Chapter 44: Everything in the world can be measured, except the human heart.

Even a fool knows this is not the right time to act. Michael glared fiercely at Lynch and quickly left.

A few minutes later, Mr. Fox entered with a puzzled look. He closed the door, saw the gifts, and smiled, saying, “I just saw Michael. He seemed very angry.”

Lynch nodded slightly and gestured to the gifts, casually saying, “He came to ask for my forgiveness, but I refused.”

Mr. Fox sighed, sat on a nearby round chair, and bit into a piece of fruit, which was quite juicy.

The shops and stalls inside the hospital were hospital-run businesses tied to many livelihoods. Naturally, they did not dare to be careless. This was one hidden advantage of capitalization or commercialization: competitiveness.

Those without competitiveness—whether a person, a business, or even an industry—would soon be eliminated by the tide of capital. To avoid becoming one of the eliminated, these people did everything possible to stay competitive.

Mr. Fox swallowed the fruit, hesitated slightly, then said, “Actually, if this can be resolved peacefully, that would be best. If Michael really leaves, the tax bureau won’t just pretend to be blind and deaf.”

From Mr. Fox’s view, Lynch had already won what he wanted: he defeated Michael in the fight, and Michael came begging for forgiveness. So both sides compromising to resolve the issue would avoid embarrassment.

This was the usual mindset and approach of people like Mr. Fox. They might pressure threatening law enforcement agencies but never strike too hard.

In short, their own mess means they might take down one opponent today, but tomorrow someone new will challenge them. So they believe in stopping short; everyone’s well-being is true well-being.

Mr. Fox thought Lynch’s actions were too extreme, too aggressive. He hinted, “You embarrassed the tax bureau people. They will keep an eye on you.”

This was neither entirely wrong nor entirely right.

Lynch turned to him and asked, “Mr. Fox, even if I stop now, do you think that after this has become federal knowledge, a small-town Sabin City tax bureau chief can just say ‘stop’ and it will stop?”

“No!” Lynch raised a finger to emphasize, “The higher-ups want to see who made them lose face. The lower-level folks want to regain some dignity from me. Whether I forgive Michael or not, they’ll be watching.”

“In three to five days, they’ll start causing trouble for me. Forgiving Michael would just make them see me as a young man without backing, someone weak to be bullied.”

“Since forgiving or not won’t change what I face next, why should I wrong myself?” Lynch smiled, “Once you decide, don’t leave an escape route. The more you overthink, the less courage you have.”

Mr. Fox’s expression shifted. He frowned thoughtfully before nodding in agreement, “You make a point. What’s the plan then?”

Actually, from the start, no one was really at fault. If anyone, Michael targeted the wrong person.

If Lynch didn’t resist, he would be the loser—either imprisoned or quietly eliminated by people like Mr. Fox.

So someone had to fall. Every success story involves standing up not solely by one’s own strength but by stepping over the fallen.

If Lynch’s guess was right, the tax system would begin investigating him, and law enforcement beyond taxation would start probing too.

Lynch wasn’t worried. “We are legitimate businessmen, Mr. Fox. Actually, this is a huge opportunity for you and your business.”

Fox became more attentive when it concerned him. He tossed the half-eaten fruit into the trash and wiped his slightly sticky fingers with a silk handkerchief. “What do you mean?”

“Sabin City is now under upper-level scrutiny. They will send investigation teams or order local law enforcement to clean up the chaotic streets. Someone will disappear, and that vacuum will be your chance.”

Lynch’s voice carried a tempting tremor. “Think about it—if you were the only one in this business in the whole city…”

Fox swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly. He’d never considered this before. Territory wasn’t defined by a few words or people—it was a long-established rule.

Every industry needs rules to maintain order. Expanding business or territory rashly invites warnings, or else you face everyone as an enemy.

This was ingrained thinking. No one could afford all-out war. Sabin City was small, lacking the guts, means, and foundation of big cities.

But now Lynch painted a grand vision: If the whole city had only him in this business… The thought was chilling. So much profit, all in one pocket…

He quickly shook off the unrealistic fantasy, forced a bitter smile. “I wish, but I can’t. First, I know my business is illegal. Second, I can’t declare war on everyone at once—I can’t win!”

Every step of underworld expansion is soaked in blood. Every Sol is stained. Crossing others’ interests only ends in death.

Mr. Fox was just a finance company. He had some people, but not enough power, number, or ruthlessness.

Lynch waved his hand. “You’ll see. I’m telling you this so you can be prepared.”

Meanwhile, Michael, frustrated by his loss to Lynch, was sent to prison. In a few days, young Michael’s trial would begin. Michael hoped his son would recant and deny his crime.

This way, he could try to tie Lynch to the case. Proving Lynch framed him would recast the assault on Lynch as an understandable accident.

Using a ring to harm his own child, the assault would be seen as a father’s act, separate from law enforcement or his status—a man doing what a father must.

Public sympathy and opinion would shift from criminal suspicion to support, preserving his job and family.

On the other hand, if that failed, he hoped to use whatever power he had to get his son out quickly and possibly find him a decent job through old connections.

Because of these reasons, he needed to talk to young Michael again.

What he didn’t know was that their conflict had not only become federal knowledge but was also known among prisoners, who had access to newspapers as a protected privilege.

When young Michael learned his father was in big trouble, he abandoned any plan to recant to get him out.

Now, Michael’s situation was precarious. Intervening risked accusations of abuse of power, which would complicate things further. So when Michael asked to visit, young Michael refused the guards.

His reasoning was correct: only by protecting Michael could the family have a future. But youth sometimes brings irrational thoughts.

Young people often think they are mature enough to think like adults but ignore a fatal truth:

They have lived in a sheltered ivory tower and know nothing of the real world.

Rejected by his son, Michael was devastated, feeling as if the end had come.