Never Judge

As Cedric and his group neared the Mayor's home, he took a deep breath and sighed. The corruption in his country was truly far reaching. 

Sometimes he wished that they could instill their own people, men and women that they knew had the will and determination to serve.

Sadly it was also at those times that Cedric was reminded of a dark past in their country's history. A time when people thought the same as him, when rich businessmen decided that they could and should control the politics of their own country.

A group among the old rich that history had labeled as the Rajas, or kings. They were some of the richest and most powerful families around. At one point the Reyeses had even been involved.

Luckily for Cedric, the Reyeses decided to leave when this group of rich individuals began plotting to install people they believed worthy of being public servants.

It didn't take long for these appointed politicians to turn on the people that place them there, the Rajas. 

It was true what people said, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Because of these appointed officials, chaos, corruption, and crime thrived in their country. It lasted for decades until eventually someone stood up against them and brought back democracy to the country.

It was after that time that people who had not sided with the dictators rose to powers, such as the Sebastians. But despite the valiant efforts of the new government to keep their ranks clean there were still those that remained rotten.

Some like the politician who had helped Aiden evade Cedric, as well as those who had been working for both Aiden and Lucius.

There were times that Cedric was tired of speculating who was good and who was bad, but it was the nature of his status. 

People would always put their best foot forward in front of him, and it was up to Cedric and his people to decide if they were genuine, or  genuinely using him.

"Ced, we're here." Ian told Cedric as he placed a hand on his friend and boss' shoulder.

Ian had worked long enough with and for Cedric to know when his mind was elsewhere. 

"Let me see their file again." Cedric said with a sigh as he was handed a tablet,

It had always been Cedric's personal policy to learn as much as possible about the people he was going to be meeting.

As he read through the file, Cedric frowned. There was no direct evidence connecting them to any form of corruption, but the source of their wealth remained dubious in Cedric's eyes. 

"I really hope they aren't behind the mining company." Cedric mumbled as he handed the tablet back to Ian. "I don't want to involve myself too much in this province."

"It's not like you have a choice." Ian said with a shrug as he placed the table away in his bag.

"We always have a choice, the question is, can I turn a blind eye to all of this." Cedric said with a sigh as his car pulled up to the front of a majestic house.

It seemed that the political family of this province, the Baron family, had owned this mansion for generations. It was old, elegant, and still in pristine condition.

The mansion was clearly built for hosting events and important guests.

Cedric's driver, John, quickly shooed away  the Baron Family's butler as he moved to open the car door. 

As a precaution, no one outside Cedric's staff was allowed to go near his car. Leon had suggested this since it would be one of the easiest ways to get to Cedric in a cramped space.

As Cedric and Ian stepped out of his car, they were greeted by the local manager of the Reyes group.

"Thank you, sir." The manager said as a look of relief spread through his face. It was clear that something was bothering the man.

"Find out what's wrong." Cedric whispered to Dave who had just joined them from a different car. 

Dave nodded and diligently followed Cedric and Ian with Mae into the house. He would find time to speak privately to the manager to investigate the matter.

"Mr. Reyes, I'd like to introduce you to the man who owns this beautiful abode, Mr. Evan Baron." The manager said as a balding man with a potbelly who seemed to be in his fifties walked up to Cedric and offered his hand to shake.

Cedric obliged but kept his notorious expressionless face. 

"It's an honor to have you visit our province, Mr. Reyes." The mayor, Evan Baron said as he gave Cedric a smile. "We normally do not have bigshots such as yourself visiting our poor province." Mayor Baron declared.

"I am trying to make it a point to visit as much of our local offices as possible and to see where the opportunity lies." Cedric said in a serious tone. 

"And do you see opportunities in our province?" The mayor asked eagerly. 

Cedric nodded in response.

"I have seen some places that I am interested in developing." Cedric infomed the mayor. "Unfortunately the one I am most keen on has already been purchased, if my people are not mistaken."

"Maybe we can come to an arrangement Mr. Reyes, and that property can become yours." Mayor Baron said in a malicious tone.

"I'll have my people contact you." Cedric said, leaving the topic in a vague conclusion.

"Come, let us celebrate your arrival and our possible partnership!" The mayor said as he led Cedric into a large ballroom.

There were many people, all seemingly dressed in their finest. 

The mayor made it a point to introduce Cedric to everyone, it was clearly a power play. As if Mayor Baron were telling these people, look who I've brought to our province. 

At the end of it all, Cedric barely remembered the people introduced to him.

"Ah, Mr. Reyes, might I introduce you to my family, my wife Laila, my son, Rodrigo, and my niece, Jean." Mayor Baron said as he gestured for the people at the table to stand.

Cedric couldn't help but feel something was not right with the way Mayor Baron's niece looked at him. Something odd was definitely going to happen.

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