Chapter 758 354: Thunder Celestial Master

William froze for a moment.

Since Leo had said as much, there had to be some deeper meaning behind it that he couldn't grasp.

"Fine." William reluctantly sat back down, or rather, he half-leaned against his chair. "I'll give you a chance."

"Be at my new villa in the Philadelphia Suburbs at ten tomorrow morning. If you dare spout any nonsense, I'll have my bodyguards throw you into the Delaware River."

Stock smiled and gave a slight bow. His calm, unhurried demeanor only irritated William more.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Saint Claude. I will certainly do my utmost to resolve your troubles."

Leo stood up.

As he passed by Stock, he paused almost imperceptibly.

His gaze lingered for a second on the teacup by Stock's hand. Then, his fingers brushed lightly across the tabletop, making an extremely subtle downward pressing gesture.

"Let's go, William."

Leo clapped William on the shoulder and led the Governor out of the coffee shop.

The two of them got into the car and left.

「Ten minutes later.」

The black Lincoln sedan stopped at an intersection.

"William, you head back first. I just remembered something urgent came up," Leo said.

"What is it?" William asked, confused.

"I have another meeting," Leo said, making up a quick excuse as he pushed the car door open. "You go on ahead. I'll catch a cab back later."

William didn't think much of it and waved for the driver to go.

Leo stood at the intersection, watching William's car disappear into the flow of traffic, then turned and walked back toward the coffee shop.

He pushed open the door.

Raymond Stock was still sitting in the same spot, his posture unchanged.

He knew Leo would be back.

Seeing Leo walk in, Stock closed his folding fan, stood up, and respectfully pulled out the chair opposite him.

"Mayor Wallace."

Stock's tone had lost some of its roguish charlatan air, replaced by a genuine reverence.

"Sit."

Leo sat down.

"Mr. Stock, you're a smart man."

Leo got straight to the point.

"You were able to remain composed in front of a man like William, who wears his heart on his sleeve. That shows you have good psychological fortitude. The fact that you waited here after my hint shows that you're perceptive."

"In this circle, being perceptive is more important than being capable."

Stock lowered his head slightly. "You praise me too much, Mr. Mayor. I'm just trying to make a living."

"Make a living?"

Leo sneered.

"If you were just trying to swindle a small consultation fee, you picked the wrong target. William may be a fool, but his butler and lawyers are not."

Leo leaned forward, and an oppressive aura instantly enveloped Stock.

"However, I find your Feng Shui interesting."

"But just reading the Feng Shui for a single villa... you're thinking too small."

Leo laced his fingers together and placed his hands on the table.

"Would you be interested in reading the fortune of all of Pennsylvania?"

Stock was stunned for a moment. A flash of panic flickered in his eyes, which had maintained a professional smile until now.

This was beyond the scope of his imagination, beyond the script he had written for himself.

He just wanted to earn some money; he never thought of playing for stakes this high.

But just a second later, the panic vanished.

In its place was an ambition that burned like a flame.

He realized this was a springboard to a higher social class.

It was a temptation that would drive any opportunist mad.

Stock's fingers tightened around the folding fan, squeezing so hard that the ribs let out a faint creak.

His breathing grew ragged. The feigned composure in his eyes was gone, replaced by nothing but raw desire.

"What do you want?" Stock asked, his voice a little hoarse with excitement.

"I need you to cooperate with me."

Leo didn't reveal the specific plan.

He looked at the ambition nearly spilling from Stock's eyes and a cold smile touched his lips.

He needed this fire, but he had to be the one to control it.

Leo reached out and pressed his hand onto the back of Stock's hand, which was still gripping the fan tightly.

His hand was cold, instantly cooling Stock's feverish mind.

"Mr. Stock, ambition is a good thing. In this circle, those without it don't last long."

Leo's voice was low, carrying a warning tone.

"But you must be clear on one thing."

"Who it is that gave you this ambition, and who can take it all away at any moment."

Leo's fingers tapped twice on the back of Stock's hand.

"I can put you on a pedestal, and I can also make you a con artist wanted by the FBI overnight."

"You are merely my mouthpiece. Every one of your prophecies, every talisman, must be approved by me."

"If you dare use the power I give you to pursue things that don't belong to you, or try any funny business behind my back..."

Leo pulled his hand back and leaned away.

"...then your end will be far more miserable than that of the fools you've swindled."

A shiver ran down Stock's spine.

He was jolted from his feverish daydream and re-evaluated the young man before him.

"I understand, Mr. Mayor." Stock lowered his head, his tone becoming subservient. "I'm your man. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west."

"Good."

Leo nodded in satisfaction.

"Someone will contact you shortly."

Leo stood up.

"Go and prepare, Master."

"Your lucky days are about to begin."