Chapter 220: The Steel Blade

It proved that Lynch was not the type to boast about himself. On the third day after Uncle Tom was arrested, he visited him and told him he had hired a skilled lawyer to help the workers win the lawsuit.

This instantly elevated Lynch’s image among the workers. Being Nail’s son, he was seen as one of their own. Amid their fear and uncertainty, Lynch became their pillar of support.

“There is never an easy victory. Justice is not written with petals. We must fight and persist…” Lynch’s face was resolute. His voice was heavy but carried a courage and strength that could break through anything.

At that moment, Lynch was not alone. Countless pioneers stood with him. The arrested workers felt an unprecedented resolve to fight the evil factory owners to the end.

After comforting and encouraging the detained workers, Lynch left under Adam’s complicated gaze.

After some bargaining, Adam was hired by Lynch as the legal advisor for Interstellar Trading Company at 2,200 per month. This was his first case.

Before coming, Adam knew Lynch’s goal: encouraging the workers and sending him to provide legal aid was to drag the lawsuit out until the plaintiffs went bankrupt.

As long as the case dragged on, the court and banks couldn’t auction off their homes to compensate the factory owners. Meanwhile, the Interstellar Trading case would be heard first, giving Lynch priority to acquire their assets cheaply through judicial auction.

What awaited the plaintiffs was bankruptcy. Their assets, factories, everything would become Lynch’s — including millions in seized case value and now worthless goods.

For less than 300,000, Lynch swallowed a group’s assets, a capitalist’s entire holdings, and many goods.

Adam thought Lynch wasn’t just a handsome, outstanding young man; he was a demon disguised to lower people’s defenses — a devil.

Those thanking Lynch now didn’t realize he would take everything from them.

Adam’s thoughts were extreme. How much profit could be made from these workers’ worthless property?

To say something harsh: all their combined property, even their houses, was worthless to Lynch. Those downtown homes weren’t worth a doghouse in the uptown.

What he wanted was the factory and the hardworking workers who, despite poor treatment, would grit their teeth and endure. They lived in Lynch’s houses, owed him a huge debt, and carried an unpayable favor.

Those were far more valuable than the small money squeezed from them. This was why Adam, despite some business knowledge, could never become a capitalist — he didn’t understand the true meaning of value.

On December 15th, affected by the massive strike, the amateur preseason for professional rugby, originally scheduled for November, finally began. The compressed schedule made the upcoming matches intense, testing each team’s bench depth and stamina management.

“The weather’s nice today. Let’s see if the game matches it!” The mayor said this to Lynch after his opening speech before returning to the stands.

Though the strike ended quickly, its impact was profound.

Sports inspire a fighting spirit and provide an outlet for emotional release.

Lynch smiled. “I think so.”

The mayor smiled too. He had come personally for the game, bringing some social elites to join. If the team won, it would be a victory for him; if they lost, he would lose face.

He hadn’t planned to come himself, intending to send a representative, but ultimately chose to appear “to share the joy with the people.”

Governing from an ivory tower wasn’t right; getting close to the people refreshed one’s image. The mayor knew this well. The ordinary crowd’s excitement at the game proved it.

Sharing a favorite sport and team with the mayor was a new and proud experience for many spectators.

With the whistle, attention focused on the field. The local Sabin City team quickly found their rhythm, showing high-speed, effective execution. The game entered a thrilling phase early.

The commentator’s voice never dropped; the coach’s face brightened with smiles, proving his skill and strategy. The team was ready to break through and advance to the professional league.

The game’s progress and result were well within expectations — even surprising. In the second half, the opposing team’s main players began avoiding confrontation.

When holding the ball and surrounded by multiple aggressive defenders, they immediately passed to escape the reckless tackles.

In the end, a decisive victory and the coach’s smiling face made the front page of the next day’s Sabin Daily: Five Years Later, We Set Sail Again!

From released homeless people to the mayor, all of Sabin City discussed the great win.

The once quiet city came alive because of one game. Discussing the match became trendy, with Lynch and Interstellar Trading Company becoming topics too.

Some even wanted to buy shares in the club to share the benefits, but Lynch naturally refused.

That same day, the investigation into Liston Group was about to conclude. The team had found little of value.

Liston hired some of the best federal employees who knew how to make everything appear normal, including their ledgers.

The investigation team’s packing up brought relief from top to bottom, signaling the investigation’s end and a new beginning.

Behind this, the neighboring state’s governor and some conservatives played a big role. It wasn’t that Liston had no flaws — pressure to continue was immense.

When people found one problem, more underlying causes appeared, such as related companies’ accounts proving Liston’s books were adjusted.

A full audit would be too extensive. Without solid reasons to detain the whole group or prevent relocation, and with the neighboring governor’s stance, no strong evidence could be produced soon — so they had to let go.

Though reluctant, the investigators had no choice since they couldn’t find the key point.

At that moment, a stylish girl wearing sunglasses entered the investigation office.

She was fashionable and beautiful, with long blonde hair and an alluring figure. When she removed her glasses, the room seemed to brighten.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” the agent serving her asked, offering coffee — a privilege others didn’t get.

She didn’t take it, instead looking at the agent and softly said, “I have something you want…”

Stunned, the agent watched as she calmly stood, unfastened her belt, and removed her clothes, revealing her naked body.

The agent’s scalp tingled as he stood. After a few seconds, he called the investigation chief.

Inside Liston’s headquarters, the chief faced Neo with a cold expression. Neo’s sarcasm made him want to punch the man’s face.

But he held back, knowing that would ruin his future. Capitalists were masters at twisting truth with money; he had to endure.

At that moment, his assistant entered quickly, whispered excitedly in his ear.

Twenty seconds later, the chief’s lips curled into a smile that grew until he burst into loud laughter.“Mr. Neo, it seems this battle is far from over…” He smiled briefly, then stopped. “I am now officially notifying you that you are forbidden from leaving Sabin City. A court order will follow shortly.”

With that, he turned and left quickly, his steps lighter than when he arrived.

Neo, who had just been smiling like a victor, now wore a dark expression. He immediately summoned his secretary. “Find out exactly what’s going on!”