"Oh, right, also change your script for me, praise it to death, understand?"

The reporter and host quickly nodded, then swiftly showcased their professionalism, swiftly transitioning from a simple introduction of the fire's burning range to an emotionally charged style.

The host, deeply moved, said in a clear and resonant presenter tone,

"Natural disasters are ruthless but people are compassionate, love among people astonishes heaven and earth. The citizens of Night City's Watson District have shown us a scene of humanity bravely overcoming natural disasters. They used their fragile bodies to form an indestructible wall, even though they were engulfed by flames..."

Poof!!!

Lucius Laine, who was leisurely observing the development of the fire in his bedroom, sprayed out the wine he just drank.

What's going on?

What's going on?

The fire has burned all the way from the dock to Martin Street, just a step away from the skyscraper, and you're telling me this level of fire has been controlled?

Are you kidding me?

Just by these civilians down there?

"Where did they get the water and equipment from!"

Lucius Laine was already somewhat losing his composure; he was preparing to express condolences tomorrow noon and then gather companies to reinvest in the construction of Watson District.

His question was answered by his secretary two minutes later.

"The reservoir gates of the All Foods factory were blown open by a mercenary squad, the control system's data fortress has been breached, and there's an upload indicating the Demonic Puppet is out of control. Their forces are currently in full pursuit of the mercenary squad, but... they can't block the reservoir for now."

"Additionally, the fire equipment market in Night City was ransacked by the Vortex Gang and Tiger Claws. The city fire company said their marketing department suggested abandoning this batch and let the lower ranks help fight the fire to compensate for economic losses with reputation."

Things have already been lost; once these non-precious items are gone, trying to retrieve them is not only incredibly difficult but yields pitifully low returns.

Moreover, these aren't guns or other reusable items; once fire extinguishers are used, what's the point? How much water hose, fire axes, fire shovels will remain after tonight is in doubt; the loss is already destined, it's better to find ways to compensate from elsewhere.

"Damn it!"

Seeing the money about to be acquired fly away, Lucius Laine's eyes turned red.

Honestly, if he had the guts, he could immediately arrange personnel to accompany him to inspect the fire scene, then let Channel 54 capture a few images. He would certainly gain more support in the next election.

Of course, if he could personally direct the fire brigade to rescue a cat or something, maybe he'd even make tomorrow's headlines as a hero.

But just a glance at those blazing flames made Lucius Laine shiver.

If he threw his fat body in there, he'd probably combust into wagyu beef on the spot.

Best forget about it, after all, he doesn't lack that bit, and more importantly...

He's not resigned.

Just like he knows, there are definitely others who are equally unresigned now!

"Mayor Laine, it seems things have developed in a direction we didn't expect."

The manager contacted from Huang Ban's market department also had a displeased expression. Clearly, they had gathered nearly all firefighting forces from the Watson District and signaled city firefighters to passively fight fires, letting All Foods factory cut off water, yet they never expected someone to break through. Now, they were just one step away from failure.

He even already planned how to report his accomplishments to Huang Ban Meizhi tomorrow.

"What now? Are you going to have your people join the firefighting efforts?"

Laine's tone was regretful, probing the man's attitude.

"Of course... not..."

The manager's tone was somber.

Company reputation?

What use does that have for a company, does Huang Ban care about that bit of bad reputation?

Such a laugh, when have they cared about the opinions of those below?

They are the kind to drop biochemical weapons in million-population cities in front of the whole world, and hide nukes beneath Huang Ban Tower, their reputation rotted long ago.

Not to mention not firefighting, even if this fire was started by them, so what?

"Just a bunch of rabble."

He said leisurely.

"I hope you can arrest those who committed robbery under the name of City Hall."

"But catching those few won't change the current situation, and..."

Shit, Lucius Laine cursed silently, they're planning to use him as a puppet.

What the other side said next made Laine sink into despair.

"No buts, whoever took those things is a robber, does City Hall and NCPD need a reason to arrest robbers?"

"If it really doesn't work, tag them with illegal firefighting activities interfering with the city's normal firefighting operations, there'll always be a way."

"That's... not good..."

From Lucius Laine's perspective, this was already a stupid plan to the extreme, grabbing a shit bucket and putting it on their own head.

"What if it incites public fury, and they resist law enforcement..."

"This fire will burn everything clean, you should have confidence in Huang Ban's special forces' law enforcement intensity."

"But Channel 54 over there..."

"I'll have people negotiate to stop related footage, after all, in such a large fire scene, there'll always be places the camera can't capture."

No matter what excuses Lucius Laine found, the other party would dispel his lucky thoughts with a firm attitude, even without using NCPD's police force, Huang Ban would have their agents dressed as ordinary citizens or police to 'work'.

Firefighting is difficult.

But starting a fire is too easy.

Typically this isn't the way, but isn't now the perfect opportunity?

"Mayor Laine~~" The manager on the screen regarded the mayor who hadn't stepped down since Huang Ban entered Night City with an ambiguous gaze.

"Please don't forget, your connections with Huang Ban over the years."

Feeling cornered, Lucius Laine genuinely wished he could slap himself twice, which lunacy possessed him to let these deranged Japanese into Night City back then?

"I... I..."

His obese body felt somewhat breathless, as if making some kind of determination; looking at the manager, he said,

"I'll arrange for someone to do it."

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