"Ethan, do you really not need our help?"

Compared to Ethan's beaming smile, Carlos appeared worried, lacking any appetite.

After all, on one hand, Ethan had a rather special relationship with him, and watching him lose everything, enter prison, it was hard to just stand by.

On the other hand, their business was already tied together.

If Ethan collapsed, he would have to find a new reliable partner.

By then, Wenster would inevitably be in chaos, and from the current situation, it's highly likely that the Steel Brotherhood introduced by Oswaldo would profit.

Collaborating with the Steel Brotherhood was not what Carlos wanted, partly due to personal feelings, and partly because he didn't like the way they operated.

The profits, expenses, and losses in between were immeasurable.

So, whether it was him or his captain, they both leaned towards saving Ethan.

But as many days passed, Ethan seemed to have made no move at all.

According to the information Carlos gathered, there was no room to maneuver regarding the public trial.

In the past couple of days, his captain has been less inclined to save Ethan, and his words hinted at leaning towards Oswaldo.

Yesterday, it seemed he even attended a banquet hosted by Oswaldo.

The situation was getting increasingly dire.

But Carlos still wanted to save Ethan.

Now, it was more truly just to save him.

Even if it was to repay the kindness from Alberto back in the day, back then his situation was closely similar to Ethan's current one.

"Carlos, listen to me, you shouldn't discuss matters when eating, otherwise the food will lose its taste." Ethan laughed, taking a hearty bite of a meat skewer, also handing one to Anya beside him.

Anya, at first, didn't want to eat with outsiders around, but as Ethan handed her a skewer, she turned around and started nibbling bit by bit.

After finishing the skewers, Ethan wiped his hands and finally said, "Actually, if you really want to help, there might be a way."

"Oh? How do you want me to help you? Just say it." Carlos's spirits were lifted upon hearing this, and he immediately leaned forward, asking.

Ethan lowered his voice and began speaking to him.

Meanwhile, as Ethan and his group were devouring meat, Joseph was preparing for tomorrow's public trial.

However, he wasn't going through files or preparing materials; he was in his office trying on clothes.

The reason he didn't go to a tailor shop was because he simply didn't think Wenster's designers could create anything decent.

So, he specifically had the family's exclusive designer brought in from the Royal Capital, and the materials used were the finest from the capital.

Tomorrow was his big day, and he needed to appear in his most perfect image.

After tomorrow, he would become a nationally renowned figure, so his image also mattered greatly.

"Lower the collar by an inch; it looks too arrogant right now, not approachable enough, and this brooch doesn't look good..."

Joseph said, critiquing his outfit while looking in the mirror.

The designer noted everything down and then offered new suggestions.

At this moment, Captain Steve entered and said, "Director, we just received word that Ethan has invited Carlos for a barbecue at home. Not sure what they're plotting."

"It's fine, he's just putting up a show now."

If it were a few days ago, Joseph would never have made such an assessment, being someone who makes decisions based on substantial data.

After observing for so many days, he believed he understood Ethan.

This man had no more exits; he'd exhausted all his options.

And time, more or less, was up.

No more variables would come.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be trying on clothes here.

"Let him have a proper meal; soon he'll be dining in darkness."

He finally selected a deep black tie and nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he pointed a mock gun gesture at his reflection in the mirror.

Tomorrow was showdown time.

"Let's go, we should have a good meal as well."

Tonight, he organized a media dinner to host all the press attending tomorrow.

Not just local to Wenster, but also from nearby Butan City, and even farther, like from the Royal Capital.

To ensure they wouldn't hesitate to praise him, some costs had to be incurred.

He also invited many celebrities, including Oswaldo, to this banquet.

This victory was partly thanks to the Governor.

An intelligent man, perhaps there would be opportunities to collaborate in the Royal Capital in the future.

Coincidentally, at this moment, Oswaldo was also in his living room selecting what to wear for tonight.

"Do you think Ethan has any aces up his sleeve?"

Facing the mirror, Oswaldo checked his entire outfit.

Vito stood beside him with arms crossed, observing. He was also invited tonight and wore a fairly formal suit, but he was so strong that whatever he wore gave off a gorilla-in-a-suit vibe.

"Since his assets were frozen, he's been doomed, hasn't he? These days we've been constantly undermining him, he can't even hold his base," Vito said.

Vito was referring to how, ever since Ethan was declared to be involved in money laundering and tax evasion, his subordinates were in disarray.

With his assets frozen, all his businesses were struggling, not to mention their core business, the illicit liquor industry, which was completely paralyzed.

This gave the Steel Brotherhood an opportunity; though their land reclamation plan was temporarily shelved, they seized the chance to take over the illicit liquor trade and lure people belonging to the Bolita Clan.

The results were evident.

Especially after the public trial news came out, many who had recently pledged loyalty to Ethan felt he was done for, and now aligned with Vito.

This counterattack was hugely profitable for them.

Not only did they dismantle Ethan's influence, but they also firmly established their own foothold in Wenster.

Oswaldo listened to Vito but slightly shook his head, unclear on his meaning.

He eventually adjusted his tie and calmly said, "No matter what, we have to be more careful moving forward. Joseph isn't someone to stop when he's ahead; he's a wolf with an insatiable appetite. What he wants to eat isn't just one person, Ethan."

"What's there to fear, anyway..." Vito began, but paused because someone arrived.

It was Oswaldo's servant.

"Sir, Mr. Morgan says he's still feeling unwell and can't attend tonight's banquet."

"It's alright, let him rest, this fellow, he insisted on going to some construction site a few days ago and caught a cold in the rain." Oswaldo shook his head.

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