The two men stared at each other in the study. Mr. Simon's attention was focused on the outside world, so much so that he neglected a very important point. His butler met his gaze this time and did not avoid it.
This was unimaginable in the past. The butler had never dared to look him in the eye. Only when he ordered the butler to "look into my eyes" would the two look at each other for a short while.
When two people of different status and class looked at each other, it would be seen as a provocation from the lower class to the upper class. This kind of saying did not exist in places like the Federation or Gefra, or it did exist, but it was not so direct.
But in a place like Najalil, it was terrifying.
Some people used the phrase "class is a wall" to describe the gap between different classes in developed countries. If class was a "wall" in the Federation, then class was the entire Eastern Ocean in Najalil.
Everyone obeyed and regulated their behavior to conform to their class characteristics. No one dared to cross the line because the price of crossing the line was not something most people could afford.
This time, it was stepped over without a sound.
This time, without Mr. Simon's order, the butler looked into his eyes. This was very abnormal, but it was covered up by the even more abnormal change in the environment.
"Yes, master, there are many locals outside. They seem to want to steal something. I have asked the gardener to guard the door."
Mr. Simon heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He used an arrogant tone to ease his tension at this time. It was just like how people would say some unfunny jokes to ease their emotions when they were faced with a tricky situation, although it was useless.
"They just want to steal something?"
"Lowly natives …"
"If anyone comes here, drive them away. If they don't leave, just give them some change. I don't want them to dirty my lawn!"
The butler had an indecipherable, very faint smile on his face. He lowered his head, no longer looking at the "master" he had served for half his life. "I know what to do. What else do you want me to do?"
"What else do you want me to do?"
This sentence pulled Mr. Simon's attention back from the outside world. "I said, I'm thirsty. Do you need me to repeat it?"
His temper was a little inexplicable, but he quickly restrained himself. "Okay, that's all. Go do something. Don't just stand here!"
While he was urging the butler to hurry up, he could not help but put the receiver to his ear again. It was as quiet as the second half of an awkward romantic encounter. It ended without a sound.
"Damn it!"
He slammed the receiver on the pedestal.
At this time, the young master of the room was talking to someone who did not belong to this house. He was not tall, but he gave off a very special feeling. If one had to describe him, he was like a ray of light, and it was easy to have a good impression of him.
"You don't have much time left. I'm not forcing you to do anything. I'm just telling you a reason."
"If you pay attention to what is happening outside, you will understand.... Just when I came here, another rich community... a lot of the foreigners.........................................
. "He shook his head and did not continue, but everyone knew what he was trying to say. This also made the young man and the butler beside him nervous.
"These foreigners are dead, but do you know that their wealth, property, houses, factories, and so on will be taken away by the mayor or the provincial governor? It depends on how much money they have.
"I can't guarantee that those people won't come here, and you should have seen that more and more people are gathering outside. Once someone takes the lead …" The young man's expression was very serious. "The situation will immediately become very bad."
The young man was still thinking about something, but the butler asked first, "But even if our young master does these things, it seems that he can't stop the storm outside?"
The butler was experienced and knowledgeable. Whether it was his psychological endurance or his response to unexpected events, he was very fast and accurate.
If changing the 'master' could avoid this risk, then it did not seem to be of much value to them whether they did that thing or not.
And even if they did not listen to the young man's request, even if someone rushed in and killed Mr. Simon, the butler did not think that the young master would lose the inheritance.
After all, everyone knew that he was Mr. Simon's son!
The young man smiled like a ray of light. "No, you don't understand. It's not just the foreigners. Those who are related to the foreigners will be implicated. Everything has gone out of control.
"Most importantly, if you do that, we will protect you. If you don't do that, we won't do anything."
At this time, the young man spoke. "Is this blackmail?"
The young man shook his head. "No, this is sincerity, sincerity for cooperation. I'm sorry, I don't know how to say it in detail. To put it simply, if Mr. Simon doesn't die, you don't have the right to inherit. These things will still be the property of the foreigners.
"And we won't protect the foreigners' property because these belong to us in the first place. It's just that they have been taken away by some despicable means.
"As for what the butler said …" The young man shook his head. "No one knows what will happen in the chaos. Some people who are pushing these things will even deliberately do something. Who knows?"
The young man's expression gradually became a little serious. He continued the young man's words. "Killing an heir in the chaos and leaving a large sum of money without an owner, the local officials have more reason to make it their own."
Then, he asked a question. "What's wrong with the police?"
In fact, when there was a slight disturbance outside, the young man had already gone out to take a look. The police who had been on duty outside the community had disappeared. Not only here, but it seemed that the police in the entire city had disappeared.
This was not an isolated incident. While chatting with the young man, he realized that from the time a rich man beat a maid to death until the situation spiraled out of control, there were obvious signs of human intervention. Perhaps some things were really like what this … young man said.
So this was his last question. Whose side were the police on?
The young man shook his head. "At least they're not on our side, so we have to protect ourselves. If you can fulfill our agreement, then you'll be our partner, and we'll provide you with protection."
The young man stood up, holding the tray with tea. "Thank you for giving me a chance. I also want to give that person a chance. Fate should be fair!"
It seemed like he was trying to convince himself, but it also seemed like he was trying to prove something. He carried the tray and walked toward the study. At first, his steps were a little hesitant, but as he walked, his steps became more stable and powerful. He had also made a decision.
The banging on the door made Mr. Simon, who was a little nervous. "Who's there?"
He raised the shotgun in his hand and pulled the hammer with his thumb. As long as the person outside was not right, he would immediately pull the trigger.
His morals and values did not allow him to trample on the law as casually as the locals. However, he still had the determination to pull the trigger on the person who illegally broke into his room.
"It's me. I'm here to deliver the water, father."
The familiar voice outside the door made Mr. Simon feel a sense of familiarity for the first time. "Come in …"
He put down the gun.
The young man was allowed to enter the room. This was actually a very strange experience for him. He stole a glance at Mr. Simon. The latter no longer had the terrifying dominance he used to have. At this time, he was like an old lion that was about to die, no longer scary.
The young man placed the tray on the coffee table, took out the things inside, and poured a glass of water for Mr. Simon.
Mr. Simon picked up the glass and took a sip. He felt better and asked casually, "How's the situation outside?"
"It's very dangerous. It's said that some of the rich areas have been robbed, and those rich families have also been attacked. They might all be dead."
His tone did not sound heavy or relaxed. It was completely different from the yes-man he used to be. This change was very subtle, and Mr. Simon did not notice it.
"Is it that serious …" Mr. Simon was a little lost. He knew that the situation was serious, but he did not know that it was so serious.
The next second, he grabbed the phone, but there was still nothing. The silence made him feel even more uneasy. He stood up and walked back and forth, mumbling something.
The young man glanced at the shotgun on the sofa, and his attention quickly returned to Mr. Simon. He said softly, "Father, let's go before the chaos spreads to us."
"Go?"
Mr. Simon stopped abruptly. He looked at the young man with a strange expression. "Where are we going?"
The young man said with some anticipation, "Anywhere. The Federation's interference is getting stronger and stronger. Have you heard? That guy named Lynch is now living in the governor's house. Even the governor has to accommodate him. You and the others can't compete with him."
"In the past, you often told me about the place you came from. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Perhaps we could go there and live …" His eyes were filled with a longing that no one else could understand. This was something that would only happen in his imagination. Apart from this, there was also another secret.
In his dream, he replaced the child that only existed in the photo and became Mr. Simon's favorite son. He wanted to replace his brother!
For some reason, Mr. Simon's mood suddenly changed. He looked at the young man. "We won't go anywhere. We'll stay here. We won't leave this country."
He paused. "I've quenched my thirst. You can leave now."