Chapter 351

In the Federation, there’s a curious and sharply polarized opinion about one thing: private prisons.

For the vast majority, private prisons are pure hell. In these institutions, inmates are stripped of their last shred of privacy and rights. Every individual is exploited and oppressed under strict institutional regulations.

They wake up before dawn, eat, do drills, then head to the workshops where they must meet quotas. Lunch is followed by a thirty-minute break, and then more work until 7 PM, when they finally get to eat dinner.

After dinner, inmates are granted one hour of free time before being forced back into their rooms to rest, so they can endure the same brutal routine the next day.

Everything in private prisons is expensive. Not only does the prison profit from inmates’ labor, but it also bleeds them dry. Services—yes, even women—are available for a price. Holiday rooms are common in these facilities for those who can afford them.

What costs 20 to 30 bucks on the street could cost hundreds inside.

Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs—anything can be bought, but at extortionate prices.

For many, private prisons are hellscapes they can’t afford to survive. They become numb, mechanical beings, slaving away.

But for others, private prisons are paradise. They enjoy luxuries that don’t exist in public facilities: private rooms, private bathrooms, their own televisions and phones.

They wake at nine, read the paper over a rich breakfast and coffee. They play indoor golf, take important calls, sip wine, dance with the women who share their rooms.

Aside from being unable to leave, they enjoy all the comforts of freedom.

Lynch’s offer was generous—sentence reduction, enlistment under the Special Talent Act, and placement in a private prison.

Without a doubt, Gap would receive a privileged placement. With connections to the Security Council, he’d enjoy fair prices and live comfortably without needing much money.

And considering he didn’t want to burden his family, Vera would probably help cover his prison expenses.

Thinking this through, Gap didn’t hesitate. He said what Lynch had been waiting for: “Yes, I know. I have another ledger. It records unusual financial outflows that occurred while I was serving as the group’s audit accountant.”

As a key auditor, keeping a contingency record was only natural.

He began explaining the suspicious transactions: “…Every year, between $700,000 and $1.5 million flowed into accounts held by three private equity foundations in Eminence. But after the EverBright Group scandal broke, those transactions stopped…”

Twenty minutes later, Lynch stood beside Gap, shaking his hand. “Once the intel is confirmed, we’ll arrange your transfer to a private prison. Do you have any preferences?”

Gap, visibly relieved after making his choice—live rather than die—shook his head. “I’m not familiar with that, but I’ll start looking into it. There’s one thing I’d like to ask of you…”

“Go ahead.”

Gap glanced at the shadow outside the office door, then turned back to Lynch. “Since coming in, I’ve lost contact with the outside. I can only catch bits and pieces from the guards, and you know how they are…”

He trailed off, then continued. “I’d like you to subscribe to some newspapers for me. That’s my only request.”

“No problem at all,” Lynch agreed without hesitation. “If there’s nothing else…”

“There’s not.”

After saying goodbye again, Lynch headed for the door. Just before he left, Gap suddenly asked, “My wife… Vera. Is she okay?”

Lynch paused, turned, and nodded. “She’s doing fine…”

But for some reason, the words rang hollow to Gap. He couldn’t pinpoint why, but something felt off.

Back at the hotel, Lynch reported his findings to Mr. Truman, who was thoroughly impressed by Lynch’s efficiency. Whether by omission or design, Truman didn’t mention reclaiming Lynch’s Special Consultant credentials—and Lynch didn’t bring it up either.

Unbeknownst to Truman, the ledger wouldn’t just be used against Senator Wales. It would also bring serious trouble.

Among the three foundations with ties to the Liston Group was one called Healthy Federals—a private equity fund allegedly created to improve citizens’ well-being…

Lynch hadn’t expected to wrap the matter up in a single morning. He had planned for it to take all day or longer. But Gap turned out to be easier to convince than expected.

With time to spare, Lynch thought of the girl. After seeing off the agents, he had his bodyguard drive him to Kurland State University to visit Katherine.

It had been over half a year. He’d been busy, with no time to visit. Now, finally, he could see her.

Though he wouldn’t admit it aloud, the girl still held a place in his heart.

High school sweethearts are often unforgettable. Maybe not profound, but certainly unforgettable.

When Lynch appeared before her, Katherine was so shocked she dropped her book.

She rushed over and nearly knocked him down. “You never told me you were coming!”

Lynch held her by the waist. “Work brought me nearby. I figured I’d stop by…” He glanced at the boys and girls she’d been with. Their faces were filled with disbelief.

Lynch was no longer the obscure kid from a small town. He was famous now—especially after publishing a book based on his real-life experiences, which had stirred the public and was being adapted into a movie.

His story had become a modern legend that inspired young people.

Maybe they couldn’t all be great men, but maybe—just maybe—they could become the next Lynch.

And those were his own words. He knew the dream wasn’t realistic, but saying the right things, echoing society’s desires, had never been a burden to him.

A well-dressed girl was a beat late to react, then screamed, “Oh my god, Katherine, you never told us you knew Lynch. And you two…!”

“We were lovers,” Lynch said without hesitation, his arm around Katherine’s waist. “Now we’re friends. As for the future…” He glanced at her. “Who knows?”

“This is big news!” the stylish girl couldn’t hold back and ran off to spread it. Katherine let out a light sigh. “The whole campus will know soon.”

Lynch didn’t mind. “Will it be a burden for you?”

Katherine nodded playfully, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Definitely. The boys who were planning to chase me will be scared off. Looks like my college life won’t be as exciting as I imagined.”

“What a pity,” Lynch replied, though his expression didn’t match his words—it held a trace of smugness.

He turned to the other students with gentlemanly poise and a hint of apology, yet with a tone that left no room for refusal. “I’ll be borrowing Katherine for a while. Sorry.”

The students all said it was fine. Even if they didn’t think so, faced with someone as exceptional as Lynch, they had no choice but to say it didn’t matter.

This was the Federation—a society where money decided everything.

Watching the two of them get into the luxury car by the roadside, several students couldn’t help but show amazement in their eyes. Who would have thought the unassuming girl from their school was Lynch’s ex-girlfriend—and judging by the situation, they might even get back together.

Only the boys looked a bit disheartened. They had no chance now. They couldn’t surpass Katherine in academics, and there was no way to compete with Lynch in anything else.

As the two drove off alone, they chatted about campus stories—gossip about the cheer captain and the football star, rumors about teachers and female students, and everything else related to school life.

Both Katherine and Lynch had been top students. If their families had been able to support them through college, they would’ve graduated within a year and landed good jobs.

But even now, it wasn’t too late. Lynch smiled simply, watching the cheerful girl talk about the things he once longed for. His heart felt nothing but calm.