"Do you think Vivian will go along with your n?" Sitting in the office of the Eastern Star Trading Company, Dave was somewhat worried about whether Julian''s n would seed. Although Julian always seemed to possess a maic charm, as if he were luck itself personified, this situation was entirely different from anything before. This opponent was in a different leaguepared to Wood or Gador.
Peter possessed both power and wealth, controlling the entire city. If the prison warden was the king of the prison, then Peter was the king of this city. Did a bunch of mud-legged underdogs think they could overthrow a king? Was this sheer imagination or pure arrogance?
Julian toyed with his lighter, asionally sparking it, a faint smile on his face, showing no sign of anxiety in response to Dave''s concerns. The truth was, Mrs. Vivian was the only key to defeating Mayor Peter. As Julian had always believed, the quickest and most effective way to bring down a fortress was from within. Peter''s strengthy not in his own terrifying capabilities, but in theyers of prestige surrounding him. Once thoseyers were stripped away, what would remain?
He would be less than an ordinary man, for ordinary people knew how to sustain themselves throughbor, while Peter could do nothing.
As for whether he could persuade Vivian to be the one who would dismantle the fortress named "Peter," Julian had no worries. Mrs. Vivian had had enough. She desired change, and her pregnancy was the loudest protest and deration of defiance against her past life. Julian had now added fuel to her fire. If she did not want to sink further, if she desired any change, then now was the perfect time—while she still carried the child, she could aplish many things that would otherwise be beyond her reach.
And this was not Julian''s only, nor final, strategy. Besides this direct n involving Vivian, Julian had set up another rtively moderate, yet equally disruptive n.
The union!
Indeed, in the eyes of many, Julian was now part of the "exploiting ss," the epitome of a sessful businessman, the embodiment of the imperial dream. But no one could change one fact—up to this point, he was still a registered member of the workers'' union. In other words, with just a bit of sacrifice, he could secure the union''s support!
In the eyes of the capitalists, one or two workers, three or five workers, might be mere targets of exploitation. But thirty or fifty workers, three or five hundred workers gathering together—that was a nightmare for every capitalist and politician. Beyond that, Julian also intended to release another long-suppressed nightmare—the church.
This was why he was unbothered by the potential negative consequences this incident might bring him. At worst, he could pack up and leave. But if he managed to withstand the mayor''s offensive and stage a beautiful counterattack, he''d have the opportunity to step into the very echelon everyone envied within Ternell City.
Julian nced at Dave. "Did you just call her Vivian? By the former king, have you actually fallen in love with that woman?" The choice of address was very telling, reflecting one''s true feelings. When referring to someone despised, derogatory terms like "fool" or "scoundrel" would flow out without thought. Simrly, when speaking of someone beloved, be it family or a loved one, kind and affectionate terms were the instinctual choice.
For Dave to openly call her "Vivian" indicated that, deep down, he had epted Vivian as a part of his life.
A slight blush appeared on Dave''s face, handsome enough to make others envious. This instantly reminded Julian of a famous woman from another world who had once said that the shortest way to a woman''s heart was through a certain path. That saying could apply to men too. To hold a man''s heart, you first had to keep him captivated.
Indeed, passion was the catalyst of rtionships. Conflicts between spouses or lovers could often be solved in a single encounter; if one wasn''t enough, then two.
Dave gave up under Julian''s gaze, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I admit, I''m a bit infatuated with Vivian. Have you ever met a woman willing to open her heart to you?"
Julian whistled, looking at Dave as if he''d discovered a new world. "I never knew you had the potential to be a philosopher. You should go to school, I''m serious!"
Dave shrugged. "But schools don''t admit assassins!"
Julian nced at the time, stood up, and put on a fresh set of clothes. "Luckily, it''s time. Otherwise, I''d die here from your tragic love story. Stay here, wait for my return!"
That evening, there was a charity g in the city, attended by the wealthy and even members of the church. These rich people would hypocritically donate wealth and supplies to the poor, only to exploit them back, gaining a good reputation without any loss. No wonder everyone was so eager to do charity.
The charity event was held at the Ternell Grand Theater, hosted by nearly all of the city''s elite and various social groups, making it a critical social event. Every month, a simr charity g would be held for reasons ranging from celebrating the emperor''s birthday to honoring the victory in the War of National Defense, even with events for the Lord''s Christmas Day.
It was aplex and carefully orchestrated social arena. To step into high society, one had to build a reputation here first.
Julian drove to the Ternell Grand Theater, looking up at the shing neon lights, feeling a surge of emotion. Just over three months ago, he was here dreaming of expanding the car-washing business globally. Now, three monthster, he had be a sessful bootlegger and smuggler—what a world!
He casually pulled two fifty-cent coins from his pocket and tossed them onto the ground, instantly drawing the attention of three or five men with buckets who rushed over, fighting for the coins. The losers were crestfallen, while the winners beamed. Washing a car for a dor was rare here. However, one of the men looked at Julian''s back thoughtfully, feeling that he had seen this man somewhere before.