Chapter 44: Closing In On The Councilman

The list of law-enforcement officials had been crossed out. Every name, every target, every pawn of Cassandra's corrupt network now answered to me. But there was no time to savor the victory. The next name on the list was bigger, more powerful, and more protected than any we had taken down so far: Councilman David Lee.

Chair of the City Council. The man who held the city's growth in his hands. Zoning laws, urban development, contracts—nothing moved in this city without his approval. His ties to Cassandra ran deep, and unlike the others, he had layers of security that made a direct approach impossible.

I leaned back in Edward's office chair, tapping a pen against the polished mahogany desk as John read over the councilman's profile.

"This guy's no joke," John said, setting the file down. "He's got private security, bodyguards, and even cops on his payroll. We can't just walk up to him like we did with Ortiz."

"I know," I replied, spinning the pen between my fingers. "That's why we're not going after him directly. If we can't hit the front door, we'll find another way in."

I motioned to my investigator, Elijah, one of the best in my squad. "Elijah, you're up. I want you to dig into Lee's past—his deals, his connections, anything we can use. Find me his skeletons."

Elijah nodded confidently. "Give me 48 hours."

True to his word, Elijah returned with a folder thick enough to rival a novel. Inside was everything we needed to know about David Lee—and more.

"Five years ago," Elijah began, spreading out a series of documents and photos on the table, "Lee was involved in a money-laundering scheme. It wasn't just any scheme—he used his position in the City Council to funnel dirty money through urban development projects. But here's the kicker: his partner in the operation turned against him. They got into a fight, and Lee tried to eliminate him to cover his tracks. The guy escaped, changed his identity, and went into hiding."

John whistled low. "And you found him?"

Elijah smirked. "Of course. He's been living under a fake name in a small town just outside the city. His name now is Peter Hensley, but back then, he was Michael Chu—Lee's right-hand man in the operation."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "Does he know we've found him?"

"No," Elijah replied. "I made sure not to spook him. But I've got his current address, workplace, and even his daily routine."

I picked up one of the photos Elijah had taken. Michael—now Peter—looked like a man trying to live a quiet life, far removed from the chaos of the past. Too bad for him, the past was about to catch up.

"Good work, Elijah," I said. "This is exactly what we need."

I drafted the email myself, making sure every word was carefully chosen to strike fear into Lee.

To: Councilman David Lee

I know about Michael Chu. I know what happened five years ago—the money laundering, the fight, the attempt to get rid of him. I know where he is now. If you don't meet with me, everything you've built will come crashing down.

You have 48 hours to decide.

The message was sent through an anonymous channel, one that Lee couldn't trace back to me. Now, all we had to do was wait.

Less than 24 hours later, Lee responded.

From: Councilman David Lee

Who are you, and what do you want?

I smirked at the desperation in his tone. He wasn't as composed as he liked to appear. I replied immediately.

To: Councilman David Lee

We'll talk in person. Alone. Bring no one. Your career—and your life—depends on it.

I chose a discreet location for our meeting: an abandoned parking garage on the outskirts of the city. My squad was stationed at strategic points, snipers hidden in shadows and on rooftops, ready to intervene if Lee tried anything. John stood nearby, always my silent enforcer.

Lee arrived exactly on time, stepping out of a sleek black car with only a driver to accompany him. He looked more rattled than I expected, his usual confident demeanor replaced with wariness.

As he approached me, I smiled, the photo of Michael Chu tucked neatly into my pocket.

"Councilman Lee," I greeted him, my tone light but laced with authority. "Thank you for coming."

His eyes narrowed. "Cut the crap. Who are you, and what do you want?"

I tilted my head. "The question isn't who I am. It's who you are. And who Michael Chu is."

The color drained from his face at the mention of the name. "What do you want?" he repeated, his voice quieter this time.

I pulled out the photo and held it up. "This man. Five years ago, he was your partner, wasn't he? Until things went south, and you tried to make sure he wouldn't be a problem anymore."

Lee's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "I found him, Councilman. I know where he is, and I have all the evidence I need to ruin you. So here's the deal: You work for me now. Everything you do from this point on will be for my benefit. Refuse, and I'll make sure your dirty laundry is aired for the entire city to see."

Lee's fists clenched at his sides, his composure slipping further. "You're just a kid," he spat. "What makes you think you can handle someone like me?"

I smiled, unbothered by his bluster. "A kid who's dismantling Cassandra's empire piece by piece. A kid who already has law enforcement under his thumb. A kid who knows exactly how to make men like you fall apart."

He glared at me, his breathing uneven. "And if I refuse?"

I shrugged, slipping the photo back into my pocket. "Then I let the world know who you really are. It's your choice, Councilman."

The silence stretched, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. Finally, he exhaled, the fight draining from his shoulders. "Fine," he muttered. "You win."

[Loyalty Meter: Councilman David Lee – 65%.]

I smiled. "Good choice. Welcome to the team, Councilman."

As Lee left, his head low and his confidence shattered, John stepped up beside me. "One more piece on the board," he said.

"Exactly," I replied, already thinking ahead. "Cassandra's losing control, John. And it's only a matter of time before she realizes it."

The game was far from over, but with every new ally, every new victory, I was getting closer to toppling her empire for good. And nothing was going to stop me.

As Councilman David Lee's car disappeared into the night, I glanced at John, a subtle smirk playing on my lips. "He thinks he has a choice," I said quietly. "Let's remind him he doesn't."

John raised a brow. "You're going to push him more tonight?"

I tapped my temple, my voice carrying a trace of excitement. "The system didn't give me the Legendary-rank Talent: Master Manipulator for nothing. Let's put it to work."

[Talent Activated: Master Manipulator – Legendary Rank.]

A stream of information flowed into my mind. Lee's habits, fears, vulnerabilities, and psychological triggers all crystallized into clear strategies. It wasn't just knowledge—it was power. And tonight, I would use it to make Lee completely mine.

The next morning, I arranged for another meeting with Lee, this time in a neutral but subtly intimidating location: a private dining room in one of the city's most exclusive restaurants. It was the kind of place where power dynamics were displayed through seating arrangements and the quality of the wine list.

Lee arrived, looking more composed than last night but still wary. He took his seat across from me, his expression guarded.

"Another meeting so soon?" he asked, his tone curt. "What more do you want from me?"

I smiled, calm and collected. "Only your full cooperation, Councilman. Last night, I gave you a choice. Today, I'm here to show you why it's the only choice that makes sense."

His eyes narrowed. "You've already got leverage on me. Isn't that enough?"

I shook my head. "Leverage only gets you compliance. What I need is loyalty. And trust me, once you see the bigger picture, you'll want to be on my side willingly."

I leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze with unyielding confidence. [Persuasion Skill (Lv. 2) activated.]

"David," I began, dropping the formalities. "You're a man who's worked hard to build an empire. You've made sacrifices, taken risks, and played the game better than most. But let's not pretend that Cassandra values any of that."

He scoffed, but I could see the doubt flickering in his eyes. "Cassandra and I have worked together for years. She knows my worth."

"Does she?" I countered smoothly, pulling out a neatly folded document from my jacket. "This is a contract draft for a zoning project Cassandra is pushing through next month. Notice anything interesting?"

I slid the paper across the table, watching as his eyes scanned the text. His brow furrowed.

"This... this project bypasses my approval entirely," he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Exactly," I said. "She's already cutting you out. The same way she cut out her other allies the moment they became liabilities. You're not her partner, David. You're her pawn."

He set the paper down, his hands tightening into fists. "Why are you telling me this?"

I leaned back, giving him space to absorb the sting of betrayal. "Because you deserve better. And because I don't just see you as a pawn. I see your potential. Aligning with me isn't about surviving—it's about thriving."

[Loyalty Meter: David Lee – 75%.]

Before he could respond, I shifted tactics, using the Master Manipulator talent to pinpoint his deepest insecurities.

"You're a visionary, David," I continued. "But let's be honest—how much of that vision has been stifled by Cassandra? How many times have you had to compromise your plans because of her short-sighted greed?"

His silence spoke volumes.

"I'm offering you a chance to break free," I said, my tone softer now, almost empathetic. "A chance to build a legacy that isn't overshadowed by her. Work with me, and I'll make sure your name goes down in history as the man who reshaped this city for the better."

He looked at me, his skepticism slowly eroding. "And what's in it for you?"

I smiled faintly. "Let's just say our goals align. Cassandra's fall is inevitable, and when it happens, the people closest to her will fall with her—unless they're smart enough to switch sides now."

[Loyalty Meter: David Lee – 85%.]

For the coup de grâce, I decided to strike at the very core of his fears. [Insight Ability activated.]

"David," I said, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "What do you think will happen if Cassandra finds out you've been meeting with me? Do you think she'll give you a chance to explain? Or will she assume you've already betrayed her?"

The color drained from his face.

"She's paranoid," I pressed. "She'll see betrayal even where it doesn't exist. And when she does, it won't matter how loyal you've been. She'll destroy you just to be safe."

He swallowed hard, his composure crumbling. "You've made your point," he said hoarsely.

I leaned forward, my gaze locking onto his. "Then make the right choice, David. Work with me, and I'll ensure your survival—and your success."

[Loyalty Meter: David Lee – 100%.]

[Notification: Target David Lee has submitted completely.]

As the loyalty meter hit 100%, I saw the shift in Lee's posture. The wariness was gone, replaced by a quiet determination.

"What do you need from me?" he asked, his tone resigned but resolute.

I smiled. "For now, just keep doing what you've been doing. But when the time comes, I'll call on you to take action. And when I do, I expect your full cooperation."

He nodded. "Understood."

As he left the restaurant, I turned to John, who had been watching the exchange from a distance.

"Well?" John asked, smirking. "Another one in the bag?"

"Another one," I confirmed, standing up. "Cassandra won't even see it coming."

With David Lee on my side, Cassandra's network was unraveling faster than ever. And with each new ally, I was one step closer to my ultimate goal: total control.

Despite David Lee's apparent submission, something about the ease with which he surrendered left a bitter taste in my mouth. He was a seasoned politician—a master at reading people and playing his cards to his advantage. For all I knew, his loyalty meter hitting 100% could just be an act, a clever ploy to gain my trust before stabbing me in the back.

I couldn't risk it.

As John and I sat in the back of the car heading to our next location, I opened the system shop on my phone. The swirling, glowing interface displayed an array of items, but I already knew what I was looking for: Loyalty Bind Serum – Level 3.

It was the strongest version available, capable of locking even the most deceitful individual into unwavering loyalty. The system prompted me for confirmation, and I made the purchase without hesitation.

[System Notification: You have purchased Loyalty Bind Serum – Level 3 for $45,000 credits. Remaining credits: $120,000.]

Later that evening, I called David to meet me again. This time, I chose a private room in a nondescript office building—neutral ground that offered no advantage to either of us.

David arrived promptly, his expression still one of cautious obedience. He seemed more relaxed than earlier, perhaps reassured by my promises of security and success.

"I appreciate you coming," I said, gesturing for him to take a seat.

"I assumed it wasn't optional," he replied, his tone light but tinged with unease.

I chuckled. "No, it wasn't. But this isn't a confrontation, David. It's just... insurance."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a small vial containing a shimmering, golden liquid—the Loyalty Bind Serum – Level 3.

David's eyes narrowed. "What's that?"

"Think of it as a guarantee," I said smoothly, setting the vial on the table between us. "You've sworn loyalty to me, and I believe you. But belief isn't enough in this game. I need certainty."

His jaw tightened. "You don't trust me."

"It's not about trust," I countered, my tone calm but firm. "It's about ensuring we're on the same page. You're a politician, David. Deception is second nature to you. And while I respect your talents, I can't afford any risks."

He stared at the vial, his expression a mix of anger and resignation. "So, what? You want me to drink this... this potion like some kind of fairy tale?"

"It's a serum," I corrected. "And yes, I do. You have my word that it's harmless. But once you drink it, your loyalty to me will be absolute."

For a moment, he hesitated, his pride warring with his survival instincts. Finally, he sighed, reaching for the vial.

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

I met his gaze, unflinching. "You always have a choice, David. But think carefully about the consequences of the wrong one."

He uncorked the vial and downed its contents in one swift motion, grimacing as the liquid burned its way down his throat.

[System Notification: Target David Lee has consumed Loyalty Bind Serum – Level 3. Loyalty permanently locked at 100%. Subject is now incapable of betraying you.]

David set the empty vial on the table, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Satisfied?"

"Completely," I said with a faint smile. "Welcome to the team, David. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together."

As David left the room, I turned to John, who had been quietly observing the exchange.

"Well?" John asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's mine now," I said simply, leaning back in my chair.

John smirked. "You don't leave anything to chance, do you?"

"In this game, John, chance is just another word for failure," I replied. "And failure isn't an option."

With David Lee now permanently bound to me, I felt a surge of confidence. The Councilman's influence and connections would be invaluable in dismantling Cassandra's empire. And with every move I made, I was tightening the noose around her neck.

One by one, her allies were becoming mine. And soon, there would be no one left to protect her.