Darkstone Code

"...then we’ve agreed on this. I’ll have someone reach out to you..."

Lynch hung up the phone. The girl who was struggling with life unveiled the fig leaf that society’s public opinion was trying to cover up. Now, some social issues are completely exposed to the sunlight.

People can no longer numb themselves with the thought "these things haven’t happened" because everyone knows these things not only happened but many times over, too many to count.

Any parent would only feel pain facing this girl, because they also have children, and their children could end up like this, of course, just possibly.

But even if it is just a possibility, a very small chance, it is enough to make many people afraid.

Preventing children from falling is something that seems to be ingrained in every family, or in the bones of every adult.

Let’s not discuss those who don’t persist thoroughly. Since the birth of human civilization, people have been teaching and protecting children.

Yet... sometimes living is not a happy matter, especially in an era like this, living is not only unhappy but also cruel.

In front of the camera, the young girl lay on the bed, letting a man who only needed thirty dollars help her finish his work, numb as she cleaned her body.

Of course, these scenes were edited; people couldn’t see her body, but it didn’t stop them from imagining.

The first to speak out was the Federation’s Youth Protection Organization, followed by the Federation Women’s Rights Organization, now called the Federation Women’s Freedom Rights Promotion Association.

It is more formal than before, thanks to Mrs. Tracy being elected as the Governor.

Such a politically influential person is what this organization needed, so now Mrs. Tracy temporarily serves as the honorary director of the women’s rights organization.

And the women’s rights organization, using Mrs. Tracy’s political status, quickly completed the "unification" within the Federation.

They dissolved and absorbed most of the members of women’s rights organizations; now this organization is the largest and most formal within the Federation.

Similarly, just like this organization needs Mrs. Tracy’s political influence, Mrs. Tracy also needs their help.

Considering the person who caused these issues is Lynch behind the TV station, people did not criticize how wrong the TV station was but instead criticized the reality and cruelty of society.

This may be another form of reality.

Mrs. Tracy arranged for someone to do typical support work, to promote their great moral ethics.

They are committed to rescuing all women in the Federation who need help and saving, focusing on the equality of women’s rights in all aspects of society, and also promoting the liberation of many historical prejudices against women.

This girl is a very special case; in her, some see a terrible value, so they need to take action.

Sometimes it’s not that these charitable organizations don’t come to save you; if you are deeply in pain, they can’t see you just because saving you does not make them more glorious or offer them more benefits, so they can’t see you.

To seize the opportunity to assist the girl, Mrs. Tracy called Lynch herself, hoping their people could meet the girl first.

For this, Lynch had nothing to refuse.

People came quickly. The morning after the call, two very capable-looking women’s rights organization workers appeared before Lynch, including one who was a "familiar face" to Lynch, Ms. Taylor.

Back when he was promoting the women’s profession movement, Sabin City’s women’s rights organization advocate, a lady named Julie, accused Lynch of gender discrimination in promoting the women’s profession movement.

She believed making women run around on the field in their underwear, especially as the clothing would highlight some female-specific characteristics, was a form of discrimination and humiliation against women.

Using this to please themselves was unfair to those female athletes.

They wanted a fair, sportsmanship-filled professional competition rather than strutting on the field.

Then Lynch met with Ms. Taylor, who was in charge at the time, convincing her with two thousand female job positions to stand on his side.

Sometimes everyone knows exactly what the so-called ideals are, but some fail to see it.

Ms. Taylor and Mrs. Tracy are on the same line now, and her status has risen quite a bit. Mrs. Tracy would certainly plant her line’s people in important positions.

"Nice to see you again, Ms. Taylor..." Lynch smiled as he shook her hand. At this moment Lynch’s smile was like the sun at the end of August, bright, with an irresistible warmth.

Ms. Taylor shook his hand, with only some hidden flattery on her face. Lynch was no longer the young man she met years ago in Sabin City.

Even her backer Mrs. Tracy treated Lynch equally, perhaps slightly lower at times; she could occasionally feel it when communicating with Mrs. Tracy.

A proud woman would only restrain her arrogance when talking about Lynch.

Then Lynch shook hands with the other staff member, a pretty girl.

Some say they—specifically the Federation Women’s Freedom Rights Promotion Association—keep selecting pretty girls as leaders just to turn them into toys more suited for the upper class.

Of course, these are all baseless accusations few believe, but nowadays in the women’s organization, the upper levels are nearly all pretty girls or ladies, and hardly any with ordinary looks.

Lynch wondered if it was an illusion; he felt this girl had some interest in him. As they shook hands, the girl’s pinkie fingertip brushed his palm, which was quite a unique signal.

But Lynch, being a gentleman, thought it might be his overthinking.

"We haven’t seen each other in years, Taylor."

Lynch’s greeting was warm and familiar, which made Taylor breathe a sigh of relief.

"Yes, since our last meeting in Sabin City, till now!"

The girl beside her seemed surprised that Taylor even knew Lynch but showed no reactions.

Lynch, looking casual as talk turned to past acquaintances, asked about another person, "How’s Julie doing now?"

"Although she and I had some disagreements in understanding, it must be said she has a stance and sticks to it."

Ms. Taylor didn’t realize Lynch could hold a grudge for so long; she was just stunned for a moment and then said, "Julie has been sent to Nagariel, where the native women are suffering terrible persecution."

"The founding ideal of our organization was to liberate women worldwide, freeing them from family and societal exploitation..."

This plan was proposed by Lynch, liberating Nagariel’s female labor force amounts to doubling the labor that Nagariel can exchange for money.

But convincing women upholding traditional societal values to work is not easy, with society, family, husbands, and traditional religious customs all being major obstacles to their independence.

Federation people aren’t locusts, nor are they killers; they don’t speak with bullets, preferring to persuade.

The Workers’ Union and women’s rights organizations are striving daily on Nagariel’s land for spiritual and physical freedom!

Interestingly, while the Workers’ Union has been doing well, the women’s rights organization... is slightly lacking.

Julie was among the first sent there; as for her many attempts to transfer back, they were directly rejected by Mrs. Tracy.

In Taylor’s view, the issue lay there, but she didn’t show it or think deeper.

Lynch smiled and praised, "I never thought Ms. Julie held such noble ideals; I will donate $100,000 to the women’s rights organization to liberate more women in Nagariel..."

This was planning to let her die there.

Ms. Taylor mourned for her former subordinate for a moment, then, smiling, accepted the check from Lynch and praised his generosity.

How much of this money will eventually be used for organizational activities is unknown, and it’s even less likely any will go to Nagariel—it was only to buy Ms. Julie’s lifelong dedication to ideals!

After that, they finished their pleasantries and talked about matters regarding the girl.

"Is there a way to take her off the TV program?"

For people now, continuing to watch her display the ugly side of humanity on the program is not good for society as a whole.

There were also many questioning why the women’s rights organization hadn’t taken action yet, wondering what they were waiting for.

Sometimes the women’s rights organization seemed very capable in the face of issues.

But sometimes, they appear very powerless, especially facing people like Lynch.

Litigation or other measures don’t concern Lynch as he has money, and lawsuits precisely need money.

As for using judicial means or going through political channels, the organization is no match for Lynch. They can only sit and negotiate.

Lynch shook his head, "We did sign a contract, but soon her fate will change. No worries, it won’t take long..."

At this moment, not knowing she’d been "arranged" by others, the girl had just seen off a passionate fan who directly pulled out a hundred dollars and asked to paint on her face.

She agreed, and after the passionate fan painted a nice picture, he left gratefully.

She washed the paint off her face and lit a cigarette, with all this being carefully recorded by the camera.

During this period, many fans came to help her; her business was better, but some came to attack her with words.

The future seemed darker than before; she saw not a hint of light and even doubted whether she made the wrong choice.

Until...