Darkstone Code
Chapter 127 - 0126 Contradiction, divergence, solutions [From an early additional post in August 1/?]

Chapter 127: 0126 Contradiction, divergence, solutions [From an early additional post in August 1/?]

When Catherine compared herself to a commodity, even using the word "sell" to describe her mother’s actions, the atmosphere in the room became overwhelmingly oppressive.

Her father glanced at the woman who had been by his side for over twenty years, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing, taking on a responsibility he shouldn’t have to bear.

There is a saying in Bail Federal — "When you must bow to life, don’t hesitate to let your knees and forehead touch the ground."

This might sound overly pessimistic, but life is like that; if you’ve chosen to compromise, then compromise thoroughly.

As a man who had lost the power to be the pillar of the family, he naturally felt that he was quickly losing control of the family. Faced with the conflict between a new generation of "dominators" and a "rising force" who might change the current situation, he chose silence.

After a moment of silence, Catherine’s mother shook her head, "I never thought of it that way. I’ve told you, Rom is a good young man."

"He may be a bit older than you, but he knows how to care for a girl. He has a stable job, an independent house; you don’t have to suffer like others do. Isn’t that good?"

Her voice, initially tinged with a weak uncertainty, soon turned strong and gradually grew louder.

From a certain perspective, Rom is indeed a very suitable marriage candidate for some families, but this is only for certain families, only for certain people.

Catherine shook her head, "I’ve never had hope in your choices. You’ve proven yourself wrong once, how do I know this won’t be the second time?"

The first time was naturally regarding the issue with Lynch. Of course, Catherine herself made mistakes too, but these words instantly enraged the woman, whose heart was already filled with remorse.

"I’m not the Lord; I can’t see things so far away. I only know at that time you were truly not doing well. Was it wrong for me to care about my daughter?"

Catherine shook her head, "Then why won’t you be wrong the second time?" She said as she didn’t give the woman a chance, seizing the conversation in a more peaceful yet assertive way, "From a young age, you taught me not to sell my body for money, but today you are doing shameful deeds. I thought we would be a different kind of family."

As she spoke, she stood up, showing a disappointed expression on her face for the first time. Perhaps most children believe their family is fundamentally different from other families in society before they realize the harshness of reality.

This fantasy lasts until the day they come to terms with reality, only then it’s shattered by themselves.

Catherine’s words also struck her parents with a difficult, conscience-driven sense of guilt.

Living in such a neighborhood, parents fear most that their children will go down the wrong path, yet they themselves set the worst example.

Catherine turned toward the entrance; the outside sky was almost completely dark. A girl from a decent family wouldn’t choose to leave home at this hour, which made the couple instantly anxious.

Catherine’s mother quickly stood up, ran a few steps, and grabbed Catherine’s wrist, "Where are you going?", she emphasized again, "You can’t go out!"

Catherine waved her hand, freeing herself from her mother’s grasp. She glanced sideways at the woman and smiled, "Since you’ve decided to sell me at a good price, then why not sell me higher?"

Her tone was somewhat shocking, and the woman even forgot to stop her, watching as she left the house at this moment.

On the other side, Lynch had just returned home after finishing a social engagement. In the afternoon, Jogriman called him, telling him someone was interested in his land, and they could sit down and talk.

He attended a dinner organized by Jogriman, but he wasn’t interested in the person across the table nor their proposals.

Obviously, the other party might be considering Jogriman’s face, or for some other reason wants to buy this land. They only offered a price of 1.6 million, which Lynch could not accept.

That jerk used an arrogant, condescending tone and manner, wanting to buy the land at an outrageously low price, as if his actions were a favor to Lynch.

Faced with such people, Lynch wouldn’t be too polite.

His rich experience taught him a truth that those who look down on you now will continue to look down on you even if you change, until you stomp on their face and spit on them; only then will they stop belittling you.

Before that, the more you do, the more in their eyes it’s a guilty and worthless struggle and resistance.

So Lynch stopped the dinner at the appropriate time, maintaining the basic courtesy.

After dinner, Jogriman also apologized to Lynch, not knowing the person he found would be as foolhardy. Of course, he also promised to continue finding suitable people for Lynch.

Around 8 o’clock, Lynch was ready to rest, when the phone rang.

He was a bit surprised; rarely did anyone call him at this time, but he still picked up, and a very familiar voice came through, Mr. Fox.

"Not asleep yet, right?", Mr. Fox’s voice was full of vigor, loud and clear. He’d been doing well lately, in great spirits, "I, an old man, don’t sleep so early either. You’ve missed so much of life’s wonders, Lynch, my friend."

Lynch chuckled a few times, not continuing the conversation on this topic. If there’s no social event, he often goes to bed early.

Sleeping is a "nutritious" process; if it’s just to waste time for the sake of wasting time, that’s unnecessary.

"Any reason you called?", he casually asked, not thinking Mr. Fox had any urgent matters, likely inviting him out to relax.

Mr. Fox felt a strange sensation like being watched with benevolent eyes from Lynch’s brief laughter; he shook his head, dismissing the absurd thought, and got to the point, "Do you know a girl named Catherine?"

"Earlier tonight someone was out on the street looking for you. You know, I have some reputation. The kids told me about it. I brought the person in; you might be interested in this?"

Mr. Fox, due to his business success with Lynch and the FBI and Federal Tax Bureau’s previous crackdown on money laundering operations in Sabin City to restore their image with the public, had significantly expanded his "territory."

More people are now serving him, including ordinary, formal employees, and some who roam the streets all day.

The cooperation between Mr. Fox and Lynch has become a classic case in certain people’s eyes, and they know Lynch.

Later at night, a beautiful girl on the street approached a few young men clearly belonging to street forces, asking them if they knew Lynch or Mr. Fox, which raised their alertness.

They brought the girl to Mr. Fox, because they couldn’t determine who she was, so they didn’t dare act rashly.

Previously, Mr. Fox hadn’t been interested in Lynch’s ex-girlfriend during his investigation, so he missed this detail. Now, he was calling to confirm if Lynch knew the girl.

Hearing this, Lynch looked down at the ring on his pinky finger, sighed with a smile, "Arrange for someone to bring her to my house..."

About twenty minutes later, the former couple, separated for over a month, met again—not much awkwardness but rather a sense of curiosity and exploration.

"Looks like you’re doing well!", Catherine commented, not expressing regret like an ordinary girl would. She couldn’t help but admire the luxurious villa.

Lynch, dressed casually, pursed his lips and moved to the bar to get two glasses, "Juice? Wine? Or coffee?", he said while pouring himself some wine, "I don’t know how to use a coffee grinder; if you want coffee, you’ll have to make it yourself."

"Some wine, I don’t like coffee." Catherine wandered around for a bit, then sat on the living room sofa, loving the feel of the leather and the plush cushioning, patting it, "Life is already hard enough, why not lighten up?"

Lynch came over with two glasses, handing one to her and holding the other himself.

After a simple clink of glasses, they each took a sip.

Maybe it was the psychological effect of the alcohol, Catherine soon revealed her intention, "I didn’t expect you to change so quickly, any secrets?"

Lynch seriously thought for a moment, "If there’s a secret...", he smiled a particularly special smile and lowered his voice, "Actually, I am the Lord’s illegitimate child, don’t tell anyone."

Catherine couldn’t help but laugh, then sighed while laughing and took another sip of wine, "You always like joking..."

But as she reached this point, she suddenly fell silent, for her words made the room evoke a feeling of sadness, "I said things I shouldn’t have, I apologize."

Lynch, however, was magnanimous, "I forgive you."

The two exchanged a brief glance, feeling both unfamiliar and familiar.

"My mother plans to sell me to a fool, with the condition that my father will get a job."

"Since it’s selling anyway, I thought you’d give a better price, right?"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.