Castle was exasperated by the antics of the state representative, whose behavior was equal parts absurd and infuriating. Whether it was their bizarre entitlement to reparations for their race or the Roxette Organization's scheme to paint Castle as a racist to distract him from uncovering more of their secrets, the entire situation struck him as utterly ridiculous.
Castle wasn't merely a famous writer anymore. Thanks to several groundbreaking technological innovations he had introduced, he had successfully entered the upper echelons of American society. Yet the Roxette Organization hadn't fully informed this opportunistic representative about Castle's actual influence and resources. This left the representative believing Castle was just another rich, gullible target whose wealth could be easily exploited under the guise of "political correctness."
After confirming that this representative was just a pawn manipulated by the Roxette Organization to stir up trouble, Castle paid little attention to their theatrics. Instead, he tasked Jarvis with tracking the newly exposed connections of the Roxette Organization beyond the CIA. Meanwhile, he ignored the representative, who had immediately gone to the press to accuse Castle of racism after being kicked out of his estate.
To Castle's surprise, his decision to disregard the issue triggered another wave of controversy across New York and the broader United States.
In American politics, survival requires a certain skill set: eloquence, a thick skin, and a knack for manipulating narratives. The Connecticut state representative—now "Vel," after their gender transition—embodied these traits to an exaggerated degree. Their racial background and "political correctness" only bolstered their shamelessness and resilience, making them an upgraded version of the typical American politician. Vel's antics soon became a significant annoyance for Castle, who had initially underestimated their persistence.
Without realizing the storm brewing around him, Castle remained focused on uncovering Roxette's external connections. By the time Jarvis reported the results of his investigation, Castle learned the situation had spiraled out of control. The representative had held a tearful press conference, skillfully playing the victim while accusing Castle of being a racist. The media, always eager for sensational stories, picked up the narrative and spread it across the country.
With the Roxette Organization quietly amplifying the controversy, the "Castle is a racist" narrative dominated headlines within a day.
Looking at the news coverage plastered across his screen, Castle couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. "Seriously? Just because I refused to give in to extortion, I'm suddenly a racist?"
Admittedly, Castle had very few Black friends. Beyond Montgomery, the NYPD deputy commissioner, and Belle, the cab-driving grandmother he vaguely recalled from a past encounter, he had little interaction with Black individuals. But this wasn't due to prejudice; Castle simply found it challenging to form meaningful connections with people who often embodied the chaotic stereotypes associated with their communities. His disdain wasn't about race—it was about behavior.
Still, the accusation of racism was infuriating. While Castle didn't view himself as a white American internally, his "yellow" soul harbored little patience for the irrationality around him.
As Castle mulled over how to respond to Vel's baseless accusations, his phone rang. It was Gianna.
She had just learned about the Roxette Organization's failed attempt to kidnap Alexis from the news. Having been preoccupied with expanding her family's influence in Europe, Gianna had entrusted her daughter, Ornella, to her husband, John Wick. Now, finally catching up, she called Castle to get the full story.
After hearing Castle's recount of events, Gianna questioned his approach. "Why did you feel the need to kill that 'Unnamed' guy? Was it really necessary? I get the whole 'killing a chicken to scare the monkeys' thing, but now they're retaliating with more insidious tactics. Are you sure you can handle this?"
Castle chuckled before explaining, "The point of 'killing a chicken to scare the monkeys' is to display strength and instill fear, discouraging further provocation.
"You know the CIA, Gianna. Even though they're restricted from domestic operations, they still wield considerable power. It's inevitable that their operatives develop a sense of superiority. The higher their rank, the more arrogant they become.
"Take that Unnamed guy, for instance. To him, someone like me—despite my status—was nothing more than a pawn to manipulate. When they couldn't find any weaknesses, they resorted to targeting my family. He's done it before and would've done it again. That's why he had to die.
"By taking him out, I sent a clear message to the Roxette Organization: I'm not someone to be trifled with. If they dare go after my loved ones again, it won't just be one operative going down—I'll send every conspirator straight to hell."
Gianna burst out laughing at Castle's uncharacteristic ferocity. "Well said! Finally, some backbone! I've always thought you were too laid-back, like some retired old man. Even John's been the same way lately—completely uninspiring. It's about time you fought back."
She continued, "John, Ornella, and I will be returning to New York after Christmas—probably around December 29. We plan to attend the current president's final White House gala on New Year's Eve. If you need extra manpower in the meantime, feel free to use my people in New York."
Castle chuckled, amused by Gianna's enthusiasm. Her reaction reminded him of Beckett's ambitious and assertive nature. His newfound resolve clearly delighted her, breaking through her usual exasperation at his and John's "retired" attitudes.
Before he could reply, Gianna's tone shifted. "But what's this nonsense about you being labeled a racist? What's going on?"
Castle recounted the incident with Vel, explaining how the representative had attempted to extort him and how their rejection had sparked the current controversy. Gianna, amused by the absurdity of the situation, laughed so hard she could barely speak.
(End of Chapter)
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