You're a US police officer, what are you thinking about going back to the East for?

Chapter 104 A Reprimand

Leon raised an eyebrow as he watched this scene.

Raymond was right, that old man is ruthless.

He could smell the strong stench of blood emanating from the old man; he was definitely a ruthless character who had done countless dirty jobs in both the underworld and the legitimate world.

However, Leon didn't care much. Killing intent might scare others, but it didn't have any real impact on him, who was overpowered.

He ignored the old man's cold gaze, walked straight to the passenger seat, opened the door, and plopped inside.

The old black man gave Leon a deep look, said nothing, and turned to get into the driver's seat.

The ACU team members behind them were overjoyed and quickly and quietly slipped into the back of the vehicle.

"Click".

As the vehicle started, with a soft sound, the soundproof barrier between the front and rear compartments slowly rose, completely isolating the noise from the rear.

A deathly silence fell over the front cockpit.

The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

The old man stared ahead, his hands firmly on the steering wheel. The car started and smoothly glided out of the underground parking garage, disappearing into the Seattle night.

Lyon leaned back in his leather seat, looking at the street scene outside the window, without making any move to start a conversation.

The car drove for about ten minutes, crossing two blocks.

"Leon Vance".

The old man suddenly spoke, his voice rough and deep, breaking the silence in the car.

"I'm George. I used to drive for Mr. Sterling—Victoria's father—and also handled some of the troubles he couldn't handle in person."

This can be considered a self-introduction, and also a way of saying hello.

"Nice to meet you, George," Lyon replied casually.

A brief silence fell over the car again.

As George crossed a traffic light, he glanced out the window at the crowds of people holding signs in support of homosexuality and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

Seattle wasn't like this before.

He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps telling Lyon a story: "Back in the days when Mr. Sterling was the president of the police union, we set the rules here. There are rules on the streets, and there is authority among the police."

1

"Back then, there weren't so many idiots waving rainbow flags, nor were there so many so-called human rights fighters who liked to protest in the streets."

"But now—"

George's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel: "These idle, leftist politicians are putting trash who should be in jail back on the streets for votes."

"In order to consolidate their own power, the mayor and the current director of police have begun to crack down on the old-school police officers who actually do the work."

"The Sterling family's living space has been squeezed smaller and smaller over the years, especially by that mayor Reynolds who is all talk and no action."

Upon hearing these words, Leon's mind suddenly went blank, and many previously scattered clues instantly connected.

No wonder.

He finally understood why Sterling was in such a hurry and why he harbored such hostility towards the mayor.

He had previously felt that Mayor Reynolds' 20% cut to the West Precinct's budget was somewhat illogical.

Even if the Democrats like to promote so-called community services, they wouldn't go so far as to cut the core departments responsible for law enforcement.

It turns out that the mayor and the chief of police are allies. They are using administrative means to try to force Victoria Sterling out of her position as branch chief and completely dismantle their family's roots in the city.

Therefore, when Leon Vance emerged as a variable capable of fighting, killing, and generating significant public opinion value, Sterling directly handed over the entire ACU to him, even going so far as to personally use his beauty to win him over.

"so----"

George's conversation naturally shifted to Sterling, and even Lyon.

"Victoria is a smart girl, but sometimes she's so eager to prove herself that she can be a bit impatient."

.

"To protect you, she even went so far as to verbally clash with that fat Reynolds, forcefully pushing you into the center of everyone's attention."

"Although I understand her reasons for doing this—"

"But the risk is too great."

George's voice grew colder and colder: "Five years ago, there was a detective named Dick. He was a great shot and quick-witted. He climbed the ranks through his family's connections. Later, the mayor offered him a job."

"And the result?"

"The mayor only used him to dig up dirt on a few political enemies. After he was done with him, he was sued by gangster lawyers during an enforcement operation. The mayor simply threw him to the Ministry of the Interior as a pawn to quell public opinion."

"Later, on a rainy night, his brakes failed, and he and his car plunged into Puget Sound."

""

"You're a capable man, Vance. But I've been in this business for forty years, and I've seen far too many capable people."

77

George pulled over at a red light, turned to Lyon, and said, "Vance. I don't like guessing. I need a clear answer. Are you going to use Victoria's trust to climb over Mayor Reynolds' shoulder and become your big star?"

The carriage fell into dead silence.

Lyon listened to the banging, but his face did not show any panic or anger.

He actually had absolutely no interest in the rise and fall of the Sterling family.

Once you get too deeply involved in power struggles, you'll be reduced to nothing, not even bones.

He's a time traveler who's planning to accumulate enough resources and then run away; only a madman would become a bodyguard for an old American family.

However, he really can't live without Sterling now.

Whether it's Raymond, the extremely useful logistics manager, or the ACU team leader position, which allows him to legitimately make money and kill people to rack up points.

If you break ties with this old man now, he will definitely secretly encourage Sterling to collect dirt on him in preparation for any potential conflicts later.

This timid and hesitant attitude is not good for either party; mutual suspicion will only affect his efficiency in making money.

Thinking of this, Lyon turned his head and looked at George.

"Victoria and I have a purely business-like relationship. We need each other."

"She needs me to provide her with strong and impressive achievements, the kind of capital that can shut the mayor up, so that she can stay in this position more securely."

"And I need her to provide me with a platform to showcase my abilities, privileges, and the US dollars I deserve."

"I will not be the one to flip the table and betray my own people; that goes against my principles."

97

"So, stop with your child-scaring tricks."

Lyon's words sounded like he was trying to distance himself, but in fact, they were the most reassuring statement.

The Sterling family hadn't done him any great favors, and he hadn't been the Sterling family's savior in any way. They had only known each other for a few days.

In this situation, talking about family loyalists or absolute loyalty is pure nonsense. Loyalty that transcends the exchange of interests simply doesn't exist, at least not in this kind of relationship.

He laid out his bottom line to clearly tell this old assassin:

I am a smart person who knows when to advance and when to retreat, and I am willing to continue this fair transaction.

George, a seasoned veteran, couldn't possibly be unaware of these words.

The red light turns green.

George looked at Lyon until the cars behind him started honking before he slowly turned his head back, released the brake, and shifted gears again.

His weathered face betrayed no emotion.

He simply stared calmly at the road ahead, as if the confrontation that had just taken place had never happened.

"I understand what you're thinking, Mr. Vance."