Darkstone Code

Preton took the girl away from the dirty, foul-smelling basement. Using the girl's identity, they temporarily stayed in a small motel for a day. The general method was for the girl to book a room, and then Preton would enter.

The receptionist, who didn't even lift her head, would only remember the appearance and name of the person registering, and she had no time to care about people coming and going.

If she had time to pay attention to those going in and out, she might as well seriously watch TV. At least watching TV would make her happy, but watching people would not.

In the motel, Preton threw the girl into the bathroom, washing her clean as if he were scrubbing a pony or cleaning an animal in a barn.

After washing off the heavy makeup, a girl with some freckles on her face, brown hair, a young body, and rather pretty features appeared in the mirror.

Without that flamboyant makeup, she looked very innocent. For an eighteen-year-old girl, as long as she was clean, she'd appear innocent.

This is the beauty of youth; it allows people to naturally showcase their most beautiful side without having to deliberately embellish—beauty can be revealed just as it is.

However, the girl in the mirror was uneasy when facing her former self. Her hands wandered aimlessly around her sides, unsure where to place them. Her gaze drifted, concealing a kind of guilt and a timidness that couldn't face head-on.

She dare not face herself nor her past. In fact, she knew her life was a mess, but so what?

Everyone's life is a mess; it's already good enough that she's not the worst one.

"Do you remember what I told you?" Preton threw a newly bought nightgown to the girl, reminding her.

While putting on the nightgown, the girl nodded, "You're a kind person who took me in. Your wife passed away a few years ago, and I think you're a reliable man, so..."

This was the identity background Preton fabricated for himself. He was a widower living on the other side of the city who encountered a wandering girl some time ago and decided to take her in.

Then, a lonely heart and someone in need of care came together, a warm and heartfelt story that didn't evoke too much emotion.

The girl returning with him this time was also under his encouragement; she wanted to inform her family, at least her mother, to ensure no one would worry and feel sad for her.

After staying for some time, they would leave.

An excellent story.

Everything went as Preton had envisioned. The stepfather, who the girl said lusted after her body, chose money over his unattainable stepdaughter and began acting like a real father, even warning Preton not to do anything rash or abandon the girl.

This was a... very peculiar feeling. The girl had never felt how terrifying the power of money could be; it could not only change a person's attitude but also transform one's soul.

Preton securely hid himself. The neighbors around him treated him very well, even thinking the girl was lucky to find a wealthy man.

With Preton occasionally sending small gifts to everyone, he thoroughly integrated into the local lifestyle.

Some people were very relaxed, while others were tense.

After finishing his speech at Curilan City State University, Lynch did not stay long and returned to Sabin City. His time was limited, and he would soon return to Bupen, where a lot of matters awaited him.

Early in the morning, he made a call to Ferrari, who appeared before Lynch not long after.

His expression was somewhat peculiar, as if... a bit awkward, "Just in time, I have something to discuss with you too..."

Lynch nodded, "Let's talk as we walk."

In the car, Ferrari finally talked about what he wanted to discuss with Lynch, "You know, I've been working as a consultant in your company..." Lynch continued to nod. It was he who had invited Ferrari to be a company consultant.

At that time, Ferrari was indeed very useful to him. Even now as he had grown to this scale, it couldn't be said that Ferrari had no role at all.

Through Ferrari, Lynch met Adelaide and conveyed his ideas to the Governor, which gave him the opportunity to attend the celebration organized by the President and meet Mr. Truman. It wasn't a failed investment.

However, Ferrari had a different view on his own identity, "You know, at this point in your career, the advice I can provide no longer meets your development needs in the company."

Lynch now interacted with people at a very high level. As long as he wished, there was a chance he could easily be received by the President at the President's Mansion and have a conversation, as long as the President had the time.

Aside from that, there was Mr. Truman. Mr. Truman's excellent performance during this series of crises had earned him quite a bit of credit. Some say he might take on a more significant role in a major department, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Minister and the former Deputy Minister had no notable achievements and abilities in dealing with these diplomatic crises. If Mr. Truman were to become a Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it would only be fitting.

Lynch was now able to interact with such high-profile individuals, so for Ferrari to merely be a mayor's aide seemed a bit inadequate.

The inadequacy wasn't in terms of his unworthiness to be friends or partners with Lynch, but rather his limited role at the moment, while still holding a consultant title and drawing a substantial salary from Lynch every month.

What he felt sorry for was the job itself and the salary, as he was already unable to contribute much.

Lynch patted his arm, "Since you mentioned it, then I respect your decision..."

People can be capricious sometimes. Before meeting Lynch and talking about these matters, Ferrari was pondering how to convince Lynch, fearing he might not agree.

Actually, he wasn't acting out of entirely selfless intentions, he had some personal thoughts in mind.

With recent significant breakthroughs in both diplomatic and military facets, the Federation's stock prices began to rise. For many consecutive days, the Federation's industrial index showed noticeable growth. Although the growth rate was slow and the added points limited, it was indeed growth against the trend.

The stock market, the financial circle, and the Empire's most elite financial groups were gathered here. The appreciation of stocks benefited a large number of capitalists, who began to spontaneously support the President's position and praise the new government and new policies.

Capital has always been shameless like this; whoever can bring them benefits is their daddy.

Additionally, the President agreed to some proposals and plans from the Ministry of Defense and the Military and increased the military budget. This made the military, which originally didn't stand with him, willing to remain neutral in the election one and a half years later.

The President's likelihood of winning the election is very high. If he wins, it means the birth of a President who could be in office for ten years.

Ten years is enough for the President to build a solid political force of his own, making it the most suitable time for political speculation now.

In a year and a half, Sabin City's mayor, Landon, is very likely to leave for other places or get promoted to the state government," said Ferrari, who needs strong support to secure his path to election.

Among them, Lynch's attitude is very important. If he pretends to know nothing and continues to serve as a consultant at Lynch's company and draws a high salary, who knows if Lynch will tag him with a label of greed.

When the election comes, if Lynch merely tilts his mouth or praises Ferrari's opponent even slightly, a significant number of votes will go to his opponent's camp.

Major capitalists in each region have strong control over local votes. They have ways to demand workers to stand on the same political ground as them using various methods.

Thus, Ferrari had to say those words, but once spoken, and Lynch directly agreed with his request, he felt an unspeakable loss.

So, in Lynch's heart, I'm not that significant?!

Indeed, some people are pretentious, but Ferrari soon picked himself up. In fact, it's good this way. Without too much interference of interests, the relationship between the two becomes clean.

But he thought too simply; Lynch soon threw out a new lure, "I just had someone register a labor company. If you have any relatives or so, you can find someone to invest, you get what I mean?"

Ferrari was stunned for a moment. Having investment opportunities in local companies has always been a privilege for those in power. For someone like him, a mayor's aide, at most, he just gained little benefits.

Things like additional income sources from being a consultant or some exquisite little gifts like a set of golf clubs or so.

Rarely, if ever, would there be a chance for them to invest, because they weren't qualified.

Ferrari, who was a bit down just now, suddenly became very excited. This surprise wasn't the result of a pretense of enthusiasm; it was genuine excitement. He suddenly felt that Lynch was truly a good man—kind, amiable, almost every positive word could be used to describe him.

Seeing that Ferrari was still in the delightful aftertaste and hadn't snapped back to reality, Lynch patted his arm, "I heard that the mayor will be leaving in two years. In any case, I personally support you to run for election."

"You know this city better than anyone, you understand what the people living here need. That's your advantage; others can't achieve that, so I will support you!"

"Mr. Lynch..." Ferrari was somewhat emotional. The happiness came so fast that he wasn't ready when it hit him in the face. He even used "Mr." to address Lynch, "Thank you very much!"

"You'll see that choosing me will never be a choice you regret!"