Chapter 386: Official

When Li Mochen returned to Unicorn Apartment from the Necropolis magic tower, officers from the Atlanta Police Department and the FBI were already waiting outside.

It was precisely the sudden visit from these public servants of the state's coercive apparatus that forced him to end his lesson with Anthony Braden and return to the world of light.

No help for it—the level of representation from both the police and the FBI was unusual this time.

The Atlanta Police Department sent 'Chief of Crime Control Strategy' Lance Jeffrey, while the FBI was represented by their head, Atlanta Field Office Director Zoe Dowling, in person.

And this time, the accompanying FBI Urban Security Group supervisor Edmund Bederman was practically a small fry.

In addition, there was North Precinct Inspector Randall Cadillac, one of Li Mochen's few friends, which surprised him.

The crime scenes this time—two in the northeast corner of the city and one in the northern suburbs—were all outside the North Precinct's jurisdiction.

Or had Lance Jeffrey, knowing of their relationship, deliberately brought him along?

After polite greetings and seating in the living room, it was Lance Jeffrey who spoke first.

"Mr. Wiltonstein, have you heard? Half an hour ago, thugs stormed the Medlon Printing Plant and set large fires, burning down extensive factory buildings there. Shortly after, Mandiven Ferguson of Ferguson Media was ambushed by numerous gunmen on the street, nearly losing his life. The cable room inside the Ferguson News Building was also destroyed."

"I've heard."

Li Mochen nodded honestly. "Such a big commotion—hard not to notice. To be frank, I'm well-informed in Atlanta; things like this don't escape me."

In fact, he had learned the detailed situation shortly after the incidents occurred.

"Of course, you're quite resourceful. The Blood Hand Gang, the Cardigan Group, Ferguson Media—these past few months, Atlanta has been in turmoil because of you, Mr. Wiltonstein."

This man stood beside Zoe Dowling, his words not only acerbic but his face full of mockery: "How could you not know what you yourself have done?"

Li Mochen's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at the man, then he leaned back casually. "Sorry? I don't quite understand what this gentleman means. Does the FBI think I committed these two crimes? Am I already a suspect? If so, I'll have to wait for my lawyer before speaking."

The situation had changed; even if the man before him was the head of the FBI's twenty-four thousand employees in Atlanta, he didn't intend to accommodate him too much.

In fact, if not for the visitors' identities, Li Mochen would have waited until Harvey Specter or Mike Ross arrived before saying anything.

"We have no evidence for now, but we all know the truth of the matter."

Zoe Dowling had been scrutinizing Li Mochen with hawk-like eyes; now he stopped his subordinate from speaking further.

"Mr. Wiltonstein, you must first understand that it's not that we can't put you away—it's just a matter of how determined we are."

"Is that so?"

Li Mochen let out a light laugh. "Isn't this a society governed by law? Everything requires evidence, Director Dowling. By the way, there's video and audio recording here."

As he spoke, Li Mochen deliberately pointed to the recording equipment placed in the corner.

He wouldn't be intimidated so easily. A few months ago, he might have been worried.

After all, the FBI's notorious reputation from decades past was well known—they could fabricate evidence without any, and had produced no small number of wrongful convictions.

But now, as a figure of high social standing and wide recognition, how easily could the FBI throw him into prison?

They might dare to try, but his long-retained law firm, Pearson-Darby-Specter, and Ms. Nanette Drew were not idle.

"Director Dowling means that if we need evidence, we can certainly obtain it. Are you sure you can be foolproof, Mr. Wiltonstein?"

Lance Jeffrey interjected with a smile, easing the tension. "This is a private visit; no need to be so tense. Could you turn off the recording equipment? I think neither of us wants the content of this conversation to leak."

"If that's the case, I can accept it."

Li Mochen waved his hand compliantly, and his maid, Isadora Weeks, turned off the camera in the corner.

At that moment, Zoe Dowling's gaze remained as cold as a knife. "Let's be frank, Mr. Wiltonstein. Since September, you've caused too much chaos—far beyond what we can tolerate. You are at war with Atlanta's seventy-four thousand police officers and the FBI's twenty-four thousand agents."

"Gentlemen!"

Li Mochen laughed. "First, allow me to emphasize that I have always adhered to the principle 'I won't trouble others unless they trouble me,' and I have never changed. Perhaps some minor troubles in Atlanta recently have arisen because of me, but the source is not with me. I believe you both can acknowledge that?"

Zoe Dowling remained silent, while Lance Jeffrey rubbed his bald head. "I understand. For a rising star like you, Mr. Wiltonstein, it's inevitable to walk through thorns and gunfire. The problem is that your methods are too radical. The chairman of a media company assassinated in broad daylight, an entire television station's server room destroyed—do you know how much pressure we're under?"

"I won't trouble others unless they trouble me."

Li Mochen replied with a smile. Seeing that the two still looked dissatisfied, he added, "I am, of course, willing to abide by the law. Let me share some news: I have submitted an application to join the Magic Tower Council, with recommendations from seven city councilors. Once the city council approves, I will become a proud first-level member of the Atlanta Magic Tower Council."

At this, the two across from him visibly relaxed, understanding that he was signaling he would not take further drastic actions.

Even if he did, as a first-level member of the Magic Tower Council, Li Mochen could resolve conflicts through other means, no longer exposing them to public view.

"You've already obtained recommendations? I had no idea. Of course, your strength is evident to all. If someone like you can't join the Magic Tower Council, who could be qualified?"

Lance Jeffrey laughed heartily. But before he could finish, Li Mochen's expression changed, and he violently kicked the sofa. The Chief of Crime Control Strategy was bewildered at first, then the head of one of his accompanying officers exploded.

Only then did the sound of the shattered floor-to-ceiling glass reach everyone's ears. The bullet, with residual force, blasted a huge crater in the ground not far away.

Lance Jeffrey, terrified, quickly sought cover, while Li Mochen flipped over and dashed like lightning behind a pillar. The next moment, another bullet tore open the ground near him, sending碎石 flying.