Chapter 29: The Wedding

"That woman has some background, do you know that?" William asked coldly.

 

George was taken aback upon hearing this. "Never heard of it."

 

"You didn't even figure out her background and just took people over to mess around. Wasn't that a bit reckless?" William frowned deeply. "If today you hadn't run into Alexander and something happened to that little girl, do you know what the consequences would be? When my older brother kidnapped her back then, he didn't even get to the bottom of her background, and that's why Joseph died so miserably. So, what about you?"

 

"I... I didn't think that far," George said.

 

"Also, the entire police department is cracking down on drug trafficking cases right now, and the slogan came from us. Are you trying to make things difficult for me by touching drugs now? What did I tell you back then?" William asked in a low voice.

 

George touched the bandage on his head. "It's not that I had to touch drugs now. It's just that the goods are piling up, and we have thrown away a lot."

 

"George, don't panic over a little profit. Someone above will take responsibility for this matter. Why are you panicking?" William ordered with a look of helplessness. "No matter what your reason is, you have to follow the leader's pace now. If you stir up trouble now, no one can save you."

 

"Got it." George nodded.

 

"Also, Alexander is my guy. He's working for me. Don't mess with him in the future. Instead, cooperate with him if something comes up, understand?" William knew George was petty and vindictive, so he specifically reminded him.

 

"William, I just don't get it. You've been in the police force for so long, and you have plenty of capable people under you. Why do you have to recruit this newcomer?" George cursed through gritted teeth. "I've been hanging around Black Street District for so long, and no one has ever dared to hit me with a gun. This guy..."

 

"George, when will you understand the truth?" William sighed. "The world is big, and there will always be someone stronger than you. You always think you're capable, but don't you know that the more ruthless Joseph died at Alexander's hands? What times are we living in now? It's an era where people are so desperate that they dare to rob military supplies. It's a time when there are many ruthless people, and you never know which scavenger today will get rich tomorrow. So, conflicts without interest don't even count as conflicts, got it?"

 

George pouted. "You're really good with words. Fine, I'll listen to you and not mess with him."

 

"That's it." William left it at that and hung up.

 

The next evening.

 

Alexander and Andrew headed to Olivia Restaurant as planned because Eric was hosting a wedding reception today. Although it was called a reception, it was really just inviting some friends over for a meal to liven things up a bit. After all, Eric's budget was limited, and he couldn't afford a lavish event.

 

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was past 8 PM. Alexander stood on the second floor and scanned the room, seeing mostly familiar faces from the police department. Some are Eric's neighbors and his younger sister.

 

"Your mom didn't come?" Andrew asked from the hall.

 

"She's not feeling well, so she didn't come." Eric smiled, pulling his blind sister over to introduce her to Alexander. "You haven't met her yet, right? This is my sister, Sophia Daniel."

 

"Hello, Alexander." Sophia, who looked about eleven or twelve, had a distinct and spirited face. Unfortunately, she was blind, wasting such a beautiful face.

 

"Hello," Alexander greeted Sophia and then turned to the bride, Ava. "You look pretty today!"

 

Ava, wearing a simple red dress, smiled and nodded at Alexander. "Hello!"

 

Andrew, looking at Ava, teased, "You look much more radiant."

 

"Get lost," Eric cursed, waving them over. "Come, sit at the main table and sit anywhere you like."

 

Upon hearing this, Alexander and Andrew, stepped forward and sat at the main table, nibbling on some snacks while waiting for the banquet to start.

 

About ten minutes later, William suddenly arrived on the second floor with George.

 

"Join us for a drink, William." The thirty or so people sitting in the room all stood up to greet William as soon as he arrived.

 

"Just came to check in. Everyone, sit down." William waved and greeted everyone before bending down to sit at Alexander's table. "You guys, not doing your work and coming here to drink, huh?"

Alexander grinned. "Came over after finishing the interrogation."

 

William patted Alexander's leg, then turned to George and asked, "Recognize him?"

 

"How could I not? Didn't we meet yesterday?" George pointed to the bandage on his head and smiled at Alexander. "Alexander, you left quite an impression on me yesterday."

 

Seeing George's attitude towards him, Alexander immediately extended his hand. "I'm really sorry. I didn't know you knew William."

 

"William told me yesterday that the girl had some connections, so your intervention actually helped me out." George was very polite as he shook hands with Alexander. "Yesterday's incident is in the past. Let's start fresh. With William here, we're like family. You'll get to know what kind of person I am."

 

"Got it!" Alexander nodded. "We'll have a drink later."

 

"Sure!" George said.

 

After exchanging a few polite words, Andrew leaned over to Alexander and asked, "How do you know this guy?"

 

"I beat him up yesterday," Alexander replied casually.

 

Andrew gave George a look of disgust and whispered, "Stay away from him. He's no good."

 

"Why?" Alexander asked.

 

"Last year, he had a conflict with a boss in Black Street District and secretly ran over the boss's wife with a car," Andrew said with a grim face, "The woman was over six months pregnant and got her head smashed..."

 

Alexander was stunned. "Did he get sentenced?"

 

"No, the boss had two other kids and was scared into dropping the charges... It was ruled as a traffic accident, and  George just paid compensation to settle it," Andrew said hoarsely, "He's a beast."

 

Hearing this, Alexander gave George a cold look and didn't interact with him any further.

 

Shortly after William's arrival, the banquet began, and everyone was drinking and having a good time.

 

During the meal, William kept chatting with Alexander. "Alexander, there aren't many people I admire, but you're one of them... In these times, people with guts and brains are welcomed everywhere. As long as you do well, I won't treat you badly."

 

"I know." Alexander nodded with a flushed face.

 

"Hold on." William patted Alexander's arm, poured a glass of wine, and stood up. "Everyone, quiet down."

 

The three tables of guests all looked at William upon hearing this.

 

"Eric from the team is getting married, and we're all friends. Let's all toast to him." William raised his glass and smiled.

 

With William leading, everyone stood up and toasted Eric.

 

The newlyweds, smiling, also raised their glasses and toasted everyone.

 

William downed his drink in one go, poured another glass, and said, "I have something else to say. Although Alexander hasn't been with the team for long, I highly regard him. He has helped the department solve many cases recently, and Mr. Charles is very pleased. His promotion is just a matter of time. So, everyone, please look out for him at work."

 

With that, Alexander almost became the center of attention, with colleagues from the police department, whether he knew them or not, toasting him.

 

If it were someone else receiving such support from William, they might become a bit arrogant. But Alexander, having grown up in a rough neighborhood, felt oddly uneasy.

 

Alexander had indeed been a bit high-profile lately. Joseph's case was solved, and there had been a breakthrough in the drug trafficking case, both with the help of Alexander. So, he felt that receiving such care from the leadership was justified, as leaders always liked capable subordinates. However, Alexander felt that William's care had gone beyond admiration and was a bit too special, which was unusual given that they were not related and it was just because of two cases.

 

Alexander was puzzled.

 

Everyone had almost finished eating.

 

William checked his watch and lightly called Alexander, "Come with me for a moment."

 

"Okay!" Alexander nodded and followed William downstairs.

 

Inside, a heavily drunk George pulled Eric over with a mischievous grin. "I want to ask you something."

 

Eric, an old-timer in the team, knew George, so he asked politely, "What's up, George?"

 

George, with his eyes fixed on the bride Ava, reeking of alcohol, asked, "Where did you find her?"

 

Eric was taken aback, glanced at Ava, and whispered, "I won't lie to you. I bought her from the living area north of Pine City."

 

"How much did it cost?" George asked, eyes gleaming.

 

"$600," Eric replied.

 

"$600 for a foreign woman, that's a good deal!" George said lewdly.

 

Eric smiled and didn't respond.

 

"Next time, introduce me to the broker. I'll go take a look, too," George asked.

 

Eric was taken aback. "George, don't you already have a wife?"

 

"One can never have too many wives," George replied, showing his dirty teeth. "Money sitting around is useless Might as well buy one for fun."

 

"Alright, I'll introduce you next time," Eric said.

 

"Good!" George nodded, looking at Ava. "She's really nice and fair-skinned with long legs."

 

Feeling awkward, Eric quickly grabbed a bottle of wine and said, "Come on, George. Let's have a toast."

 

"Alright," George replied.

 

"Come, Ava, toast George," Eric called out after pouring the wine.

 

Ava gracefully walked over and nodded. "Hello, George."

 

"Ava, Eric's fate is not good..." George, drunk, grabbed Ava's arm and started talking.

 

Downstairs, William sat in the passenger seat, turned to Alexander, and said, "You drive. Let's head back to the department and talk."

 

"Okay." Alexander drove away.

 

Over an hour later.

 

The banquet ended. After Eric and the others went home, his sister went to their mother's room, while the newlyweds were about to have a sex.

 

Just as Eric unbuckled his belt, ready for more intimate activities, he heard someone knocking on the window outside.

 

"Who is it?" Eric asked,

 

"Come out," a figure who had been to the house a few days ago whispered.

 

Eric was stunned, put on his clothes, and walked out of the room.

 

In the dim moonlight, Paul, who was wanted all over Pine City, turned his head and said, "Eric, let's find a quiet place to talk."

 

Eric was stunned for a while, then suddenly rushed up with red eyes. "Are you crazy? You almost got me killed!"