A few people entered the small shop. Before anyone else could speak, Michael Bolton started sneering sarcastically, “Oh wow, isn’t this Miss King? What’s up, haven’t seen me for a few days and you don’t recognize Brother Bolton anymore?”

Grace King was still a bit afraid of him. Smiling back at this moment would be inappropriate; her pretty face turned pale as she looked at him in silence.

“I thought you had something going on with our Captain! Turns out Captain was just playing the good guy and gave you a hand, and you really thought you were something special!” Michael Bolton chuckled. He had only recently learned that Daniel Brooks and Grace King had nothing between them. According to Sanzi, that day they just had a meal here. Michael Bolton had thought Daniel Brooks was interested in Grace King, but after a few days, Daniel Brooks hadn’t shown up at the little restaurant even once. That put his mind at ease—he figured Grace King must have said something at that meal, and Daniel Brooks, being newly promoted, was just making a show to scare people like him. Since there was no close relationship, Michael Bolton was determined to regain his dignity and decided to teach Grace King a lesson. However, he didn’t dare use the police system against Grace King again, so he called a few cronies from the local business bureau to give Grace King a hard time.

“So, how much should the fine be?” Michael Bolton turned to ask a bespectacled business bureau officer.

The man with glasses pretended to check his booklet, then casually said, “According to Article 73 of the business regulations, the fine should be no less than three thousand yuan!”

“What?” Grace King’s face instantly went pale. Three thousand yuan? That was several months of her income!

“Since it’s your first offense, we’ll just fine you three thousand this time. Next time, the penalty will be much heavier!” The bespectacled man spoke as if he was doing her a huge favor.

Michael Bolton chuckled and said, “Miss King, this time Brother really can’t help you. Who told you not to discuss things with Brother beforehand?”

Ethan Taylor sighed inwardly. Is this really a socialist society? It’s even worse than the feudal era. No wonder “Justice Bao” is so popular these days—there are just too many rotten apples like Michael Bolton at the grassroots level.

“Come on, girl, pay up! Or do you want Brother to cover it for you first?” Michael Bolton grinned, his yellow teeth gleaming.

Ethan Taylor sighed and muttered to himself, “Why does it feel like I’ve gone back to the old society?”

Michael Bolton had sharp ears. He looked Ethan Taylor up and down and said coldly, “Who are you, kid?”

Ethan Taylor smiled, “Why do you care who I am? Who are you? What gives you the right to boss people around during a business inspection?”

Michael Bolton was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this young guy to be so bold, daring to talk to someone in a police uniform like that. He immediately glared, eyes narrowing, and threatened, “What did you say? We’re conducting a joint inspection. Are you trying to obstruct official business? Want to spend a night in the station?”

Ethan Taylor snorted, “Never heard of a joint inspection led by a nobody like you!”

“You little punk, you’re asking for it!” Michael Bolton strode toward Ethan Taylor, making Grace King so scared her face turned white. She quickly stepped in front of Ethan Taylor, pleading with Michael Bolton, “Please, Brother Bolton, he doesn’t know any better! We’ll pay the fine, okay?” Then she whispered, “Stop talking! We can’t afford to mess with them!”

But Ethan Taylor pulled Grace King behind him and said coldly, “I’ve never heard of any regulation that says restaurants can’t sell boxed meals! You!” He pointed at the business bureau officers and demanded sternly, “Call your Director here. I want to see which business regulation says restaurants can’t sell takeout!”

“Wow, you really need a lesson, kid!” Michael Bolton came over, trying to grab Ethan Taylor by the collar, but was stopped by a skinny guy who had been eyeing Ethan Taylor. The skinny guy held Michael Bolton back and, still sizing up Ethan Taylor, hesitantly asked, “Are you… are you Mr. Taylor from Brooksville?”

The skinny guy had a good relationship with the Director, and once, while accompanying the Director to the county office, he had seen Ethan Taylor from a distance. The Director had told him about Ethan Taylor’s identity, and the look of envy on his face was unforgettable. He still remembered the words: “This batch of Central Party School graduates has been assigned to grassroots positions all over the province—they’re a group of key cadres being groomed by the state. There might even be some with powerful family backgrounds among them. Little Grant, remember this: if you ever, and I mean ever, run into him and he needs help, you’d better handle it well. I’m still young and have a bright future ahead. People like him—never, ever offend them!”

Ethan Taylor hadn’t expected anyone to recognize him, but now wasn’t the time to hide his identity. He nodded slightly, “Yes, I am Ethan Taylor.”

The blustering Michael Bolton froze instantly, his mind buzzing, nearly fainting on the spot. Ethan Taylor? That was his boss’s close friend! Captain Brooks and Ethan Taylor had both been framed in the William Thompson case and had made a comeback together—their friendship was solid. Not to mention, when they had a welcome dinner for Daniel Brooks, he got drunk and said himself, “Ethan Taylor from Brooksville is my brother! Without him, there’d be no me!”

Cold sweat broke out all over him, and Michael Bolton suddenly realized why Daniel Brooks cared about Grace King’s case. No need to ask—it was this young man in front of him. He was Grace King’s real backer!

The skinny guy immediately put on a humble smile and said quietly, “Mr. Taylor, so it really is you. We’ll leave right away, right away!”