Cyberpunk: Cross-dimensional Science and Engineering

The footage was explicit, 100% capturing the criminal activities of these thugs.

Now they not only had physical evidence and witnesses but had also captured the criminals themselves, leaving George feeling very ambivalent.

He did not approve of anyone other than law enforcers taking action, but the reality was right there, and the person was indeed legal.

"Apartment Owners Association at 441 40th Street... the evidence is conclusive; they deserved their punishment."

Once sure there were no problems, George instructed the police under his command to bring in the thugs who were tied up in the apartment.

As they entered the police station and saw George, the thugs felt an ill omen.

They knew Chief Robinson as someone with a big belly, little courage, and a lazy waste of a man.

But George Stacy?

He was a celebrity and looked like tough business.

"...I told you not to touch my hair! F**king cops..."

However, it was quite miraculous; the dreadlocked brother was still cursing and strutting.

"I've told you, my boss will get me out of here, and when he does, you'd better watch your families. I guess you all have kids, right?"

The dreadlocked brother became more animated as he spoke, and the police beside him felt as if they were escorting feces, both stinking and disgusting.

Still, this was their job.

Chief Stacy's brows knit together in annoyance; this was exactly what he hated most!

"Budman Williams, they were armed and brawling, over there, your place isn't here."

The dreadlocked brother was overjoyed—his boss, whom he had never met, was coming to bail him out!

"I told you guys, I..."

George approached him with an expressionless face and said, "You're under arrest, Budman Williams, for illegal possession of weapons, burglary...

You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you in court.

You have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint a public defender to you."

The dreadlocked brother was stunned. Was he going to prison?

Suddenly he yelled in rage, "My boss, my boss will get me a lawyer! I will be acquitted!"

George picked up a pen and paper nonchalantly, "Who's your boss?"

"My boss is... my boss is..." The brother stuttered, unable to release even a fart.

"Never mind, based on what you just said, you're also suspected of participating in organized criminal activities, your boss is involved, right?

Don't worry, he will join you inside."

George gave a signal, indicating for two officers to take this annoying guy away.

The dreadlocked brother kept shouting until his voice was hoarse, continually yelling about how his boss would save him, would get him out.

Yet, his hysterical demeanor didn't seem confident, but rather like he was masking his fear.

How could such a tough guy be afraid of doing time?

As he was about to be taken to another detention room, he suddenly burst forward, shoving the cops on either side of him—as if trying to escape—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunshots rang out, and instantly the brother crumpled to the floor, curling up, still muttering strange words like "my boss will get me out" and "wait til I'm free."

But he had lost his earlier bravado.

The police pistol wasn't very powerful, and since George was a good shot, the brother probably wouldn't die.

Chief Stacy silently holstered his gun: "Annoying fellow."

"Quick draw!" Lille commended loudly, not hiding his delight, "Good shot!"

This was American Iaido!

Lille silently recorded the entire process with his Prosthetic Eye—since it was part of the enforcement process, it was lawful for him to record and edit the footage.

He wanted the internet to see the ugly side of these criminals!

George smiled politely before speaking, "Lee, Hell's Kitchen has always been a big problem. I used to think it was just gang fights.

But today, it seems the situation is more complex—if we could ensure that surveillance in Hell's Kitchen is operational, it would really help the police enforce the law.

But... as you know, things are complicated. The police department is going to start a new round of bidding to find a suitable vendor to maintain the security systems in that area.

You might try your hand at it—of course, you'll need a company first."

Matt was quite surprised and turned his head towards Lille, "Right, about that, I've already submitted all the application documents. If we could get invited to the bidding... I believe the whole process could be quickened."

He had thought it too early to start a business, but now it had proven extremely useful!

Being invited to bid by the NYPD was a proof of credibility. Applications for business accounts, business license authorizations, and the like could all be elevated a level!

Lille was also surprised by this unexpected opportunity.

Originally, he just wanted a legal identity to do business with, not caring so much about making money right away.

Now, he had the chance to latch onto the NYPD's big leg!

"Thank you, Chief—"

George waved a finger, "Don't thank me. I noticed that these images are all quite stable and automatically lock onto targets.

Is this some new technology? It seems effective; I considered that when I suggested you try, don't get me wrong."

"It's indeed new technology, rest assured, Chief, I'll definitely provide the NYPD with the best technology!

And... the best price!"

Getting started is the hardest part, but with support from the technology of the Cyberpunk World, there's no problem in standing firm!

With money, one can solve problems—including saving one's own life.

Stepping out of the New York Police Department, Lille felt that everything was moving in a positive direction.

Once he sorted out these issues, he could focus on saving his own life.

But as they walked, Matt suddenly said, "Lille, I guess you haven't forgotten that there's a very famous murderer roaming around Hell's Kitchen."

Lille nodded, "Of course."

"You're too high-profile—they..."

"They're definitely going to come after me, and they'll do it in the most brutal, ostentatious way possible."

This last step, he had to undermine his opponents' morale head-on—

Yes, he had to face the threat with the most direct attitude and method before truly restoring order and the law.

The enemy was in hiding, he was exposed; overcoming this was the key to victory.

The more time Matt spent with Lille, the more he thought of him as a cunning politician—

Yet this move seemed perilous, unlike those secure old-timers.

"Then as your lawyer, I'll stand by your side."

...

"The prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant, and the NYPD caught him?"

United Construction Company, the newest rising construction firm in Midtown.

In the wave of real estate and bank collapses, they relied on illicit activities to depress land costs and violated regulations to lower labor costs, thereby reducing expenses.

This enabled them to win contracts at extremely low prices while maintaining profitability.

Add to that the funds earned from trafficking illegal drugs, firearms, and human smuggling, which were then laundered and incorporated into the company's revenue.

The company swam against the current, always staying profitable, attracting the attention of many investors.

The financial crisis triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis made everyone fearful; as long as there was profitability, they could adjust their moral compass.

As long as Wilson Fisk covered things up well enough, they could pretend not to see and not investigate.

The more the investments, the more the profits; the more the profits, the more the investments, the strong get stronger.

Wilson Fisk had already taken his first step, and everything was proceeding as he hoped.

Except for last night's orchestrated zero-dollar purchase.

It's not that he was worried those guys would snitch on him—those thugs were picked up from the streets; the so-called gang affiliation was nonexistent.

Anyway, it had nothing to do with him, Kingpin; they couldn't trace it back to him.

He just felt that in a world where everything was going smoothly, a dissonant note was a bad omen.

Looking through the glass at the distant Hell's Kitchen—New York's infamous slum, Kingpin thought: this was the place for his people.

He had beaten all his competitors, ensuring that illicit activities like drugs, weapons, and human trafficking were orderly conducted under his control, with US Dollars flowing in endlessly.

Once he had money, he established United Construction Company and seized governmental contracts under the guise of economic revival.

Hell's Kitchen was already close to Midtown Manhattan; with just a few renovations and new high-rise buildings and apartments, the cheap land would appreciate significantly.

The small municipal funds were just a ticket to the game; seizing these lands that were bound to appreciate in value when everyone else had no money, then becoming a land monopolist was the next step in the plan.

So—there could be no other voices.

Kingpin thought for a moment and asked, "Then what? NYPD detained him? What about those residents?"

His subordinate Wesley replied, "A guy named Lille Lee came up with surveillance evidence, the ringleader got prosecuted by the prosecutor's office, he should be going in.

Bailing him out is difficult—he has a prior record, drugged up and raped a woman... a real piece of trash."

"What do you think?"

"I think, the black dude is insignificant, but this Lille guy, he formed a homeowners' association and registered a security company.

I guess he tampered with the surveillance system, which makes it hard for us to blur the truth of the conflict.

And I don't know how, but that night's case was handled by George Stacy.

Once people believe him, they'll join his homeowners' association, then upgrade their surveillance, which will significantly increase the cost of us sending those blockheads.

With increased costs, profit margins decrease—continuing to dip into those pensions becomes dangerous."

Indeed, United Construction Company's operation wasn't just leveraged with finance.

They had also dipped into pensions and such—Kingpin didn't just have one United Construction Company under his control, he had also begun to dabble in the financial sector.

"This kid's mother works as a caretaker in Chinatown and moonlights in a restaurant; if we approached from this angle, I could strike a deal with Martin Lee.

Control his mother, then we could try to control the kid.

But... the key is still this Lille kid, he's physically weak, woke up from a coma just a few days ago, might die in a few months.

But our cash flow can't wait for this kid to die.

And the incident that put him in a coma was… related to Kate Waste Disposal Company; we could do them a favor and make things more direct."

This proposition was very much in line with Kingpin's thinking.

No nonsense, no discussion, no compromise.

Simple and straightforward, with significant effect.

"That's the plan, strike fast and hard," Kingpin decided, "Let Prosthetic Eye take care of it—make it a spectacle, tell him, I want an execution."

"By the way, we can't let go of not just the ring leader, but also the first one who took the lead to join."

Wesley agreed, "You think further than I do, I will deal with it right away."