Empire of Shadows

That evening, many family cadres gathered at Lance’s estate in the New Golden City. Lance sat at the head of the table, resting his hands on the table edges, looking at the assembled men with a slight smile.

”I know some of you are wondering why, despite the Perez family’s provocation, we haven’t launched a timely and necessary counter-attack.”

”It’s because I believe we cannot resolve this conflict with the childish methods of the past. Our opponent is different from those before.”

”In the past, our opponents were minor figures. Even rivals like the Five Families of Golden Port City... honestly, we didn’t need any special methods to grind them down.”

”But the Perez family is different. Their influence is greater, their power is stronger, and they have political backing. Furthermore, when they find themselves at a disadvantage, they will proactively seek mediation.”

”They have done this before, and it is very difficult for us to refuse.”

Lance leaned back, letting go of the table, and spoke with a slightly mocking tone. ”After all, when a Senator-level figure steps in to mediate, we have to show respect.”

The cadres sitting on both sides of the table nodded. In the previous conflict, the Perez family again used a middleman to call for peace, and the fighting stopped.

While this outcome did not necessarily align with the Lance family’s interests, from Senator Cleveland’s perspective, he and the opposing Senator likely reached an agreement, leading to the conflict’s termination.

The prohibition on gang warfare also played a role.If Fran perceived a huge threat to himself or the Perez family, would he sacrifice vital interests in exchange for a deal with Congress to halt the fighting again?

It was possible, and highly likely.

There was a saying Lance found very true:

The higher up you go in any industry, the less the people at the top of the pyramid differ from politicians.

Even gang leaders stop acting like gang leaders.

So this time, Lance needed to take them by surprise, preventing them from retaining much of their strength.

Even if they sought mediation again, Lance would find a way to have the people backing them join him in swallowing the entire Perez family.

Even if they were unwilling, Senator Cleveland would be receptive, as interest is eternal, and everything else is false.

”What should we do?” Hiram blew his side-swept bangs back, tossing his hair slightly.

After the ”First Generation Hiram” and ”Second Generation Hiram,” this was the current third generation, and frankly, a bit annoying.

He not only tossed his hair but blew on it. Lance gave him a look. ”First, we clean up their businesses in the New Golden City. Let them know we are operating. Then, we send a group of our best men to Old City.”

Lance looked at Mador. The organization’s best gunmen were under his command. These men were former professional soldiers who had grown tired of the perpetual betrayal of the Imperial Civil War and came to the Federation seeking a new life.

Lance accepted them and helped relocate their families, securing their absolute loyalty.

They usually trained the gang members for Lance, running drills periodically to maintain their combat effectiveness.

Given the Lance family’s current prosperity, if training weren’t mandatory, they would quickly become lazy.

A lack of urgency or routine training might be fine for ordinary people in ordinary jobs, but it was absolutely unacceptable for a gang.

Besides training the family members, these gunmen had one more job: continuously honing their professional skills—shooting.

Bolt-action rifles, long distances, barely visible targets, and a single fatal shot—that was what Lance constantly emphasized.

They weren’t required to engage in street fights or risk their lives. They just needed to perfect their marksmanship.

Their income was quite high within the organization, each earning four or five hundred dollars per month. This allowed them and their families to live comfortably in the Federation.

And their families also had jobs with decent incomes. The gunmen only needed to focus on their shooting skills.

”Bring in a few snipers, and send them to Old City too.”

Lance leaned forward again, resting his forearms on the desk, a posture of aggression. ”This time, I want everyone to know: don’t talk to me about the Federal Five Families or who is influential and who isn’t.”

”If you cross us in the Federation, there is only one outcome!”

In that instant, he thought of many people: the President, some Presidential candidates, FBI Director Roland, and many others.

Whether that statement included them was unclear to the others, but Lance certainly knew.

”Just follow my orders for now. Get moving!”

A few hours later, several Perez family businesses in the New Golden City were attacked. However, the method of attack was unusual.

Many celebrities and political figures resided in the New Golden City. Senator Cleveland had repeatedly advised Lance to avoid using weapons in the city, as it would alarm too many people.

Lance took this advice to heart, so he did not use firearms this time.

Fran learned of the attack immediately. When he heard his subordinate describe the Lance family’s method, after a moment of astonishment, he laughed and shook his head, deeming Lance an ”immature child.”

Meanwhile, in the FBI office, Director Roland held the report detailing the Lance family’s attacks on Perez family businesses, rubbing his temples in frustration.

Clearly, what Fran dismissed as ”childish, laughable games” made Roland feel utterly powerless.

Why was he actively creating conflict between Lance and the Perez family and facilitating their gunfights?

Ultimately, it was to gather more evidence against them.

The Perez family attacked Lance’s convoy, so if Lance retaliated, they would have evidence of that retaliation.

He could then arrest the people who carried out the revenge. He didn’t believe everyone in the Lance family was tough enough; someone would break under interrogation and reveal information he needed.

If ten people didn’t give him the person he wanted, he would look among a hundred, or a thousand.

Director Roland had dealt with many criminals. Before becoming the FBI Director, he had worked in law enforcement.

He understood the genuine weakness beneath the seemingly tough exterior of criminals. You might face ten who refuse to talk, but the moment one breaks, the psychological defenses of the others would crumble immediately.

He firmly believed that human nature was selfish. When people realized that silence brought greater, heavier consequences, while those who spoke received a lighter sentence or even some benefit, their mentality would shift dramatically, leading to collapse.

This entire plan was well-developed, but first, he needed to catch the perpetrators.

But what did Lance do?

He had drivers crash trucks filled with garbage and even sewage into the Perez family businesses. When the trucks slammed into their legitimate establishments, the fragile containers holding the sewage would burst due to inertia.

A massive amount of sewage spilled out, contaminating restaurants, shops, and jewelry stores—everything was a stinking mess!

The foul odor lingered even after washing, having seeped into the floors and everything they touched!

The drivers, mostly drunk, were ready to accept the charges, and the transportation company behind them was a newly registered entity willing to bear all consequences. What more could Roland do?

The Federation didn’t have ”reckless driving” laws at the time. Drunk driving wasn’t strictly illegal; driving was only restricted in certain states after consuming alcohol.

Gold State had no such regulation. Too many political figures and celebrities lived here who drove home after attending parties where alcohol was served.

If such a restriction were proposed, the proposer would become everyone’s enemy.

”Roland, are you listening?”

The Police Chief’s voice came through the receiver. Director Roland picked up the phone. ”I’m here.”

”Should we move against these drivers?”

The drivers had been detained. The police department needed to decide whether to process them normally or send them to the FBI for forceful interrogation.

Director Roland was hesitant now. ”Do you think these drivers are gang members?”

The Police Chief paused. ”I don’t think they are, but I can’t be sure.”

Director Roland was now unsure. If this was also a trap, would it put them in a passive position?

For instance, was someone watching them, ready to sue them for torturing ordinary citizens and forcing them to confess to crimes they didn’t commit?

Gangs were not stupid. Fighting them, especially fighting someone as strategically capable as Lance, required extreme caution.

He thought for a long time, then finally sighed. ”Forget it. Process them normally.”

”Okay, understood,” the Police Chief hung up.

Director Roland slowly placed the receiver down, his brows furrowing.

This attack on the Perez family’s businesses was reckless and characteristic of Lance, yet it gave Roland a sense of disharmony.

Based on his reading of Lance’s recent actions, he expected a more brutal and bloody retaliation, not a mere childish prank.

Using sewage-filled trucks to disrupt businesses didn’t cause the Perez family any real, lasting damage. It didn’t cost any lives, so how could it satisfy the fire of hatred burning in Lance’s heart?

This led him to another thought: Did Lance change his style because he knew someone was watching him?

Once the seed of suspicion is planted, it’s hard to let it go.

However, his suspicion wasn’t aimed at his senior Agent Supervisors, but at the lower-level agents.

If they could plant informants in gangs, why couldn’t Lance, who had far more resources, plant informants in the FBI?

With this thought, he planned to establish an internal affairs department to try and find any informants hidden within the FBI.

As for Lance’s attack?

He needed to wait for Lance to expose more weaknesses, to engage in a more bloody and desperate retaliation, and then move in to capture the perpetrators.

For several days straight, Perez family businesses in the New Golden City were hit by similar attacks. Although the official explanation was ”car accidents,” everyone knew Lance was behind it.

The social elite merely laughed at the childish outbursts, not taking the actions too seriously.

They were pleased with Lance’s attitude: he wasn’t using violence in this city of power brokers. They liked people who followed the rules because they were the ones who made the rules.

Meanwhile, the first batch of Lance’s men had arrived in Old City. With the help of the Bearded Director, they had located several core Perez family members.

”We have located over ten core members, but Fran remains elusive. He’s staying in his estate and rarely shows his face.”

”What should we do next?”

Hiram’s voice was edged with impatience. The security at the Perez estate was tight, partly because of the recent conflict with Lance’s family.

Guards armed with weapons patrolled almost every few steps. Any intrusion would immediately trigger a massive response.

Old City was the Perez family’s home turf. They could mobilize large numbers of people at any time. Getting trapped there meant there was almost no chance of escape.

Lance thought for a moment. ”You continue to monitor those people, but don’t act rashly. I will have Hull arrange a new job for you. We’ll wait until we figure out Fran’s schedule before making a move.”

He then called the Bearded Director to discuss the matter.

Hearing that Lance was directly targeting Fran, the Bearded Director thought briefly. ”I heard a rumor that when Fran is in a good mood, he sometimes sits on the terrace outside his study to sunbathe. Perhaps that information could be useful to you...”