Chapter 126: Contradictions, Differences, Solutions

When Katherine likened herself to a commodity, even using the word "sell" to describe her mother's actions, the atmosphere in the room became incredibly oppressive.

Her father glanced at the woman who had been by his side for over twenty years, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing, accepting the responsibility that he should not have borne along with it.

There was a common saying in the Baylor Federation: "When you have to bow to life, please don't hesitate to let your knees and forehead touch the ground."

This statement may be somewhat pessimistic, but life was like that. If one had chosen to compromise, why not compromise thoroughly.

As a man who had lost his position as the pillar of the family, he naturally realized that he was quickly losing control of the family. Faced with the conflict between the new generation's "dominators" and a "dark horse" who could potentially change the situation behind the scenes, he chose silence.

After a moment of silence, Katherine's mother shook her head. "I never thought of it that way. I've told you, Roman is a very good young man."

"He's a little older than you, but he knows how to treat a girl kindly. He has a stable job, a detached house. You don't have to suffer like others. Isn't that good?"

Her voice quickly shifted from a faint, uncertain tone to a firm one, gradually increasing in volume.

Actually, from a certain perspective, Roman was indeed a very suitable marriage partner for certain families. But that was only for certain families and certain people.

Katherine shook her head. "I've never held any hope for your choices. You've already proven yourself wrong once. Who knows if this will be the second time?"

The first time naturally referred to the issue with Lynch. Of course, Katherine herself was not without fault, but this statement immediately angered the woman, who was already filled with regret.

"I am not our Lord. I cannot foresee such distant things. I only know that you were indeed suffering at that time. Is it wrong for me to want the best for my daughter?"

Katherine shook her head. "Then why wouldn't you be wrong the second time?" She didn't give the woman a chance to continue, taking over the conversation in a more peaceful but also firmer manner. "You've always told me not to sell my body for money, but today, you've done this. I thought we would be a different kind of family."

With that, she stood up. For the first time, a disappointed expression appeared on her face. Perhaps most children, before realizing the cruelty of reality, would believe that they and their families were fundamentally different from other families in society.

This illusion would only be shattered on the day they recognized the harshness of reality.

Katherine's words made the couple feel a difficult, conscience-stricken condemnation.

Living in such a neighborhood, parents feared their children going astray the most, but they themselves had set the worst example.

Katherine turned and walked towards the entrance. The sky outside was almost completely dark. No respectable girl would choose to leave home at this hour, which made the couple nervous.

Katherine's mother quickly stood up and took a few steps to grab Katherine's wrist. "Where are you going?" Then she emphasized, "You can't go out!"

Katherine waved her hand, shaking off her mother's arms. She glanced at the woman, sneering. "Since you've decided to sell me for a good price, why not aim higher?"

Her words felt chilling, so much so that the woman even forgot to stop her, watching her leave the house at this moment.

On the other hand, Lynch, who had just finished socializing, returned home. In the afternoon, Joegleman called him and said that someone was interested in the land he owned, and they could sit down and talk about it.

He attended the dinner organized by Joegleman, but he had no interest in the people on the other side of the table or their propositions.

It was obvious that the other party might be buying the land out of respect for Jorgleman or for some other reason, as they only offered a price as low as one million six hundred thousand, which Lynch couldn't accept.

They even used a haughty tone and demeanor, filled with a condescending air of generosity, trying to purchase his land at a outrageously low price, as if their action was a favor to Lynch.

Faced with such people, Lynch wouldn't be too courteous.

His rich experience taught him a truth: those who looked down on him now, even if he changed, they would still look down on him until he stepped on their face and spit at them, then they would stop despising him.

Until then, no matter how much he did, it would just be seen as futile and worthless struggle and resistance.

So Lynch ended the dinner appropriately and maintained basic courtesy.

After dinner, Joegleman also expressed his apologies to Lynch. He was not aware that the person he brought was such a halfwit, but he also promised to continue looking for suitable people for Lynch.

At around eight o'clock, Lynch was already preparing to rest when the phone rang.

He was somewhat surprised as few people would call him at this hour, but he answered it anyway. On the other end was a very familiar voice, Mr. Fox.

"Not asleep yet?" Mr. Fox's voice was full of confidence and loud. He had been doing well recently, in good spirits. "Even an old man like me doesn't go to bed this early. You're missing out on too many exciting things in life, my friend."

Lynch chuckled, not continuing the topic. If he didn't have social engagements, he would usually go to bed earlier.

Sleeping was a very "nourishing" process. If he wasted time just for the sake of wasting time, that was unnecessary behavior.

"Do you need something?" he casually asked. He didn't think Mr. Fox would have anything important to discuss at this hour. Most likely, he wanted to invite him out to relax.

Mr. Fox seemed to sense something strange from Lynch's brief chuckle, feeling as if he was being watched by a benevolent gaze. He shook his head to dispel this absurd thought and got to the point, "Do you know a girl named Katherine?"

"She was looking for you on the streets tonight. You know, now I have a bit of a reputation, the kids told me about it. I've brought the person over. Maybe you'll be interested?"

Thanks to the cooperation between Mr. Fox and Lynch, their business had grown larger and larger. Combined with the fact that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Tax Bureau had raided the money launderers in Sabin City to restore their image in front of the public, Mr. Fox's "territory" had expanded many times over.

There were more people serving him now, including ordinary, legitimate employees and some who wandered the streets all day.

The cooperation between Mr. Fox and Lynch had become a classic case in the eyes of some people, and they knew Lynch as a result.

Therefore, when a beautiful girl asked several young men who obviously belonged to the street gangs in the late evening if they knew Lynch or Mr. Fox, it naturally made them wary.

They brought the girl to Mr. Fox because they didn't know her identity and didn't dare to act rashly.

When Mr. Fox investigated Lynch before, he wasn't interested in Lynch's ex-girlfriend, so he missed this detail. Now he was simply calling to confirm if Lynch knew this girl.

Upon hearing this, Lynch looked down at the ring on his little finger and sighed with a smile, "Arrange for her to be brought to my house..."

Twenty minutes later, after more than a month apart, the former lovers met again. There wasn't much awkwardness, but rather a hint of curiosity.

"You seem to be doing well." Katherine didn't express any regret or other emotions like an ordinary girl would. She admired the magnificent villa and couldn't help but praise it.

Lynch, dressed casually, shrugged and went to the bar to take out two glasses. "Juice? Wine? Or coffee?" he asked, pouring himself a drink. "I don't know how to use a grinder. If you want coffee, you'll have to do it yourself."

"Wine. I don't like coffee." Katherine looked around before sitting on the sofa in the living room. She couldn't help but stroke the leather sofa and pat it. "Life is already hard enough. Why not make it easier?"

Lynch walked over with two glasses and handed her one while holding onto the other.

After a simple toast, they each took a sip.

Perhaps due to the effects of alcohol, Katherine quickly explained her purpose. "I didn't expect you to change so quickly. Any secrets?"

Lynch thought for a moment. "If there's a secret..." He wore a special smile on his face and lowered his voice. "Actually, I'm the illegitimate child of God. Don't tell anyone."

Katherine couldn't help but chuckle. As she chuckled, she sighed and took another sip of wine. "You always like to joke..."

As she said this, she suddenly closed her mouth, because this sentence made the atmosphere in the room somewhat melancholic. "I said something I shouldn't have said. I apologize for that."

Lynch was generous. "I forgive you."

The two looked at each other, somewhat unfamiliar but also familiar.

"My mother intends to sell me to a fool, with the condition that my father will get a job."

"Since it's all about selling, I think you can offer a higher price, right?"