MWC – Chapter 175 I gave you a chance

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

On February 1st, the East Sea Public Safety Armed Internal Affairs Police Academy was officially inaugurated and held its opening ceremony.

Dignitaries and elites gathered, with even Shadun, the Chief Commissioner of the East Sea Municipal Council and Prime Minister, having to take a backseat in prominence.

The Grand Duke of East Sea, Charles IX, took the central stage to cut the ribbon for the academy.

Although Lu Ming was the academy’s education commissioner, a role similar to the head of the instructors’ group, he could only stand in a far-off corner.

The opening ceremony was grand and ceremonious. The uniforms of the Internal Security Forces included camouflage for training attire, formal dark blue for men, and ceremonial uniforms. The Red Winged Eagle Guard stood out with their striking red uniforms. A formation of 100 female soldiers marched past the podium with impeccable precision and energy, drawing countless admiring glances.

Though the male and female soldiers had only a few days of training for the ceremony, they came from active-duty military or police forces or were outstanding students from military and police academies, so their foundation ensured no mistakes during the event.

Lu Ming originally planned to make a brief appearance and leave. After all, he had to attend the grand jury hearing on the Zheng Zhongshi case the following day. Though feedback from the grand jury had been positive, and the hearing was expected to be procedural, Lu Ming wanted to return early to review the documents for any overlooked details.

However, his day was packed with arrangements and obligations, even extending into the evening.

In the principal’s office, Lu Ming faced Major General Wenger, visibly exasperated. “Principal, I’m only a consultant. If you were going to assign me as a class advisor, you could have given me a heads-up.”

For the first two months, Lu Ming had no teaching duties. In the third month, he was scheduled to teach a course titled Interpretation of Model Laws: Responsibilities and Obligations of Internal Security Forces. However, Lu Ming’s recent appointment as the advisor for the “Red Army” class left him with additional responsibilities.

The “Red Army” class comprised 100 female soldiers and officers from the Red Winged Eagle Guard. In this training session, ranks were set aside, and everyone was treated as a student.

Sir Wenger chuckled as he addressed Lu Ming, “Don’t be so quick-tempered, my friend.” He sighed dramatically, “This class is tough to manage—balance is everything, isn’t it? Not too strict, not too lenient, right? It’s difficult, and no one else is willing to take it on.”

He continued with a grin, “Can’t you help your old buddy out?”

Mary, the translator standing nearby, looked visibly awkward as she tried to soften the tone while translating.

Lu Ming knew why he was chosen. His association with Christine and Lieutenant General Neville, coupled with recent rumors, made it obvious that figures like Wenger saw him as connected to Christine. Assigning him as the class advisor for the group that included Christine’s circle would, at the very least, facilitate coordination.

Additionally, Wenger’s demeanor had shifted significantly. During their first meeting, Wenger exuded authority and formality. Now, he treated Lu Ming more as an equal and even a friend. This likely stemmed not only from his connection to Christine but also from Lu Ming’s elevated status as a municipal council member of the satellite towns.

Not wanting to waste words, Lu Ming replied, “If the principal believes I’m suitable, as a consultant, I can’t refuse. However, I don’t have the time to be here every day.”

He glanced at the schedule, which showed that tonight the class advisors were expected to hold their first class meeting to introduce themselves to the students and facilitate introductions among the students.

“I can’t make it tonight. I have to leave,” Lu Ming said firmly.

Wenger, who had evidently improved his command of the Zhongzhou language, waved off Mary’s translation and responded with a smile, “That’s fine, that’s fine. While you’re away, Mary can serve as acting class advisor. But you’ll have to back her up—if she messes up, you’ll need to help her out.”

Mary rolled her eyes but nodded reluctantly. “Yes, Principal, I’ll assist Colonel Lu in managing the Red Army class.”

Wenger added, “By the way, I’ve already applied for a brigadier general rank for our consultant. After all, our consultant is already a key figure in local governance. Since you’ve honored us by serving as our advisor, we need to make appropriate adjustments. I hope to see our consultant promoted this spring!”

Lu Ming smiled politely. To him, ranks like colonel or brigadier general were honorary titles as a reservist and held little personal importance. However, titles could be unexpectedly useful in certain situations. Moreover, Wenger’s gesture was well-intentioned, likely aimed at currying favor with Christine’s perceived backing.

“Thank you for the kind words, Principal. I’ll visit more often when I have time. My apologies for the urgency today, but I must take my leave.” He added with a smile, “During the spring military promotions, I’m sure the principal will achieve new heights as well.”

Sir Wenger smiled faintly, “I hope so.”

He rose to shake Lu Ming’s hand.

As Mary escorted Lu Ming out of the office, she muttered through gritted teeth, “That sly old fox!”

She was clearly frustrated by the assignment, knowing full well how difficult it would be to manage the class, especially with Isabelle, the renowned troublemaker with extraordinary skills. Isabelle, well-versed in classical knightly traditions like jousting and horseback riding, was famously challenging for instructors during her academy days.

Lu Ming laughed at Mary’s complaints and prepared to leave. Though he considered visiting Han Annie, he decided against it, confident she would excel as a student.

“Mary, let’s have tea sometime!” Lu Ming called out as he stepped into the car waiting in front of the teaching building.

Mary scoffed, “When do you ever have time when I ask?”

At the lobby of the New Scar Hotel, Lu Ming had just entered when he saw Silva, Zheng Zhongshi’s personal lawyer, rise from the lounge area and hurry toward him. However, a burly man intercepted Silva with a strong arm.

“Mr. Lu, my client is here at the café and would like to meet you,” Silva called out helplessly, raising his voice.

A woman in a sharp navy-blue suit stepped forward and replied crisply, “Please communicate through me. Do not shout here. My boss is very busy and requires at least two days’ advance notice to schedule a meeting.”

Ignoring the commotion, Lu Ming strode directly to the VIP elevator. As he passed, the men and women standing by bowed their heads in unison.

Silva watched helplessly as the elevator doors closed, feeling so frustrated he wanted to curse out loud.

Turning to the female assistant in front of him, he said helplessly, “It’s like this—my client, Mr. Zheng Zhongshi, has an urgent matter and would like to meet with Mr. Lu tonight. Could you possibly make arrangements?”

“Zheng Zhongshi, is it? May I ask, is he a friend of my boss?” The assistant pulled out a small notebook and began flipping through it.

“No…” Silva felt a bitter smile creeping up.

“Then has he ever exchanged pleasantries with my boss on any occasion? If so, please provide the time and place; I’ll need to verify.”

“Also no…”

“Oh, so is he a baronet or of a higher noble rank?”

“No… not that either…”

“Is he a military officer ranked colonel or above?”

“No…”

“A senior prosecutor, chief prosecutor, or judge from a circuit court or higher?”

“An experienced parliamentarian? A municipal committee member?”

“No…” Silva was bombarded with questions to the point of dizziness, nearly losing his mind.

“A poor soul caught in a wrongful conviction?”

“Not… not exactly…” Silva hastily said, “He’s actually the person Mr. Lu is filing a lawsuit against…”

“Is that so? Well, before filing the lawsuit, didn’t my boss make any contact with your client?” The assistant looked puzzled.

Silva paused, his face stiffening. “There was some contact, but at that time Mr. Zheng was too busy, and I… I was a little muddled…” Regret washed over him, and as a lawyer of considerable standing, he now clung to the young assistant as if she were a lifeline. “It’s my fault, all my fault. Please, could you make an exception and help me plead my case? Surely you must have some influence with Mr. Lu?”

The assistant’s expression turned stern. “Please be mindful of your words. I don’t know you very well.”

Silva’s ingratiating smile froze on his face.

“In your situation, the earliest meeting would be two days from now, and even then, our office director will need to evaluate if you and your client are qualified to meet with my boss. Honestly, there’s a high chance your request will be rejected. The most I can do is record your request, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“You probably don’t understand how busy my boss is. Just a few days ago, a sub-bureau chief from the Western Yellow Police Division wanted to meet him. Because she was distantly related to an assistant, the assistant took it upon herself to schedule the meeting, lying that the boss had approved. She was fired very quickly.”

The assistant sighed softly. “So why, when you had the opportunity to meet my boss, did you waste it?”

The assistant’s expression was one of utter disbelief, as if she were looking at an absurd lunatic. How could someone be so clueless? Didn’t he realize how many people queued for a chance to meet her boss?

Silva stood dumbstruck, so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice when the assistant left.

Slap, slap! He smacked himself hard across the face, startling passersby. Had he lost his mind?

A concerned staff member quickly approached, intending to advise him to leave.

But Silva felt the world spinning around him, barely registering what anyone said.

All he could think was, It’s over. Everything is over.

His client, who had confidently claimed there was no need for connections or expenses, was now facing the high likelihood of imprisonment—and a harsh sentence at that. From the grand jury feedback, it was clear they found the evidence compelling. Once the case reached trial and encountered a strict judge, there was a good chance his client would receive a ten-year or even longer sentence.

His negligent legal advice had cost him the chance to communicate with the plaintiff, leaving his client to face prison time.

This was a catastrophic blunder.

The bar association would soon disbar him.

His career in law would be over.

The astronomical loans for his car and house, the university tuition for his children—all of it was doomed.

Everything… utterly destroyed.

As Silva stumbled out of the hotel lobby, his vision went black, his legs gave way, and he pitched forward, rolling down the steps with a thud.