Chapter 111 Negotiating Darkness

• But Mason was ready. He leaned forward, eyes blazing with a conviction that went beyond simple ambition. “Ironically, they're the ones already investing. We're not taking them down—we're offering them a seat at a table they've never seen before. A legitimate future. Who wouldn’t want a seat at the table when it comes to playing god over fate? We give them a glimpse into a better, brighter Chicago—a city that thrives on respect instead of fear.”
• “Care?” Maria's voice rose, cutting through the church's musty silence. “These crime lords barely care about the breathing bodies on these streets. You think they'll care about the positive side of your fancy tech?”
• “That's where you're wrong.” Mason's tone softened, but the edge remained. He moved closer, close enough that Maria could see the determination etched into every line of his face. “I've shown them something new. Something that makes money. I'm giving them a distraction from the business-as-usual crime that plagues this city. They're already halfway invested.”