The road he traversed was not particularly enjoyable. Only the euphoria of victory that he would soon experience. The aroma enveloped him strongly, causing something he considered foreign to him: a faint smile. Throughout his life until this moment, that smile had never been able to form behind his darkened lips. But there were many things that held him back, especially his greatest desire.
Power.
And now, everything was being fulfilled one by one. How could it not be? His calculations showed that the Twin Dragons' ruler was already inside Alfred's mansion. Perhaps causing chaos? Considering how thin and short Sam's fuse of patience was, he was sure that the luxurious mansion was already in ruins.
His grin was clearly imprinted as his car sped towards the grand house that was occasionally visited. With full awareness, he knew that it wouldn't be easy to uncover who was behind everything that had been happening in the past few days. He leaned back comfortably in his seat, occasionally nodding his head to the rhythm set by the driver. Not forgetting the cigar held between his fingers. Sometimes, smoke filled the car cabin. It didn't matter; he was accustomed to wrestling with this sharp-smelling white shroud.
"Sir, there's an inspection," the driver informed him.
He merely murmured softly. Alfred and his guards. It was expected that the old man would conduct an inspection, considering how many people wanted to meet him and had hidden intentions due to Alfred's control over many important sectors. Who wouldn't want to collaborate and profit from the Quassano's ruler?
Ah... he would soon experience all of that. Yes. Before long, Alfred's name would be left behind. The grandson he had believed to be still alive had been completely eliminated. Jimmy Lee, whom he considered replacing him, was now at the top of his hit list, along with that stupid lackey. If they worked together, perhaps they could overthrow Alfred more quickly? Ah... it was impossible. Jimmy Lee was too greedy. He acted too quickly without considering the consequences.
He had carefully planned out what needed to be done. He couldn't let all of his plans go awry, especially because of the girl who suddenly appeared. Why did fate foolishly almost bring together his grandfather and the sole heir? Fortunately, he was perceptive.
The car slowed down, and he faintly heard the driver and the guard exchanging pleasantries. But something was amiss.
"Sir, there's no guard in sight," Joseph furrowed his brow.
"It seems there's a fire," the driver informed him after peering outside for a moment. The car window was rolled down halfway as he surveyed the surroundings, needing to remain vigilant. Even though the sedan was bulletproof, the driver was aware of what they would face.
For some reason, the driver's words actually made Joseph happy. It meant that Sam's attack on Alfred's mansion had truly taken place.
"Your plan succeeded, sir," Andi, his trusted confidant, spoke up this time. The smile on his face indicated that their planned accomplishment was just around the corner.
"Good," Joseph said, waving his hand gently. "Increase the speed of the car. We shouldn't miss the party that Sam has thrown."
"Yes, sir," the driver responded obediently. The sedan immediately accelerated. The pine forest surrounding the road to the middle-aged man's mansion, whom Joseph referred to as 'Uncle,' looked boring to him. Though beautiful, none of it meant anything to Joseph Quassano.
From his seat, the swirling smoke became more visible. Its dense black mixing with the brightness of the day. Perhaps there was a significant fire at Alfred's mansion. It was truly a pity. In his imagination, the luxurious house was in ruins, devastated by Sam's rampage.
But it was alright; he could easily fix it. After ensuring that everything related to Alfred and the Twin Dragons was destroyed. Then the two factions that were insignificant but could be troublesome—Gerald and Jimmy—could be easily eliminated. Even if they were willing to cooperate, Joseph would make sure they were obedient to his every word.
And now... he would be at the very top. As a Quassano and the ruler of two territories simultaneously. Everyone would respect him, and he would have complete control over many Quassano territories. Just imagining it, his faint smile refused to fade. Through the rearview mirror of his sedan, he could see his subordinates' vehicles closely following.
He couldn't face the remaining Twin Dragons forces without any preparation. The reports from his trusted subordinates, whom he had also placed as Alfred's employees, confirmed that Sam was truly there.
The same went for the intelligent woman who was an excellent actress. She had been with the Twin Dragons for years, reporting all of Sam's activities without arousing suspicion. Until the recent news about the whereabouts of his supposed beloved nephew? Ah... Joseph had to see his lifeless body before it was buried. Or perhaps prepare his uncle's funeral as well? Placing their coffins together? It seemed amusing.
As he approached the main gate of Alfred's mansion, Joseph could already anticipate the condition there: chaotic. Several black-clad soldiers whom he believed to be his uncle's men lay lifeless, drenched in blood. Even from inside his car, he could hear the sound of gunfire and explosions.
Once he entered the spacious mansion grounds, followed by almost all of his subordinates, the remnants of resistance became visible. The damaged garden resembled the aftermath of an explosion, and several corners of the house were in ruins. Debris was scattered everywhere. Beautiful vases and expensive ceramics, which Joseph knew were part of his uncle's collection, shattered into pieces.
Joseph stepped down with a wide grin. He took a final strong puff of his cigar before discarding it and stepped on it like worthless trash. He exhaled the last bit of smoke from the corner of his mouth. The grin on his face widened. He felt extremely satisfied.
He adjusted his black coat, ensuring that the weapon in his pocket was ready. Then, with confident and self-assured steps, he entered the front area of the expensive marble-clad mansion. Unfortunately, parts of it were damaged due to the battle that had taken place.
Ah... was he too late?
Usually, whenever he visited, his hands always carried a gift. Although he knew his uncle didn't need it, as a good nephew, he had to be considerate. After all, he still needed Alfred Quassano's support to facilitate his business. His uncle had no idea about the business he had developed. The business he suddenly turned around to attack the ruler.
This time... he brought a gift. Don't worry. There was no way what he had prepared would escape his reach. He took out a small, outdated cellphone. He dialed a number without needing to look at the name. Soon, the call was answered.
"Are you ready, Ute?"
"Already," came the brief response. Full of confidence and a sense of satisfaction as if the mission had been accomplished.
"Something happened at the headquarters?" Joseph grew even more delighted.
"No, Boss. Everything is going as planned. The damn police force has been withdrawn on Ferdi's orders. Sam's headquarters is no longer thriving."
Joseph laughed heartily. "Bring Leora to me. You're already in the mansion, right?"
There was no response, which furrowed Joseph's brow. "Ute?"
"Looking for me?" someone asked, suddenly appearing from the main entrance of Alfred's mansion. It was a girl he didn't recognize; long-haired, slightly slim, beautiful, and... her eyes. Yes. Her eyes resembled those of his cousin's wife.
Although they had only met occasionally, he recognized the beautiful woman who always accompanied his rival. His cousin who, in Joseph's eyes, was unworthy of replacing Alfred. He had plenty of opportunities to be at the top. Why should he be eliminated so easily?
Juan Quassano, their grandfather, had chosen Alfred to rule. Decades ago. He entrusted a small part of the remaining territory under Alfred's control rather than his father, Altaf Quassano. How foolish of his father to back down. In the family, Altaf was far superior to Alfred. And damn it, Altaf didn't care much about power sharing. Just like Jimmy's parents.
They were all fools! That's how Joseph saw it.
He was the one with the Quassano power. He would make his dreams come true.
"Leora?" Joseph chuckled. Realizing that all of this was a trap. Because after he ended the call with Ute, suddenly from behind the tall mansion walls, and from various corners of this luxurious mansion, various types of weapons were aimed at him.
He was trapped. Joseph remained unfazed. Why should he feel afraid when he came prepared? He had also calculated various possibilities, including unexpected counterattacks this time. Simultaneously, his subordinates did the same, raising concealed weapons from their jackets and immediately setting their targets.
"Yes," Beatrice, who was still slightly uncomfortable with the name, even though it was her name, right? She walked slowly, descending the stairs one by one. Approaching the scoundrel who dared to disrupt her life. The one behind all the attacks, including the destruction of the Twin Dragons' headquarters. The man Beatrice suddenly had the urge to punch.
No matter how menacing his grinning face was. His body language was full of anger and a sharp, intimidating gaze. No. Beatrice was not afraid at all. Then she pulled out a small dagger that Sam had shown her. It had been carried by Alfred as a symbol of their family. She now used it as a weapon to fight and protect herself, even though she still didn't know how to use it properly.
Indeed, she temporarily set aside everything for this battle. She didn't like anyone disturbing her. Seeing one by one the injured inhabitants of the headquarters, some even losing their lives.
Beatrice wouldn't allow it. Her main concern was this man in the black suit.
"You... want to fight me, Leora?" Joseph asked, laughing loudly. Although danger was already looming around him, with a single bullet, everything would be over. A task that he considered easy but Ute couldn't accomplish. Yes... he would do it now without wasting any more time. He immediately drew the pistol from his pocket.