Chapter 3: The Trap in Every Test

But that confidence vanishes as soon as you face Carl Zimmerman.

Yes, his case is easy enough. He’s just a city staffer, extorting bribes from Public Works, cruelly mistreating junior employees, even tampering with funeral arrangements for city officials.

But once you start the interrogation, you realize: with his tiny bit of power, Carl Zimmerman has built a web of connections—city staffers, Public Works officials, all tied together, and all, to some extent, linked to the Mayor’s son.

If you dig deeper, you’ll deliver a huge blow to the Mayor’s son’s influence in Public Works.

Carl Zimmerman, already exhausted and bruised, looks at you: “Mr. Whitaker, I know I’m dead for sure this time. But let me tell you honestly—if you push this case too hard, you’ll satisfy the Mayor, but you’ll chill the hearts of all the Mayor’s son’s supporters. The Third Son, who’s closest to the Mayor’s son, will recruit them all. Then you’ll be left alone—how will you compete with the other heirs?”

You suck in a breath, stumped.

Damn, the guy’s got a point!

If you go all out and wipe out these people, the Mayor will be satisfied, but how will you fight for the estate later?

You agonize, not knowing what to do.

Then, inspiration strikes: why not copy someone else’s answer? The youngest councilman is handling the Finance Office case next door, right?

So you wander over and sure enough, you find your answer.

The youngest councilman arrests people quickly, interrogates quickly—waves of purges sweep through city hall. The Finance Office is much bigger than a single city staffer, and those connected aren’t just the Mayor’s son’s men—city council members, officials, all have dipped their hands in the pot.

So Larry Pratt’s been locked up for ages, but no charges stick. Not a single official has been arrested.

Now you get it.

You return, confident, and copy the youngest councilman’s playbook: fire Carl Zimmerman alone, then privately warn the Public Works officials—get them to work for you.

You leave city hall smiling, feeling the whole city is yours for the taking.

Then the Mayor returns and chews you out.

You: ...

The Mayor doesn’t just scold you—he does it in front of all the heirs: “You used to be moody and unpredictable, now after years of eating vegan and meditating, you’ve turned into a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Carl Zimmerman, a mere staffer, could single-handedly cover up Public Works’ crimes? Are you trying to win over my employees, or do you want to take the Mayor’s son’s place? Let me tell you, even though I’ve cut out the Mayor’s son, any of you who schemes for him is a traitor, unforgivable!”

The Mayor’s thunderous rage, laced with the chill of a man who’s seen too many betrayals, leaves you weak in the knees.

Only after you’re shaking do you realize—wait, you copied the youngest councilman’s answer! Shouldn’t he be in trouble too?

You glance at the youngest councilman. His face isn’t looking good either; he clearly knows the Mayor’s warning is aimed at him as well. But the councilman isn’t really punished, while you’re confined to your house, forbidden to leave.

You return home, dazed, and after thinking it over, realize you’ve been made an example of.

But why you?

After thinking it through, you conclude: first, the youngest councilman has long been allied with the First Son and has plenty of followers. Second, you’ve gone vegan and been meditating—no ruthlessness at all. The Mayor can kick you aside at will, and it’s no loss.

You grit your teeth. No worries—I can cheat.