The reason was simple: they demanded a return to the previous high wages and befits, refusing to bear the costs of the brutal business competition. Within a month, Dorfalk Cemt Company, which once held over 65% market share, shut down due to labor issues. The market was devoured, and the once mighty cemt king declared bankruptcy.
The ormous market and leftover assets were swiftly swallowed by the crocodiles of the capital market. Dorfalk himself, once so high and mighty, leaped from the top of the Empire State Building, leaving behind a pool of dark blood to mark the d of his brilliant life.
This wasn't just a problem for Dorfalk—it was a problem nearly all capitalists had to face. Workers, supported and manipulated by labor unions, now had the power to stand up to and oppose capitalists. If a labor union felt that a capitalist had hard the interests of its mbers, they would organize protests and strikes in retaliation.
If the situation worsed, they might ev prevt union mbers from working at that company's factory, leaving the terprise without any workers.
But does this an that labor unions are now on equal footing with capitalists?
Not exactly, because capitalists have money and people.
Money needs no explanation, but "people" refers to those forces that cannot be se—gang mbers, or vagrants who are unemployed and idle. These individuals can use threats, intimidation, and ev violce to prevt strikes and protests, sotis going as far as threating the lives of union leaders to force them into submission. Of course, the most common thod is still simply bribery.
Heidler didn't have many people at his disposal. He was under the watchful eyes of the Ordinians, and if he used his own people to do these things, he would certainly be caught. Therefore, he urgtly needed soone to beco his sharpest knife, soone who could do what he dared not.
The Fellowship Association prested a perfect opportunity. Heidler had money, and he didn't mind spding it. As long as it helped him achieve his goals, no amount of money was too much.
Thus, Heidler was eager to et Julian and support the developmt of the Fellowship Association as soon as possible.
The establishmt of the Fellowship Association didn't attract much atttion. Ev if Heidler and Julian t, it wouldn't stir up any controversy. But if the Fellowship Association grew and began attracting atttion from certain factions, eting with Julian later might raise suspicion about Heidler's motives.
So, the next morning, just as Julian stepped out of his dormitory, he saw two m in suits.
"Soone wants to see you. Co with us," one of them said. He had short hair, wore gold rimd glasses, and his refined suit gave him the air of a successful person. Although he spoke to Julian with a smile and a polite tone, Julian, ever ssitive, noticed the hidd contempt and disdain in the man's eyes. Julian had lived through a decades long dream and had t countless people like this.
Still, Julian wisely didn't show any reaction. The man's clothes and accessories alone were worth more than all of Julian's savings combined. In a society where capital reigned supre, money was the asure of a person's success and strgth. Julian didn't yet et this standard, and since he hadn't offded anyone like this before, he assud he was safe.
Nonetheless, he called Graf to join him, and the two of them boarded last year's model of the Xuma, a car with a convertible roof.
The car's interior was spacious. Once the curtains were drawn, the cabin was cut off from the outside world. The refined looking man continued to smile his false smile as he spoke. "My na is Lamas. At Mr. Heidler's request, I've co to take you to et him." He shook his head slightly and added, "Wh speaking, don't look directly into Mr.
Heidler's eyes unless he permits it. Don't shout or use vulgar language. Wh you speak, don't use street slang or curse words."
"Before you speak, think carefully about whether your words are appropriate, whether they clearly express your aning. Enunciate as much as possible, and avoid using body language. Maintain your dignity."
Julian's outward deanor remained unchanged, but deep inside, a fire was raging. He turned to Mr. Lamas with the sa fake smile and nodded.
Lamas, satisfied, smiled in return, unaware that he had already made an emy of Julian—a mortal emy.
Every word Lamas spoke was, in Julian's ears, an insult, a dial of everything he possessed, a malicious slander. Lamas was trampling on his self respect, his dignity, and his pride. His condescding gaze, as if looking at trash, pierced Julian's soul. Julian swore that if giv the chance—no, he would make sure of it—he would get his revge.
But not now.
While Julian simred with anger and humiliation, Graf, ignorant as ever, listed inttly and nodded thusiastically, filled with excitemt.
Graf's case had be resolved thanks to Mr. Heidler's intervtion, sparing him from a long prison stce. He felt deeply grateful to the man he had never t, ev thinking of him as the protector of all Guar people. After all, why would such a high status figure help a nobody like him otherwise?
In silce, the Xuma slowly pulled up in front of an estate on the outskirts of Ternell. After exiting the car, Mr. Lamas oped the door for them and gestured toward the main trance. "Soone will take you to et Mr. Heidler. I have other matters to attd to.
Farewell."
After taking a few steps, Julian suddly stopped and turned a. He caught a glimpse of Lamas wiping down the seat where they had sat with a handkerchief, which he th threw to the g.
Julian took a deep breath, suppressing the sudd surge of anger and humiliation. He didn't realize it yet, but the experices from his dream were quietly reshaping his worldview and personality.
"What's wrong?" Graf asked, nudging Julian with his elbow. "You don't look so good. Did you stay up too late last night? For heav's sake, we're about to et Mr. Heidler—you need to pull yourself together."
Julian couldn't help but respond sarcastically, "So, should I roll up my tail like a stray dog?" The momt the words left his mouth, he regretted saying them.
Graf was stunned for a momt, th shook his head. "Once you et Mr. Heidler, you'll understand what kind of man he is."
Julian rebred a saying from his dream: "Those with differt paths cannot walk together."
He glanced at Graf and said no more. He took a deep breath, straighted his back, and walked into the estate with the posture of a victorious geral.
As he gazed at the exquisitely manicured gards and the well dressed garders tding to the gre foliage, his thoughts drifted far away.
No one will trample on my dignity and force to smile in return!
No one!
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