Darkstone Code

In the Federation, there is something interesting and highly polarized, which is the public perception and opinion of private prisons.

For the vast majority of people, private prisons are undoubtedly Hell for the prisoners!

In private prisons, they lose even the tiniest bit of privacy and power. Everyone has to be exploited and oppressed according to the strict rules and regulations of the private prisons.

Every day, they have to get up before dawn, then eat and exercise, followed by going to the workshop to work. They must complete the specified quota, then eat lunch at noon, rest for thirty minutes, and continue working until seven in the evening when they can finally enjoy dinner.

After dinner, there's an hour of free time, followed by being driven back to their rooms to turn off the lights and rest so that they can have enough energy to continue the high-intensity work the next day.

Moreover, in private prisons, everything becomes extremely expensive. Prisons not only make money from the labor of prisoners but also earn money from the prisoners themselves.

They offer various services, including women. As long as the prisoners can afford it, they don't mind solving some physiological needs for the prisoners. Many private prisons have such "holiday rooms."

The lowest-grade streetwalkers outside cost a few hundred bucks to enjoy here.

Apart from women, cigarettes, alcohol, Kleve, almost everything can be bought, but the prices are exceptionally high.

For many people, private prisons are Hell because they can't afford it and become numb, working like a machine every day.

But for some people, private prisons are Heaven because they can enjoy everything here that they can't in public prisons.

They can have a private room, a private bathroom, a private toilet, and even a TV and telephone of their own.

They can get up at nine in the morning, in the corner of the restaurant, read the latest newspaper while enjoying a rich breakfast and coffee with milk.

Then they can play a round of indoor golf in their spacious cell, take some important calls, watch TV, or enjoy a glass of high-end red wine while dancing with the girl they're staying with.

In the evening, they have a sumptuous dinner, steak, mushroom soup, followed by their favorite TV show.

Except for not being able to leave the prison, they can enjoy everything here that they can outside.

Lynch's conditions are already very generous, reduced sentences, special talent recruitment, and private prisons.

Undoubtedly, Gap would get a special status. With the connections of the Security Committee, he could enjoy fair prices and have a good time inside without needing much money.

Considering he didn't want to burden his family, Vera should help him pay the bills inside the prison.

Thinking of this, Gap had no hesitation and spoke the words Lynch cared about, "Yes, I know, I still have a set of books, recording some unusual financial outflows during my tenure as the group's audit accountant."

As an important audit accountant, keeping a backup is actually very usual; not having one would be unusual.

He began to describe these peculiarities of the money to Lynch, "...Every year, we had about 700,000 to 1.5 million flowing into the accounts of three private foundations in Bupen, but with the outbreak of the Henghui Group scandal, these money flows stopped..."

Twenty-odd minutes later, Lynch stood beside Gap and shook hands with him, "Once the information is confirmed, we'll first transfer you to a private prison. Do you have a preference?"

After Gap made his choice, he felt much relieved. Just like Lynch said, choosing between certain death and possible survival, he had to choose one. After choosing, he was no longer burdened; even if he might perish later, it was still much better than perishing now.

He shook his head, "I don't know much about this, but I'll pay attention recently. There's something I'd like to entrust you with..."

"Go ahead!"

Gap glanced at the silhouette outside the office door, then turned to Lynch, "Since I came in, I've almost lost contact with the outside world. I can only hear a bit from the guards about what's happening, but you know, these guards…"

He didn't elaborate, skipping over this point before stating his request, "I hope you can subscribe me to some news-related newspapers; that's my only request."

"No problem at all!" Lynch agreed to such a small request without hesitation, "If there's nothing else..."

"That's all..."

After the two bid farewell again, Lynch walked toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, Gap suddenly asked, "My wife... Vera, is she alright?"

Lynch paused, turned to look at him, nodded, and said, "She's fine..."

Gap couldn't quite understand why he felt something was off about that sentence, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

After leaving the prison and returning to the hotel, Lynch reported his findings to Mr. Truman, who highly praised Lynch's efficiency. Whether due to forgetfulness or intentionally, Truman did not mention the idea of having the agents reclaim the special advisory credentials from Lynch, and Lynch himself didn't bring it up either.

Of course, Mr. Truman was unaware that the ledger could not only help him deal with Legislator Wales but also bring him a considerable trouble.

Among the three foundations Gap confessed had interests with the Ristone Group, one was named "Healthy Federation," a private equity fund established ostensibly to enhance the physique of Federations...

Resolving this issue in a morning was something Lynch hadn't expected. His original plan was likely to take at least a full day, if not longer. Apparently, Mr. Gap was easier to persuade than he had imagined.

With some extra time, he inevitably thought of that girl. After seeing off the Security Committee's agents, Lynch had his bodyguard drive him to Curilan State University, where he could conveniently see Catherine.

Half a year had passed in a blink. During this time, he had been busy with his own affairs and hadn't had the chance to visit, so he took this opportunity to see the girl.

Although he didn't admit it verbally, the girl still held a certain place in his heart.

Every couple who experiences love from high school always finds it the hardest to forget each other. It may not always be deeply etched in their hearts, but unforgettable it surely is.

When Lynch appeared in front of Catherine, the book in her hand unknowingly fell to the ground.

She immediately rushed over, nearly knocking Lynch over, "You never told me you were coming!"

Lynch held her waist, "I had work nearby, so I thought I'd come by to see you..." he said, glancing at the group of boys and girls who were with Catherine before. They all wore similar expressions of shock.

Lynch was no longer the inconspicuous guy from a small city; he had become quite famous in the Federation. Especially with the immense reaction his book, based on his true experiences, had received in society, even leading to plans for a film adaptation.

What he had gone through had become the legendary stories inspiring young people nowadays.

Though they might not achieve greatness like illustrious figures, they still had the opportunity to become the next Lynch.

This idea perfectly expressed Lynch's way of encouraging young people like him. Even though he knew this could never become a reality, it was never a burden for him to say something pleasant and align with society as a whole.

A beautifully dressed girl screamed belatedly, "Oh my god, Catherine, you never mentioned you knew Lynch, and also... and you two!"

"We were once lovers..." Lynch didn't shy away from the topic. He naturally wrapped his arm around Catherine's waist, "Now we're friends. As for the future..." he glanced at the girl, "Who knows?"

​

"This is big news!" The beautiful girl couldn't resist running off to share the news, while Catherine sighed lightly, "Soon the whole school will know."

Lynch wasn't concerned, "Will it be a burden for you?"

Catherine nodded playfully, her eyes curving into crescents, "It definitely will. Those boys who planned to pursue me might be intimidated by you. My college life doesn't seem as bright as I imagined."

"That really is a regrettable thing!" Lynch's facial expression didn't seem as regretful as his words implied, it even carried a hint of smugness.

He turned his attention to the other students, gentlemanly and with some apology, but ultimately in an irrefusable tone said, "I'll be occupying some of Catherine's time, sorry."

The students all expressed it was no problem. Even if they wanted to say otherwise, in front of an unbelievably outstanding peer like Lynch, they had no choice but to comply.

This is the Federation, a society where money decides everything!

Watching the two get into a luxury car parked by the roadside, several students still had awe in their eyes. Who would've thought the unassuming girl at school was Lynch's ex-girlfriend, and there seemed to be a possibility of them getting back together.

Only the boys might feel saddened, as they now had no hope. Not only couldn't they catch up to Catherine academically, but they couldn't prove their superiority over Lynch in other aspects either.

The two chatted alone as they drove away about some amusing anecdotes at Catherine's school, gossip between the cheerleading captain and the football team forward, rumors between teachers and female students, and everything related to school life.

Both Catherine and Lynch were excellent in their studies. If it weren't for their families unable to support their university education, they'd be graduating in about a year, ready to land a good job.

However, it wasn't too late now. Lynch smiled ingenuously as he watched the cheerful girl talk about those things he once longed for, feeling at peace inside.