karlmaks
Stories
7
Chapters
3,734
Words
6.7 M
Comments
25
Reading
23 d, 6 h
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Alberto watched Lance seated confidently across from him. His initial irritation began to ease as he observed the young man’s composure. Grabbing a cigarette, Alberto tossed one to Lance. "I’ve been troubled by something these past few days. You may not know yet, but our state is about to join the Prohibition Alliance." Lance whistled softly. "Prohibition, huh?" Alberto nodded grimly. "That’s right. Prohibition." "I own bars and nightclubs—places that thrive on alcohol sales. If Jingang…-
1.8 M • Ongoing
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Lance pulled a stack of cash from the drawer, carefully counting out ten five-dollar bills. He laid them flat on the desk, counted them again for the man sitting across from him, then stacked them neatly and handed them over. "Mind if I ask," Lance began, "why you chose us?" The man, a dockworker, was already busy counting the money. "You’re the only ones willing to lend me fifty bucks. Everyone else said it was too little, and the interest was ridiculous." Before coming here, the man had…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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The sharp knock on the door startled Officer Lukar out of his half-asleep daze. Muttering a curse, he forced a smile as he looked at the duty officer standing outside. "So, the rebels have stormed the Presidential Office, have they?" The recent uproar surrounding immigration issues had been intense. Protesters were gathering outside the Presidential Office, accusing the government of inaction on illegal immigration and smuggling. Some joked about “storming the Presidential Office” as a rallying cry…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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Johnny woke up around 4 a.m., not because of a peaceful sleep but because the excruciating pain from his injuries jolted him awake. Having recently undergone surgery, the anesthetics had worn off, leaving the raw agony of multiple fractures to assault him. His screams woke his daughter, who rushed to his bedside to comfort him. "It’s over now," she said soothingly. "You’re safe." Johnny’s scattered thoughts gradually coalesced as he blinked through the haze of pain. His pale face was covered…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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Johnny gnawed the last shred of meat off the bone, patted his belly with satisfaction, and smirked—he’d made another ten dollars today. Life was good. He had paid two quarters’ worth of protection fees recently, meaning he didn’t have to worry about those expenses for the next six months. At first, handing over the money had stung, but as John had assured him, it wasn’t money disappearing—it was just being paid in advance. Glancing at the apprentice wiping down tables in the corner,…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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"Do you have time..." Lance handed over the signed forms. Patricia glanced at his signature and murmured softly, "I’m not sure... this seems so fast. We’ve only just met, and now you’re asking me out..." Lance chuckled lightly. "I was referring to wanting to learn more about the registration process." Patricia immediately looked embarrassed. In matters of romance, the one who reveals their feelings first is often at a disadvantage. Just as she was floundering for words, Lance saved her from her…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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From the barely open door came stifled breaths, an oppressive sound that made the apprentice’s fingernails dig deep into his palms, drawing blood that seeped from the cuts. The dark gap in the doorway seemed to hold everything he loathed. He despised it, wanted nothing more than to storm in and plant his fists on that fat face, but cowardice held him back. All he could do was seethe in silence, letting his hatred fester. Sometimes, he wondered what was wrong with the world—why did every…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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By Wednesday, Officer Brayden had successfully entered Lance’s identity information into Jingang City’s records. Now, anyone searching his personal details would find a file associated with the White family. Lance had officially taken on the identity of "Steven (formerly known as)" and was now recognized as Lance White. Brayden also helped him apply for a Social Security number and a personal tax number. With these two pieces of documentation, Lance was now a legitimate citizen of the Federation.…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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Mr. White was a typical middle-aged man of the Federation, carrying an air of gloom about him. His pale complexion made the dark circles under his eyes even more pronounced. His unkempt, light brown hair hung messily over his head, and he wore a short-sleeved white shirt that had been washed so many times it was now yellowing. His light blue pants bore the telltale signs of numerous repairs. His wife, Mrs. White, looked ill—timid and uneasy. She dared not lift her head to meet Lance's gaze or that of…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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It seemed there had been a shift in the political game at the upper echelons of the Federation. On live television, the President finally issued a direct response to the Empire's accusations against the Federation: "The Federation has never condoned any discrimination against immigrants from the Empire, whether they arrived legally or not!" Previously, the Federation President had avoided responding to these accusations. But this time, he declared that such claims were baseless rumors. Even if…
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1.8 M • Ongoing
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