Life at the Top

Fletcher replied grimly, “No matter what the actual situation was, he did break Ned’s arm. The Adkins family can forget about working in Reed City if I’m not even going to get justice for my son.”

Nodding, Len replied, “Alright, it seems like we’re on the same page, then. The Coine and the Adkins families have been close since our father’s generation. There’s no way I’d stand still and watch as someone bullies Ned.”

“Dad, Uncle Adkins, I don’t plan on giving the city government that 950 million,” Marcus spoke darkly.

“They’re obviously targeting us. The past few years of work would’ve been for nothing if I just gave them that money.”

Len was about to speak when Marcus’ phone rang.

“It’s Mr. Powers from the city government.” Marcus’ expression changed as he accepted the call.

After a moment, Marcus hung up the call angrily and spoke, “Dad, Uncle Adkins, Mr. Powers wants me to pay the 950 million bidding price within three business days as per the regulations. What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t spout nonsense!”

Len glared at Marcus who did not seem to know how to choose his words properly and growled. “There are some things that you can just keep to yourself, okay? You don’t have to exclaim every single thought that comes to your mind! How old are you, huh? Can you still not tell the difference between what you can and cannot say?”

Marcus replied angrily, “Mr. Powers sounded really stern on the phone. He said that if I don’t pay up, the city government will then sue us and we’ll be brought to court. By then, they’ll even investigate and charge me for defrauding state-owned property! It’s not even that big of a deal and they’re blowing this out of proportion!”

At that, Len’s expression changed as well.

He looked at Fletcher and spoke grimly, “It’s that person who newly took office in the city government, isn’t it?”

Fletcher sneered, “It has to be. He’s the only one who doesn’t like us. They’ve made quite a few moves against us recently so there’s no way they’d let go of this opportunity.”

Len scoffed and turned to Marcus, saying, “You have three more days, right?

it?”

said Jasper bribed this man called Chad? Then go and think of a

…

and Adkins families were terrifyingly powerful in Reed City. The following night, Jasper received a

a skewers stall and saw Chad smoking by the

Laine.” Chad quickly snuffed out the bud of

Chad was also speaking to

and glanced at the small pool of cigarette buds on the floor beside Chad with a smile. “Is something

don’t have to address me so politely

tell you

Jasper and spoke, “I love skewers, Mr. Laine, so much that I’d eat it every few

parents were farmers. I don’t care much about how cheap the food is, especially when it comes to supper. Nothing’s better than lamb skewers.” Jasper

eyes brightened and he turned to shout at the owner, “I’ll

cold beer. He also handed Julian a few bottles of non-alcoholic drinks since he knew that Julian was Jasper’s

tell me, Mr. Wright.

out today. He said that he’s going to transfer me to a small village south of

being demoted straight to a small village? Not even to a

Coine family’s work.” Chad scoffed and

I exploded and vented all the unjust I’ve been keeping bottled up inside of me. If the Coine family

thinking about working with you, Mr. Laine. So I was wondering if I still had a chance?” Chad

to leave his job because he had grown attached to this job he had done for more than half his life, he was not anymore now that he had seen through the truth behind the working system. He was ready to