Some time later, in the grand Piltover Council Chamber with its soaring arches and crystalline hextech lighting, Cassandra invoked her privileges as a Council member to initiate a formal parliamentary decision.
Piltover operated under a plutocratic council system, where all matters of governance, from trivial municipal issues to major policy decisions, were decided through meetings of the seven most powerful figures in the city.
Since Heimerdinger's disappearance, Jayce had inherited the yordle's political legacy and now sat prominently at the head of the ornate Council chamber.
The attending councilors still maintained a degree of ceremonial respect for the once-revered Professor, though his absence had clearly shifted the power dynamics.
As for Jayce himself, the Council members exchanged subtle but telling glances, tacitly directing their real attention toward Mel, who held the position of second-ranking member.
She was the one who truly deserved their respect and careful consideration.
If she didn't speak first, who would risk breaking the silence?
Jayce would have, in his earlier days!
But now, having painfully learned the importance of playing along, he displayed a completely different level of discretion and self-control. He sat quietly in his chair, restraining his natural impulses and avoiding unnecessary confrontation.
As the bored and politically disengaged councilors settled into their ornate seats, mentally preparing to endure another tedious session, Mel smiled faintly and took the initiative to speak.
"Councilor Kiramman has convened this session to propose reforms to our current indentured labor employment system. What are your thoughts and concerns?"
Indentured labor system?
The councilors' expressions immediately soured.
Each of them wielded vast economic and political influence throughout Piltover's interconnected power structures. They were already aware of the chaos and violence that had erupted during the recent Progress Day celebrations.
They had all reached the same uncomfortable conclusion: Jayce and Caitlyn were too reckless!
The indentured labor system formed the very foundation of Piltover's prosperity. It was the cornerstone that enabled their comfortable existence. It absolutely could not be allowed to crumble under naive moral pressure.
"Is the crisis with the indentured labor riots still unresolved?"
One councilor raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow, glanced briefly at the now-diplomatically restrained Jayce with obvious disappointment, then turned away with dissatisfaction.
"Councilor Kiramman, have you still not managed to properly discipline your wayward daughter?"
The message was crystal clear to everyone present. It had been Caitlyn and Jayce who instigated the recent troubles with their misguided crusade. Now that Jayce had apparently been brought to heel, it was obvious that Mel had successfully managed to rein in her political protégé.
So logically, the problem must originate with Cassandra's failure to control her own family.
"That child is far too stubborn for her own good," Cassandra shook her head, looking weary, clearly worn out by her daughter.
She sighed gently, maintaining a councilor's expected dignity while simultaneously expressing the helpless frustration of a parent dealing with an uncontrollable child.
Her performance could easily have earned acclaim in Piltover's finest theaters.
"After the riot and its aftermath, I realized that Caitlyn desperately needed the deep education she should have received years ago, especially regarding the significance of the indentured labor system."
"She did eventually calm down and ceased her public troublemaking. But to my surprise, she secretly prepared what she calls a 'gift' for my me."
"If you would indulge me, please examine her proposal yourselves. I apologize in advance for this family embarrassment."
With an elegant gesture from Cassandra, her attendants respectfully distributed copies of Caitlyn's detailed reform proposal to each Council member, the documents bound in expensive leather and marked with the House Kiramman seal.
"With all due respect, you may have been a bit too… indulgent with your daughter," one councilor commented after scanning the document's contents. He hesitated at first, but chose to speak frankly.
The House Kiramman's business operations were relatively unique within Piltover's economy and faced little direct competition, which meant Cassandra maintained cordial relationships with most of her fellow Councilors.
Caitlyn, being the sole heir to the considerable Kiramman fortune and influence, was inevitably destined to claim a seat on this very Council someday.
A sheltered and idealistic young woman like her, who had never experienced the harsh realities, eventually becoming a Councilor... well, before she could even begin to represent her family's interests, the Council's operations would likely be thrown into complete chaos.
"Indeed, you have certainly spoiled her. With these kinds of proposals, where does that leave the family?"
"Why do you suppose we allow the contractors to earn such substantial profits from this business?"
"Isn't it precisely because such questionable matters are inconvenient for the City of Progress to handle directly?"
"But Caitlyn apparently wants to shoulder all of that responsibility herself, does she not understand how dangerous that path truly is?"
Another councilor expressed his strong dissatisfaction more directly, slapping the leather-bound documents down on the table.
"Councilor Kiramman, are you absolutely certain you don't wish to reconsider this course of action? Your daughter's reforms could very well cause severe damage to your family's long-term interests and reputation."
A third councilor frowned deeply and attempted to offer what he considered sound advice, his concern seemingly genuine.
Strictly speaking, Caitlyn's proposal contained only one core reform principle: for her to personally take direct control and eliminate all profit-taking intermediaries within the current indentured labor system.
But the experienced councilors believed they had accurately discerned her true underlying motivations:
She still clung to dangerous remnants of youthful idealism. Since she had reluctantly accepted that completely abolishing the indentured labor system was impossible, she had apparently concluded that controlling it personally might be achievable. That way, with her direct oversight and intervention, the indentured workers might enjoy slightly better living conditions, and crucially, fewer of them would die from neglect and abuse.
But to the other councilors, this entire approach was utterly meaningless and potentially catastrophic.
Setting aside the obvious fact that the indentured labor industry was already recognized as a risky and morally questionable business that no respectable house wanted to be directly associated with, there was minimal profit to be extracted, and direct involvement only invited public scandals and lasting damage to one's house reputation.
Even worse, Caitlyn's proposal would require the House Kiramman to invest enormous resources without gaining any real benefits in return.
Why would anyone voluntarily shoulder such a burden?
After all, indentured workers weren't legal Piltover citizens with voting rights or political representation. Even if thousands died from poor working conditions or abuse, what did it matter?
So what?
Why bother?
It wouldn't affect Piltover's interests in the slightest, hardly worth wasting sympathy or resources.
"It's admirable that your daughter harbors such ambitious dreams."
"Piltover has achieved its status as the City of Progress only because countless visionaries have fought tirelessly for their ideals, carving out our prosperous place in this cruel world through determination and sacrifice."
"I won't judge Caitlyn's noble ideals or her commitment to justice. But can she manage the massive complexity of the indentured labor system? We're discussing the welfare and productivity of hundreds of thousands of people."
"As far as my knowledge extends, she has yet to officially participate in managing any aspect of the House Kiramman's business operations."
The final councilor seemed less emotionally invested in the outcome. As long as Piltover's essential governmental and economic functions weren't seriously disrupted, he harbored no strong objections to Caitlyn's proposal, though he privately doubted she could accomplish any meaningful changes.
His only concern was whether Caitlyn was capable of managing it properly.
Those hundreds of thousands of indentured workers represented a crucial component of Piltover's total industrial labor capacity. Mismanaging them could trigger disaster.
It was no trivial matter.
"Please rest assured on that point. I have considered this challenge very carefully and thoroughly. I will personally appoint a highly capable and experienced professional manager to assist her in handling all aspects of the indentured labor operations and administration."
Cassandra had already made preparations for this predictable concern. The so-called "professional manager" would indeed exist and function effectively, but they wouldn't be drawn from the House Kiramman's personnel. They'd be from Zaun.
"And what about the existing contractors? Caitlyn's proposal requires completely replacing their established operations, but those parasites won't abandon their territories easily. Convincing them to surrender the wealth they've already accumulated won't be simple or bloodless."
"One miscalculation, and we'll face another major riot that could spread throughout the industrial districts. The Wardens have an entire city to protect, they don't have unlimited resources to indulge Caitlyn's experiments."
One councilor could no longer hold back his opposition. He simply couldn't agree to let a child run wild.
"Please don't concern yourselves with that challenge. I will deploy the family's most experienced private security operatives to assist Caitlyn in these negotiations. If the contractors refuse to depart voluntarily, our agents will ensure they reconsider their positions... persuasively."
Cassandra still smiled as she replied.
Of course, the so-called "family private security operatives" were a front. In truth, they would be elite enforcers from Zaun's strike teams, brutes who loved nothing more than grinding the faces of contractor scum beneath their steel-toed boots.
And they intended to grind very, very thoroughly indeed.