Darkstone Code
Chapter 61 - 0061 The first step to the stars and sea

Chapter 61: 0061 The first step to the stars and sea

"Now you have two choices..." Johnson, the director, stood in front of the bookshelf in Michael’s study, looking at the books that had somewhat been flipped through, and for the first time, his impression of Michael had somewhat improved.

He initially thought Michael wouldn’t read, but it seemed that quite a few of these books had been read.

He sighed inwardly, turned around to look at Michael, "The first choice, young Mike broke into Lynch’s house and stole his ring. You want Lynch to drop the charges, so you frame him and try to make him compromise through your methods."

This is "Lynch’s version." Lynch said Michael ended up attempting murder, which Director Johnson did not adopt. He knew that once attempted murder was established, combined with previous statements, Michael might be charged with first-degree murder.

Although Lynch didn’t die in the end, given the current public outcry and the adverse societal impact, the jury would definitely find Michael guilty, and the judge would try to sentence harshly to appease public anger.

If it really came to that point, it wouldn’t just be a matter of three to five years in prison; it could be decades, possibly seventy years or more, as violating the law knowingly is always an excellent sentencing support. No matter how much is given, people wouldn’t find it excessive.

Michael’s breathing became heavier, and he looked up angrily at Director Johnson, who ignored his expression and gaze.

"This has nothing to do with my child, my child was also framed by Lynch..."

Director Johnson glanced back at him. No one has figured out what really happened with young Michael. He confessed to his crime without dispute but refused to communicate with Michael, and no one knows what kind of insider information there might be.

Perhaps as Michael said, he was indeed framed by Lynch, but the judge wouldn’t think so.

"The second choice, you have a personal vendetta with Lynch. You feel he’s disrespectful to you, which stings your heart, so you repeatedly cause him trouble, trying to make him realize the gap between you two and respect you."

This is Director Johnson’s version. If too much emphasis is placed on the criminal acts of Michael and his child, society might worry whether law enforcement officers at the grassroots level could face similar situations.

It would be better to downplay the crime, basing it on the conflict between the two individuals, simply worsening Michael’s personal moral issues.

Michael’s situation aligns well with the second statement, and to the point where people wouldn’t need to fabricate a script. Just interviewing people who have interacted with Michael, or their colleagues could draw a conclusion.

Michael’s personal image would become more specific and worsened in society, but the benefit would be that Sabin’s Tax Bureau got out of the whole thing, and issues of law enforcement are also let slip away.

Michael tugged at his hair. He pressed his lips tightly, his lips lost color due to the force from his jaws squeezing, and his expression looked very hurt and tinged with some despair. He also realized he had to choose one.

The first was not viable, which would expose his son to media, and people would blame not only him but also his son, and even his wife and family wouldn’t escape public scrutiny.

He could only choose the second one...

When Michael made his choice, there was a feeling in Director Johnson’s heart that he could not describe. He even joked with Michael before leaving, saying that they didn’t need to "align their stories together," Michael just needed to perform naturally, and people would believe this choice was the truth.

These things look cruel, making someone choose how to endure one of the most terrible things in life, but it’s also unavoidable.

Because the following efforts to reverse public opinion require Michael and Lynch’s collaboration; without those "professional integrity" reporters digging out more "insider information," the truth wouldn’t appear before the public.

It may seem like the reporters have more credit, but in fact, the work of Michael and Lynch is more important. With various insider revelations appearing, they will appear before the media to be scrutinized by the public, so their mutual cooperation is very crucial.

Having resolved these things, it seemed that Director Johnson’s inner guilt towards Michael had been soothed. Not only did he rescue Michael from Lynch’s version, he would also look after Michael’s family in the coming time until he got out of prison.

Without him, the family would fall apart. He did everything that a superior should do and even far exceeded it.

The next day, Jogriman called Lynch, expressing willingness to talk about their little business. Naturally, Lynch readily accepted the invitation.

Ten percent of the two million, plus five percent of the expected earnings, this was a deal worth tens of thousands, and he wasn’t facing much danger. Many people feel it’s a chaotic era, but Lynch felt that this was the Golden Era!

In the morning, the two agreed to meet at a private club, as meetings requiring privacy are better not exposed to the public.

Many in this society have a "terrifying" perception that figures of the upper class do not need leisure or entertainment; they are always working and socializing. Probably socializing is their entertainment time.

In truth, this is a cognitive bias. Just because people haven’t seen them entertain doesn’t mean they have no entertainment life. Who knows how much they entertain out of people’s sight!

After nine, Lynch appeared with a briefcase on a secluded street on the outskirts of the central district, with not many pedestrians on the whole street. According to the address Jogriman gave, he came to a door with a one-square-meter red carpet in front of it.

From the outside, it was not much different from most houses on that street, including three steps at the door, a short handrail almost useless, and a classic wooden door.

Its wooden door might be wider than neighbors’, but that’s about it—no signage, no name. Everything so unadorned that passersby couldn’t fix their attention on it.

Lynch triple checked the address and pushed the door in. Inside the entrance were two elevator cab doors and a small barred workspace. Inside sat a fellow dressed like a butler in formal attire and glasses.

The environment here was like the ground floor of most apartments. Lynch with a peculiar experience approached the counter, "Mr. Jogriman invited me to meet here..."

The fellow looking like a butler immediately started flipping through the notebook in front of him, "May I ask your name, sir?"

"Lynch!"

The person quietly studied Lynch. After confirming it was correct, he took a key from the key-filled wall behind him, along with a palm-sized card, placing them on a red velvet tray and offered them with both hands.

"Mr. Lynch..." Upon receiving these items, Lynch gave a slight bow, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Lynch glanced at him, shook his head, and walked to the elevator.

Once inside the elevator, he discovered the card was a key to one of the elevator floors. One end of the card had small holes, and inserting it into the card slot lights up the corresponding floor.

After almost imperceptible motion, the elevator doors slowly opened. Exiting the elevator, everything in sight suddenly turned extremely luxurious!

The various gilded decorations, the bright red carpet, the exquisite tapestries, and the paintings appearing at intervals on the walls, while Lynch doesn’t understand painting appreciation, some were really quite impressive.

The air was filled with a light fragrance he had never experienced. It was calm, not lively, yet gave a solemn feeling.

The distance between each door was very far, meaning the building was far larger than the appearance suggested.

Soon, Lynch arrived before the door corresponding to his key number, with the door inlaid with various gemstones, half of which were made of metal. Just standing before it, a sense of weightiness was overwhelming.

He inserted the key into the keyhole and gently turned it. With the sound of the gear springing, the door, unexpectedly light and easy, was pushed open by him.

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