Charlie’s intensity and cool demeanor sent shivers down Antonio’s spine. Charlie’s words only heightened his fear, he understood that Charlie’s decision to spare him for now hung on the whims of his mood.

Overwhelmed, Antonio broke into tears and implored Charlie, “Mr. Wade, today was just a minor misunderstanding. You’ve already taken a heavy toll by breaking my knee. Please consider my sincerity. I admit my mistake…”

Charlie smirked, “Look at you, crying like this. A Sicilian man shouldn’t shed tears. Especially not in front of his daughter. Are you honoring the Sicilian code?”

Suddenly, Antonio felt a profound shame.

Despite his frequent championing of Sicilian values, when faced with a loaded gun and the threat of death, he found himself begging Charlie for mercy.

At this moment, survival was paramount. Antonio would have gladly run pantless through Manhattan or circled Central Park three times if it meant Charlie spared him.

Few accomplished individuals in any field were truly unafraid of death. Despite Antonio’s rise through the ranks, he was not as fearless as his youth would suggest.

In his early days, Antonio was like many fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds, impoverished and unfamiliar with prosperity. He couldn’t even afford a cab to his hits. A bus ride, machete on his back, fare dodging, that was his reality.

He hadn’t grasped the value of life then. It was a bus ride to carry out killings while alive, and a brief stint in an ambulance if he met his end. But as he clawed his way up to become the reigning mafia kingpin of New York, his fear of death grew.

His courage only surged when victory was absolute. Just ten minutes ago, Charlie seemed inconsequential, an ant to be crushed without hesitation.

Yet, now, at a dire disadvantage, his courage vanished.

In a desperate bid for survival, Antonio stammered, “Mr. Wade, if you’re still dissatisfied, I’m willing to compensate you with five million dollars. It’s a small gesture…”

Jagoan’s smile was wry. He queried, “Antonio, how much do you really have?”

and said, “I… I… I probably have tens of millions in

his pistol, pressing it against Antonio’s cheek, sneering, “Do you fear death or parting

no… I misspoke… I probably

“But mostly in real

ear ringing. Whether from the gunshot or other factors, it

Its power was formidable,

wailed. Julia cried, shielding her father’s ears with trembling hands. She confronted

man, I can’t be a fascist. Your

sought to end my life. You saw it, he

was his own doing. But the man now

you tell

quarter in real estate, a quarter in fixed assets, another quarter in various forms of cash, deposits, stocks

Why the secrecy? Are

shook his head, blurting, “No, no, that’s not what I

A gang, the Burning Angels, extorts three

attempted to defend himself, but it dawned on him that this was Jagoan’s

fact, Jagoan already knew of his ties to the

and here I am, half an hour late. Antonio might already be gone and I’d be

anticipated that Jagoan’s front at his

“Mr. Jagoan… I’ll tell you the truth… I oversee the Burning Angels… They’re loyal, but I didn’t endorse this audacity. Please, let me

posed the question, “Do you see now? Who’s the one eager to kill? Your father, trying to save himself, is willing to kill for me. Tell me, is this

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