Leo's words snapped the workers out of their confusion.
They began asking him how to organize a protest.
Leo held no grudges and answered each question patiently.
He knew as soon as the workers showed up—it had to be Patrick behind it all.
Now, he was simply using Patrick's own tactics against him.
"The company will cover all meal expenses during the protest."
Leo said with a beaming smile.
"Long live Leo!"
Back in the study, the long-waiting lawyer Toussaint said to Leo,
"A friend from City Hall told me the approval was denied because Patrick was behind the obstruction."
"In Lynchburg, it could only be him,"
Leo replied with a smile.
"I'm being serious, Leo.
Didn't you two have a rough collaboration during the Locke asset acquisition?
Why's he coming after you now?"
Toussaint had arrived in Lynchburg just a few days ago.
The moment he met Leo, he expressed his desire to become Leo's private attorney.
Though he seemed like a heaven-sent talent, Leo, always cautious, sent someone to Richmond to investigate.
In the meantime, he made use of Toussaint and let him handle the Locke asset acquisition.
Toussaint performed brilliantly, uncovering several legal traps laid by Patrick's lawyers.
Just two days ago, Shawn returned from Richmond.
As an amateur investigator, the only thing he discovered was that Toussaint had, while drunk, broken down crying, then closed his law firm and came straight to Lynchburg.
The mystery remained unsolved.
Leo didn't believe in "magnetic charisma" drawing talent like a fantasy novel hero.
He was about to wage war against Patrick—and he had to confirm Toussaint's true identity.
Leo put away his smile, his face now serious.
"Why are you really here?"
"Looks like I passed your initial test.
Leo, Herbert has fallen into a coma."
Leo raised his eyebrows—this was unexpected.
"Explain."
Leo knew Carl had died at the restaurant, but given Herbert's selfish nature, he wouldn't faint just because a subordinate had died.
"And Ben, the other heir of the Gourian family—he's dead too!"
Leo noticed Toussaint's probing gaze as he spoke.
He remained expressionless, but his mind was racing.
Ben had said goodbye to him at the restaurant that day, which meant he must have been killed afterward.
Leo quickly thought of the young couple with calloused hands who never reappeared.
In an instant, he pieced together Herbert's plan.
If Ben showed up, they would kill Ben.
If Ben didn't, the couple would be used to take Leo out instead.
As for why Herbert fainted?
Leo smirked—another victory for his planted newspaper article.
"I've been watching them for years as their enemy.
I have certain... channels. That's how I know the truth: one dead, one comatose—
they turned on each other!"
At this, Toussaint couldn't contain his excitement.
He burst out laughing.
"They killed each other over one million dollars.
I once swore to God: anyone who helps me avenge this—
I'll serve them loyally for life."
He laughed as he spoke, but there was no joy in his eyes—only grief.
When he spoke of loyalty, he was completely sincere.
"Read too many knight novels, haven't you, Toussaint?
Still, I'm curious—
I tricked Herbert. Why hasn't the Gourian family come for revenge?"
"Now we know Herbert's in a coma and Ben is dead,
but I'm still puzzled—if all this happened because of my million dollars,
why am I still alive and well?"
"I told you before—Herbert was never a man of rules.
He did horrible, inhumane, unthinkable things.
But he was also a tightrope genius—
while he lived, he kept all his dark deeds under control.
Now that he's in a coma, everything's come spilling out.
The Gourian family is under immense pressure.
I've even heard the governor is planning to cut ties with them."
Leo said slowly,
"I'm sure you played a part in that.
Otherwise, you wouldn't have left everything behind to come find me in Lynchburg.
Now answer me, Toussaint—
Will these scandals bring down the Gourian family?"
Toussaint shook his head.
"As much as I'd like to say yes... no.
They've been entrenched in Virginia for a hundred years.
Herbert's scandals are giving them trouble, but total collapse? Unlikely."
Leo was silent for a moment, then asked:
"How long until they remember the two of us?"
"A year, maybe two—
That's your window for development," Toussaint replied.
"Ours. Welcome aboard, Toussaint.
But passive waiting isn't my style.
I prefer to eliminate trouble before it grows."
"So, the hotel plan Ben proposed is our safeguard.
Yet we can't even handle Patrick—how are we supposed to bring down the Gourians?
Tell me honestly—do you really have a plan to deal with Patrick's interference?"
"I do, Toussaint."
Leo pointed out the window, where Michael and Father Lesterwin were walking toward the villa.
"The key to breaking this stalemate is here."
"You know I support you unconditionally, Leo."
By the poolside of Leo's villa, around an outdoor dining table,
Michael took a sip of whiskey and spoke carelessly.
Leo turned to Father Lesterwin.
The priest furrowed his brow in thought, then finally said:
"I'll oppose Patrick's proposal to form a Lynchburg Grain Regulatory Committee.
But not just for you—
Patrick's plan threatens the common interests of all the town's farmers.
It undermines our traditions."
After swallowing Locke's assets, Patrick became Lynchburg's largest landowner—
and he held the town's only grain futures license.
Still unsatisfied, he recently proposed to the Seven-Person Council the creation of a regulatory body—
the Lynchburg Grain Regulatory Committee—
which would unify grain pricing across the town.
This would give him more leverage with major American grain buyers and boost the Aldo family's influence statewide.
Worst of all, once the committee was formed, the Aldo family's dominance would become unshakable.
Everyone at Lynchburg's power table would suffer.
Lesterwin's objection sounded noble, but he had his reasons too.
After seeing the visitors off, Leo turned to Toussaint, who had been quietly observing.
"Tomorrow, hire a few newsboys and have them spread the word at the post office:
Patrick's pushing to form the Grain Regulatory Committee."
Tit for tat—Patrick's tricks could be turned right back on him.
In America, basic necessities had long been monopolized by old money.
Behind every seemingly broke rural grain dealer was an iceberg below the surface.
And when those icebergs began to move—
Patrick was in for one hell of a storm.