Shadow Empire

Chapter 1022 Mentality

Many people spent the Lunar New Year at Lance's manor this year, and there were also many visitors.

Lance used to be just a gang member, and even recently, people didn't think such a character could rise to the forefront.

But now, it seems that some subtle changes have occurred.

The Federal Post is a very important newspaper; in some ways, it is like the mouthpiece of the federal government.

The news published in the Post often represents the "official stance".

The two most recent issues of the newspaper both mentioned Lance. "Reflections on the Invaders" is a perspective on federal investment and development in Lapa from the viewpoint of Lance and the federal government.

Later, an article titled "Justice for the People" was published, analyzing the differences between the Rapa government, anti-government forces, and the concessionists and federalists from the perspective of the Rapa people.

The second article doesn't mention Lance frequently, but any intelligent person can tell that the core of the article is still about Lance and the concession.

If the federal government is whitewashing the concessions, then they really have been whitewashed.

Many people don't actually know what this means, but they understand one thing: Lance is taking a step that many people can't imagine or dare to think about in their entire lives.

He is expanding his influence even further!

So many people came to visit him, and he spent the whole day dealing with these visitors and the gifts they brought, until later in the day when he could finally relax.

But it's not a complete relaxation, because there's a New Year's Eve party going to be held here later.

Once a person has clearly escaped the bottom in terms of wealth, power, and status, they will have less and less private time.

Lance handed Patricia the Ace, whose collar was stained with his own saliva, which was hanging from his chest. Ace had a ruby ​​ornament on his collar.

Ace probably thought of it as some kind of sweet snack, and started munching on the gem.

Lance didn't notice this at first, but by the time he did, his collar was covered in drool.

Fortunately, these pieces of jewelry are all carefully maintained and contain no harmful ingredients.

"I need to change my clothes," Lance said, putting his arm around Patricia's waist and kissing her on the cheek before heading upstairs.

While Patricia's gaze was still on Lance, Barbara walked over from the side and asked, "Where is he going?"

Patricia's expression turned slightly strange when she turned around and saw Barbara. She had a hard time maintaining her normal expression because her cousin was about to take things away from her again, just like when they were children.

When she was little, what she might have taken away were the adults' praise, or some of her favorite toys, pebbles, or other small items.

She could forgive Barbara; after all, these things were just things, not as important as the feelings between them.

But now, she wants to take her husband away, which is somewhat hard for Patricia to accept.

However, she quickly adjusted her mindset and handed Ace over to a maid who had come with her from the farm.

This maid was only in her thirties, and the way she walked gave the impression of "a bear standing up and trying to walk like a human."

Despite being only a little over 1.6 meters tall, she weighs over 200 pounds and exudes a formidable presence.

She can not only take care of Ace, but also fight as a "warrior" when necessary.

This woman, starting with her grandfather, and her entire family has remained loyal to the farm and the Lawrence family ever since.

The maid carefully carried Ace and then led him to the side, leaving Patricia and Barbara alone.

They themselves may not realize it yet, but some people on the farm can sense that there seems to be some problem between the two sisters.

Patricia looked Barbara up and down. Barbara wore a fitted, floor-length dress that, like satin, perfectly accentuated her figure. The bright red color made her look like a ball of "fire," a flame of desire!
Her wavy, reddish-brown hair exuded an amazing passion, and her bright red lips made Patricia's imagination run wild.

She was slightly distracted, but quickly recovered. "His clothes are stained with Ace's saliva. Go change your clothes."

Barbara looked at her younger sister and said, "You've been avoiding me lately."

Patricia wanted to say "no," but then felt that would be too passive, so she looked up and stared directly into Barbara's eyes. "Why do you have that misconception?"

“Is it just my imagination?” Patricia noticed as she raised her hand that she was holding a lady’s pipe, which had a very modern feel to it; it was slender and beautiful.

A women's blended tobacco was placed in front, which was much milder than raw tobacco.

This type of aged flue-cured tobacco is gradually appearing more frequently on the market, and its target market is mainly women and teenagers.

In recent years, in order to promote the market acceptance of this blended flue-cured tobacco, the Federal Tobacco Group has invested a lot in advertising and sponsored many movies.

After all, movies were the most popular form of entertainment for ordinary people during this period. According to statistics from some federal agencies, each federal citizen would go to the movies about twice and a half times a month, which is about once every twelve days.

With such a huge market size, more women and teenagers in the film are starting to consume the new blended tobacco.

Many longtime smokers look down on this, believing that the bland and tasteless blended tobacco is something only effeminate people would eat, but it does indeed cater to the mainstream female and youth market.

In the movies Barbara starred in, several of her characters had a smoking habit, which earned her endorsement contracts with two tobacco companies.

At first, she didn't really like smoking, but as things progressed, she gradually started smoking as well.

Patricia found the act of smoking pleasing to the eye, which made her feel somewhat... well, not exactly inferior, but more like she wasn't good enough.

Barbara is the most beautiful girl in the family, without a doubt!

Even when she's smoking, she's still incredibly charming.

She was about to look away when, remembering Barbara's ultimate goal, she stared at her wide-eyed again, "Isn't this just my imagination?"

Barbara chuckled twice. "I never intended to take him away from you."

Patricia pursed her lips and remained silent, simply staring at her.

Barbara shrugged, turning her face slightly to the side, revealing her shoulders and shoulder hollows, which Patricia found very attractive.

Under the room's gentle light, it radiates a warm, jade-like luster—it's absolutely beautiful!
Sometimes I think, darling.

“Over the past two decades, I have beaten you countless times. I thought I would keep winning, but you dealt me ​​a heavy blow.”

Just as Patricia's lips began to curl into a slight smile, she heard Barbara say again, "There's a very high chance I'll never get married in my life."

"Don't even talk about finding a man better than him; it's almost impossible to find someone just as good as him." "Maybe there are, but they're either too old or too ugly. You know, I don't like old and ugly men."

"So I may spend my whole life alone. When Ace grows up, you will have your children and your family, but I will have nothing, only myself."

Hearing Barbara say that, Patricia felt a little sad again; they really had a good relationship.

If we weren't really close, we wouldn't have hung out together for so long. But how can we compromise on something like this?
She didn't continue on the topic, and neither did Barbara. Some things can't be resolved in one or two tries, and she had plenty of time anyway.

A while later, Lance came downstairs. He had changed into a new suit and a new set of accessories, still rubies.

He has a particular fondness for rubies, and while sapphires are also acceptable and he likes emeralds quite a bit, he still prefers rubies among these gems.

The color of blood.

Passionate, unrestrained, and dangerous.

As Lance came down the stairs, he saw Barbara standing with Patricia. Although he was a little curious about what they were talking about, he didn't ask any questions.

That's about all he could think of.

"We should go over there."

Some guests have already arrived, and as the organizer of this year's New Year's Eve themed event, it would be inappropriate for Lance not to show up soon.

Barbara naturally took Lance's arm, while Patricia was a little annoyed, but she only took Lance's other arm.

Lance didn't react too strongly to this; he simply smiled and led the two ladies into the largest restaurant in the manor.

A large crowd had already gathered there, and when they saw Lance walk in through the main door, the gentlemen who were already gathered in the room all crowded around him.

Barbara naturally let go of Lance's arm again and stayed by the door.

Patricia glanced back at her, and she returned the smile.

"Lance, let me introduce you," Governor Terry said with a broad smile. He had already placed his people in key positions in the state government, making him, in a true sense, the full governor.

Here, he doesn't need to consider anyone's feelings except for Lance, unless he wants to.

Lance took the initiative to look at the people around him, several of them.

"Who is this……"

Patricia felt dizzy when she saw a successful man, who was twenty or thirty years older than her and had various titles, bowing and extending his hand to Lance with a fawning expression on his face.

She often failed to grasp Lance's "strength," learning about it primarily from others rather than experiencing it firsthand.

Until this moment.

The governor was standing nearby, and she tightened her grip on Lance's arm slightly, her expression becoming somewhat unnatural and stiff.

She was not quite used to the environment.

The people introduced by Lance and Governor Terry shook hands, chatted, and exchanged business cards in a friendly manner.

After the group left, Lance patted Patricia's hand, indicating that he wanted to speak with Governor Terry alone.

Patricia then left Lance's side somewhat bewildered, feeling very insecure.

She is a very simple woman, seemingly simple from childhood to adulthood. If she hadn't met Lance, perhaps her life would have remained just as ordinary and simple as ever.

She instinctively went to Barbara's side, where Barbara was chatting with several ladies who seemed to know each other.

When she saw Patricia approaching, she apologized, ended her conversation with them, and went to Patricia's side.

“You seem a little lost,” she said, holding a slender, feminine pipe in her hand, exuding an indescribable charm.

Patricia glanced back at Lance, who was whispering to Governor Terry at the edge of the room. "I don't know..."

"I feel... like I don't quite fit in here!" She pondered for a few moments before finally finding these few words to put together.

The social occasions here were so high-class that she felt a little uncomfortable.

For example, just now, when those successful people gave Lance their business cards, Patricia, as Lance's female companion and someone in a higher position, should have taken the initiative to accept the business cards they handed to him, but she didn't.

Whether you do it or not is actually up to you.

She felt she couldn't fit in here, with the environment, the people, and their way of interacting.

She longs to return to the farm—it's simple, not so complicated, and gives her peace of mind.

As Patricia poured out her frustrations, Barbara reached out and lifted her somewhat dejected chin. "Nobody is born knowing everything, Patricia."

"As long as you are willing to understand, accept, and learn, you will quickly adapt to everything here."

"Now, I'll give you some advice!"

Patricia nodded, looking intently at her cousin.

"Put away that awful look on your face. Now you represent not only yourself, but also Lance, and even the Lawrence family."

"Feel the curious, doubtful, malicious, and even hostile gazes around you. This is an indispensable part of your future life!"

As Barbara explained, Patricia glanced around out of the corner of her eye and saw many ladies attending the evening's social event, scrutinizing her with smiles that she couldn't tell were kind or malicious.

This made her feel even more uncomfortable, and her face turned slightly pale.

Barbara walked over to him, took his arm, and said in a soft but firm voice, "Lift your chin, darling."

"The more you try to escape, the more they will chase after you and humiliate you."

"They'll only be afraid of you if you punch them squarely in the face!"

"Besides, these people aren't scary at all. You should know that you're the leading lady today!"

"Let's go say hello to them..."

(End of this chapter)