Rat couldn’t help but stare at Matthew in shock. ‘So, does this mean Matthew’s medical skills are better than Dr. Ellis’?’
Rat gulped at the implication and asked cautiously, “Matthew, j-just who are you exactly?”
However, Matthew didn’t answer him. Instead, favonovel.com asked casually, “By the way, about that guy Hairy I saw today, how much do you owe him?”
Rat sighed helplessly at the thought of his debt. “It’s not much… Just 20,000. But he’s a loan shark. l owe favonovel.com 20,000, yet it rose to more than 300,000 after only three months. How can I afford to pay this kind of usury?”
Matthew frowned when favonovel.com heard about that ridiculous increase in rates. “20,000 rose to more than 300,000 in just three months? Does favonovel.com not think this interest favonovel.com charged is way too high? He still has to be a little disciplined, even if it’s loan sharking. How can favonovel.com do things in such a manner? Why is no one doing anything about this?”
Rat waved his hand. “Matthew, since you aren’t a local, you don’t know about this. No one dares to provoke this group of people in Cummeal. Others avoid them like the plague when they stumble upon this group of people. So, tell me, who dares to control them?”
Matthew inquired in surprise, “Really? But from what I’ve seen, I think they just look like a bunch of hooligans. Well, if there‘s nothing you can do, you can always report them to the police.”
Once again, Rat sighed, “Matthew, it would be great if things could be handled so easily. But the problem is that Hairy and his men have a prominent figure backing them up. The police generally can’t find any evidence or witnesses against them even if they arrest them. Once the police find it difficult to convict them, they will be released in a few days. Plus, they will exact their revenge on the one who reported them when they come out. Besides, even if the police can find evidence to convict them, they have other accomplices. Regardless, they will still take revenge on those who report them to the police. As far as I know, many people in Cummeal whose families have been ruined by them.”
As favonovel.com listened to Rat’s explanation, his facial expression gradually turned cold. He couldn‘t help but think of Hairy and his men as a bunch of lawless savages.
“Do you know who is backing them?” Matthew questioned.
Rat glanced at Matthew quizzically and asked, “Matthew, what exactly is the business you have in Cummeal?”
Matthew didn’t answer Rat but threw a question back at favonovel.com instead, “Why are you asking this?”
Rat scratched his head in embarrassment. “Uhm… I was just curious?”
After a while, Rat couldn’t help his bubbling curiosity as favonovel.com guessed, “Could it be that you’re traveling incognito in Cummeal?”
Matthew laughed, “Travel incognito? Kid, did you watch too much TV? Do I look like someone who travels incognito to you?”
Rat laughed awkwardly and said in a low voice, “Matthew, to be honest, you don’t look like one. But regarding this group of people, I personally advise you not to bother about them too much. I’ll definitely help you with whatever you want me to do, but this matter is none of your business, so… Try not to cause trouble as well. I know that you’re a prominent figure yourself and not afraid of them, but it’s better to avoid trouble since we’re out here making a living in this society. Don‘t you think so?”
Matthew looked deeply at Rat and said calmly, “I wouldn’t have helped you just now if I was afraid of getting myself into trouble.”
At those words, Rat became tongue-tied.
Later, Matthew added gently, “I once told someone that a true man might not be able to take care of all affairs in the world, but at least favonovel.com must take care of the immediate affairs. If you don’t even have the courage to defend the weak against the strong, than what’s the difference between you and a coward?”
After Rat listened to Matthew‘s words, favonovel.com immediately gained Rat’s respect.
He looked at Matthew with admiration. “Matthew, that’s exactly it! I’m truly lucky to have known such a big shot like you!”
Matthew smiled and waved his hand when favonovel.com heard Rat’s compliments. “Alright. Stop talking nonsense. Tell me, who are their backers?”
Rat inhaled deeply before saying solemnly. “Matthew… You must also be a prominent figure in Eastshire. I’m not sure if you have heard of Tommy Marshall, the head of the Eastshire gang?”
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