Let that greedy fellow David Lewis loot them for a while, and they already felt the pain. Now with the arrival of Edward Sutton, it looks like they’re about to bleed again.

“Boss Lewis, Boss Howard, you two came quite early today. Have you heard anything about this Boss Sutton? What kind of person is he?” someone asked the two bosses sitting in the front row.

Among these merchants, the wealthiest was Boss Lewis, who ran a brothel—Drunken Moon House was his business.

Next was Boss Howard, who owned a casino. His Shunde Gambling House ranked among the top five in all of Changning Prefecture.

Although Boss Lewis ran a brothel, he had a handsome and refined appearance.

Even though he was middle-aged, at first glance he looked more like a scholar teaching at an academy than a brothel owner dealing in flesh trade.

As for Boss Howard, he was short and chubby. He looked like a wealthy old man, but his face was always clouded with bitterness and resentment.

His casino raked in money every day, but he’d already been ruthlessly squeezed by David Lewis before, and now he didn’t know how Edward Sutton would fleece him this time.

So, when faced with everyone’s questions, Boss Lewis just smiled without saying a word, while Boss Howard said viciously, “Who knows what kind of person he is? He’s definitely not a good guy. I heard he just crippled the owner of Wang’s Pharmacy.”

Everyone exchanged glances at these words. This new boss didn’t seem like someone easy to deal with either.

But they weren’t too worried that Edward Sutton would lay hands on them. Their status was different from that fat Wang who ran the pharmacy.

They had big businesses and over a hundred people working for them. They were considered prominent figures in Changning Prefecture.

If the Flying Eagle Gang dared to kill or cripple them at will, the consequences would be too great—the authorities would never turn a blind eye.

“Boss Sutton has arrived!”

A gang member announced from outside, immediately interrupting the bosses’ wild speculations.

Seeing the young and handsome Edward Sutton walk into the main hall, all the bosses felt a bit awkward.

Edward Sutton was just too young. Having to call someone not even twenty years old “boss” was really uncomfortable for them.

But even if they felt awkward, they could only endure it. Edward Sutton was now not only a minor leader in charge of Pleasure Forest, but also the adopted son of Tiger Third Master.

Following behind him were Frank Keaton and the cold-faced Mark Lee, both sent by Tiger Third Master to back Edward Sutton up.

“Gentlemen, I am Edward Sutton. As the new head of Pleasure Forest, I hope you’ll all look after me.”

Edward Sutton took the main seat, smiling as he cupped his hands to everyone, looking very amiable.

The bosses secretly glanced at Boss Howard. This Boss Sutton seemed pretty decent—not as ruthless as you said, and certainly much better than the previous David Lewis.

David Lewis had been stifled for years, and once he rose to power, he became arrogant and overbearing.

“Heh, Boss Sutton, you’re too polite. From now on, we’ll be relying on you to protect us,” said Boss Lewis of Drunken Moon House with a laugh.

“Boss Lewis, you’re too kind. As the saying goes, ‘Take someone’s money, help them avert disaster.’ Since we take your protection fees, how could the Flying Eagle Gang let anyone bully you?”

Hearing this, the bosses couldn’t help but think to themselves: Others bullying us? We’d be grateful enough if your Flying Eagle Gang didn’t bully us!

At this point, Edward Sutton suddenly changed the subject: “Speaking of protection fees, I actually have something I’d like to discuss with everyone today.”

Hearing this, all the bosses thought to themselves: Finally, we’re getting to the main point.

In fact, they’d already guessed why Edward Sutton had gathered them all here today—it was all about one thing: money.

As the saying goes, “A new emperor, new officials.” When the Green Bamboo Gang managed Pleasure Forest, the protection fee was thirty taels a month.

When David Lewis took over, it became fifty taels.

Now that Edward Sutton was here, even though he looked young and friendly, his appetite probably wouldn’t be small either.

Boss Howard said sarcastically, “I say, Boss Sutton, your Flying Eagle Gang’s rules are really strange. The protection fee was just set at the beginning of the month, and now you want to change it?”

His Shunde Gambling House made a fortune every day, but he’d been squeezed hard by David Lewis not long ago.

So he was especially sensitive about the protection fee and couldn’t help but make a snide remark.

But after he spoke, he felt a bit of regret. After all, the other party was a minor leader of the Flying Eagle Gang and in charge of Pleasure Forest.

While they couldn’t do anything to him openly, it would be easy to make things difficult for him behind the scenes, or even force his business out of Pleasure Forest.

The simplest way would be to have a few gang members stand at the entrance of his casino and drive away anyone who came by. In less than three days, his casino would have to close down.

Fortunately, Edward Sutton didn’t take it to heart. He just glanced at him indifferently and continued, “Rules are made by people. If David Lewis could set them, why can’t I, Edward Sutton? From now on, I’ve decided to waive all your protection fees!”

As soon as Edward Sutton said this, everyone was stunned.

No protection fees? Then what will Edward Sutton and his men eat and drink?