"Father!"
Upon hearing these words, Drag’s heart finally cald down. He glanced back at the convoy disappearing into the night, knowing Lynch had completely departed.
They talked throughout the afternoon, but did not have dinner together. Lynch gave this opportunity to him and his family.
Up until a minute ago, Lynch drove him here, outside a standalone villa in the high-end community of Bupen City’s central district.
The villa was small compared to his Governor’s Mansion.
Yet, this place felt more like a "ho."
This feeling was peculiar, magical, indescribable. He simply had this sensation, especially when his family greeted him at the door and his eldest son shouted "Father," he took a heavy breath.
Safe, stable.
Lynch spent the whole afternoon discussing life in the Federation, also warning him not to attempt using his residual power for any actions.
At the ti, to win over Drag, the United Developnt Company gave each Provincial Governor like him a small share.
These shares were not much, yet not little either; annual dividends amounted to millions, serving as an alternative promise.
As long as they were willing to side with the Federation people, they might lose potential, but they would not worry about basic needs, and in the Federation, money was more useful than power.
However, he could not genuinely work as a board mber or return to Nagariel for business; the United Developnt Company would not allow it unless he wished to vanish completely.
Drag, understanding the overall situation, experienced many complex emotions, which continuously surged and ultimately transford into a sigh.
Fortunately, he still had life and family.
He turned to look at his eldest and youngest sons, his favorites, at this mont showing no trace of Nagariel heritage.
The eldest wore trendy clothing Drag couldn’t quite understand, along with a popular hairstyle. Even more astonishing to Drag, he wore earrings.
In Nagariel, only priests tattooed and pierced their faces; ordinary people did not do this.
The second son stood relatively back, showing little joy, seemingly unhappy that Drag hadn’t let him stay in Nagariel.
Then there was the youngest and his two daughters, obediently standing aside, while his wife stood at the very end.
His wife’s change was the most drastic; she no longer wore traditional Nagariel attire, instead opting for typical Federation clothing.
This disparity mildly enraged Drag; he felt this clothes were wasted on this woman, but soon this anger dissipated.
Everyone was changing, and he would too, turning into what he despised most.
Since he would change, why bla others?
"I’ve co!" After standing for a while facing them, he uttered these words.
Drag’s eldest son quickly gave his father a hug, saying, "You finally ca, Father, we missed you so much."
The group entered the house; dinner was ready. Security Committee had inford them that Drag would be dining with them, so the servants prepared a lavish al.
After so simple washing and changing into casual wear, he sat by the dining table.
The table was filled with sumptuous food, half of which he did not recognize, but looked terrific, with enticing aromas filling the dining room.
Their servant pushed a trolley with dishes resembling sauces or staple foods, continuously serving those seated at the table.
"Father, how are things over there?" Before starting, Drag’s eldest asked.
Drag shook his head, "The Federation people are like greedy hyenas; they won’t allow developnt and change there, so I withdrew early."
"It’s just unfortunate regarding your brother; he hasn’t seen clearly the situation over there. I tried persuading him to return with , but he refused."
After all, as his son, he disclosed both good and bad aspects, letting his third son choose, yet the fellow still chose power, even if it was fake power.
Not following Drag to the Federation left him slightly guilty, but this feeling quickly faded. He was a ruler, and rulers manage emotions better than ordinary people.
"Let’s eat; stop talking about . Talk about how things are going for you here!" Drag wisely changed the subject; discussing Nagariel more rely showcased his incompetence.
If he were truly capable, he wouldn’t be sitting here. Perhaps so say no one could handle the situation better, but aren’t there still so trying?
Thus, he switched topics.
"Here... it’s actually pretty good." Drag’s eldest son, after thinking seriously for a mont, put down the cutlery and answered.
"Our assets ensure a very comfortable life here; everything can be bought with money here."
"Exquisite food, attentive service, everything for enjoynt, even assistance from politicians!" the eldest son looked at Drag, "You may not fully understand; the Federation is more miraculous than we imagined."
"With money, politicians will speak for us. You might not know, when we first arrived, neighbors complained about our ethnicity, attempting to expel us through a community vote."
"But... we spent so money, found a local legislator (Bupen City Legislator), supported him financially, and he helped solve the issue."
"I think we should do sothing; otherwise, this money will eventually run out..."
Drag listened intently to his eldest’s account, also setting down his cutlery, with a serious expression, "No, we won’t do anything."
"Our money, plus the United Developnt Company dividends, are sufficient for two generations of affluent life here. There’s no need to waste vast funds and efforts on aningless endeavors."
"My fault for discussing these at the table; let’s eat first!" After he spoke, picking up the cutlery again, his children and wife seated at the end resud dining.
A sowhat gloomy dinner, with the only redeeming quality being its abundance.
After dinner, Drag’s second son went straight to his room. After consulting, the two daughters and youngest also returned to their rooms, while Drag and his eldest son went to the study.
"A brand new study, regularly cleaned after set up, but not used!" The eldest knew so of Drag’s habits, explaining.
Drag nodded in satisfaction, sitting on a chair and tapping its genuine-leather armrest. Federation-style chairs were indeed more comfortable than his wicker chairs, at least not poking his rear.
After his eldest sat down, Drag focused back on his child, "I understood what you ant at dinner, but I warn you not to do that."
"Federation people won’t allow us to do things we shouldn’t be doing. If you notice each level of Federation’s governnt institutions, you’ll find no immigrants, no won, no minorities at significant posts!"
This howork was done for Drag before his arrival, and Lynch subtly hinted during the afternoon, advising against using influence here to regain power. Neither he nor his son qualified for it.
This was not a reminder, but a warning, which he understood clearly.
The eldest struggled to accept, having drifted for days here finally finding a new goal, only to be stifled by his father.
"I don’t understand, must we, our descendants, be raised in cages like us?" His voice bitter, he suddenly envied his brother in Nagariel; maybe not free, but at least so freedom.
Drag rubbed his temples with both hands, shaking his head with closed eyes, "No, you should beco a playboy, find ways to contact more elites’ offspring and build good relationships, then find a celebrity’s daughter to marry."
"I, you, your generation can’t do much, but your next generation can!"
"I know you’re restless; I’m restless too, but we have no choice."
"If you wish to play this ga, you must join it as a player!"
"Your child is the player, not you!"
Early the next morning, Security Committee personnel ca knocking, not with bad news, rely to inform Drag they would now handle his security within the Federation, also advising him to choose licensed bodyguards from legal security agencies for protection.
Security Committee could provide special agents as bodyguards, or he could find them himself, ultimately needing dual protection.
He’s crucial, not allowing any short-term mistakes.
Then ca organizing his participation in so TV programs, just as Lynch discussed the previous day—Drag, as a "Dictator" in Federation people’s perception, his words directly spoken held more trust than Federation Governnt propaganda.
Slandering, questioning the governnt beca trendy among Federation’s lower level; the upper echelon didn’t plan on changing it.
It’s like when a parent says the sa thing to a child, and the child treats it as a joke, but their friends say it and they hold it dear, seriously executing it.
To the Federation overall, the nation is the parent, and the people are the children.
Children’s dissatisfaction, the parents disregard.
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