The male supporting character was actually myself.

“No,” Joyce stopped him, “Don’t be so impulsive.”

Are there people supervising the cleaning ladies while they are cleaning?

Let's get someone absolutely reliable to handle this.

Oh, by the way, try to make sure that women won't be seduced by her.

Then they sent someone to investigate why our previous cleaning lady fell off the carriage and was half-dead, lying unconscious in the hospital.

I initially thought it was an accident, but as soon as she got into trouble, a suspected undercover agent came over. With so many coincidences, it's likely that it was orchestrated.

If possible, have someone keep a close eye on Bella.

If she really is an undercover agent, she'll definitely have a contact person in touch with her.

April nodded. "Keep an eye on her cleaning duties. I'll have Lucy come over."

You're keeping her around just to find out who's targeting us?

Joyce, you swear you have no other feelings for her.

“I swear I’m only interested in sex, not love.” Joyce exhaled a smoke ring and exclaimed, “She’s really attractive to men.”

The little white cat rubbed its face and sighed, "Host, I feel like this guy is going to have a hard time resisting the charms of a beautiful woman. Just you wait and see, according to the usual script tropes, even the most intelligent male lead's IQ will plummet when a beautiful woman appears."

The beautiful undercover agent in the story has an even stronger aura than the protagonist.

"Look, this older brother won't budge; those around him are definitely going to suffer."

Jiang Chen took a deep breath and reminded her, "I hope you can stay sober, otherwise even if you hate her to death, I will kill her with my own hands."

The Owen family has only just recovered by our generation, and I don't want to see the family business ruined by a woman.

Joyce shrugged, raised an eyebrow, and smiled, "If she truly deserves it, Daniel will personally load your gun whenever you want to kill her."

I swear I will.

Now we'd better hear your other plan, about how to take control of waterway smuggling.

It's important to understand that even Anderson Jones couldn't effectively control the smuggling routes along the Sentis River. The various factions are too intertwined and complex; we are merely a small part of it.

“I need all the information we have about the gangs and their activities in the entire Shengdis region,” Jiang Chen said after a moment’s thought. “Anderson will receive our gift tonight.”

If he chooses to trade, we can proceed on two fronts simultaneously;

If he ignores us, we'll start by taking over the smaller factions in the surrounding streets. When the Owen family grows into a behemoth, Anderson won't have a say in whether or not to negotiate."

I never expected him to have such great ambitions.

April gasped, lit a cigarette and took a drag before asking, "How do we deal with fake police? If we can bribe other forces, we can certainly do the same."

Moreover, although it is no longer the original police station.

But they're no different from before, except their allegiance has changed from the king to Anderson. If our expansionist actions are discovered, we'll be attacked from both sides!

Daniel, we don't have the strength to mess with Anderson yet.

It's even more impossible for them to simultaneously annex surrounding forces and deal with his army!

“The gangs that survive in chaotic times all have their own trump cards.” Joyce exhaled a puff of smoke, looking out at the somber streets, and said helplessly, “If taking over were really that easy, our family would have started expanding long ago.”

Jiang Chen toyed with a sharp razor, shrugged and laughed: "Expanding territory is a matter for soldiers to consider."

I need the information, and after I've studied it, I'll propose a plan, which will then be decided by the person in charge.

Dear Aunt April, aside from the finances and logistics that you need to worry about, please make sure you don't give Joyce and Bella any opportunities to be alone together.

This is my only worry.

April nodded, her face saying, "Of course I know what to do," and glanced at Joyce with her heavily lined eyes.

The latter shook his head with a helpless smile, "Our little Daniel has also learned to plan ahead. How terrible!"

War, that damned war, changed the world, and it changed us.

The only thing to be thankful for is that we're all alive, we're all back, and we're still a close-knit family, just like before.

The cold wind howled outside the window, and the sky grew increasingly gloomy.

Chapter Twelve: A Bunch of Madmen

Inside a brightly lit, opulent detached villa, the burly Anderson Jones had just finished a sumptuous dinner.

He reclined in a beautiful burgundy velvet chair, examining an antique porcelain piece with a magnifying glass in his hand.

A long-haired beauty, completely naked, kneels on the ground, holding a porcelain vase in her hands, her eyes lowered, letting the magnifying glass examine her body inch by inch.

"The goods are quite good." Anderson put down the magnifying glass with great satisfaction.

He picked up the steaming white towel from the tray brought over by the pretty maid, slowly wiped his hands, shook his head and smiled, "How should I put it?"

The product is good.

"To think you could exchange such a small thing for a legal horse racing license is just wishful thinking."

The bald, buck-toothed assistant with gold-rimmed glasses standing to the side indicated that he understood what to do.

A servant strode in and whispered a few words in the assistant's ear.

“Mr. Jones,” the assistant reported in a slightly slurred, deep voice, “our fleet has returned, bringing back a gift that is said to be from the Owen family of the Finnan port area.”

It was a large, heavy wooden crate; I wondered what was inside.

Anderson stroked his meticulously groomed mustache and mumbled in his thick voice, "Owen? I know them."

A bunch of lunatics.

Regardless of age or gender, they're all lunatics.

It is said that in the previous generation, several people died for a few cents of protection money.

The Irving family still has that line drawn on their territory with lives in the Finnan port area, and generally no one dares to mess with them.

What gift did those lunatics give me?

The assistant turned and gave the order, and a reply came shortly afterward.

“Mr. Jones, perhaps you should see that gift in person.” The assistant’s expression was grave as he glanced at his employer.

Working for a ruthless gang leader may be lucrative, but you must always be careful.

After all, such people can decide the life and death of many people with just a few words.

Anderson could kill someone with just a casual remark.

"It's not going to be a woman too, is it?" Anderson shook his head with a disappointed expression. "I thought they'd come up with something new and interesting, but if it's just a woman..."

He walked to the doorway as he spoke.

Anderson's face darkened when he saw the people outside who had pried open the large wooden crate.

The injection site, filled with Yana, had clearly been carefully prepared. Her exquisite makeup made her look charming and alluring, especially her large, watery blue eyes, which held a hint of moisture that evoked pity in those who saw them.

But at this moment, Anderson's heart was as cold as iron, and he could no longer feel any pity.

Because Yana was accompanied by two men, and an exquisite letter with an Owen family wax seal was also presented to her.

Anderson opened the package and read half of it before his face turned ashen. "Ha, those lunatics are indeed extraordinary."

Throw the pimps to feed the dogs;

Tomorrow morning, tie the pretty boy to the back of a horse and drag him through the streets. After showing him all the major streets in the central district, pack him up and send him to Mrs. McCann in the Leicester district.

I believe she will really like this gift.

As for Yana…

He bent down with his obese belly, using the envelope to support her chin and lift her pretty face. After admiring her for a moment, Anderson straightened up, waved his hand, and said in a relaxed tone, "Take her to the basement and feed her well for a few days. Once she's recovered to her best condition, we'll make her into a specimen and put her in the showroom."

Although he betrayed me, his face is still quite nice.

Let's keep it as a souvenir.

"Ugh... Ugh..." As the effects of the drug gradually wore off, Yana shook her head slightly, letting out low sobs and whimpers.

Tears streamed down her face, soaking her exquisite lace dress—the very one she wore when she first met Anderson.

Unable to struggle and in despair, Yana was carried away by several strong men, leaving behind only intermittent sobs.

"Joyce Irving, you really know how to get things done." Anderson, holding the letter in his hand, looked at Yana as she was being led to the basement and smiled contentedly. "Leibeau, do you know where I like the most?"

The assistant guessed, "Efficient and decisive in handling matters?"

Anderson smiled and shook his head. "That's only part of it, just a part used to demonstrate their methods and capabilities."

My favorite thing is that they made Yana wear that long dress when they brought her over.

Wow, what thoughtful gentlemen they are!

The Irving family wants an opportunity to discuss a deal.

Do you think I should consider giving those lunatics a chance?

“A fake policeman tried to kidnap Joyce, but his younger brother Daniel, who had just returned from the battlefield, slashed his face.” After thinking for a moment, the assistant replied, “You urgently need to disrupt the balance of the entire Shengtis and get those small gangs to fight each other, so that you can more secure your position.”

Judging from how the Yana incident was handled.

Unlike other small gangs, the Irving family didn't kill to vent their anger; instead, they gave you the choice.

Besides demonstrating their abilities, they are also trying to curry favor with you.

After all, Yana was planted in the Finnan Port area by you as a spy, even though she didn't get much useful information.

You need to talk to someone knowledgeable about the business to get a good deal.

Similarly, those madmen in the Irving family are knowledgeable and capable, and probably difficult to control.

“Hmm.” Anderson gurgled, as if he had phlegm stuck in his throat. “I think the fake cops who tried to kidnap Joyce are probably from the capital.”

Perhaps His Majesty the King is itching to do something and wants to recruit some people to do things for him.

After all, those madmen from the Owen family, during the war, not a single man was left behind; they all went to the battlefield to fight for His Majesty the King.

Assistant Leib nodded, thinking that Mr. Jones's analysis was also possible.

“Send someone to send them a reply.” After sitting in his chair smoking for a while, Anderson finally spoke: “Invite the Owen family to the horse race next Saturday.”