Chapter 186 Alliance of Interests
Riverside District, the Wilde family estate.
Enrique, Jasper, and the rest were hanging out in the living room, chatting with the Wilde family. Meanwhile, William was in the study, having a private conversation with Adam.
"Have some coffee, William." Adam sat up straight, nudging a cup towards him.
"Sure," William replied, nodding.
Adam took a sip and said in a raspy voice, "William, our timing for this partnership isn't ideal."
William just looked at him, staying silent.
"You're a smart guy, so I'll cut to the chase," Adam continued softly. "I still don't know who's gunning for me this time. Whether I can get through this is up in the air."
William stayed quiet.
"Favors are favors, and business is business. I owe you one, but if I can't repay it through business, we might not even stay friends." Adam had a knack for playing the role as an elder. He wasn't pressuring William; he was just laying out the facts. "So, whether you get involved or not, it's up to you. I'm not gonna say the more you help, the more I'll cooperate in the future. You get me, William?"
William set down his cup, looked Adam in the eye, and said, "Mr. Wilde, the company isn't just mine. Since you're being honest, I'll be straight too. I'm willing to help, but we need to be clear on what we gain from this, beyond personal feelings and favors."
Adam was a bit surprised; he didn't expect William to be so direct and business-like.
"If I help you get through this, you help me expand our pharmaceutical business in Riverside District. That's business." William's face was unreadable. "If things go south and we both get hurt, that's not a favor. I'll take the hit without complaint. What do you think, Mr. Wilde?"
Adam squinted at him. "How can you help me?"
"I'll find those thugs."
"Can you find them? How confident are you?"
"It's hard to say now, but I have some leads." William paused and then said, "Seventy percent."
Adam was taken aback but quickly responded, "William, if you can find the people who killed Zephyr and uncover who's behind this, I can definitely establish myself in Riverside District. As for the pharmaceutical business, you and Milton can handle it together. I'll only take thirty percent of the profits."
"Mr. Wilde, business isn't a favor; it needs to be in writing," William said without hesitation. "With that, I can convince the company's higher-ups."
Adam was silent for a few seconds. "I'll have my Milton set up a trading company with a registered capital of two million dollars. You get fifty percent of the shares. How about that?"
In this era, two million dollars was a huge amount. The entire Black Street District police department's annual budget was only one and a half million dollars, so Adam's offer was very generous. Plus, very few people in Pine City could come up with so much cash. As an elected official, Adam had control over district projects and funds, unlike other positions. For example, Samuel, despite his corrupt practices, could only get a little money a year.
William listened to Adam and quickly said, "Mr. Wilde, it's a deal."
"I'll gather the money, and you find the people."
"Alright." William nodded.
Half an hour later.
William got into the car and turned to Jasper. "I've made a deal with Adam. The rest is up to you."
"I'll do my best."
"Jasper, if you can pull this off, I'll use all my connections to get your punishment lighter," William promised.
"I'll make sure it gets done." Jasper saw an opportunity and was ready to do whatever it took.
"Go ahead. If you run into any problems, contact me directly, and I'll help you out."
"One more thing." Jasper scratched his nose, a sinister look in his eyes. "If it weren't for Alexander, things wouldn't have escalated this far. And now Samuel is using him to stir up trouble in the police department. I think we need to send a warning..."
"What do you mean?" William frowned.
Jasper leaned in and whispered, "We can use this opportunity to take out Alexander..."
In the Pine Street Welfare District.
Rodolfo, wearing shorts, sat in front of his computer, drinking beer and sweating as he stared at the screen. "Come on, 378! Damn it, come on... This is so rigged."
"Keep it down," Bishop said, looking up from his novel. "The whole building can hear you."
"Shut up," Rodolfo snapped, his eyes red. "I just lost five thousand dollars."
"You're an idiot." Bishop lay on the couch, cursing. "You lose every time you gamble. What's the thrill?"
Rodolfo wiped the sweat from his forehead, deflated. "No luck, just no luck."
"How did we earn that money? We risked our lives for it. But you just throw it away with a few clicks of the mouse." Bishop sighed. "If you really have too much money, why don't you give it to me? Consider it charity."
"Piss off," Rodolfo muttered. "I'm done. From now on, whoever gambles is a fool."
Half an hour later.
Rodolfo sat on the toilet, holding a small piece of paper in his left hand and a phone in his right. "Is this Lucky 888 Betting Company?"
"Yes."
"Can I place a bet over the phone?"
"Do you have a referral?"
"No." Rodolfo shook his head.
"Then you need to come in and open an account first," the other person replied softly. "Come once, and you can place bets over the phone in the future."
"Where is your company? The card doesn't have an address."
"I'll tell you. Write it down."
"Okay." Rodolfo nodded obediently.
In the police dormitory.
Alexander lay on John's bed, holding a phone. "Are you on your way back? Where are you now? Okay, don't enter Pine City yet. Wait a bit. I might need you for something. Alright, wait for my call."
Late at night.
In Abigail's room, Emily's forehead was covered in sweat, and her eyes moved rapidly under her eyelids.
A few seconds later.
Emily suddenly sat up, her face filled with fear as she shouted, "Alexander, save me!"
Abigail woke up, turned to the disheveled Emily, and shouted in fear, "Emily! You almost scared me to death. What kind of nightmare were you having, screaming for Alexander?"
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