Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 52 [Undercurrent]

What Ethan didn't expect was that Sophia Shire went into the bluestone building with him to meet the principal.

The president of Winchester University sat behind the desk in his office.

He looked to be in his early sixties, with somewhat gray hair, but he was in good spirits. Sitting there, he gave people a kind yet solemn feeling.

Just like the bluestones that this house is made of.

Lauren Ross, that's his name.

When he saw Ethan and the others, Lauren Ross didn't greet Ethan first. Instead, he greeted Sophia Shire. He stood up, opened his arms towards Sophia, and said, "Sophia, why are you here? Is your father okay?"

"Uncle Lauren, my father is fine, but he can't drink anymore. He's not used to it. How are you? Are you feeling well?"

Sophia walked up quickly and held Lauren's hand, like a little girl meeting an elder.

Ethan then remembered that it was no wonder that the last name Charles looked so familiar. Wasn't the big boss behind John Holt also surnamed Charles?

Combined with Lauren's identity, Sophia's identity is obvious.

I didn't expect it to be his daughter.

The two talked for a long time before Lauren seemed to remember the important matter. He patted his head and said, "Sorry, I was so happy when I saw Sophia that I forgot about the important matter. Ethan, you are Ethan, right? Come here, let me see you, young man."

Ethan walked up after hearing that.

As he got closer, Ethan could feel more clearly that there was an indescribable meaning about Lauren.

Not only is it as heavy as bluestone, but it also has a divinity that is as calm as the sea outside the window, yet conceals tremendous waves?
"Hello, Principal Lauren."

"He is indeed an outstanding young man. No wonder he can create such paintings."

Lauren said, asking Ethan and the others to sit down.

"Actually, I saw your painting. You're quite talented. It expresses a devotion to the sea. I've been thinking about it, and I'd like to ask you to paint another piece for us to display at the school's centennial celebration. What do you think?"

"This..." Ethan didn't expect there would be such a good thing. Now, isn't he tied to Winchester University?
"Of course, I'm very honored, and very..."

"I absolutely do not agree to this!"

However, at this moment, a loud voice came from outside the door, and then a tall man led a group of people into the principal's office.

"Principal, you absolutely cannot let him attend the school celebration. Do you know his identity?"

The man who came was aggressive and threatening.

He spoke to Lauren while staring at Ethan.

"The man sitting before you, Ethan Porretta, is the leader of the Porretta family, the famous mafia in Winchester City. His hands are stained with blood and lives, and every penny he donated to the school is tainted with filth. I absolutely do not agree to allow such a demon to attend the school celebration and tarnish the reputation of Winchester University. I also request that you, President, expel him immediately!"

"Ramon, what are you doing? How dare you break into the principal's office and slander my students like this?"

As Ethan's admission guide and also his branch dean, El had to speak at this time, but relatively speaking, he was a little timid.

"Hmph, El, you still have the nerve to talk like that! You know exactly what kind of person he is, yet you still dare to bring him into the school? Are you worthy of your faith? Do you still remember the Lord's teachings? Thou shalt not walk with the devil! I suggest you resign immediately and go to church to repent for your sins!"

Sure enough, the tall man named Ramon was not afraid at all, but instead spoke even louder.

Ramon...

Ethan recalled the information of Winchester University and found that this person should be the current dean of the law school.

Why was he targeting me? Was he a Prohibition agent, or... had he accidentally gotten involved in an internal fight at school?

Ethan looked at Ramon and the people behind him.

"Ramon, I've said this many times: don't bring religion into the school."

Lauren, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. His voice was not loud, but it seemed to dampen Ramon's arrogance.

It was as if a calm sea surface suddenly began to surge.

"I'm sorry, Principal, I'm too excited, but this person is really dangerous..."

"Excuse me, Mr. Principal, but could you allow me to say a few words on my own behalf?" Ethan ignored Ramon and looked at Lauren.

"Of course." Lauren nodded with a smile.

"Dean Ramon, what you just said against me constitutes a very serious accusation. If you truly have evidence, and if I am truly so heinous, then you can report it to the police station and sue me instead of slandering me here. You must apologize to me, or my lawyer will retaliate."

Ethan didn't know how deep the water was here, but he could only stand on Lauren's side for now.

When they heard the word "lawyer", Ramon and the people behind him laughed with contempt.

Apparently, they thought they were studying law and it was ridiculous to use the law to attack them.

"Dean Ramon, what Ethan said is correct. If you don't have evidence, it's slander. You must apologize."

What Ethan didn't expect was that before Lauren could speak, Sophia stood up first.

This was obviously something Ramon had not expected.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "Sophia, you..."

"Ramon, the kid is right, you have to apologize." Lauren also put pressure on him.

"Principal, even putting all that aside, I doubt he truly has artistic talent. Did he really paint that picture? You know, Mafia members are incredibly cunning. Maybe he had someone buy the painting ahead of time and passed it off as his to please you."

Ramon switches his angle to attack Ethan.

"Ethan was once the best student at the Kingdom Academy of Fine Arts..." El had to step forward.

"You said it was once." Ramon sneered, "If you were really that good, why would you transfer to our school?"

"Ramon, what on earth do you want to do?" El was so angry that he almost vomited blood.

"It's simple. Retest his talent. If he truly is gifted, I'll apologize. If he doesn't have that kind of talent, then he should be fired, and you should resign."

Ramon pointed the finger at El.

"Of course, the judges can no longer be our art branch. In two weeks, the great painter Pubol will be visiting our school for an exchange. How about letting him judge?"

El suddenly felt a little unconfident, and he couldn't help but look at Lauren.

Ethan spoke before him. He stood up, straightened his collar, and said, "An apology isn't enough. You have to resign too. Deal?"

"Deal." Ramon looked at Ethan, and there seemed to be an undercurrent in his eyes.

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(End of this chapter)