Blackstone Code

"Thank you so much for coming, it's such a relief..." The President's smile was almost genuine. Some people around him instinctively assumed that his relationship with the Waldric family was good, which was indeed the case.

Mr. Waldric looked about forty years old, as he took great care of himself. In reality, he was already fifty-one, but whether it was his appearance or his actual physical condition, both seemed much younger than his real age.

This was the benefit of wealth. Mr. Waldric and his family enjoyed the best living conditions and environment in the Federation. They had personal nutritionists to manage their daily meals, private physical trainers to maintain their fitness, and cutting-edge medical technology regularly checked for any health risks, working to minimize them.

As someone once said, the progress of science is not meant to benefit ordinary people or human society. Every technological advancement in human history has only served to better benefit a small handful of individuals.

The Waldric family was part of this small group, which kept them looking youthful. This was also why Lynch wasn't sure about the exact nature of Severella's connection with them — they all looked too young, especially Severella's mother.

She was a dignified and elegant woman, dressed in a dark, floor-length evening gown. Graceful, poised, and beautiful, she bore a striking resemblance to Severella. Like a woman aged to perfection, exuding a captivating charm, she looked no older than her mid-thirties.

"While we may still have differences on some issues, our overall goals align without conflict, so I'll support you." Mr. Waldric directly expressed his stance.

For the big capitalists, international trade, or rather, international capital expansion, held tremendous value and benefits for them. If it weren't for the conservative president consistently blocking their capital from entering international markets, fearing that it could trigger unpredictable political consequences, they would have already unleashed a storm internationally.

Now that conservative dictator of a president had been toppled by these brave warriors, it was time for them to celebrate standing over the evil dragon's corpse.

Without a doubt, the Conservative Party had no chance of a comeback, and the Progressive Party would rule for at least the next six years. However, the debate remained whether policies should be more radical or moderate.

The radicals advocated aligning with the Alliance of Victorious Nations, showcasing the Federation's military strength on the international stage, and gaining recognition through assertive means.

Most of this camp consisted of military personnel. Under the Conservative Party's reign, the military had been suffocated, and now, having awaited this dawn, they naturally wanted to take action.

The moderates, on the other hand, believed that since the Baylor Federation had just started integrating into the international community, it should present a relatively harmless stance. While they would stand with the Alliance of Victorious Nations and send troops to maintain world peace, they shouldn't actively seek conflict.

This led to internal divisions within the Progressive Party. As of now, the radicals held some advantage, largely because they had the backing of senior military officials.

Those "gunpowder-brained" lunatics couldn't wait to show the world the Federation's strength through military action. Some even suggested launching a new war.

Of course, those were reckless, brainless remarks, but it was still a dangerous trend. If the president lost the re-election in two years, a radical Progressive Party president might take over, which would be a disaster for the entire Federation.

Politics is fascinating in this way. When there's an external enemy, everyone unites to fight against it. But once that enemy is vanquished, internal factions quickly emerge, leading to in-fighting, until a new, invincible external enemy arises to bring everyone back together.

Mr. Waldric's consortium supporting the President in his re-election would ease a lot of pressure for the President. This support came in two forms.

Votes: Mr. Waldric's consortium could provide the President with a massive number of votes, giving him an early lead as soon as the campaign began.

Funds: Every presidential election was a crazy money-burning process. The President needed his posters to appear densely in every state, every city, every street, even on trash cans, with his smile flashing gleaming white teeth.

Why show such bright white teeth?

Because the Federation's largest dental care company was also a major supporter of the election. Years ago, they even convinced the public to separate dental insurance from social insurance, making it a standalone policy.

Of course, this also meant that people had to pay more for services they previously received at lower costs. But who cared? The public believed this arrangement offered better healthcare services and coverage. The state reduced its burden, and the dental care company reaped huge profits. Everyone felt like a winner, so there was no problem.

In short, elections couldn't succeed without the support of capitalists. Even a true politician without capitalist backing would lament being born at the wrong time.

But with the support of capitalists, even a clown, an actor, or a businessman could stand on the Federation's brightest stage.

After exchanging a few more whispered words, Mr. Waldric shook hands with the President and briefly parted. Other important figures were still waiting.

People instinctively made way for the Waldric couple as they headed to the VIP room for a break, possibly to change clothes. Mrs. Waldric, in particular, needed a more practical dress for the cocktail party. A floor-length gown wouldn't suit the occasion. Only important people had the privilege — and the burden — of making such wardrobe changes.

At least ordinary people didn't need to do such things to be considered proper. Important figures, on the other hand, risked seeming impolite if they didn't.

Just as the Waldric couple was about to leave, they suddenly paused, spotting Lynch and their daughter, Severella, standing to the side.

"Should I be surprised?" Mr. Waldric smiled at his daughter, though most of his attention was on Lynch, evaluating him.

After a moment, he extended his hand. "Waldric. May I know your name?"

Lynch shook his hand. "You can call me Lynch, Mr. Waldric."

Lynch also nodded politely toward Severella's mother. It wouldn't have been appropriate for him to initiate a handshake, as that didn't align with proper etiquette.

"I thought my daughter should be at home practicing that piece she can never seem to play right, but I certainly didn't expect to see her here. Well, since you're here, I hope you both have a pleasant evening."

When Mr. Waldric spoke, he didn't seem overly serious or intense. His warm smile and gentle demeanor put people at ease, leaving Lynch with a positive impression. It was a skill all influential figures needed.

"Well then, Lynch, and Rella, see you later?"

Lynch nodded, stepping aside with Severella. The Waldric couple smiled and greeted others briefly before leaving.

They would reappear once the event officially began, but their brief stop had already drawn many eyes toward Lynch.

As they exited the crowd, Mr. Waldric sighed. "A young man, very handsome. I would hope my son could get by on looks alone like him, but I wouldn't want my daughter with someone like that. It would ruin everything."

His wife chuckled softly. "They look quite a match standing together."

Mr. Waldric didn't respond. It wasn't until they were alone in the VIP room, resting, that he sighed again. "Everyone has to make a choice. Not everyone is as lucky as we are."

His words implied that in families like theirs, marriage was never a personal choice. His own marriage, too, had been a "political union."

Only the combination of power and wealth could give birth to brilliant and beautiful things, such as Severella. But for her, beauty was limited to the present. In a few years, they would start selecting suitable candidates for her marriage.

Once they found the right one, Severella would have to fulfill her obligation. Since birth, she had enjoyed privileges that most of the world, including future generations, could only dream of.

In exchange for these privileges, she had to fulfill her duty: sacrificing the freedom to marry the person she loved.

For a girl like Severella, this might seem cruel, but what she and others like her didn't realize was that the things they considered painful were dreams the vast majority of the world couldn't even dare to imagine.

Still, the girl wasn't without choices. If she chose to give up everything, walk away with nothing, and even abandon her family name, she could have whatever she wanted.

That sounded simple enough. Yet, in nearly a hundred years, every young person who had done so had eventually returned to their family, begging for forgiveness, willing to accept whatever their family had chosen for them.Please vote for this novel at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link

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