month.

Last month there was a summer film festival. He had already bought some new movies. These new movies would be released at the end of July and the beginning of August.

At that time, his income would increase dramatically again. People liked movies and were willing to pay to go to the cinema for new movies.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but show a smile. The people walking on the side of the road would never be able to experience his troubles.

Earning so much money, how can I spend it all? It’s really a headache!

He was already preparing for a new movie theater. Now the competition in this industry was a bit fierce. Those suitable plots of land had either been bought by others or the price was particularly high.

He was still a little hesitant now, still observing. He was afraid that under the fierce competition, someone would lower the ticket price again, triggering a chain reaction.

He was really scared by the five-cent movie tickets of a few years ago!

And recently, the movie theater operators in Golden State were planning to integrate their resources. Someone had proposed that they also establish an industry organization.

The purpose was to completely eliminate vicious price competition. He planned to wait until this matter was over before considering whether to continue to invest in the construction of new movie theaters.

He parked his car and came to the office. Today’s new newspapers had all been placed on his desk.

The little secretary came in with coffee and pastries, wiggling her hips. He smiled and patted her on the butt twice.

The little secretary was not annoyed, but cursed a couple of times with a smile and left with the tray.

In these days, to find a job that pays 48 and is not tiring, being patted on the butt a couple of times is just being patted on the butt.

Just treat it as being bitten by a dog!

Mr. Thurray started his “busy” day again, reading newspapers, reading magazines, drinking coffee, and eating snacks.

After an unknown amount of time, the little secretary suddenly knocked on the door. Before he could let the secretary in, the office door was pushed open.

The little secretary stood by the door in a panic, not knowing what to do, while a few young men walked in from outside.

Mr. Thurray frowned and looked at them, until a guy who should be their leader sat down opposite him.

“Mr. Thurray?” the young man asked.

This voice was a little familiar. He couldn’t remember where he had heard it for a moment.

He sensed the smell of a gang from these people, which made him a little nervous, but only a little.

He looked at the young man sitting opposite him and asked, “Who are you?”

(End of a Chapter)