Chapter 648: Memorial (1/2)

The debauchery of which many families succumbed brought upon adverse concern on the organization of future events. Media helped in fueling the public outrage, mainly, the Apira news station, a very notorious group known for biased and unjust points of view. The whole continent shifted to a campaign of 'Boycott Ansoft.' Thus were the first few days after the event, sales stopped, idols quit, and broke contracts without much repercussion. In the end, the agency stood on the edge of heartbreak, many o' fans were sad and afraid. Once a mob takes hold of a subject, no matter who's right or wrong, they'll follow until the bitter end. Amsey stood before a crumbling empire, the life's work flushed down from a single attack.

To further the fall, the other conglomerates, mainly, the Gaso Group, organized hostile takeovers of hangar space at the harbor. Ruffians ran in, destroyed consumables, and left; the falling economy forced the company in liquidating many assets. Without support, not person to hear him out, at the break of dawn on the 5th of October, a heavily saddened Amsey climbed the treacherous hill to Igna's estate.

The bell must have rung a few dozen times, the black outline of the trees had a few sparks of amber. The sun rose softly, the misty cool air gave perspective.

'What am I supposed to do?' cold on the buzzer, he leaned against the wall and fell, '-I've lost everything. The company had to give out money to so many people; we had to pay the performers and staff triple the agreed amount. Our reputation was dragged into the mud, the Gaso Group took advantage and established her agency as a place of righteousness. My most prominent stars, William and Windy… I told them to scout a new agency, a better place, I can't afford to limit their talents. It would be selfish and unfair, performers must be on stage, making music and bettering the world we have.'

Despair brought its due, the demon of misfortune overshadowed the curled-up shell of a man. '-I should have died and retired… the gift of youth, I was played for a fool, complacency, how stupid could I have been…'

”Come on in,” said a distant voice, ”-Amsey…” the gates to the vampiric lair parted, ”-I was waiting.”

”Igna?” he turned and wiped the teary eyes, ”-I'm sorry,” he bowed, ”-I'll leave, being here fills me with guilt, I created the mess, I should clean it up…”

”Stop being melodramatic,” he caught Amsey's tender arms, '-has he lost weight?' Shoving said thought aside, ”-come on, let's go in and have a drink,” offered he, ”-We're friends after all.”

”Thank you,” he grinned wholeheartedly, ”-I'm grateful to have you on my side.” The remainder of energy served to ignite Amsey's walk, the latter felt better after the encounter. Igna followed, '-the man's broken to the point of no return. Manipulation is a scary game. He sadly has no idea I could have undone the severe treatment. No matter,” the porch stood crowded by Éclair and a few maids of whom took care of the slump Amsey.

”My lord,” the background swapped for the very high-tech study, ”-Amsey's taking a bath. Vanesa and Draconis were summoned by Lady Lilith. Beelzebub's love of filth has created mud monsters of relative strongness.”

”Vanesa's taking a nap?” he narrowed.

”Yes, the lady very much enjoys the new duvet and mattress.”

”Very much is an understatement, she adores them.” In with a snap clicked the lock, ”-shall we discuss business?”

”Yes,” a giant hologram covered the room, ”-Ansoft's at an all-time low, Lum is barely making a profit. There are a few ways we can turn the situation around, turn the hate into admiration,” the images linked to a certain individual, ”-and tis lady Aceline and Kinless, the heroes who saved the concert. The public is very much in favor of thy return. I have an idea, risky one, but perhaps, a novel endeavor?”

”To resume the concert, however, make it a commemoration to the fallen. We sing and plea for the health of the wounded. We won't use much production and limit the performance to Aceline, whilst I stay on the acoustic. It's a perfect way to sway public opinion,” returned Igna.

”You've planned ahead?” smirked Éclair.

”Obviously,” he flicked the pen, ”-about the matters of money,” the pupils side-glance the basement where Angel Dust production went in full swing.

”Still need to launder the money first,” said Éclair, ”-focus on one task at a time,” the doors knocked.

”-Enter,” shouted Igna, the lock unclicked.

”Pardon the intrusion,” just as he entered, the butler left after a courteous bow. Paying no heed, the beautifully inlaid wooden barrier shut, ”-I'm here,” he said.

”I see that,” they closed the distance and had a serious tête-à-tête.

Meanwhile, at the other side of town, the business didn't take long to boom. The gambling house stayed opened during the day under the preface of an eatery. Sure enough, the silent came to eat or be fed. ”Kul,” yawned Asmodeus, ”-here,” he threw a heavy black bag, ”-bury that too,” dense foliage hid the backyard.

”Who is it this time,” she wiped her sweaty forehead.

”A fellow comrade,” he lit a cigar, ”-the boy tried to sell our products to a riveling manufacturer.”

”You could have let him live…” she frowned, ”-whatever, throw him in here.” A deep rectangle kept the reserves of many unknown faces, *snap,* a fiery lance dipped and scorch the bodies into dust.

Meters from the yard, the red-light district's workers had their weekly check. A small infirmary beside the motel crowded in waves of ten. At the helm stood each leader of the brothel. ”Next,” said a rather gloomy nurse, her notepad had seen better days.

”Have you heard of Kinl's disappearance?” gossiped the ladies.

”A client of mine said he had an unfortunate accident…”