Joseph had indeed prepared everything in advance.

But once inside, something completely unexpected happened.

Because the first thing West said when she saw Ethan was, "Junior brother, why are you here?"

"You know each other?"

Joseph asked in surprise.

"Yeah, you know each other too?"

West looked at Joseph.

The situation was a bit awkward, so much so that after Ethan and Joseph entered the private room, Joseph was still complaining.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew her?"

"I didn't know you were going to invite me here today either."

Ethan felt innocent.

Joseph then roughly recounted how he met West.

"You know, for someone like me, there's always a lot of pressure, so that day I went to an underground bar."

Although it was rather strange to hear an important member of the Kingdom Defense Bureau admit to going to an underground bar.

But the fact is, even with the prohibition in place today, people can't live without alcohol, regardless of who they are.

Joseph met West in an underground bar.

At the time, he borrowed a light from West.

Though it seems he was more inclined to flirt, and they started chatting.

West said she was a retired artist now running a restaurant, and Joseph said he was an art collector.

He went on and on about art and finally mentioned he knew Ethan.

Thinking back now, no wonder West's expression was somewhat subtle at that time.

Did she most likely think he was bragging?

This is indeed...

"You like her?"

"Of course, isn't it normal for a man to like a woman?"

Joseph nodded seriously.

"So what did you actually call me for?"

Ethan felt a bit speechless; he even suspected this guy just wanted to meet West under the pretense of needing help.

"Of course there's a matter, but don't rush, since we're here, let's eat something first."

Joseph said this just as West came in, and he started chatting with her enthusiastically.

He finally ordered some Western-style roasted beef bones and stew.

"Someone wants to harm me."

After West went out, he finally said.

"Oh?"

"You know I was just reassigned to the Kingdom Defense Bureau, that position wasn't originally mine; it belonged to Tefula from Section Three, a confidant of Section Chief Michelle. Now that I've taken the position, those people are all waiting to see me make a fool of myself."

While waiting for the food, Joseph began recounting the ins and outs.

The Evans Clan is indeed a colossal entity, especially to someone like Wenster, who is not from the Central District.

But in the Royal Capital, the Evans Clan is just one of many colossal entities; the Royal Capital is a deep sea, hiding who knows how many fierce monsters.

So even someone like Joseph, a second son of the Evans family, is not invincible.

Tefula, whose position he took, is not of great importance; the key figure is Section Chief Michelle of Section Three. This person used to be a personal guard of the Eldest Prince, Havenius Nokturnis, and later transitioned from being a guard to joining the Kingdom Defense Bureau, rising all the way to a senior position of Section Chief.

It's obvious to anyone that this person is the Eldest Prince's confidant, an important power planted within the Kingdom Defense Bureau.

Although the Royal Family of the Kingdom hasn't experienced any extreme incidents, open and covert fights are definitely inevitable.

Even though at the top is the so-called King of Kings, that king basically doesn't care about anything, and the King remains the most powerful person in this country.

Everyone wants to sit on that throne.

Sure, the one currently in the limelight is the Second Prince Adrian, who has extensive influence within the military and is the youngest Major General, a royal celebrity.

But the Eldest Prince is older and has deeper roots in other domains.

Who knows who will win in the end.

And this position of a Section Chief at the Kingdom Defense Bureau is a microcosm of the struggle.

Undoubtedly, Joseph is on the side of the Second Prince; otherwise, he couldn't have succeeded in stepping into Wenster as the head of the Kingdom Statistical Bureau.

"This matter is not safe at all."

Ethan picked up a piece of roasted beef bone and took a deep breath; he had to admit, the cooking at West's restaurant was quite good, the bone was well-roasted, and the marrow was tender and smooth.

"Ethan, you're very smart; you should understand that no matter where, whether it's Wenster or the Royal Capital, the worst choice is not choosing a side. Not choosing means you're on no one's side, making you an enemy to all."

Joseph was also sucking on the roasted beef bone.

"I don't know how to help you."

"Make the conflict in the South District stop."

Joseph looked at Ethan.

Without waiting for Ethan to speak, he continued, "You don't need to deny anything, I don't want to know what you've done, I only know if it's you, you can definitely help me calm the South District conflict, whether by eliminating the Mafia or stopping the new immigrants from causing trouble, the South District just needs one voice."

"Is this your trouble?"

"This is my trouble; there's definitely someone behind those new immigrants causing issues. I suspect originally this was supposed to be handled by Trafford, but since it's now changed to me, the situation has worsened."

"So... what's in it for me?"

Joseph sucked on his fingers and wiped them with a napkin, then picked up a piece of juicy roasted beef, and placed it on Ethan's plate.

"The South District is yours."

After a pause, he picked up another piece of beef and placed it on Ethan's plate again.

"Once the South District is settled, we'll work together, in the light and in the shadows. Then, the East District can be yours, the North District, West District, and even the Central District."

Joseph kept placing pieces of meat on Ethan's plate.

"In the future, we'll share the power of the Royal Capital together, how about it?"

Ethan was silent for a while, then picked up a piece of beef, took a bite, and started chewing.

After swallowing, he spoke.

"The meat is good."

"I'll take that as a yes?"

"I'll give it a try."

Ethan wiped his hands and took a sip of grape water.

"You're sure to succeed, Ethan."

Joseph also picked up a piece of beef and began chewing it enthusiastically; he seemed to be in a much better mood, nodding repeatedly while eating.

"It tastes really good; from now on, let's meet here?"

"Whatever you like."

Ethan wiped his mouth again and then stood up.

"I'm full, I'll leave first, you take your time eating. I suppose you wouldn't want me hanging around here any longer, right?"

Joseph immediately let out a hearty, joyful laugh.

"Ethan, you've become more humorous; I like you more and more! I have a new joke to tell you next time."

He still loves his jokes.

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