"Sigh----"
Mori Macht slumped onto his sofa at home, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Those damn fraudsters----"
"Southern Continent Mining Company----"
He clenched his fists, repeatedly muttering the name that had brought him to ruin.
"Mr. Macht, our company is operating well and has no financial issues. We don't need new investments for now. Please leave."
The confident and dismissive attitude of the shell company's representative still echoed in his ears.
It was this very demeanor that made Mori Macht believe Mr. Rastig's words: this company had significant hidden benefits and was definitely worth investing in!
At first, he was suspicious, always cautious about investments and stocks. He had intended to wait a couple more days, to observe the trends. However, not long after, news of the company discovering a large gold mine in the Southern Continent spread like wildfire in the upper circles. His initial advantage vanished instantly.
Immediately after, countless nobles and wealthy merchants who received the news swarmed in like sharks smelling blood.
The share price of the mining company instantly soared, even starting to move towards competitive bidding.
Watching the opportunity slip away, he became anxious. Having been in the military and officialdom for so many years, he still trusted his judgment. And, most importantly, his old comrade-in-arms, John, who was serving as an officer in the Southern Continent colony, sent him news that a new gold mine had indeed been discovered there.
This news became the last straw. Gritting his teeth, he poured all his savings from these past years into it, even teaming up with some familiar merchants and nobles, hoping to acquire all the company's shares in one go.
The result was that, with the stock market's collapse, this so-called mining company also vanished without a trace.
At this moment, he finally understood that this entire affair, from beginning to end, was a meticulously designed scam. From the moment Rastig released the news, the trap had been set. Subsequently, the company's representative deliberately feigned indifference to money, a classic tactic of 'playing hard to get.' Among the nobles and merchants who later came to bid, there must have been many accomplices they had arranged.
It was just that the atmosphere at the time was too tense and enthusiastic, and he failed to notice it in his excitement, signing his name on those documents.
"But why? Didn't John go and check?" Mori Macht's face was filled with bitterness. He reached out, painfully clutching his hair, utterly bewildered.
He had already sent his best friend to investigate! There was indeed a newly discovered gold mine in the Southern Continent colony, so how could it suddenly be gone? He and John had decades of friendship; he didn't believe John would conspire with those fraudsters to deceive him.
He flipped through the newspaper in front of him, sighing softly. These past few days, he had been busy plugging financial holes, recouping funds, and borrowing money everywhere, so busy that he didn't even have time to read the newspaper. Now, he finally had a moment to breathe.
He picked up a cup of black tea, took a small sip, intending to relax his stretched-to-the-limit nerves a little.
"hero of east borough"----
"James Scott!"
Councilor Macht was first startled by the prominent headline in the newspaper, then his pupils suddenly contracted!
"James Scott----isn't that Hazel's----" He quickly picked up the newspaper and examined it carefully.
"No mistake, it's really him." Looking at the photo in the newspaper, which was a bit blurry but still recognizable, he confirmed that this James Scott was the young man Hazel had brought home and asked him for help.
"Venturing alone into a gang's villa----he certainly has courage." Reading the article's description of Scott single-handedly breaking into Capine Villa and rescuing dozens of kidnapped girls, Councilor Macht couldn't help but nod slightly.
He had initially thought the other party was just a pretty boy, but he didn't expect him to be so spirited. This made Councilor Macht, who had once been a soldier, show a hint of admiration.
However, admiration aside, in his opinion, such behavior was still too reckless.
"He's just a young man, acting without considering the consequences----" He sighed, as if seeing a reflection of his own impulsive actions in his youth.
"Hazel previously advanced so much pocket money, saying she wanted to invest. It must have been invested in his factory, right?"
Although his daughter was hesitant and wouldn't say what she was investing the money in, as an old father, Councilor Macht could easily see through his daughter's little secret.
"That's good. That factory should have no shortage of business now, and Hazel's investment won't go to waste."
Thinking that his daughter's investment skills were actually better than his own, Councilor Macht couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"However, hero of east borough----" Musing on this nickname, Councilor Macht, as a politician, quickly realized the immense political value hidden behind this matter.
Many policies involving the transformation of East Borough and civilian welfare, if advocated by this 'hero' with extremely high public prestige, would achieve twice the results with half the effort----
As Councilor Macht's thoughts drifted, his butler approached with an invitation.
"Sir, the Church has sent an invitation to a ball."
"A ball? What kind of ball?"
"A charity ball. the official wants to use the property of the gang leader Capin to establish a Charity Fund to help women who have been persecuted by him or have experienced similar fates." The butler's answer was concise and to the point.
After a pause, the butler's face showed a mysterious expression, and he lowered his voice to add: "Sir, I also have a piece of news here that might be related to James Scott."
"Oh? What news?" Councilor Macht became interested.
Lorne had visited twice before, each time leaving a deep impression on the servants of the mansion. So, as soon as the news broke in the newspaper, the old butler immediately knew that the newly appointed 'hero of east borough' was Miss Hazel's boyfriend. Therefore, these past two days, he had specifically inquired about the other party's news.
"I heard that the official and the Church intend to entrust this foundation to James Scott for management."
"Really?"
"It's highly probable."
Councilor Macht was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the official to be so generous this time, granting the other party such a benefit that would bring both fame and fortune.
"I see. Inform the Church that I will attend on time."
After the butler left, Councilor Macht sat alone on the sofa, falling into a long silence.
"I didn't expect Hazel's boyfriend to be so lucky----"
"The title of 'hero,' plus that foundation----"
The immense social prestige and political resources contained within this made Mori Macht, who was currently only a Member of the Lower House and had just suffered a severe economic blow,'s heart pound.
"James Scott is just a young man; he might not be able to grasp this opportunity."
"He's Hazel's boyfriend; perhaps I can help him----"
Thinking this, Councilor Macht stood up and walked towards Hazel's room on the second floor.
He felt it was time to have a good talk with his daughter about this matter.
In the Gun Factory office.
Lorne was having a pleasant conversation with two guests. The visitors were Sharon and Marich.
"I've been busy with all sorts of messy things these past few days."
"I didn't expect that the first ones to visit me upon my return would be you two." Lorne looked at his two former comrades-in-arms with a smile.
"Actually, I didn't want to come; Sharon insisted----" Marich's words were cut short as a cold gaze turned towards him. Seeing Sharon's pale face, Marich swallowed hard and quickly changed the subject.
"Uh----cough, this gun is really nice." He picked up the shotgun placed on the table as a sample and pretended to examine it.
"If you like it, this one's for you," Lorne said generously.
"No need----" Marich shook his head slightly, "Actually, I'd rather have the one you used to shoot Steve and the others."
The scene of the rapid-fire bullets, like a storm of metal, directly slicing off the Werewolf Tyle's head, remained vivid in his memory to this day.
"Oh, that one, sorry." Lorne shrugged, "That's not for sale; it's still under research. I'll give you one when it's mass-produced later."
"Your lessons can begin." Sharon, who had been sitting quietly like an exquisite doll, suddenly spoke, her voice flat and even, bringing the conversation back on track.
Lessons----ah, yes, that.
"Can I have a few more days, Teacher Sharon?" Lorne looked at her delicate face with a wide smile, "I've been quite busy lately."
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock on the door came.
"Mr. Scott, someone is here for you. It's Miss Xio, and an unfamiliar lady." Old Kohler's voice came from behind the door.
Miss Xio, and another lady? Two ladies suddenly came to see Scott, and at this time?
Marich turned his head slightly, subconsciously glancing at Sharon beside him.
Sharon still sat there quietly, her face devoid of any expression.
But somehow, Marich felt the temperature around them suddenly drop considerably.