Darkstone Code
Chapter 44 - 0044 Everything in the world can be measured, except the human heart, which is unpredictable.

Chapter 44: 0044 Everything in the world can be measured, except the human heart, which is unpredictable.

Even a fool would know that this is not a good time to make a move. After glaring viciously at Lynch, Michael quickly left.

A few minutes later, Mr. Fox walked in with a puzzled expression. He closed the door, saw the gifts, and smiled, "I just saw Michael. He seemed quite angry?"

Lynch nodded slightly, indicating the things that Michael had brought, and said casually, "He came to ask for my forgiveness. I didn’t agree."

Mr. Fox sighed, sat down next to a round chair, picked up a piece of fruit, and took a bite. It was quite juicy.

The shops and stalls within the hospital are all part of the hospital’s business, concerning the livelihoods of many people. Naturally, they dare not slack off. This is also one of the potential advantages brought by capitalism or commercialization, which is competitiveness.

Businesses or industries lacking competitiveness will quickly be eliminated in the wave of capitalism. To ensure that they are not among those eliminated, these people will do their utmost to make themselves sufficiently competitive.

After swallowing the fruit pulp in his mouth, Mr. Fox hesitated a bit but still spoke out, "Actually, if this matter can be reconciled, it’s best to do so. Truly getting rid of Michael might make the Tax Bureau less likely to pretend to be blind and deaf, ignoring it all."

From Mr. Fox’s perspective, Lynch has already achieved his desired outcome by prevailing over Michael. The latter has also come to plead for forgiveness, so if everyone compromises, the issue can be resolved without either side looking too bad.

This is also the usual thought and approach of people like Mr. Fox. They sometimes threaten those law enforcement departments that pose a threat to them, but they never really stab the knife all the way in.

In simpler terms, they all have their own mess. Today they may bring someone down, but tomorrow new people will come and take action against them. So they are very particular about stopping just short, ensuring everyone benefits.

Lynch’s actions are considered somewhat excessive by Mr. Fox, too aggressive. He hinted, "You embarrassed the people at the Tax Bureau, and they will keep an eye on you."

This statement isn’t wrong, but it’s not entirely accurate either.

Lynch turned to look at him and asked a question, "Mr. Fox, even if I stop now, do you think the situation that has escalated to Federation-wide awareness is something that a small Sabin City Federal Tax Bureau Director can say stop to and it would indeed stop?"

"No!" He gestured with his finger, "The people above want to see who embarrassed them, and those below are also thinking about recovering some face from me. Whether I forgive Michael or not, they will keep watching."

"In three to five days, they will start causing trouble for me. If I forgive Michael now, it will only make them think I am a young man with no backing or background, someone easily bullied and weak."

"Since forgiving him won’t change the situation I have to face next, why should I make myself uncomfortable?" He smiled as he spoke, "Once you’ve made a decision, don’t think about leaving yourself an out. The more you overthink, the smaller your courage gets."

Mr. Fox’s expression changed slightly. He frowned, thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Lynch’s perspective, "You have a point. So, what next?"

Actually, looking at the whole issue from the beginning, not many were wrong. If anyone was, it would be Michael for picking the wrong person to target.

If Lynch doesn’t resist, he ends up suffering himself, either being thrown into jail by Michael to a fate worse than death or quietly taken down by someone like Mr. Fox.

So someone has to fall. Every successful person standing today has often relied not only on their own strength but also on the fallen bodies of failures along the way.

If Lynch’s guess is accurate, the tax system will begin to investigate him, and even law enforcement units beyond the tax system will start probing into Lynch’s situation.

Lynch isn’t overly concerned about these issues, "We are legitimate merchants, Mr. Fox. In fact, this will be a tremendous opportunity for you and your business."

When discussing matters related to himself, Mr. Fox became more attentive. He threw the half-eaten fruit into the trash and took a silk handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his slightly sticky fingers, "What do you mean?"

"Sabin City getting attention from above means they will likely send some investigation teams or require local law enforcement to clear the messy city streets. By then, some people will disappear, and the vacuum they leave behind is precisely your opportunity."

Lynch’s voice carried a tempting tremor, "Imagine if you were the only one in the whole city..."

Mr. Fox swallowed hard, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. This was something he had never considered before because the division of territory was not something defined by just a few people or sentences; it was a rule established over many years.

In any industry, there must be rules, for only with rules can there be order. To rashly expand one’s area of business or territory, even having such a thought would prompt others to warn against such recklessness, as that would mean going against everyone.

This is a solidified logical thinking; no one can bear the cost of a full-scale war. Sabin City is just a small city; they don’t have the courage, means, or foundation of those in larger cities.

But now, Lynch has drawn him a grand vision. If he could be the only one doing this business in the city... just thinking about it is thrilling, imagining so much profit all going into his pocket...

But he quickly freed himself from this unrealistic fantasy, shaking his head with a bitter smile, "I wish I could, but I can’t." His tone and eyes were sincere, "Firstly, I know my business is illegal. Secondly, I don’t have the ability to declare war on others all at once, nor can I win against them!"

In the underworld’s expansion, every step is accompanied by blood and wind, every bill stained with blood, and only death can quell anger when someone else’s interests are touched.

Mr. Fox just runs a finance company. He does have some people, but they aren’t strong enough, numerous enough, or vicious enough.

Lynch waved his hand, "You’ll understand when the time comes. I’m telling you this only to give you a mental preparation."

Meanwhile, on Lynch’s side, derailed yet again, Michael proceeded to the prison, as in a few days it would be young Michael’s trial. He now more fervently hoped that young Michael could retract his confession and deny his crimes.

On one hand, doing so might provide a chance to link Lynch to the case. As long as there’s a way to prove that Lynch framed him, then beating Lynch and causing his hospitalization could be reinterpreted as an understandable grievance against someone trying to kill his child with a ring.

It would then have nothing to do with law enforcement or his status; it would merely be an act of a father, doing something a man, a father, would do from his perspective.

The uproar from the public and the media would shift from questioning his involvement in criminal acts to sympathizing with him. Not only could he keep his job, but his family would remain intact.

On the other hand, if the first plan fails, given that he still has some power, he can quickly arrange for young Michael to be released, and maybe later, with some maneuvering, young Michael could have a decent job through the connections of his former superiors.

Based on these two points, he has to talk with young Michael again.

Yet, how could he have known that the matter between him and Lynch had not only blown up to the level known to the entire Federation but was also known amongst prisoners in the jail—they could read newspapers, a protected activity.

Upon learning of the serious trouble his father was in, young Michael completely erased from his mind any thought of retracting his confession to get himself released by his father.

Now, with Michael unable to protect himself, interference in his own affairs could lead to accusations of abuse of power, making matters even more complicated. Thus, when confronted with Michael’s request for a visit, young Michael turned down the prison guard.

His thinking was, in fact, quite correct; only by keeping Michael safe could the family have a future, but sometimes young minds... inexplicably develop certain problems.

The youth often believe they have grown up, matured, and can think like adults, yet they overlook a fatal issue.

They have lived in a simple ivory tower, so how could they know what the real world is like?

After being rejected by young Michael, Michael felt utterly hopeless, as if doomsday had arrived.