Vera, having readjusted her outfit, returned to her seat. “I’m a single mother. Maybe I won’t marry again for my child’s sake, but I have the right to control my own body.”
Normally, she would find it difficult to say such things, but with emotions running high and Lynch’s important and decisive words, she felt she should appear more open.
Both were adults, and Lynch quickly understood her meaning—they might be occasional partners but it wouldn’t affect their lives otherwise.
Such a secret between two people seemed to bring them closer, and after crossing that boundary, some things became smoother.
“Sabin City isn’t a good place to develop. You know, I have some financial accounts…” Lynch resumed his breakfast. The maid’s bacon was well-cooked, and he liked it.
Though frying bacon seems simple, few do it well.
If overcooked, the fat is fully rendered out, making the bacon dry, tough, and lacking flavor—unsuitable for breakfast.
If undercooked, the unique smoky aroma doesn’t develop, and the fatty parts feel greasy, overwhelming the lean meat’s taste.
The bacon must be cooked just right—crispy in spots, with some fat slightly translucent—maintaining tenderness without greasiness, with a hint of char. This balance is difficult, depending on timing and heat, which is why kitchens have many tools, yet many still fail.
Watching Lynch eat stirred a strange feeling in Vera. She didn’t answer his words but asked, “When will you leave here?”
“Here?” Lynch paused, then said, “Sabin City? I’ll go to Eminence on the 28th, but I’ll return briefly in early January. Not necessarily here—if the governor wins reelection, I have to attend his celebration.”
Lynch had little private time until midyear.
“What’s up?” he asked. “Anything special?”
Vera nodded. “If you’re not in a hurry, I’ll make you breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Lynch was surprised but gladly accepted. “Of course, no problem. Even if something special comes up, I’ll stay just for that breakfast.”
He was always understanding. Stirring milk, Vera answered his earlier question, “I know about your accounts in Eminence. Heard you made money?”
Accountants have their own channels for industry news. Sharing such gossip is seen by newcomers as proof they’ve entered a certain circle, so they constantly discuss rumors and insider news to show they’re not inferior.
What they don’t realize is that some quiet accountants are far more capable.
In the office, amidst many subordinates, news always reached Vera, including Lynch’s financial moves, which became hot topics. So she knew he had profited.
Lynch nodded ambiguously. “I set up several foundations. When there’s no business, it’s fine, but once business starts, things get complicated, especially with funds.”
Vera nodded. Though private funds don’t have to disclose accounts publicly, tax authorities can audit their books for tax evasion.
Such checks don’t happen often—unless two major powers clash—since the authorities prefer to avoid risky funds where shareholders might be presidents or tax officials.
But ignoring or messing up accounts isn’t an option. Some information is highly sensitive and requires trusted hands, not just professionals.
Even if Lynch can’t win Vera’s heart easily, he has other ways.
Emotion
,
reason
,
desire
,
fear
—four eternal forces in life, a master once told him. Lynch found it very true.
hey were the deeper, more fundamental forces behind human weakness—a philosophical evolution of
wine
,
lust
,
money
, and
ambition
. Few words, yet they revealed the truth more clearly.
He rolled a piece of bacon, dipped it in soft egg yolk, and took a bite. Chewing, he said, “I trust no one but you. If possible, I want you to fully manage the finances in Eminence, and…”
He dabbed his lips with a napkin. “I plan to set headquarters in Eminence. At least for the next ten years, it will be there.”
Vera, not very interested in politics, suddenly had a flash of insight. “Because of the president?”
Lynch didn’t hide it. Sometimes showing your network is the best way to show strength. “I have a good relationship with the president. The next ten years will be my fastest growth period. I need you, Vera. Think about it.”
Vera hesitated. She was used to living in Sabin City and wasn’t sure about moving.
Eminence isn’t a livable city. Federal citizens know this well. Many live there not because it’s comfortable but because they must fight for life and future.
In Sabin City, people stroll leisurely, chatting about trivial things.
In winter, many gather outdoors with chairs and a small stove, sharing cheap coffee and milk, enjoying long, relaxed hours.
None of this exists in Eminence. A few years ago, a bestselling book called
Eminence Doesn’t Believe in Tears
told everyone exactly how harsh the city is.
Failure, pain, illness, despair—negative emotions breed, physical ailments erupt, but no one stops to help or care. Everyone is too busy struggling to barely maintain dignity.
The protagonist was a young dreamer who came to Eminence for his ideals and slowly learned of its coldness—dying alone on a busy intersection, ignored by passersby.
His death sparked sympathy across the federation, especially among job seekers in Eminence. Some held large protests in the city center, lying on the streets to warn others.
But most participants were visitors or outsiders, not locals.
Real Eminence residents don’t have time to waste a whole day on such events.
So when people mention Eminence, no one thinks it’s a good place to live. The mayor even protested the book, accusing the author of distorting the city’s image. Everyone knows who’s right.
These concerns made Vera unsure about moving, but since she didn’t strongly oppose, Lynch knew she could be persuaded.
“Eminence has the most advanced technology, science, medicine—everything you can think of and more. If it exists, it appears there first.”
“Education too. Many top experts live there to serve the children. People you only see on TV or book covers will be part of your child’s life, giving them a better education than most.”
“Vera, the future only opens to the highly educated. Society increasingly treats education as a new class.”
“What degree you have determines what you can do—not just your ability.”
“For your career, your children, or a better life, moving to Eminence is a smart choice.”
“And…” Lynch slowly stood up and reached out his hand to Vera. “I need you too.”
For some reason, Vera was moved. After a brief hesitation, she took his hand.
She didn’t say yes or no, but they both knew she agreed.
A new life seemed full of promise.
With her decision made, Vera asked, “What about the staff here? Should they stay or come with us?”
“You can bring some you trust and get along with. As for the rest, there will be a branch office here…”
Sabin City’s business was far from over and would continue for a long time.
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