Chapter 66: Alexander's Simple and Brutal Methods

Chapter 66: Alexander's Simple and Brutal Methods

Three days later, Ethan Blake was suspended pending investigation.

News about the Security Officer Captain spread wildly online.

"Captain Ethan Blake turned out to be this kind of person!"

"If it weren't for his cowardly retreat, how could the monsters have crossed Central Avenue and reached Yongxing Street? My butcher shop was destroyed by the monsters!"

"Hah, what's a butcher shop? During the chaos, Ethan Blake stole from a gas company, blowing up gas canisters. My shop on Central Avenue was obliterated."

"Hahaha, his reputation is in shambles!"

"Thorough investigation recommended!"

"They're already investigating. My nephew works at the Security Bureau, and he said that Ethan Blake is involved in some shady dealings with the office assistant, exchanging favors for power."

"Heh, it must be great being a woman—just lie down, and promotions and riches come your way."

There was a flood of online commentary, and no one came to defend Ethan Blake.

Even those he had saved were unwilling, or perhaps too afraid, to speak up for him.

All of them were punished for their retreat from Central Avenue, demoted to the roles of either Security Officers or Traffic Patrol Officers.

Yvette had given the security office instructions not to go easy on Ethan's former subordinates.

These demoted officers were living miserable lives.

Especially those who had often boasted about "Captain Blake"; they received special "attention."

Sarah had once gone to these officers, begging them to speak on Ethan Blake's behalf, to plead for him.

A few of them responded with bitterness.

"It's all his fault for disobeying orders and fleeing the scene. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Deserter! The traffic officers at the Security Bureau mock me as a deserter!"

Some of them failed to realize that without Ethan Blake's desperate cover during the retreat, they might not have survived.

They clung to unrealistic hopes, wondering if, had they stayed and fought instead of retreating, they might have won and become heroes.

Would they have been promoted and made rich?

They blamed Ethan Blake for ruining their futures!

Yvette's move was truly sinister!

With the illusion of personal gain, she drove a wedge between Ethan Blake and some of his subordinates.

At Old Oak Cafe.

The weather had turned cold, and the heating and air conditioning in the cafe were cranked up.

Sitting by the window, Alexander looked at the South Sea news on his phone.

The situation regarding Ethan Blake was spiraling in a horribly wrong direction.

Those online netizens really thought that spewing a few clever-sounding words could take down the powerful figures they despised?

These short-sighted netizens didn't realize that their malicious comments were destroying a true defender of justice, killing their protector.

Alexander remained silent.

As he reached the door, he looked up at the dark sky and murmured, "It's going to snow."

As if the heavens were listening to Alexander, large snowflakes began to fall, blanketing the entire city in a beautiful layer of white.

Adam came downstairs with a test paper in hand, timidly handing it to Alexander.

"Brother, the teacher asked for a parent's signature."

Alexander softened his expression into a warm smile and draped his coat over Adam's shoulders.

Taking the test paper, he saw it was scored in the nineties.

He nodded approvingly.

Though Adam's father, Will, was a gangster leader, the boy was doing well in school.

Alexander pulled out his fountain pen and gracefully signed his name before handing it back to Adam.

The young boy hesitated, standing at the door rubbing his small hands, before suddenly asking, "Brother, the teacher said snow is dirty, but it's so white. Why is it dirty?"

Alexander answered seriously, "Snowflakes fall from the sky and absorb dust from the air, so they're dirty."

Adam held out his small hand to catch a snowflake.

"But it's still white, even whiter than paper," he said.

Alexander looked toward the road. The snow there, trampled by feet, run over by cars, and polluted by dirty water, had already turned into a sickening color.

Snow is pure when it first comes to the human world, purer than anything.

It's only because it absorbs dust from the air that experts say its inner substance is dirty.

But in appearance, it still looks white.

It's only when it's trampled on in the streets that it truly becomes dirty.

A playful smile curved on Alexander's lips.

The image of that cold and striking female director appeared in his mind—a woman who had mastered the art of manipulating both self-interest and human nature.

The rumors about Ethan Blake's supposed misconduct with Sarah and the claims of him looting during the monster invasion—anyone with a brain would scoff at such news.

They were nothing but rumors.

At this time, Sarah had been demoted, and the Security Bureau had compensated all the merchants on Central Avenue for their losses.

This move was far too ambiguous, sending a very suggestive message.

The public, in their usual way of thinking, would believe that the Security Bureau had tacitly acknowledged Ethan Blake's wrongdoings.

Then, they presented concrete evidence proving that during the chaos of the monster invasion, Ethan had disobeyed orders and retreated from Central Avenue, resulting in his suspension.

Two rumors combined with one true event—when tied together and manipulated slightly, they became three truths.

Each step was calculated, gradually transforming Ethan Blake's public image.

Greedy, lustful, cowardly.

Alexander let out a scornful laugh, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he turned to head upstairs.

Ethan Blake couldn't be completely ruined—not yet, at least!

The most important room on the second floor was shrouded in darkness, never seeing daylight.

Inside, the flickering lights of machines and screens illuminated the room.

This was Rosie's control room, the most crucial online base for the Mercenary Guild.

Alexander stood beside Rosie, talking with her.

Rosie's delicate face gradually grew pale with shock, staring at Alexander in disbelief.

"Are you serious about this?" she finally asked.

She opened her mouth to speak, hesitating for a moment before continuing:

"Stopping the hunt for awakened criminals isn't a problem, but… You want to randomly distribute the Sap of Ascension to gang members and fugitives across the city, without letting them join the guild?"

"Without the guild's control, wouldn't that just create a bunch of awakened criminals?!"

By "randomly distribute," it didn't mean through the Mercenary Guild's app, but through other methods.

As for what those methods were, it would be up to the mercenaries. That was their task.

The only condition for the mission: the guild must not be exposed, their identities as mercenaries must remain hidden, and the appearance of the Sap of Ascension must not be revealed.

Hearing Rosie's words, Alexander's gaze turned cold.

Ethan Blake had protected this city too well—so well that people had forgotten how, under his leadership these past few months, crime in Bluewater City had become almost non-existent.

Only when the city leaders and the people felt the pain would they remember Ethan Blake.

The solution to deceitful schemes is often simple and brutal.

Rosie's face showed a trace of panic:

"Um, if you need a villain, I have someone I can recommend to you."

Rosie pulled up a file on her computer.

The photo showed a smiling young man.

Several reports about him were listed in the file.

"Urban Devil Yamato Renji, finally apprehended."

"What led a prodigious student from Golden Wealth High School to become a cannibal?"

"Sunshine Charity Project: Bluewater Medical University admits cannibal Yamato Renji."

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