Mayor Grahamstared at Jason for two or three seconds, stunned by the massive investment numbers — then finally regained his composure.
"Jason… aren't you afraid you're biting off more than you can chew?"
Jason chuckled lightly."My assets can support it. And I can guarantee the projects will advance within your term, Mayor. I'll even try to produce tangible results before your re-election period."
The phrase "within your term" made Mayor Graham's eyes brighten.
But instead of being annoyed at Jason's intentions, Mayor Graham actually felt relieved.A man who understood political timing was far easier to work with.
Mayor Graham nodded."If your financial resources can sustain it, then of course I welcome heavy investment. You can rest assured — all your selected projects will receive full government support."
Jason smiled."Thank you, Mayor Graham. I'm honored. However… before proceeding, I do have a concern."
Mayor Graham paused, then smiled, "If you have concerns, just say it. We will do our best to resolve them."
Jason began calmly:
"It's about a classmate of mine…"
He briefly explained Julia's family situation — the charity work her father had done, the dozens of struggling families they had supported, the years of extortion they endured, and finally the violent attack that nearly killed Julia's mother.
Then he added:
"I've been told that Caleb Construction & Interiors is practically the local overlord of Savannah — large enterprise, deep connections, complicated backing. And that even when they do something illegal, suing them is nearly impossible."
"Julia's family spent years helping countless people, but ended up nearly destroyed. Good people with horrific outcomes, corrupt people walking free. If Savannah is really such an environment, I'll have to hesitate."
"After all… investing here only to be crushed by local tyrants — wouldn't that make me the cannon fodder?"
His meaning couldn't be more obvious.
He was pointing directly at Mayor Graham's administration.
Mayor Graham, expression stiffening, immediately turned toward his Secretary-General, Douglas Jensen, who had already begun quietly investigating.
Within minutes, Jensen returned with a full report.
After reading it, Mayor Graham's expression turned cold.
"This is extremely serious," he said firmly."Someone like Julia's father — a man who helped so many — should be protected, not trampled. Otherwise society will lose its conscience."
"You can rest assured, Jason—under my administration, I will not tolerate favoritism or perversion of justice. No enterprise is above the law. No matter how well-connected someone is, if they break the law, they will face consequences."
Jason nodded calmly."Then I'm reassured, Mayor."
His goal for this entire visit had been accomplished smoothly and perfectly.
Within the hour, multiple internal directives were issued to city departments.
Since Jason intended to invest across numerous sectors, the notices reached every branch — police, municipal bureau, economic development, civil affairs, courts, prosecutors, and more.
Then Mayor Graham personally called:
The Police Commissioner• the District Attorney• the Chief Judge of the Municipal Court
And gave a serious instruction:
"Ensure impartial justice in Julia case."
The moment these two actions — billion-level investments and the mayor's direct involvement — happened back-to-back…
Everyone immediately understood:
Jason Carter is not someone Savannah can afford to offend.Anyone standing against him is basically committing political suicide.
Unless someone had influence equal to or greater than the mayor — but if they did, they would never be helping a minor family like Caleb's anyway.
Within a single day:
High-ranking officials began visiting Julia's mother, anyone who had accepted favors from Caleb's family panicked, "friends" of the Calebs rushed to return gifts• some blocked their numbers entirely, others publicly distanced themselves, terrified of getting dragged in
Seeing this sudden collapse of support, Caleb (Boss Cai equivalent) felt the pressure and frantically made calls.
"Representative—didn't you say yesterday—"
"What did I say? Everything must be handled impartially. If your son is innocent he'll be released; if he's guilty, he'll be punished. I'm busy — don't call again unless it's official."
Caleb froze.
Panic washed over him.
He quickly dialed another number.
"Why did you send back the painting I gave you? That was a token of respect, nothing more—"
Caleb paced back and forth, making call after call, his voice slowly losing strength with every rejection.
"Ah… Caleb, I appreciate your intentions. But that gift is far too expensive. Even in retirement, I still remember what integrity means. I cannot accept it."
One after another, the replies were the same.Some people suddenly spoke righteously, as if they'd never accepted favors a day in their life.Some distanced themselves immediately, pretending not to know him.Others simply blocked his number.
The more calls he made, the colder his hands became.
"Dad, what's going on?" Cai — asked, face pale. Even a spoiled second-generation rich kid like him could feel something was horribly wrong.
Caleb's expression was stiff as stone. He made one last call, this time to someone he had known for decades — someone who finally answered with a long, heavy sigh.
"Caleb… something big has happened in Savannah these last two days."
Caleb clutched the phone tightly.
"First," the man continued, "the mayor himself issued directives supporting Jason Carter's investments — low-altitude aviation, new materials, environmental energy, medical research… All together, it's estimated over $450 million is coming into the city."
He paused before adding:
"You and I have worked in Savannah for decades… yet a single move from him already surpasses both our lifetimes of business."
Caleb's breath shook.
The man continued:
"Second — the mayor personally contacted the Police Department, DA's Office, and Municipal Court about Julia Walker's family case."
Caleb and Cai both inhaled sharply.
Even Cai, who usually acted brainlessly arrogant, understood immediately what that meant.
The man on the other end added coldly:
"So, Caleb, accept your fate. Jason Carter's influence is not something you or I can fight. And he's only in his early twenties — his real background hasn't even shown itself yet. Just standing alone, he's already terrifying."
"You want to help your son? Then fight through legal channels. Do not try any backdoor methods. They won't work — and they'll get you ruined."
"Honestly, Caleb…"The voice lowered."You'd better look over your own past dealings. If there's anything shady you haven't cleaned up, fix it now — or else the next thing that hits you won't be a lawsuit. It'll be a full-blown investigation."
Caleb's hand trembled as he whispered,"…Thanks, old friend."
When he hung up, his face had turned an ashy gray.
Cai, however, erupted — slamming his fist into the leather sofa.
"WHY?! How did everything flip so fast? I just threatened him at the hospital! I thought we'd see who was tougher! And now… we're being crushed?!"
His voice cracked with disbelief and humiliation.
To lose to a love rival was one thing.To be destroyed overnight by that rival was another.
Before Caleb could respond, his secretary rushed in, face ashen.
"Mr. Cai—new development."
Caleb and Cai jerked their heads up.
The secretary swallowed."The mayor… the mayor himself went to the hospital to visit Julia's parents. And he brought reporters."
Caleb and Cai froze.
Then—
Both men nearly collapsed.
The mayor himself.Visiting personally.With media.
Everyone knew what that meant.
If the mayor's earlier calls were "official concern"…This was a public declaration of allegiance.
He had publicly stood with Julia — and therefore with Jason.
At that moment, Caleb and Cai realized:
All their connections were now worthless.No one would dare help them.
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