Chapter 558: We Will Both Get What We Want
"I have no intention of covering up for him," Mr. Zavier said, quickly trying to distance himself from Christian. "I had no idea about any of those shady dealings. I had always thought that they were baseless rumors passed. Tabloids are hardly reliable."
"Well, now you know," Michael said, his eyes showing a slight hint of mirth.
His simple remark brought Mr. Zavier back to his senses. Mr. Zavier realized with a start that Michael had been leading him on the entire time.
With his head cleared, Mr. Zavier swallowed and asked, "No, wait a minute. Do you have any proof? If you don’t have any, then you are defaming Christian Lucas."
Mr. Zavier was a shrewd man. How could he be so easily swayed by Michael’s words?
"Mr. Zavier, why are you still trying to defend Christian? I don’t have any concrete evidence now but as long as you do what I tell you to, you will get the proof you need," said Michael.
"Think about it for a moment. Christian’s DR Group has always been doing very badly, so where did all the money come from? If he weren’t dealing in illegal businesses, how did he manage to get so much money?
"And I can tell you for sure that Christian doesn’t only have his hand in Rheinsville City, he is intending to peddle drugs here as well. Of course, you could continue to defend Christian, but once his illegal activities are uncovered, you will definitely be implicated.
"You might even be mistaken as one of Christian’s accomplice, someone who has a hand in helping him peddle drugs here. You could always hope for the best. After all, I might not be the winner in the end.
"Christian had been able to dodge years of investigation, and he could very well dodge this one. But you should also consider this: What are the chances of Christian winning?"
While Michael was giving his little speech, he deliberately glanced at Yonina. He wanted Mr. Zavier to know that the CEO of Collins Group was also in his camp.
If Mr. Zavier still chose Christian’s side, then Michael’s chances of losing would be very high.
"Why should I believe what you said?" Mr. Zavier was still very cautious.
"It’s very simple. Now, you have two choices: Me or Christian," Michael said as he lightly drummed his fingers on the table.
"What do I stand to gain if I choose you?" Mr. Zavier was starting to waver. What Michael said had the potential to affect the rest of his life. He did not dare to believe Michael readily, but he did not dare to reject Michael so quickly either.
"If you choose me, I can help you keep your position as the person in charge of this project. And when there is actual evidence of Christian’s illegal activities, I will testify that you did not know about it. I will also say that you had helped to nab Christian."
Michael said every word clearly and calmly. "That way, not only will you not get any stain on your record, you will get recognition for your part in nabbing Christian. And I will be able to take over this project. This is a win-win situation for us."
Michael’s conditions were indeed enticing. It no longer mattered whether Michael was telling the truth. If what Michael said was true, and if Mr. Zavier chose to not work with him, he would be finished for the rest of his life. Even if he could prove that he was never involved in Christian’s illegal dealings and did not break any laws, he would no longer be able to lead this project.
And others might be suspicious of him. He would be constantly under investigation.
In the end, he would most likely be demoted. If that were to happen, then he would have achieved nothing.
Michael looked at Mr. Zavier, who had his head bent and appeared to be deep in thought. So Michael said no more. He let Mr. Zavier mull over it carefully.
...
"May I ask what your future plans are?" Mr. Zavier asked Michael. Mr. Zavier was really a shrewd man and would not commit himself till he had all the information he needed.
If Mr. Zavier continued to refuse to work with Michael after hearing his plans, then that would mean Mr. Zavier might warn Christian of Michael’s intentions.
Mr. Zavier was obviously trying to gain the upper hand. But Michael saw through his ploy instantly.
"Since you asked, I’ll be frank with you," said Michael. "I can tell you what my plans are, and I am not afraid that you share them with Christian, because there’s no way Christian is going to win this time.
"But before I tell you my plans, I want you to be prepared. If you have already chosen Christian and are merely trying to figure out what I’m trying to do, it’s fine if I were to lose. But if I were to win, you will lose your reputation. With my power and influence, I can assure you of that."
Michael was clearly threatening Mr. Zavier.
"I know that. Don’t worry. If what you told me today were all true, then I will definitely help you to deal with Christian. But if you had lied, I won’t tell Christian either. This is a war between the two of you and I have no wish to be implicated," said Mr. Zavier. "You should know by now. All I want is for this project to be completed without any problems."
"Starting from now, Christian will definitely go all out to get the money he needs, even if he has to take from illegal sources," said Michael. "I want you to pretend that this meeting didn’t happen. Continue supporting Christian as you’ve always had until he hands you the money."
Mr. Zavier frowned, "Why?" He did not understand.
"How many days did you give him?" Michael asked.
"Five days."
"The money Christian gets within the next five days will most certainly not be laundered. If you get a team to investigate this, you will be able to trace the source of the money."
Michael continued, "And then, you continue pretending that nothing has happened and wait till Christian has established his drug dealings here. We have to follow this lead and weed out all his shady businesses, and then clamp down on them all at once.
"If we don’t, then even if we defeat Christian this time, there will be someone else who would want to peddle drugs in this city."
"Your target isn’t only Christian Lucas?" Mr. Zavier was rather surprised by that revelation.
"Originally, he was. But I didn’t know then that he has plans to bring his illegal businesses over here. I may be a businessman, but I don’t wish to see our country ruined by drug lords.
"Our government and people have worked so hard for so many years to maintain law and order. Everyone is basking in the glory of success. I can’t let all our hard work go down the drain because of a few rotten apples."
Mr. Zavier’s impression of Michael immediately changed. He had always assumed that as a businessman, Michael was only focused on personal gains. He had not expected Michael to be so patriotic.
Michael continued, "Mr. Zavier, I could always look for another partner and get you removed from your position. But I didn’t do so because I have also run a check on you. I know all you want is fame and recognition. In fact, I think you are too squeaky clean. You have never accepted bribes, and have never let anyone in through the backdoor.
"You are trying so hard to defend Christian only because your interests are tied in with his. I believe that if we were to work together instead, this project would progress very, very smoothly. We will both get what we want."
...
Mr. Zavier knew that Michael was telling the truth.
At least, he could indeed choose to work together with someone else.
Mr. Zavier looked down slightly. It seemed that he was considering over something.
After a while, Mr. Zavier asked, "Can you assure that I will not be replaced?"
Michael smiled lightly and pointed to Yonina. He said confidently, "The reason why I came together with Mrs. Collins today is that I want to inform you explicitly that we are on the same side.
Since we are on the same side, you absolutely do not need to worry about the lack of capital in the middle of a project, like Christian’s situation.
MC Group together Collins Group, the probability that we both go bankrupt is shallow; it is almost impossible.
At least, it is impossible before this project is accomplished successfully.
And since both of us will be your guarantor, I think everyone will believe that you know nothing.
In addition, we appointed you as the main person in charge. Since you are familiar with everything of this project, the possibility that you will keep being in the order of this project is at least seventy percent, if not one hundred percent."
"So, if I do not agree today, once you defeat Christian, I will definitely be replaced, isn’t it?" asked Mr. Zavier.
Michael nodded his head.
He had nothing to hide regarding this point, and he said directly, "We select who we want to work with, we will cooperate if we can, and we will replace with others if we cannot."
The sense of threat was more and more prominent.
Mr. Zavier knew that he had no other choice.
At least, it was more likely that Michael, together with Yonina, would defeat Christian.
Also, Christian was indeed facing a financial crisis now.
"That is okay, Mr. Zavier can consider it," Michael replied quite generously.
"There is no need to consider." Mr. Zaiver took the wine bottle and served wine for both Michael and Yonina in person.
Then, he raised the wine glass and said, "I hope that we can cooperate happily."
Michael smiled and stood up with Yonina. They raised up their glasses of wine," Let’s cooperate happily."
The crisp sound of glasses colliding with each other indicated that the negotiation today came to an end.
Next, Michael started to talk about the details," Since we have decided to cooperate, then I will tell you about the detailed steps in the future."
Mr. Zavier made a gesture meaning "please go ahead".
"You are a congressman. I hope that you can get in touch with the anti-drug department as soon as possible. You should tell them that Christian is suspected of dealing with drugs and ask them to prepare in advance. I think that you should be able to get in touch with someone from the anti-drug department with your status and position."
"I can get in touch with someone from the anti-drug department. However, without any evidence, I am afraid that I cannot persuade them to send lots of police officers." Mr. Zavier slightly frowned and looked concerned.
"This is what you ought to do." Michael tapped his finger gently on the table," This is cooperation. After all, Mr. Zavier should also make some sacrifice."
"You would not suffer any loss, would you?" Mr. Zavier could not help shaking his head.
"Then are you able to make it?" Michael asked lightly.
"I will try my best. But I would like to tell you in advance that if there is no big achievement when the police come for the first time, then I can do nothing for the second time."
Michael nodded," I understand. You should then urge Christain again to transfer money. The more imminently you urge, the easier it is for him to make a mistake. In fact, as long as Christian transfers the money, we can track the source of his capital, which will then become the evidence."
Mr. Zavier suddenly felt a little terrified after hearing what Michael told him today.
He felt lucky that Michael was not his enemy.
He also felt lucky that Michael chose him to work with.
Otherwise, he would become a sacrifice in this battle.
Mr. Zavier took a deep breath and nodded.
