Chapter 629 Night Banquet

Louise arrived at Lucas's house on time and observed after getting off the car.

The number of carriages parked at the door was much less than expected.

At least half of the people who received the invitation declined Mr. Lucas' invitation for various reasons.

This is not to say that everyone is teaming up to boycott the new police chief or not giving face to the shipping insurance tycoon.

No one is willing to offend big men like Gordon and Lucas, but people are more afraid of being retaliated by the gang.

After all, Gordon and Lucas are decent people, and gangsters don't follow any rules.

Louise walked into the banquet hall and greeted the hosts of tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, and several old acquaintances, all ladies and ladies she met in the church, and chatted casually.

After a while, the main guest of the night also arrived.

Chief Gordon, who was thin and had a mustache, still exuded a distinct military temperament despite being dressed in casual clothes.

Mrs. Gordon was fair and plump. She was not very pretty, but she had a sweet smile and a gentle and charming ladylike temperament.

The Gordons were accompanied by two children.

The eldest son, William, was twelve years old and looked like his father. He wore a brass brooch that looked too simple on his tailcoat.

This brooch was the champion medal of the fencing competition in the Boy Scout summer camp. The rebellious adolescent showed off his personality in this seemingly casual way.

Alice, the daughter of the Gordons, had just turned nine years old. She inherited her mother's fair skin and black hair. She was dressed like a cute doll. Her big black eyes looked around, showing a strong curiosity about the social life of adults.

Mr. Lucas, who was tall and elegant, warmly hugged Director Gordon and gave an impromptu welcome speech.

In addition to the routine polite words, the main theme of Mr. Lucas's speech was still around combating gangs and pirates.

This generous millionaire publicly expressed his willingness to fully support Commissioner Gordon in his fight against organized crime.

Not only did he donate generously, he also planned to take the lead in fundraising and collecting anti-crime funds.

Taking the lead in doing such things will inevitably become a thorn in the eyes of the gangs, which is very risky.

Mr. Lucas admitted that he was young and energetic, and sometimes he did things based on passion and indignation.

However, he also frankly told Commissioner Gordon that he was not a knight-errant or a moral role model.

The reason why he supported the police in the fight against organized crime was mainly out of his own interests.

A good security environment and safe navigable trade routes are very beneficial to his shipping insurance business.

Mr. Lucas's words indirectly verified a rumor.

Including Louise, the guests present had heard that in the past two years, due to the rampant activities of gangs and pirates along the canal, the shipping insurance business has become increasingly difficult to do, and many companies with insufficient capital have declared bankruptcy after paying claims once.

There are also some insurance companies that simply cannot afford to pay and go bankrupt directly.

Although Lucas is the industry leader, it is not having an easy time.

Take this year for example. Two insured cargo ships were robbed by the "Raging Pirates" during their voyage. The casualties and cargo losses, the final amount of compensation, equal to the six months of work in vain.

If this continues, Lucas may not last long and will have to withdraw from the shipping insurance industry.

From this perspective, John Lucas II and James Gordon have the same interests, and it is reasonable to take the lead in supporting Director Gordon to eliminate gangsters and evil.

Influenced by her uncle, Louise is also a relatively open-minded clergyman. She evaluates a person by deeds rather than heart.

Although Lucas Jr. funded the police to suppress bandits mainly to protect his own business interests, his righteous act of taking the risk of gang retaliation and taking out real money to do practical things is still admirable.

Louise herself has no investment in the shipping and insurance industries, and there is no interest relationship.

However, compared with Mr. Lucas and even Commissioner Gordon, she has more reason to hate pirates and the gangs that collude with pirates.

After all, her parents died at the hands of pirates.

In her heart, the flame of hatred has never been extinguished.

She is alone and has no ability to seek revenge on the evil "Wrath of the Pirates" for the time being, but at least she can support those who are capable of fighting pirates.

For example, Commissioner Gordon and his anti-smuggling marine police.

Louise signed a check for 1,000 gold duga and put it in the fundraising box.

"Mr. Gordon, I hope this small donation can provide some help for your anti-smuggling business." Louise said.

"You are so kind, Miss Quinn, on behalf of all my colleagues in the police station, I thank you for your generosity!"

Commissioner Gordon raised his glass to Louise, his face full of gratitude.

Mr. Lucas also joined the conversation.

"Ms. Quinn, as a donor, you have the right to know more about the real situation of the anti-smuggling team, so as not to let your enthusiasm go to waste... Mr. Gordon, you don't mind if I talk too much and say a few honest words that will spoil the mood?"

"Of course not, my friend." Director Gordon looked earnestly, "You know, I'm also a newcomer and don't know enough about the situation in Binhai City. Maybe some of my subordinates are not as reliable as they seem on the surface, but I don't know their real thoughts because most of them are reluctant to confide in front of their new superiors."

"You hit the point, Mr. Gordon. Among your subordinates, I dare not say all, but at least half are not trustworthy." Mr. Lucas whispered.

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Louise raised her eyebrows.

"Haha, Miss Quinn, are you regretting your generosity?" Lucas laughed self-deprecatingly, "Don't worry, I'm the biggest sucker here."

"If I understand your intention correctly, many guys in police uniforms have actually become umbrellas for gangs and pirates?"

"This is the reality, Miss Quinn. This is thanks to our former police chief Gilbert Bagum. It was under his wise leadership that the police station and the anti-smuggling team degenerated into a mess of smoke and dust, snakes and rats in one nest!"

"Mr. Lucas, you seem to have a lot of complaints about my predecessor." Director Gordon asked implicitly.

"Haha! Let me tell you straight, Bagum is a complete corrupt official! From the first day he took office, he didn't plan to do his job, and all he thought about was making money!"

Mr. Lucas became more and more angry.

"Other corrupt officials at least know how to maintain their dignity and pretend, but Bagum doesn't even bother to pretend. He personally colluded with pirates and gangs and actually became the chief stolen goods agent in Binhai City!"

"I am not surprised by his greed and recklessness. What is unexpected is that such a person can actually retire safely after making enough money. It is said that he plans to return to his hometown after leaving office to spend his old age!"