989: Chapter 94: As it turns out, Silver Coins Can Indeed Buy Souls_4 989: Chapter 94: As it turns out, Silver Coins Can Indeed Buy Souls_4 Cheng Daqi faltered for a mont; he realized that Gio still hadn’t made up his mind.
“Understood.
There’s no need to rush into building cars.
The initial investnt is sothing I can handle on my own.
When we start looking for additional funding in the future, you can take your ti to evaluate everything thoroughly.
By the way, Gio, if—just if—there’s ever anything in the future where you need my help, you’re always welco to co see in San Rodolfo.
I’ll always welco you.”
Cheng Daqi left.
Giorgio lazily rested the cup on his stomach, leaned back on the recliner, and stared up at the sky.
Florida’s sky was beautiful, but his face remained expressionless, lost in thoughts.
—————–
Burns anxiously pored over the case files organized by his subordinates, his heart awash with anger and confusion.
In certain countries, the narrative pushed by the dia and official propaganda has long painted law enforcent as synonymous with justice, as though it were a natural assumption.
But in reality, the essence of law enforcent lies in being the coercive tool of the ruling class.
Coercion does not equate to justice, and Arican police agencies certainly do not represent justice.
In a country often labeled a “police state,” how could the police possibly represent justice?
Here, the police casually empty magazines, and every so often, get viciously attacked by Democratic Party politicians.
Forget about Burns—even if Lake or Gru ca, neither of them could make the LAPD embody justice.
Gru has his own issues, and Lake has his own problems too.
And now, to his dismay, Burns found himself seemingly forced into carrying out so semblance of “justice.”
This was not a good thing.
Investigating a case, especially a major case, always involves politics—it’s true in every country.
But cases like these rarely lead to outcos that satisfy everyone involved.
Investigate illegal immigration thoroughly and provoke a huge public uproar, and you’ll be ferociously attacked by the donkey’s bray.
Certain politicians: Those illegal immigrants?
They’re our parents, no—more important than our parents, and how dare you Arican police treat our ancestors this way!
But if you don’t investigate well, there’s no respectable way to explain yourselves—so many unlucky souls died, so many ambulances were called, and everyone’s watching!
Moreover, there were enemies within the LAPD secretly keeping tabs on him.
Last ti, when Burns spearheaded the raid against Black-and-White Gang leader Jax, he had paid a price for it!
The endless infighting or internal power struggles within large organizations never ceased, and under both external and internal pressures, Burns still had to follow proper protocol in his investigative process.
Even if Lake had his back, it wouldn’t help much.
Lake was just a sheriff, not the Emperor of Arica.
His power was limited.
Burns didn’t dare dwell on these thoughts; the more he thought about them, the more panicked he beca.
“Ding~ Ding~”
The office phone rang, jolting Burns out of his daze.
Seeing it was a call from the sheriff’s office, he quickly picked up.
“Sheriff, I…”
Lake cut him off without giving him a chance to continue; the sheriff, too, was filled with unease.
“I just got back from the California Police Association.
See now.
We need to have a serious talk about the operation from two days ago, Burns.”
“Click!”
The phone slamd down, leaving Burns clenching his fists in powerless fury and pounding on the desk, only to collapse back into his chair in resignation.
A BEC investigation case and an illegal immigration influx case—both were highly sensitive and inextricably tied to him.
If Lake showed even the slightest lack of resolve, Burns’ future would be over!
He now regretted it—regretted how blindly he had picked sides.
He could have stayed neutral, so why did he choose a side?
Mammals are like this sotis—they foolishly choose to ignore their own greed.
—————–
The tumult in San Rodolfo was no longer Will’s concern.
After Niusen, following much hesitation, finally made a decision based on interests, Will, as Niusen’s white-gloved interdiary, had lost his leverage to participate further in the political bargaining.
Once the conflicts were clarified and the allocation of interests settled, Will could only beco a tool of power, fulfilling his role wherever power needed him.
Take now, for instance: he was sitting in a luxury hotel in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, eting with a guest.
Lagos wasn’t the capital of Nigeria, but it was the economic hub of this West African country, akin to Hu City in Hua Country.
The primary industries of the family backing the Great Commander’s second daughter’s boyfriend were also centered in Lagos!
The guest Will was eting today had a unique identity.
In order to successfully complete tasks for Mr.
Cheng and to demonstrate sincerity—more importantly, for those adorable, beautiful, and liberating Dollars—Niusen had pulled out all the stops.
He had invited nurous prominent dia figures, all in the hope that Will could deliver a critical blow.
Of course, Will wouldn’t interact with the dia directly—that wouldn’t be dignified.
It’d make it seem as if the dia were re tools for capital, politicians, or even the Deep State, sullying the supposed independence of journalists—even though leading journalists themselves were well aware they had no such independence.
In this regard, Old Luo’s words rang profoundly true: “If you’re being kept, don’t talk about independence.”
“Mr.
Jacob, thank you for coming.
There’s not much fun to be had here in West Africa, so I can only offer you a little local specialty.”
Pushing a matte black polished iron case across the table to the guest sitting opposite, Will gestured for Jacob—the dia tycoon across from him—to open it with a smile.
Capital and politicians might not directly control the dia, but they could exert their influence precisely through key pressure points.
This is the secret of the fourth estate.
These critical points might be “the rude and arrogant editor of Shabi,” “the dependable, justice-driven veteran journalist,” or “the exemplary dia figure worth emulating,” but ultimately, they were all tools for people like Will to achieve their purposes.
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