CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: LAW COMES FIRST

It was indeed Ethan who informed Bob Older to come.

After learning about the battle in the rain, he asked Bob to come to the estate to make a contingency plan.

To see if there could be any legal measures to prevent further actions by the Prohibition Agents.

That’s why he stood by Ethan’s side now.

"Get out of the way."

Lewis was extremely disdainful of him.

"Mr. Lewis, I just heard you mention that the Kingdom Council passed a bill granting you Prohibition Agents the power to investigate everything."

Bob just looked at him calmly.

"Yes, this bill has definitely been passed, even if it hasn’t been communicated to Wenster yet. It took effect the moment it was passed, so don’t try to play tricks with me on this. I’ve said you’re a second-rate lawyer, so you can’t do first-rate things."

Lewis grew increasingly agitated.

"Very well, I just wanted to confirm it was passed so we can discuss this matter legally." Bob still showed no anger, as if he suddenly became completely different after the incident with Murphy.

"Mr. Lewis, you are now standing outside the private property of my employer Mr. Ethan Polleta. If you take one more step forward, he has the right to legally retaliate against you."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Stop wasting my time. I told you I’m a Prohibition Agent; your legal provisions are useless against me!"

Lewis was almost ready to open his mouth and tear Bob apart.

"It’s not nonsense, it’s the law. Contract law grants Mr. Ethan the sacred and inviolable rights. When he signed the contract, acquiring the ownership of this land, he became the master of this place. No one should encroach upon it. Contract law is the cornerstone of the Kingdom, above all law. Are you now saying that the council’s bill is above contract law? Especially when you have no substantial evidence proving my employer has any connection with the bootlegging operation you mentioned, he then has the right to shoot you dead when you step onto his private territory."

Bob said everything in one breath, with no stumbles in between.

It was a remarkable argument.

Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at Ethan.

"So, Young Master, if he dares take another step forward, shoot him."

For some reason, Bob started calling him Young Master Ethan too.

"Thank you, Bob, my friend."

Ethan smiled and looked at Anya.

"That’s why I said the law is most important; it’s essential to invest in the law. Look how, once again, it has protected a lawful businessman like me?"

Lewis’s alchemical prosthesis made a near-squeaky pop as he squeezed it, almost breaking it.

But he didn’t dare to throw that punch.

He hesitated.

The Prohibition Agents who came with him hesitated even more.

Primarily because they weren’t sure if the estate still concealed those terrifying weapons that could turn a person into a sieve in an instant.

The fate of their colleagues was too brutal.

They had never seen such things.

"What do you think, Agent Lewis? Do you want to try? I remember someone really wants to have a go against me."

Ethan stroked the badge on his left hand, smiling at Lewis.

Lewis was caught in a dilemma.

He breathed like a mad bull.

Suddenly, a crisp ringing sounded in the estate.

It was the telephone.

Because no one answered, it kept ringing into the void.

For a long time.

Ethan spoke up, "Gentlemen, I’m going to answer a call. I trust no one minds?"

Then, without waiting for a response, he turned around and entered the house.

A few minutes later, he came back out.

"It wasn’t for me; it was for someone named Marvin, who said he’s your superior, Lewis. Do you want to take it? Don’t worry, just answer the phone. I won’t shoot you. Come in."

Hearing it was Marvin, Lewis hesitated but finally stepped into the estate.

No shots were fired.

His men following him breathed a sigh of relief.

Having stalled to this point, they were already scared. They didn’t want to search this place anymore; they just wanted to go back and have a drink to warm up.

Following Ethan to the living room, Lewis answered the phone, and then he heard Marvin say, "Pull back."

"For..."

He wanted to ask why.

But just as he got the first word out, the phone was already hung up.

The busy signal from the phone left him equally bewildered.

"Seems like you’re not well-liked in the new team either, Lewis. Such a pity, but even so, I won’t invite you for lunch."

Ethan joked from the side.

Lewis hung up the phone and walked out of the house step by step. Just before reaching the door, he suddenly turned back to stare at Ethan.

"Ethan, our business is not over. As long as I’m not dead, I’ll keep watching you. Don’t screw up, or you’re dead!"

He pointed two fingers at his eyes and then aimed them at Ethan, full of menace.

"Bob, someone is threatening me."

Ethan just laughed.

Before Bob could come over, Lewis turned and quickly walked to the door, shouting, "Retreat!"

Soon after, they disappeared into the wind and rain.

Once they were out of sight, Ethan suddenly hugged Bob.

"Bob, you did great, truly amazing. Without you, I would really have been at a loss today. ’Contract law grants Mr. Ethan the sacred and inviolable rights,’ how did you come up with that? You’re simply a genius. Oh, contract law, I love contract law. Bob, you’re fantastic."

Bob was a bit at a loss from Ethan’s praise, only managed to give a silly smile.

Ethan looked at him; Bob indeed had changed. Compared to the last meeting, he wore a dark suit, his tie was more tasteful, and even though his hair was wet, you could tell it was styled and very neat. Most importantly, he was full of energy.

Actually, what Ethan just said was half true and half courteous.

His real leverage was that call.

Before coming out to meet Lewis, he made a phone call to John Hott, briefly explaining today’s events and Lewis’s trouble.

John Hott was a smart man, saying he would help resolve it.

So unless absolutely necessary, Ethan didn’t want to shoot.

Shooting would have been troublesome.

Unexpectedly, before the call came, Bob had unexpectedly saved the day.

Bob’s performance this time was already worth Ethan’s investment in him; it was an extremely worthwhile investment, even exceeding expectations.

"Actually, the young master already had a contingency plan."

Bob wasn’t a fool and understood the situation.

"Don’t say that, you’ve done well enough." Ethan put his arm around his shoulder, "Come on, let’s have a drink inside, and stay for a meal. We have a lot to discuss."

By late afternoon, the rain in Wenster finally showed signs of subsiding.

The rain was about to stop.