Chapter 53 A Total Defeat
In the hospital.
The anesthesia had just worn off for Alexander, who still looked quite weak, lying pale on the hospital bed. He sighed deeply and said, "Terry really knows how to bully people. He wouldn't dare mess with Samuel, and dealing with you might completely anger Samuel, so he took it all out on me, trying to kill me."
Andrew looked at Alexander with guilt and replied softly, "It's also my fault. I didn't think it through back then and insisted on getting you involved. As it appears now, your initial decision not to help Eric was actually correct. I've got Samuel backing me, so he wouldn't mess with me at will, but you..."
"What's the point of saying all that now?" Alexander touched the bandage on his buttocks and snapped through gritted teeth, "If we can't beat him, we better stay cautious."
"No worries. We'll take turns watching over you during this period." John, standing by the window, chimed in, "With the Maple Street incident blowing up so much, everyone on the streets is being watched. I doubt he'd dare make another move."
"Thanks, John, Matthew. You saved my life," Alexander said sincerely.
"Don't mention it." Matthew grinned and waved his hand. "Just focus on getting better."
As they were chatting, the door to the hospital room opened, and Samuel walked in.
"Chief!"
"Mr. Charles!"
Everyone stood up, saluted, and greeted him.
Samuel glanced around at everyone and waved his hand. "Andrew stays, and the rest of you go take a walk. I need a word alone."
"Alright."
"I'll leave you guys chat."
John, Matthew and the others responded and quickly left the room.
"Sir!" Alexander tried to sit up using one side of his buttocks, holding onto the bed.
"Stay lying down." Samuel walked to the bedside, patted Alexander's shoulder, took the chair Andrew brought over, and sat down with a frown. "The situation isn't looking good."
"Having a rough day, aren't you?" Andrew asked from the side.
"More than tough." Samuel lit a cigarette with a serious expression. "Last night, over thirty bodies were carried out of Maple Street, with hundreds injured. Today, the media, both radio and online, are swarming the police department like flies, ready for follow-up reports. If the police weren't also afraid of a scandal, this news would be all over the capital of Stardust City."
Hearing this, Andrew and Alexander both felt uneasy.
"Luckily, the garrison arrived quickly. Otherwise, if the situation had escalated further, with thousands fighting or tens of thousands rioting, I'd definitely be punished today, maybe even prosecuted by the district attorney," Samuel said with his voice hoarse and tired, "Tomorrow, I'm planning to go to Stardust City to see my old mentor."
Alexander listened quietly and didn't interrupt.
"But a mentor is just a mentor, and relationships are just relationships. To get someone higher up to speak on my behalf against Terry and his backers, there need to be tangible benefits for them," Samuel added steadily, "Whether I take a share or not, and how much, is not important. The main thing is to convince the higher-ups that this matter is profitable for them."
"What do you mean?" Alexander probed.
"The Anderson family has been hit hard and basically has no fighting power left in the Black Street District. But if we don't support them, how can we meet the higher-ups' interests? I don't have the capital to fund it myself," Samuel looked at Alexander and said, "So, the key is still with the Anderson family. Only if they get the drug line back up can we fight Terry. With profits, the connections will naturally follow."
"I understand what you mean." Alexander nodded.
"The Anderson family's supply chain has been cut off." Andrew pondered for a moment and then frowned. "With Paul dead, they can't get any supplies. Even if they regroup, they can't do business then."
"That's exactly the point," Samuel stared at Alexander and said, "Find a way to contact Eric. No matter what, we need to locate Paul's supply chain. With a source, the Anderson family can continue their business and generate significant profits. Then, I can approach the higher-ups, and they'll be willing to speak on our behalf."
"Yes, the supply is the core issue." Alexander nodded in agreement. "Terry targeted the Anderson family because they could get low-cost, high-quality drugs."
"Right." Samuel nodded.
"But Eric told me that Paul did leave him a contact, but he couldn't find it at the time," Alexander said, frustrated.
Smoking, Samuel squinted at Alexander and said, "Do you realize how serious the situation is now?"
Alexander was stunned.
"That night, when you guys stood up for Eric on Maple Street, I was forced to take a stand too. This not only offended Terry but also the interests behind him. If we can't use the drug line to build connections with the higher-ups and counter the Patrick family and their connections, we'll be inevitably retaliated against," Samuel said seriously, "Whether I'll remain in my position or you can survive in District Nine will be uncertain."
Alexander instantly understood Samuel's point.
If they couldn't reconnect the drug supply line, Samuel wouldn't be able to protect himself, and Alexander might be eliminated.
"Let me be clear, no matter what, you must reconnect Paul's supply chain. Otherwise, you should leave District Nine as soon as possible," Samuel warned in a low voice, "Terry won't care whether you're a cop if he wants revenge."
After thinking for a long time, Alexander said, "I need to go back to the planned district and talk to Eric personally."
"Rest for a while first. Once you're able to move, handle it immediately," Samuel said and stood up, "I'll go to Stardust City tomorrow and feel my mentor out first."
"I understand."
"Also, make sure Benjamin stays hidden. The police department has completed the evidence chain, and his arrest warrant is already in my office," Samuel reminded again.
Andrew pondered for a moment and then asked, "What about Robert and Daniel? I promised Benjamin I'd handle it."
"At this point, how can we possibly get them out? Wait and see," Samuel said, turning to leave.
In the disinfectant-smelling ward, Alexander looked at the ceiling, feeling melancholic and uneasy. He sighed and said, "I thought the planned district was complicated, but I didn't expect the real dog-eat-dog place to be the seemingly safer District Nine."
"I kind of regret getting you involved." Andrew did feel a bit sorry.
Alexander licked his lips. "I don't regret things I've already done. Stop mentioning it all the time. It's annoying."
After pondering for a while, Andrew looked at Alexander and said, "When you go back to the planned district, I'll go with you."
"Samuel won't let you go." Alexander smiled.
"If I were the type to avoid trouble, I wouldn't have helped Eric in the first place," Andrew responded without hesitation, "No more words. I'm going with you this time."
Alexander looked at Andrew and grinned.
In the planned district.
Eric walked into a shabby room with a cane and saw his mother packing.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"Packing some clothes." The old lady sat on the cold bed and pulled out a black leather bag from the bundle.
Eric was stunned to see the black leather bag and frowned. "Mom, this bag..."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
