The Tyrant Billionaire

Hardy knew many wealthy individuals, and Nixon saw this as an opportunity to network with them. Having such connections could widen his campaign funding sources in the future.

"It's settled then. I'll invite you over when the airline company opens." Hardy escorted Nixon to the plane.

San Francisco

Mayor Whelan called the San Francisco Police Chief, Scoggins. "Scoggins, you've seen the reports about the drug bust in Los Angeles, right?"

"Yes, Mayor, I have."

"I found out that the security company 'HD Security' played a major role in that operation. The Los Angeles Police Department signed a cooperation agreement with HD Security, which helps maintain local security. I think this approach is quite good."

Scoggins understood the mayor's implication, probably because the owner of that security company had approached the mayor.

"Mayor, if we entrust the city's security to one company, there could be other issues."

"What issues?"

"That security company could become a new power in the city. Once they establish themselves, they might act recklessly and undermine the rule of law."

Mayor Whelan frowned.

"I've seen the data from Los Angeles for the past year. All kinds of cases have significantly decreased, and the public is very satisfied with HD Security. Aren't your concerns a bit excessive? Also, it's not good to speculate about things that haven't happened."

Scoggins remained steadfast in his opinion, "Mayor, I've reported to the city government, hoping to increase municipal funding, recruit new officers, buy police cars, and strengthen patrols. I believe the police department can maintain San Francisco's security."

The two parted unhappily.

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Scoggins had been appointed by Whelan, and now he was disobeying him, which irritated the mayor.

After some thought, Whelan called Hardy.

"Mr. Hardy, the San Francisco Police Chief, Scoggins, has his own ideas and is somewhat resistant to HD Security joining. This matter might need to be delayed until later this year when I can replace him upon reappointment," Whelan said.

For a subordinate who disobeyed, Whelan was prepared to remove him.

After hanging up, Hardy called Henry. "Henry, take your team to San Francisco and investigate this Police Chief Scoggins. I hope he is a completely upright and honest person."

Henry took the order and headed to San Francisco.

After arriving in San Francisco, Henry and his team once again disguised themselves as phone company employees to inspect Scoggins home phone.

They even went to the police station and placed a bug in the chief's office phone, showing Henry's audacity.

After two days of surveillance, it was clear that Chief Scoggins was not as honest and upright as he appeared. Moreover, he had significant issues. His defiance of Mayor Whelan's request had its reasons.

Henry reported to Hardy.

"Boss, we intercepted some information and took some photos."

"Chief Scoggins is good friends with the head of the Selton Mafia family. They discussed HD Security over the phone. The Selton family head did not want HD Security to contract with the San Francisco Police Department to avoid our security company from affecting their business in San Francisco. The Selton family head even mentioned you."

Without asking, Hardy knew the Selton family head wouldn't say anything good about him, probably calling him the biggest mob boss in Los Angeles.

"Continue."

"We captured photos of Scoggins meeting with the Selton family head and recorded their conversation."

"The Selton family head promised Scoggins that if he prevented HD Security from contracting with the police department, he would support his run for city council next year and later for mayor."

Though Whelan had promoted Scoggins, Scoggins now harbored greater ambitions, ready to abandon his old boss and carve his own path.

Hardy called Mayor Whelan again.

Hardy laughed and told Mayor Whelan, "Tomorrow, the newspapers will publish a story about the San Francisco Police Chief's close relationship with the head of a Mafia family."

Mayor Whelan was shocked.

"Are you saying Scoggins has ties to the Mafia?"

"There are photos."

Whelan gritted his teeth. "I understand."

The next day, a piece of news shocked San Francisco.

San Francisco Morning Post

Front page headline:

"San Francisco Police Chief Scoggins is friends with the Selton Mafia family head . Can San Francisco's security be guaranteed?"

A large photo accompanied the article.

Two men at a club, sitting close and chatting. From the photo, it was evident they had a good relationship, like old friends.

"On the left is the notorious head of the San Francisco Mafia family Selton. On the right is the San Francisco Police Chief. Reporters saw them chatting and laughing together for half an hour."

The news was explosive, and the public could not accept it.

Police officers are employed to ensure public safety and combat crime and gangs, but now the police chief was mingling with the Mafia.

Countless citizens were outraged.

When Scoggins arrived at the police station in the morning, he noticed many people looking at him strangely. Feeling puzzled, he checked his reflection in the mirror and found nothing wrong with his appearance.

Entering his office, his secretary glanced at him nervously and said, "Chief, today's newspaper is on your desk."

"I know," Scoggins said indifferently.

As he entered his office, the phone rang. Scoggins picked it up. "This is Scoggins. Who is this?"

"This is Mayor Whelan. Come to my office immediately," Mayor Whelan ordered sternly.

Scoggins, puzzled, put down the phone, thinking the mayor's tone was cold because of his refusal to contract with HD Security.

At that moment, his eyes fell on the newspaper on his desk, specifically the San Francisco Morning Post, placed prominently by his secretary.

Just a few glances and Scoggins felt like he was struck by lightning, frozen in place.

The photo in the newspaper showed him and the Mafia family head shaking hands and chatting. Even if no one knew what they were talking about, just these photos could end his career as police chief.

No wonder the officers looked at him like that this morning.

No wonder Mayor Whelan was furious, demanding he go to the city government.

Scoggins felt his heart clench.

Who? Who took those photos? Their meeting was at a private club, usually inaccessible. Someone must have been deliberately investigating them.

Suddenly, Scoggins realized a more terrifying possibility.

Could the FBI be investigating him?