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"Is it legal to kill someone?"
"Illegal."
"Is the death penalty legal?"
"Well, that's legal."
"The death penalty is for killing bad people. Killing is illegal, but if I kill bad people, is it also legal?"
General Ross sat across from John, momentarily lost in thought. The logic was twisted, but it was hard to argue with.
John changed the subject, taking out several design drawings. "About the weapon boxes, we have designed three types. They correspond to sea, land, and air."
General Ross set aside the legality debate for now. He picked up the three weapon design drawings and examined them with interest.
"Sometimes I really suspect you kidnapped Tony Stark," Ross said, clearly impressed. He took a puff of his cigar and added, "Stop beating around the bush. Tell me what you want."
"My father worked hard to build a family business in New York. Now someone wants to use it to threaten me," John replied with a calm smile. "I am not happy about it."
"Prosecutor Reyes seems to have some misunderstandings about Taran Industries," John continued. "I hope someone can help me resolve the issue."
When Ross realized John wanted help dealing with the District Attorney, his eyes grew cold. He took another drag on his cigar and said, "Why would you think our business would make me help you with a District Attorney?"
Ross liked smart businessmen, but not those who thought they were smarter than him.
"I can pay for those things, but I am not your umbrella," Ross said flatly.
"Of course I know," John replied, unfazed by the cold stare. "But there are things between us beyond simple cooperation."
"I don't remember…"
"You said you wanted to catch a wild beast," John reminded him. "Big, fast, powerful, and probably invulnerable."
Ross paused, then nodded. "Yes."
John smiled. "I can provide you with the equipment to catch the big guy."
Ross was not convinced. "I can give you an order to purchase that equipment."
"Only if someone is willing to sell it," John replied, shaking his finger. "You could always ask Stark. I think he would be willing to help you too."
Ross smoked his cigar in silence, his gaze fixed on John. "The District Attorney has great power locally. I am military. I cannot get involved."
"Sometimes tacit deals need someone to claim responsibility," John said with a friendly smile. "There is plenty of Taran Industries equipment on the battlefield."
"We have a new type of body armor that can also be supplied to the police department," John added.
He raised an eyebrow. "A lot of police officers get into trouble every year because of body armor issues."
"I will consider it," Ross finally said.
He stood up and left. John did not try to stop him.
After spinning in his chair for a while, John stood and walked out. Hattie was waiting for him at the door.
"Was it a success?"
"No," John replied, shrugging as he walked past. Hattie followed a step behind.
They entered the elevator together. John looked Hattie up and down, his eyes moving from her high heels to her slender waist and delicate collarbone, finally resting on her face behind brown sunglasses.
"I am curious. You do not look like an assistant," John said.
"Aren't you afraid Orlov will silence you?" he asked.
Hattie's lips curled. "No, he will not."
"Then you give him too much credit for his character," John remarked. "He is a warlord. What kind of morality do you expect?"
Hattie tilted her head, her eyes hidden behind the lenses, studying John's young face. "Because of you. You would not let him do that."
John smiled. "Your trust is flattering. Those words make me want to give you a raise."
"If you add too much, other employees will be dissatisfied," Hattie replied with a smile. "Especially since you have already given me two raises."
"It's fine," John said as the elevator doors opened. "Your salary is not paid by the company anyway."
"What is your current salary?"
"Fifty thousand."
"Let's raise it to sixty thousand, as if I am paying for your loyalty."
Ferdinand, waiting outside, overheard the conversation. He took a step back, holding the car door with one hand and clutching his chest with the other.
Sixty thousand?
Ferdinand, still earning ten thousand, was heartbroken.
"Boss, you have changed. You used to avoid women," he muttered, already wondering if it was too late to move to Thailand for a sex change.
John looked at him in disgust. "The fifty thousand your brother owes will be deducted from your salary."
"No, Boss!" Ferdinand nearly choked. "Actually, Roman and I are not even close."
Hattie laughed quietly at the scene.
After some coaxing, Ferdinand returned to normal, but he resolved to go home and take his father's old belt and teach his dear brother a lesson.
To encourage him, John said, "Work hard. Try to open a branch for me next year."
Ferdinand might not have been good at English, but he was deeply moved.
***
A week later, a woman came knocking at John's door.
With a male assistant by her side, she rang the doorbell at the Wick residence.
"It is Prosecutor Reyes, sir," Moss announced.
Moss had already taken control of all the smart devices in the house. John crushed a golden rune in his hand. "Let her in."
"Okay, sir."
The door opened.
The female prosecutor walked in.
"Hello, John Wick."
Reyes believed she had Wick's lifeline in her hands. As the District Attorney, she had enough power to uncover tacit business dealings with Taran Industries.
She gave Taran Industries a week, just to let them know there was no other option.
Reyes was confident and said, "I do not think I need to introduce myself."
"Of course, Ms. Reyes." John tapped his finger on the table, which displayed Reyes's profile.
Reyes glanced at it, her eyes narrowing slightly before she quickly regained her composure. "I want you to solve something for me."
She sat opposite John, her assistant standing by her side, clearly used to such meetings.
"Take care of someone for me, and I am willing to let you go," Reyes said.
"Let me go?" John asked, feigning surprise. "I do not remember doing anything that would require a prosecutor's attention."
Reyes had expected this. She gestured to her assistant, who took out a document bag.
The assistant opened it and said, "Here are the questionable accounts of Taran Industries. The weapons sold have appeared at murder scenes multiple times."
With these in hand, Reyes said confidently, "These orders and documents alone are enough to shut down Taran Industries."
She looked at John. "But as long as you do one thing for me, using your father's best method, I can let this matter go."
"It is a tempting offer," John said, picking up the documents and flipping through them, making a clicking sound with his tongue. "But you seem to have made a mistake."
He held up the documents and smiled. "We are a legal business."
"As for weapons appearing at murder scenes, if you look carefully, you might also find weapons produced by Stark Industries before their weapons division was shut down."
He tossed the documents onto the table, scattering them. "You may be disappointed, Ms. Reyes."
Reyes's face was unreadable. She sneered.
"It seems you are not as flexible as your father," she said. "No one can prove the legitimacy of these orders."
She stood and said, "You have no idea who you are dealing with."
John stood as well, adjusting his cufflinks. "Do you know who you are talking to?"
"As for a certifier," John chuckled, "someone is willing to vouch for me."
"Right, Fury?"
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