Blackstone Code-Chapter 294:

"Are you leaving?" Vera asked, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Lynch. She couldn't quite grasp why, out of the blue, he had decided to leave the Federation.

From the serious manner in which Lynch had come to inform her, it seemed like his departure wouldn't be brief. "Will you be gone for long?" she asked hesitantly.

Lynch nodded, peeling a piece of fruit on the table—a common fruit that, just a year ago, this household would never have purchased unpeeled.

They used to shop at exclusive supermarkets, those tailored for the middle class in the Baylor Federation. These markets subtly screened their clientele through membership fees, ranging from 150 bucks to 500 bucks annually. This pricing structure effectively stratified customers into different tiers.

But were the products in these markets necessarily better? Not always. What they offered was an aura of sophistication, a sense that they cared more about their customers than the customers themselves might even realize. For instance, they peeled fruits. Whether hard-shelled or soft, there were always people who struggled with such tasks. The market employees, dressed as if preparing for surgery, would peel, slice, arrange, and package the fruits right before the customers' eyes. By the time the customer returned home, the fruit was ready to eat—no effort required.

Such conveniences made higher-income groups willing to pay a premium for ease, a hallmark of middle-class life. They earned more than the average person and were happy to spend money to elevate their social standing.

But things had changed since Vera's divorce from Gap. Though she managed to retain some key assets, it was only a portion. Gap had voluntarily renounced all claims to their shared property, but the court rejected his attempt to leave empty-handed. Their joint savings, stock accounts, and other communal assets were seized, including half the rights to their house. The house itself was initially slated for confiscation, but Vera bought it back at a fraction of its market value—roughly half-price. Still, this left her financially strained.

A pound of unpeeled fruit for one buck versus five pounds of pre-peeled fruit for 5.98—she now knew how to choose.

Lynch tossed the fruit peel into the trash, biting into the sweet flesh as he nodded. "I'll be gone for about three to six months. I might return earlier or stay longer… I came to let you know. While I'm away from the Federation, I need you to keep an eye on the company accounts. Do you understand what I mean?"

Vera still seemed dazed. Lynch quickly finished the fruit in his hand, wiped his fingers with a napkin, and said, "The board members aren't aligned with me. I've arranged everything else, but the finances are tricky. I can only rely on you."

Two months prior, he had already found a suitable manager through connections—a man named Joyce. At thirty-five, Joyce was young, energetic, and at the peak of his physical and mental prowess. Ambitious and opinionated, he wasn't easily manipulated by others on the board. He avoided the mistakes typical of younger executives, and his ambition made him cautious about tarnishing his career. Combined with Lynch's control measures, major issues were unlikely to arise.

The board could be trusted not to cause trouble, but the finances remained vulnerable. Without someone reliable, a few clever maneuvers could drain Lynch's company. Vera's importance was undeniable.

Lynch's tone, expression, and gaze were all earnest. After a moment of silence, Vera nodded. This time, she didn't offer excuses to shirk the responsibility. After everything she'd been through, she realized the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Alone with a child, she wouldn't survive without help. Trusting someone unfamiliar would require testing and cooperation, whereas working wholeheartedly with Lynch, whom she knew well, seemed the better option.

With that, the matter was settled. A brief silence passed between them before Vera brought up Lynch's plans. "If you're going to be gone that long, you'll miss the new semester."

Lynch had once mentioned wanting to pursue further studies, particularly at a university affiliated with the Society of the Sacred Harmony. Vera understood what that meant—everyone did. The Society's influence in the Federation was immense. Whether celebrities, politicians, capitalists, or scholars, most of the elite were either members or had ties to the organization. The belief that the Society controlled the Federation—and perhaps the world—through conspiracies wasn't unfounded. It underscored their status. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

The simplest way to join the Society was through its affiliated universities, a method akin to the exclusive supermarkets. Students attending these institutions typically came from at least middle-class families, already possessing advantages in connections, wealth, and status. These already exceptional individuals competed fiercely, and only the best were selected to join the Society, ensuring each new member brought something valuable to the network. This subtle infiltration was one reason the Society wielded such influence over the Federation.

Of course, nothing was absolute. When Vera expressed her doubts, Lynch merely smiled. "I have my ways…"

If his business in Nagalier succeeded, it would validate the theories he'd espoused at radical salons. At that point, it was unlikely that anyone would object to him donating money and securing a nominal affiliation with a Society-affiliated university. Most non-secret organizations sought to expand their influence, and the Society was no exception. They didn't hide their existence; instead, they welcomed attention, hosting semi-public events and inviting discussion. What they craved was influence, and Lynch possessed that in spades.

He would ride the wave of an era, becoming a figure impossible to ignore. The Society would extend an invitation—it was inevitable.

Vera didn't fully grasp Lynch's plans, but she forced a smile, pretending to understand. The past few months had drained her, leaving her soul weary. She felt exhausted.

After leaving Vera's house, Lynch visited Nail, his father, for help. Lynch's parents had moved from their old neighborhood, seizing the opportunity of the financial downturn to buy a spacious house in a middle-class community at a bargain price. Lynch understood their motivations—it mirrored the aspirations of many in the lower echelons of Baylor society. The cramped public housing units in the lower-income districts resembled boxes, forcing families to convert living rooms into bedrooms at night. The desire for a large home surpassed even the urge to splurge. Nail's first act after coming into money was selling their old, decrepit apartment and upgrading to a grand house.

Nail had changed significantly in recent months. He was learning how to embody the persona of someone "above" his former station. Many who rose from humble beginnings shared this journey. Initially, Nail believed that kindness and camaraderie would inspire workers' loyalty. He worked alongside them, improved their wages, added beef chunks to their lunches, and provided free juice and fruit. But instead of gratitude, the workers mocked him, calling him naive and accusing him of putting on a show.

Eventually, Nail learned to enforce discipline through rules and penalties. Productivity stemmed from respect—or fear—not goodwill. This was the maturation process every manager underwent.

Nail and his wife, Sera, greeted Lynch. After exchanging pleasantries, Sera excused herself to prepare dinner, leaving Nail and Lynch in the living room. Dressed impeccably, Nail bore little resemblance to the man in worn, shabby clothes from months ago.

"Is there something you need?" Nail asked casually, having learned over his months as a construction manager that Lynch wouldn't visit without purpose.Please vote for this novel at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link

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