The Shadow Tycoon
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 87: The Check Behind the Smile
Aide-de-camp was an honorific people used for the aide of some important figure, and at the same time, it reflected the special status of such people.
They had very close relationships with important figures and, to a certain extent, could influence those figures’ thoughts and decisions. At the same time, they did not draw that much attention.
It was a very special job, but it did not consist entirely of advantages. It had many disadvantages too. Many.
But now was not the time to discuss those things. Ferraler was facing a choice. William’s phrasing was precise and simple. He did not need Ferraler to provide any service beyond that of an “adviser.” He did not even need him to speak up for him in certain areas. He only needed him, occasionally, to answer a few of William’s questions or say a little of what he thought.
This was legal income. No one could say it was illegal. The purpose of coming here today had clearly been to make William compromise, yet unexpectedly ... the one who would compromise in the end was himself.
The atmosphere in the room fell into silence. Only one gradually roughening breath remained. William looked at Ferraler. Ferraler looked at the check on the desk.
He needed to give himself a reason firm enough to strengthen his own thinking. He needed to persuade himself not to pick up that check. But if he failed to persuade himself...
In truth, from the moment he began thinking about persuading himself not to pick it up, he had already lost.
Everyone knew that when a person looked for reasons for himself, anything could become an excuse.
After about five minutes, Ferraler picked up the check on the desk, folded it a little, and stuffed it into the pocket of his jacket. William took the initiative to stand and extend his hand, shaking Ferraler’s hand with some gratitude on his face. “With you joining us, I believe my company and I will continue to work wonders.”
The way William looked, it was as if he had spent great effort persuading Ferraler, and as if Ferraler’s willingness to help him was his honor. But at this moment, both men knew in their hearts that this was the hardest thing in society to master, and also the most important thing: performance.
After the “tearful gratitude” ended, the two sat down again. By now, the atmosphere in the room had changed faintly.
“Mr. Adviser, I have run into some trouble...” William leaned back a little. “Someone told me that in Sabine City, gatherings of more than fifty people require an application to the Department of Social Services in advance. In terms of time, it is already too late for us. Then do we have any other way to solve this problem so that tomorrow’s consignment auction will not be delayed?”
At that moment, Ferraler deeply felt a powerful force surging out from William’s body. It seemed elegant, but in truth, it was violent.
He had seen many people: the mayor, the top chiefs of various departments, certain socialites in Sabine City, major capitalists, all kinds of people.
Some people did indeed carry a certain presence. But not one of them could compare with William. He looked young, yet the feeling he gave was like facing a great figure in his forties or fifties, one who dominated the Federation and was renowned internationally.
Only his language, tone, eyes, attitude, even the smallest gesture, made a person involuntarily straighten his back and hold a breath.
Ferraler moved unconsciously, which made him somewhat uneasy. But the check was now in his pocket. From the moment he picked up that check, certain things had already changed.
The reason he had come here this time was not actually to make trouble for William. On the contrary, one could say he had come to deliver benefits to William.
Perhaps this young man did not know how much of a stir his flyers had caused in this not very large city. Although it was only a belt, many people had already paid attention to it and planned to attend. In some places, people were even discussing the matter.
This was an unprecedented first method of activity: giving away free belts. The mayor’s office outside City Hall, every city administrator would have a private office independent of the Federation government. This office handled certain other work and business for city administrators.
That included certain commercial conduct as well. There was no way around it. In the Baler Federation, if one wanted to do something, first, one could not do without the support of the President’s Cabinet, and second, one could not do without the support of capitalists.
Without the support of the President’s Cabinet, there might still be ways to handle certain things. But without the support of capitalists...
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