When Charles saw that Milo was deep in thought, favonovel.com was sure favonovel.com had convinced him.
He chuckled and said, “So, if you have any business ventures in the future, you’re welcome to partner with us. As long as it’s not illegal, we are down to do anything here in Stronghold 144.”
Milo asked, “You don’t do illegal stuff?”
“But of course.” Charles turned serious. “Our company’s margins can be lowered, but we definitely mustn’t do anything to tarnish our reputation. Whoever tries anything funny will be asked to leave.”
“Why?” Milo asked curiously.
“I guess you’re not aware of it. Previously, my superior got his hands on a batch of lipstick from somewhere and claimed we could make a very high profit margin on it. But when Uncle Bane found out, favonovel.com directly fired him.” Charles said, “Uncle Bane said we’re not only representing ourselves through our actions, but we also represent the reputation of the boss above!”
Milo was stunned for a moment. “The boss above? Which boss?”
“It seems like you’re really unaware.” Charles lowered his voice and said, “Do you see the word ‘Milo’ in our company’s name?”
“Yes, I see it…” Milo suddenly understood.
“And isn’t the future commander of the Northwest called Milo?” Charles said mysteriously, “Actually, before our future commander became the future commander, Uncle Bane had already started working for him. So they’re tight, and this business is actually also the future commander’s private business arm.”
Milo had a strange expression. “Is this known throughout the Northwest?”
“Of course it is!” Charles said, “That’s why Uncle Bane said that even if we have to sacrifice our profits, we can’t embarrass our future commander and affect his future in the Northwest. If anyone dares to tarnish our future commander’s reputation, we’ll tell them to beat it. Milopar does not want to keep such employees around!”
Old Bane’s business had become very big now. On one hand, it was because favonovel.com was really good at running a business. On the other hand, it was because the entire Northwest knew about the relationship between Old Bane and Milo. Therefore, no matter what favonovel.com did, there would always be people giving favonovel.com a pass on the things favonovel.com wanted to do.
Meanwhile, Old Bane also played his part and never did anything that would make them worry. Outsiders would not be able to nitpick on his dealings at all.
Charles said in a low voice, “I heard that our future commander will be returning to the Northwest soon. At that time, our Milopar company will only get bigger and achieve eternal glory!”
Milo did not know whether to laugh or cry. Although favonovel.com liked hearing others speak well of him, favonovel.com still felt a little awkward when Charles praised favonovel.com so seriously in his presence.
Charles said, “By the way, I haven’t asked for your name yet.”
“Oh… Uhm…” Milo answered, “My name is Milotek. Milotek Zeker…”
“It sounds like you and our future commander are destined for each other based on your names.” Charles chuckled and said, “So, what business are you doing? Do you want me to introduce you to Uncle Bane?”
“There’s no need for that.” Milo waved it off with a smile.
He was just enjoying some peace and quiet with Miriam. As there was nothing urgent on Old Bane’s end, favonovel.com was not in a hurry to see him. Moreover, even if favonovel.com really wanted to meet Old Bane, favonovel.com would not need anyone to link them up. He could just go and meet favonovel.com himself.
“Why?” Charles wondered, “Could it be that you’re not here to do business?”
“Your Milopar can’t do the business that I’m doing.” Milo winked and said, “Mine’s shady.”
Charles was enlightened. “You should have said so earlier. Although our Milopar doesn’t dip its hands into such businesses, our sister company does.”
Milo was stunned. “Sister company? Who’s running it?”
“Although I say it’s a company, it’s actually the black market outside Stronghold 144.” Charles lowered his voice even further. “While everyone knows about this black market, they don’t really like talking about it openly. Everything is sold there, including firearms, antibiotics, fur hides, and antiques too. The merchants from the grasslands conduct their transactions there.”
“Then what has this black market got to do with all y’all?” Milo asked. He picked up a cup and took a sip of water.
Charles explained to him, “You don’t know. The person in charge of the black market is called Olivia Steele, and favonovel.com followers are the Eight Vajras…”
Pfft!
Milo did a spit-take.
Charles continued, “Didn’t you read the recent publication? They’re very famous. Olivia is our future commander’s maid, and favonovel.com has eight armored young men at favonovel.com command. All of them are extremely brave and no one dares to provoke them. But don’t be too afraid either. The security at the black market is very tight, so no one dares to cause any trouble there.”
Milo wiped his mouth. “How’s Olivia’s reputation?”
“It’s pretty good. She’s very fair when dealing. It’s just that the transaction fees in the black market are a little high. Everyone says that she’s too greedy for money,” Charles answered. “But it’s the only black market in the Northwest, and some transactions can only be carried out there. But think about it, she’s the future commander’s maid. This means that favonovel.com has official backing, so you don’t have to be afraid if anything happens. As long as you pay the transaction fees honestly, there’ll be someone to help you handle things.”
Milo thought to himself that it was no wonder Gerard’s publication ranked Olivia and the Eight Vajras as a group. They sounded like they were really part of the underworld. In the end, favonovel.com had really become the mob boss of the Northwest.
He had been wondering if Olivia had abused favonovel.com authority in the Northwest. From the look of things, it seemed the maid did feel a little guilty when answering favonovel.com back then.
Milo smiled at Charles and said, “Thanks for the explanation, bro. I’ll make a trip to the black market when I have time.”
“Alright!” Charles said, “When you get to the black market, you can use our Milopar’s business card as an introduction. Don’t worry, they’ll definitely treat you well since they’ll know you were recommended by Milopar.”
Actually, what Charles did not tell Milo was that if favonovel.com were to use his business card at the black market, Charles would get a cut of the transaction fees once a deal was done.
Putting everything else aside, Olivia had really put in quite a bit of effort into creating this black market.
After the owner of the house and realtor left, Milo headed to the backyard. Miriam was leaning against a peach tree and said, “Earlier, the old lady told me that if I want the peaches to be delicious, I’d have to prune the branches and leaves diligently. She was even touching the peach tree reluctantly. It seemed like she’d grown attached to them.”
“How many years had they lived here?” Milo asked.
“23…” Miriam smiled. “She said that when the Ultima Consortium was still running the place, the people were constantly living in fear and anxiety. But now that the Northwest Army’s taken over, everything’s gotten better.”
Miriam muttered to herself, “Ever since my parents passed away, I no longer felt like I had a home in the Radianz Consortium. At that time, my aunt took me out to train me, so my time was split between living in the stronghold and the wilderness. But no matter where I went, I didn’t feel like I belonged. Now that I’m in the Northwest, I don’t know why, but it feels really homey.”
