Chapter 182 The Big Shots Are All Behind the Scenes, While the Foot Soldiers Are Playing for their lives.
In a small, private room at a coffee shop, Emily looked at Milton, then patted the shoulder bag on the chair next to him. "I don't even know your last name. How can I accept something so valuable from you?"
"You don't need to know my name," Milton said with a smile. "You just need to know who brought you here."
Emily was taken aback. "Actually, I'm not that familiar with Leader Weaver."
Milton frowned but stayed silent.
"This is too valuable. As a new journalist, I can't accept it." Emily pushed the bag back towards him. "The task was assigned by my leader. I'm just responsible for completing it. So, the person you're looking for isn't me because I can't make any decisions."
"Making friends doesn't always have to be about this," Milton replied with a smile. "The stuff in the bag is still yours. I'll handle the person in charge. Just hold off on the news for a bit, and give me some time to work things out."
"I'm afraid that's not possible. My department head has already informed me that this news must go out tomorrow." Emily, hearing this, became more certain that the news she was following had stepped on some toes. But she didn't want to offend him, so she declined again.
"If your superiors push you, just say that Leader Weaver, who is responsible for the review, found some issues and asked for revisions." Milton held up two fingers. "Just delay it for two days."
Emily thought that after refusing him twice, he would stop. But that wasn't the case. So, after some consideration, she responded bluntly, "Let me put it this way, unless I get a direct order from my immediate superior, I won't pause this news."
Milton's expression suddenly turned grim as he heard this.
Emily noticed his change in demeanor and felt a bit scared. In today's world, no matter how prestigious one's status was, it didn't guarantee absolute safety. Moreover, not many people in Pine City knew her real background. Those who mingled in society could be ruthless and reckless.
"Sorry, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now." Emily picked up her coat and turned to leave.
Milton called out, "Emily, working in journalism these days is tough. Because as long as you choose to speak out, someone will get hurt, and someone will be jealous."
"Yes, you're right," Emily turned back and replied with a smile, "But even in such an environment, old and new media are still alive. There are still people willing to speak up for society."
With that, Emily pushed the door open and left.
Five minutes later, Susan returned to the private room.
"She is quite stubborn," Milton said, smoking a cigarette, "She wouldn't even delay it for two days."
"I told you, the money you offered might not be enough to impress her," Susan replied calmly.
"Can you hold her off for two days?"
"She has connections in the office." Susan shook her head. "As long as her work is solid, it's hard for me to find fault."
Milton pondered for a moment and then dialed Adam's number.
"Hello?"
"Adam, the young lady in charge of this news is quite stubborn."
"Offer more money."
"I don't think it's about the money." Milton shook his head. "Continuing to talk might not be effective."
"Have you talked to the higher-ups?" Adam asked.
"No, not yet," Milton replied softly, "Susan is here with me. She told me that this case was personally approved by Herman from the legal column department, which means he might have already negotiated with the people behind it. So, we need to bypass him and find someone higher up."
"Finding the right person takes time."
"Yeah, I'm having Susan make the contacts," Milton nodded.
"Then take action, let her understand the situation," Adam said coldly. "This news must be suppressed for now."
"I asked William, he has some..."
"We have no other choice now. Handle it carefully," Adam interrupted.
"Okay, I understand."
"That's it."
With that, the call ended.
---
In a residential area on the outskirts of Pine City, Milo paced anxiously in the living room of a three-room house. "Damn it, Hubert is gone too. This is getting more and more suspicious."
"What's suspicious?" Duke asked, blinking.
"I can't say for sure," Milo turned abruptly. "But I know that Zephyr and that damn Hubert were both taken out in such a short time. Something's not right."
Duke's expression turned worried. "We're still in the dark, and we may not be able to find out the truth even if we ask," Milo frowned. "So my suggestion is, we leave Pine City immediately and don't come back for a while."
"Alright," Duke nodded. "But I want to go back to the city first..."
"Are you out of your mind?" Milo snapped. "Do you know what's going on in the city? If we're being watched, going back means death."
"So what do you suggest?"
"I'll contact a friend, and we'll get ready to leave right away."
"Alright," Duke nodded after some consideration.
---
At the Black Street District police station, Alexander was interrogating someone caught in a gun stash when his phone rang.
"Hello?" Alexander stepped out of the interrogation room and answered the call in the hallway.
"Hey, I just got out of prison and have some leads on Duke and Milo," John's voice was urgent. "I'm heading over with some people now."
Alexander was taken aback. "Don't rush. Let's play it safe. I'll send someone to support you."
"Alright, I'll send you the address."
"Okay, that's it." Alexander hung up and immediately headed to the third team's office area.
---
By the roadside, Raymond stood by the car, frowning as he spoke to Enrique. "You shouldn't have taken this job today."
Enrique was puzzled. "Someone has to do it."
"Do you think being tied to William is an opportunity?" Raymond asked bluntly.
Enrique smiled. "He managed to smooth things over in the company so quickly because you were backing him, right?"
"Enrique, William is different from Terry."
Enrique was silent for a moment, then opened the car door and replied, "I see William's difference, which is why I'm willing to do this."
Raymond was stunned.
"Go back. I'll call you when it's done." Enrique closed the car door, put on white woolen gloves, and told the driver, "Let's go."
"Got it," the driver responded and sped off.
Raymond stood by the roadside, hands in his pockets, watching the car leave, muttering, "Why is it that everyone changed as soon as Terry was gone?"
---
In the office building of the online broadcasting station, Emily sat on the toilet, hesitating for a long time before deciding to send a text message to Alexander.
"Can you pick me up after work? It's too late, and I'm a bit scared to go home alone."
About half a minute later, Alexander replied curtly with a short answer.
Alexander: [No time.]
Emily didn't expect Alexander to refuse so bluntly. She gritted her teeth and cursed, "That bastard, you just forgot how I helped you."
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