The Mafia Empire

"This guy named Corder, I'm not sure what he did to offend Lady Vivian, but she specifically wants him and his two accomplices taken down. Do you understand?"

As Pronto spoke, Gador suddenly felt overheated in his outfit, and he ripped open his collar, pacing a few steps. The smile he had been carefully maintaining began to turn slightly grim. In Ternell City, there was an interesting saying: Lady Vivian was considered the "shadow mayor," and whatever she decided, even the official mayor couldn't change.

Many policies already in effect were only implemented after receiving her nod of approval.

This rumor circulated among the tycoons who had glimpses of the truth, though it remained unclear. Gador had once heard about it during a private dinner with some bosses. A reporter had once insinuated that although Lady Vivian's father, the former governor, had stepped down due to illness, he still held onto his power without passing it on.

The reporter had also criticized the influence of women in Ternell City's politics, but the underlying message was aimed at Lady Vivian's father.

Less than three days later, that sharp-tongued journalist was found floating in the Agate River, his body already bloated.

It was obvious that Lady Vivian's father had ordered the hit, and the person who had influenced the journalist was none other than the new governor.

Because Gador knew a bit too much, when he heard Pronto mention the name "Lady Vivian" with its near-magical weight, his anxiety spiked. Such a figure didn't even need to lift a finger to deal with him—just a word, and he could be ruined, unless his boss was willing to protect him.

But was he worth that much?

He didn't think so. Doing dirty work wasn't exactly difficult; anyone could be found to do it. So, he had to save himself.

He slammed the bell on the table with force, and soon someone entered the room. Turning back, his voice cold, he ordered, "Bring Corder here. If he resists, break his limbs!"

The person hesitated for only a moment before nodding and leaving to carry out the task.

Unfortunately for him, they would not be able to complete Gador's command, as Corder was now in Julian's hands.

In a warehouse on a suburban farm, Corder and his two partners still couldn't understand why they had ended up in the hands of these young people, or why they had been kidnapped. They had no money... well, maybe they had once, but that was all wasted on strong booze and cheap women. Corder wasn't married and had no family, so he saw no need to save money.

Living happily day to day was his only real wish.

With a clump of scratchy grass shoved in his mouth and a scarf tied around it, he couldn't spit it out or swallow. The saliva his body produced, thinking he was eating, mixed with bitter grass fibers and trickled down his throat, making him feel miserable. He swore that if he made it out of here, he would bring his crew and toss everyone in this place into the Agate River.

He didn't know how much time had passed before the warehouse door suddenly opened. Squinting into the light pouring in, he could see figures moving against the bright background. It took about ten seconds for his eyes to adjust from the darkness to the light.

It was the group who had kidnapped him, and suddenly, his emotions flared. He struggled violently, letting out muffled grunts.

One boy, clearly different from the others, approached him. Hooking his finger on the scarf, he pulled it down, allowing Corder to spit out the clump of grass with a loud gagging sound. His eyes glared fiercely at the boy, the muscles on his cheekbones twitching like a wild dog ready to fight over its food.

"Corder?" the boy asked, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he looked down on him from above. Corder hated that feeling, so he turned his face away without answering.

At that moment, a fist came from the side and struck his face, snapping his head to the side. His brain buzzed from the impact.

"I don't like being disrespected when I'm talking. That was just a small lesson. If it happens again, I'll cut off your ear!"

"Go ahead, cut it off!" Corder snarled, raising his eyebrow and turning his face toward the boy, exposing his ear. "Do it now! Cut it off!" He licked the swollen, painful spot on his lips, showing no fear of the threat.

brought-to-you-by-MvLeMpYr

One of the other boys, who looked almost like a girl, actually pulled out a knife from behind his waist. Grabbing Corder's ear, he swiftly sliced it off. The blood didn't spurt out but instead quietly flowed, and the ear, with bits of skin and muscle attached, dropped into the elegant boy's hand.

"Hey!" Corder gritted his teeth and didn't scream, but instead sneered. "Good, very good. Come on, kill me! If I walk out of here alive, you're all dead!"

Julian shook his head, amused. "Do you really think you have any value left? Do you think I'm scared to kill you?" he said as he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Corder's head. Just as Corder was about to spout more arrogant words, Julian pulled the trigger.

The bullet shattered Corder's skull, caving in the area from his temple to his brow. A mist of blood and brain matter sprayed from the back of his head, filling the warehouse with a metallic stench.

The two other tied-up men began trembling. They were Gador's men, and in this city, apart from the big shots and tycoons, there was no one they feared. But why did these people seem unafraid of them? Why did they dare to attack them? They didn't understand, nor did they want to. They just didn't want to die.

Without any pity, Julian looked at the two men, their eyes pleading as they struggled frantically. He fired two more shots, and the two were silenced forever.

Julian holstered his gun and shrugged. "Clean this place up. I was planning to add a bit more trouble for Gador, but it doesn't matter. He won't get through this anyway."