Back when David Lewis was the boss, although he trusted brothers like Boss Sanders who had always followed him, when it came to collecting protection fees, he still handed the job over to old hands like Richard Howard who had plenty of experience.

So Mr. Walker was very familiar with him. When the Flying Eagle Gang had just taken over Happy Forest, he had even slipped a few taels of silver to Richard Howard, asking him to look after his shop.

“Boss, do you have any instructions?” Richard Howard didn’t even look at Mr. Walker, but instead bowed his head respectfully and asked Arthur Quinn.

“B-boss!?” Mr. Walker was dumbfounded on the spot.

This young man was actually with the Flying Eagle Gang? And even an old-timer like Richard Howard would call him boss!

Richard Howard shot a cold glance at Mr. Walker: “Let me reintroduce you. My boss, Edward Sutton, is the adopted son of Chief Tiger Third Master, a newly promoted junior boss, and is now in charge of Happy Forest.

Fat Walker, you sure are bold, trying to extort my boss. Are you tired of living?”

Cold sweat poured down Mr. Walker’s face, his short legs trembling so much they could barely support his plump body.

For small-time businessmen like him, they weren’t afraid of the authorities.

If the officials came looking for trouble, at worst they’d just spend some money to smooth things over.

The ones they really couldn’t afford to offend were the underworld gangs like the Flying Eagle Gang.

Business relies on harmony and making money, but when you run into a ruthless gang, they have a thousand ways to ruin you.

Even if they don’t take your life, they can make it impossible for you to survive here.

“Boss Sutton, I failed to recognize your greatness. Please, spare me this once!”

Mr. Walker put on a pitiful face, immediately returned the bracelet to Edward Sutton, and, with good sense, added a stack of silver notes. Edward Sutton glanced at it—no less than three hundred taels.

“Spare you? Heh.” Edward Sutton chuckled inexplicably, holding Grace as he walked out of the shop.

Mr. Walker was chilled by Edward Sutton’s laugh, not understanding what he meant.

Richard Howard hurried after him, a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes, and whispered, “Boss, should we get rid of this Fat Walker?”

Don’t be fooled by how obsequious Richard Howard acted in front of Edward Sutton; after all, he’d been with the Flying Eagle Gang for over ten years. He might not be much of a fighter, but he’d killed before.

Edward Sutton shook his head and said softly, “The old man doesn’t have many years left. Killing him would be too cruel. Just cripple him.”

For some reason, hearing Edward Sutton’s calm words, Richard Howard felt a chill rise in his heart.

He nodded and went back into the shop.

Soon, the miserable screams of Mr. Walker echoed from inside: “Don’t come any closer! What are you doing!? If you dare touch me, the authorities won’t let you off! Ah! Ah!”

Edward Sutton patted Grace Sutton’s head, covering her ears so she wouldn’t hear Mr. Walker’s screams.

Seeing Mr. Walker lying on the ground, barely able to groan, Richard Howard stroked his chin and said, “That’s enough, stop hitting him. Any more and he’ll be dead.”

At his command, the eight gang members finally stopped.

Looking at the few pharmacy clerks huddled in the corner, Richard Howard sneered, “Bandage up this fat fool, don’t let him die. If the authorities come later, you should know what to say.”

The clerks nodded repeatedly. Even if they had twice the courage, they wouldn’t dare provoke the Flying Eagle Gang.

“Grace, let’s go home.”

Edward Sutton picked up Grace, put the bracelet back in her hand, but a trace of doubt rose in his heart.

The style and material of this bracelet were just too good—not something the The Sutton Family could afford.

But Edward Sutton’s memories of his childhood in this body were already vague, even less clear than Grace’s.

He asked Grace a couple of questions, but she couldn’t explain either, so Edward Sutton simply dropped the matter.

After settling Grace at home and arranging for someone to look after her, Edward Sutton summoned Richard Howard: “Old Huang, gather all the shop owners in Happy Forest at Drunken Moon Pavilion for a meeting.”

He still had a main quest to earn ten thousand taels of silver, and that money would have to come from Happy Forest.

But he, Edward Sutton, was not David Lewis; he certainly wouldn’t squeeze the shop owners to death. That would be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Richard Howard immediately understood.

A new boss always makes a show of strength. When David Lewis took over, they’d had to pay plenty of tribute.

Now that Edward Sutton was in charge, if they didn’t cough up some money, how could they expect to keep doing business in Happy Forest?

Seeing Richard Howard’s expression, Edward Sutton knew exactly what he was thinking, but he didn’t bother to correct him. He’d understand soon enough.

Chapter 9: Reform

Half an hour later, the bosses of all the major casinos, brothels, restaurants, and inns in Happy Forest had gathered in the main hall of Drunken Moon Pavilion, greeting each other with forced smiles, all looking miserable.

In their line of work, paying protection fees to the gang every month was normal, but had they ever heard of paying three times in one month?

At the beginning of this month, Happy Forest originally belonged to the Green Bamboo Gang, and they’d already paid once.

But just after they’d paid, the Flying Eagle Gang took over Happy Forest.