The Mafia Empire
Chapter 36: Chapter 36 Morris

This was one of the many air raid shelters in Ternell City. Once a guarantee of people's safety during times of war, it was now packed with people, just like in its heyday.

Young people had brought in rocks, crates, and old structures to build a makeshift coliseum. Under dim lighting and with pulsating music blaring, countless bodies swayed and danced in the center, releasing pent up emotions.

Even in the crowded "dance floor," it was difficult to make out the faces of the people in front of you, as men and women shed their daytime personas and indulged in the fleeting joys of their youth.

Some girls were already topless, screaming and shaking their heads with their eyes half closed, as if lost in a dream. Men might grope them, but who cared? By morning, no one would recognize anyone, and that was the true essence of Tropical Jungle.

Release and indulgence. All negative emotions evaporated as soon as you stepped inside.

Morris laughed as he squeezed into the dance floor, pressing against the bodies of young men and women, reveling in the chaos.

In the distance, from one of the dark tunnels, faint sounds could be heard, masked by the loud music. For these people, this place was heaven!

Morris wandered around the dance floor for a while but couldn't replace a target. He wasn't interested in the overly wild ones, perhaps due to his lack of education and his respect for intellectuals and high society. He loved educated girls, and at the moment he had them under him, it felt as if he could conquer the world.

With his skills, he would tear through their education, culture, and social standing as if he could dominate the entire universe.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a girl sitting quietly at the edge of the dance floor. She wore glasses and had a long ponytail, giving off an intellectual vibe. Morris didn't know what "intellectual" meant, but he knew one thing: this girl attracted him.

"Alone?" He squeezed over and sat down beside her. The girl glanced at him and shifted away, putting distance between them.

"No, my friends are over there," she said, pointing toward the indistinguishable crowd in the dance floor.

Morris scooted closer, sitting right next to her again. "What about me? Can I be your friend, miss?"

Morris had to admit that he had some charm. His flashy outfit and bold demeanor could intrigue girls seeking a thrill, especially those who were usually the good, quiet types. The more they were repressed during the day, the wilder they became here.

The girl scooted even further away. "I don't like making friends with strangers."

The more she avoided him, the more Morris was intrigued, and the more restless he felt. People have an odd instinct—when something is easily attainable, it loses its allure. But when faced with resistance, the desire for conquest becomes stronger. The thrill of the chase was what really excited Morris.

"My name's Morris. Everyone knows me around here!" he said, moving closer again. "See? Now you know my name, so we're friends!"

The girl sneered. "I don't know you, and I don't like people like you. Please, keep your distance."

Morris, usually thick skinned, felt a bit hurt by her repeated rejections. Just as he was debating whether to take a different approach, the girl's friends returned from the dance floor, likely tired from dancing.

They were all very young, their faces still fresh with the air of academia, untouched by society's harsh realities. Seeing them made Morris feel a pang of jealousy.

He had once been young, but now, not anymore.

One of the boys glanced at Morris and asked the girl, "Is this your friend?"

Before the girl could respond, Morris stood up and extended his hand. "Yes, we're friends. Nice to meet you all."

The boy hesitated for a moment, unfamiliar with the adult social etiquette Morris was displaying, but eventually reached out and shook his hand. This small gesture of maturity seemed to give the boy a sense of having grown up, and he sat down beside Morris, looking pleased with himself.

"I've never heard Nasha mention having a friend like you. What's your name?" The boy's innocence amused Morris.

Morris snapped his fingers at one of his followers and, after giving a quick order, turned back to the boy. "I'm Morris. I've got a bit of a reputation in Ternell City. If you ever need help, just let me know." As he spoke, Morris's subordinate brought over a bottle of alcohol. When the group of students saw it, their eyes lit up.

Holding the bottle like a trophy, Morris boasted with a smirk, "This is 'Golden Classic.' Some places sell it for eighteen a bottle!".

Eighteen bucks in Ternell was enough to reach the minimum threshold of middle class income. In other words, this one bottle was worth as much as a middle class person's monthly wage, or two ordinary workers' combined salaries for a month!

With a smooth motion, he popped the cap open and, smiling, asked, "Care for a drink?"

...

At the same time, in the most luxurious hotel on King's Avenue in Ternell City, Julian was sitting with Kevin, chatting. Most of the time, Julian was listening while Kevin was speaking.

"We categorize criminal acts into two types…" Kevin paused when he said this, blinked twice with a smile, and continued, "One type results in serious consequences, and the other does not."

"Generally, crimes without serious consequences, once solved, are handled by the city court between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The judge directly decides the punishment, which is usually several months of labor, and the sentence rarely exceeds eighteen months."

"For crimes that result in serious consequences, have a large societal impact, cause serious injury or death, or bring significant losses to individuals, companies, or even the government, the lawyers on both sides will select a date for a trial. The decision of guilt is left to a citizen jury, while the judge is responsible only for determining the sentencing."