Chapter 235: Choice, Determination, Hesitation

Removing the president had become the most important issue in the entire Federation. Society was rallying around this cause, each person contributing their strength. People were caught in a frenzy they couldn’t escape.

Even as they starved, roamed the streets, and cursed the president, they believed he was the one who had ruined everything—though many deep down knew that wasn’t entirely true.

The rapid economic decline, financial collapse, and rejection by the international community all needed an outlet. The Federation people, who once dreamed of being a dominant global power, had been harshly awakened by reality. Now, they needed to vent their frustration.

Naturally, the president became the perfect target.

The Progressive Party, meanwhile, wasn’t facing fewer problems than the president. After deposing him, they would have to handle deeper international engagement: how to proceed, how far to go, how to treat friendly or hostile powers, how to manage trade, diplomacy, and international politics…

These questions plagued the Party leadership. Despite how casually they spoke about it on TV, even praising the benefits of international integration, they themselves weren’t sure how to avoid repeating the president’s failures.

It was a time of experimentation. Still, they’d made some solid progress—such as the vice chairman of the Progressive Party securing several international trade deals. At a moment like this, such moves were more encouraging to the Federation public than anything else.

But these deals were still under wraps. They would only be revealed once the impeachment succeeded, the president was forced out, and the vice president took over—conveniently laying the groundwork for the upcoming elections.

See? The Progressive Party got to work right away and produced results—far better than the Conservative fools who only knew how to police their own.

As for trade quotas and development paths, the Party leadership advocated gradual, orderly progress—not immediate liberalization.

No one knew what role the Federation would play internationally. An open market could further devastate the domestic economy.

The mayor hesitated at Lynch’s question. Lynch saw this was the moment to push.

“Landon, we’re friends. But to me, you’re also like an uncle. We often sit and talk about things only we care about. I need your help with this. And it’s not just helping me—it’s helping yourself.”

“If you can secure me a free trade permit or license, I can give you a firm promise right now—I’ll hire at least 2,000 local workers. If my business goes well abroad, that number might even grow.”

Lynch placed both hands on the table, leaning forward slightly. His expression, tone, and posture projected a restrained but unmistakable aggression.

He didn’t need to say anything more—the mayor could already feel Lynch’s resolve and the consequences if he failed.

The mayor hesitated for a long moment, frowning slightly before nodding slowly. “Maybe I can try. But you have to understand—some things are beyond even me. I’m just an ordinary mayor.”

His response eased Lynch’s tension. Pleased, he picked up his knife and fork again.

“I only need a chance—a ticket in. If you can’t persuade them, maybe I can. Or someone else can.”

Hearing that, the mayor’s conflicted expression softened.

In truth, rules always had a buffer—a margin of flexibility. Whether Lynch could benefit from that depended on how he handled things next.

Bribery was common enough, but hiring a top lobbying firm was also a powerful move. After all, personal connections could often go further than money.

Soon after the serious discussion ended, the mayor brought up an unexpected topic.

“I heard you’ve been spending time with a woman named Vera. A married woman.”

He sliced through his steak as he spoke, lifting a piece glazed with sauce, but pausing before eating it.

From Lynch’s angle, he could see the juices slowly running down the meat.

Shifting his gaze from the steak, Lynch neither confirmed nor denied the rumor. It wasn’t evasion—he simply knew that admitting or denying would both be poor choices. Better to remain ambiguous.

He smiled. “You’re interested in my personal life now, Mayor?”

The mayor finally ate the meat, chewed, swallowed, and shook his head as he resumed cutting.

“I’m not interested in your private life. I’m interested in her husband. You know we’re trying to keep Liston here. He betrayed us, so he has to pay.”

He went on about all the support he and the state had given the Liston Group over the years—endorsements, low-interest bank loans, generous policies handed out like candy.

Just the annual tax exemptions exceeded two million. The city hall even clashed with the state tax office over it.

Thanks to this support, Liston had become a pillar of Sabin City. His betrayal was intolerable.

As he spoke, the mayor ate heartily. Only after nearly finishing his steak did he wrap up his grievances.

He popped the last bite in his mouth and declared,

“If they don’t want to stay, fine—but they’ll repay everything they took from us, with interest. Otherwise, I won’t let them leave.”

He tore a dinner roll in half and spread various jams on it.

“That woman’s husband is key. Maybe you can persuade her. It’ll benefit both of us. I can ask the judge to be lenient when sentencing.”

Lynch also set down his utensils at the right moment. He dabbed his lips and any stray sauce with a napkin, then placed it on the table.

“A rich dinner. It tasted great.”

The tone of their conversation shifted instantly. The mayor’s smile returned, and they chatted casually.

“As long as you enjoyed it. Having dinner with an old man like me must be boring.”

Lynch shrugged.

“Learning is boring too, but knowledge guides humanity forward.”

The subtle flattery lifted the mayor’s mood. After a bit more small talk, Lynch took his leave.

Back home, he called Asel and asked him to gather information on Liston’s assets in Sabin.

From dinner, Lynch could tell—even if Gap wasn’t found, the mayor would do everything possible to keep Liston and Neo in Sabin.

Since the company was destined to fall, why not be ready to carve it up when it did?

Capital grew not by hard work, but by conquest.

While handling some business matters, Vera brought in a pot of coffee.

She rarely entered Lynch’s study. Though he never banned her, she wouldn’t go in without him present—a basic respect for his privacy. She understood how to respect a man, even a young one.

But this time was different. She didn’t leave after delivering the coffee. Instead, she sat in the chair across from him.

“Something wrong?” Lynch looked up from his documents.

Vera nodded slightly. Her face was a little flushed, her expression uneasy.

“I want to go back tomorrow. Things should be settled now.”

It took Lynch less than two seconds to grasp the situation.

“Someone said something?”

It sounded like a question, but his tone left no doubt—it was a statement.

Vera didn’t confirm or deny it, which only confirmed it for Lynch.

He frowned.

“You can’t go back yet. Regarding Mr. Gap, I brought it up with the mayor during dinner…c

That single line caught Vera’s full attention.

“Mr. Gap is now a key figure on the Liston Group’s board, locked in a power struggle with the mayor and governor. He seems to have something very significant in his hands.“

“From the current situation, it seems Mr. Neo and the others intended to hide Mr. Gap or smuggle him out, but clearly, they failed—Mr. Gap didn’t cooperate and managed to escape.“

“If you go back now, there’s a good chance they’ll target you as a weak point—kidnap you, hurt you, force you to reveal things you don’t even know.“

The more Lynch said, the more troubled Vera’s expression became, and a trace of fear appeared in her eyes.

If a woman gets kidnapped… reality isn’t like the movies, where the captors treat her well and she can even throw a tantrum over unappetizing food.

Those people would only hurt her, humiliate her, and force her.

For a moment, the room fell into silence.