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Chapter 61: The First Step in the Vast Starry Sea
"Now you have two choices," Director Johnson stood in front of Michael's study bookshelf, looking at books with traces of being flipped through, and for the first time, his impression of Michael improved.
He initially thought Michael wouldn't be a reader, but it seemed that many of the books here had been read.
Sighing inwardly, he turned to Michael and said, "The first choice, Michael Junior entered and stole Lynch's ring. You want Lynch to withdraw the complaint, so you framed and set him up, attempting to make him compromise through your means."
This was "Lynch's version." Lynch claimed that Michael had attempted to kill him, a version Director Johnson did not adopt. He knew that if attempted murder was established, combined with previous allegations, Michael might be implicated in a first-degree murder charge. Although Lynch didn't die in the end, given the current public outcry and the negative impact on society, the jury would likely consider Michael guilty, and the judge would harshly sentence him to appease public outrage.
Once it reached that point, it wouldn't be a matter of a few years in prison; Michael could end up spending decades, if not fifty years, behind bars. Knowing the law and breaking it was always an excellent sentencing tool, no matter how much was given, people wouldn't feel it was too much.
Michael's breathing became heavier; he glared at Director Johnson with hostility, but the latter ignored his expression and gaze.
"This has nothing to do with my child. My child was also framed and set up by Lynch..."
Director Johnson glanced at him. No one knew exactly what actually happened in Michael Junior’s case even until now; he openly admitted his criminal acts while refusing to communicate with Michael. The insider information remained unknown to them.
Perhaps, as Michael claimed, he was framed and set up by Lynch, but the judge wouldn't see it that way.
"The second choice, you have a personal grudge against Lynch. You feel he disrespected you too much, hurt your inner feelings, so you repeatedly harassed him to make him realize the gap between you two and respect you."
This was Director Johnson's version. If the focus was too much on the criminal actions of Michael and his child, it would raise concerns about whether lower-level law enforcement officials might have similar situations. It was better to downplay the crime, using the conflicts and disputes between two individuals as a basis, simply stating that Michael's personal character was problematic.
Michael's situation aligned well with the second version, to the point that there was no need for everyone to script the story. They could just have reporters interview people who had had contact with Michael or his colleagues, and conclusions could be drawn.
Michael's personal image would become more specific and more negative in society, but the benefit was that the Sabin City Tax Bureau would extricate itself from the entire incident, and law enforcement issues would be resolved.
Michael tugged at his hair; he clenched his teeth, and his lips lost color due to the pressure. His gaze looked wounded, with a touch of despair. He knew he had to make a choice.
The first option was not viable; it would expose his son to the media, and not only he but also his son would face criticism; even his wife and family wouldn’t be able to escape public scrutiny.
He had no choice but to choose the second one...
When Michael made his choice, Director Johnson felt an indescribable sense of relief. Even before leaving, he joked with Michael that they didn't need to "collude." Michael just needed to act naturally, and people would believe his choice was the truth.
These things seemed cruel, making a person choose how to endure one of the most terrible things in life. However, it was an unavoidable situation.
Because the next step to overturn public opinion required the cooperation of Michael and Lynch. Without those reporters with "professional ethics" digging up more "insider information," the truth wouldn't appear before the public.
Although it seemed like reporters had a more significant role, in reality, Michael and Lynch's work was more critical. With the emergence of various inside stories, they would appear in front of the media, facing public scrutiny. Thus, their cooperation was essential.
After resolving these matters, Director Johnson seemed to have smoothed out his regret for Michael. Not only did he save Michael from Lynch's version, but he would also take care of Michael's family until he got out of prison.
Without him, this family would have fallen apart, and he had done everything a superior should do, even exceeding many expectations.
The next day, Joegleman called Lynch, expressing willingness to discuss their small business dealings. Lynch naturally agreed.
Ten percent of two million, and five percent of the expected return. This was a deal worth hundreds of thousands, with minimal danger to himself. Many might think this was a chaotic era, but Lynch felt that this was the golden age!
In the morning, the two arranged to meet at a private club. Such meetings requiring privacy were better not exposed to the public.
In society, many people had a "terrifying" perception. They believed that upper-class figures didn't need leisure or entertainment; they were always working, and perhaps socializing was their form of recreation.
This was a distorted understanding. Just because people didn't see their entertainment, it didn't mean they had none. Who knew how much entertainment they had in places where people couldn't see!
Around nine o'clock, Lynch appeared on a secluded street outside the central city, carrying a suitcase. There weren’t many pedestrians on the street at this time, and according to the address Joegleman gave him, he arrived at a door with a red carpet, one square meter in size.
From the outside, it didn't look much different from most houses on this street. It included three steps at the entrance, a short handrail almost never used, and an old-fashioned wooden door.
The door might be wider than those of other houses, but that was about it. No sign, no name, everything was plain, making it difficult for passersby to focus their attention on it.
Lynch double-checked the address, pushed the door open, and entered. Upon entering, there were two elevator doors, and a small workroom with a fence inside, where a bespectacled man dressed like a butler sat.
The environment here was like the ground floor of most apartments. Lynch, with a slight curiosity, walked to the counter. "Mr. Joegleman asked me to meet him here..."
The man who looked like a butler immediately started flipping through the notebook in front of him. "May I ask for your name, sir?"
"Lynch."
The man calmly scrutinized Lynch, then, after confirming, he took a key from the wall full of keys behind him. Along with a small card the size of a palm, he placed them on a tray covered in red velvet, lifting it with both hands to pass it over.
"Mr. Lynch..." After Lynch took these items, he slightly bowed. "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
Lynch glanced at him, shook his head, and walked towards the elevator.
After entering the elevator, he discovered that the card was a key to the elevator floor. At one end of the card were small holes; after inserting it into the slot, the corresponding floor would light up.
After an almost imperceptible ascent and descent, the elevator doors slowly opened, and upon stepping out, everything before his eyes instantly became extremely luxurious!
Gold-plated decorations, bright red carpets, exquisite tapestries, and oil paintings appeared on the walls at intervals, though Lynch was no art connoisseur, some were indeed impressive.
The atmosphere was imbued with a subtle fragrance he had never encountered, possessing a calm and subdued quality that, though not lively, conveyed a sense of solemnity.
The gaps between each door were quite wide, indicating that the building was much larger than it appeared. Soon, Lynch arrived at the door corresponding to his key number. The door, adorned with various gems, was half metallic, exuding a palpable sense of heaviness as he stood before it.
Inserting the key into the keyhole and giving it a slight twist, with the sound of gears turning, the door opened surprisingly effortlessly.
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