"Hubert has gone to Richmond twice before, but according to the people I arranged to monitor him, there was nothing there that required his personal attention. This is already his third trip."
Leo recalled Jesse telling him that Oswald Norton had returned to the United States. Considering Hyman Roth's past close ties with the Norton family, many things suddenly made sense.
Whether it was Hubert's betrayal or Hyman Roth's sudden declaration of war against the Mafia, all of it pointed back to Oswald.
But judging by Oswald's courage and strength—or rather, the lack of them—he should no longer dare to oppose Leo. Which meant there must be someone of higher standing encouraging him from behind the scenes.
Who could it be?
Leo thought of Walter, who had once conspired with the Norton family against him, and whom Leo had drowned in the Pacific Ocean.
He chuckled. Who else could it be? Of course—the Stillman family, whose son Leo had killed, forging an unbreakable blood feud.
Of course, that was only Leo's speculation. But verifying it wouldn't be difficult. He looked up at Joseph and asked:
"Vis's work—he's finished it, hasn't he?"
Joseph nodded.
"Good. As planned, once Hubert has been squeezed for every last drop of use, bring him back. Then we can confirm whether our true enemy is the Stillmans."
Leo spoke calmly.
"And Oswald? We've already found his hideout—a farm outside the South District of Richmond."
Leo stroked his chin and said:
"Wait. He still has a little value left. Let's use him up first, then kill him. Besides, his death needs to be carefully planned."
When Hubert returned from Richmond to Lynchburg, after his double-dealing had been exposed, his relationship with Oswald had soured badly.
"Bring me the latest detailed financial records," Hubert ordered as soon as he sat down in his office, speaking to his secretary, Vis.
"Sir, why the sudden interest in the records?" Vis asked cautiously.
He asked because Hubert had been focused lately on surveying Valentino's businesses, paying little attention to the accounts of James River Investment Management.
Irritated by the question, Hubert looked up sharply.
"Vis, remember this: if you want to keep following me, you need to learn to shut up and obey orders."
Vis quickly closed his mouth and followed orders, delivering the requested data. But as Hubert buried himself in research, he failed to notice the way Vis looked at him—as though he were already a dead man.
For the next three days, Hubert tirelessly cross-referenced his research into Valentino's nationwide companies with the financial flows of James River. What he discovered shocked him: Leo's enterprises had already spread into every corner of America, each thriving.
No—not just America.
Hubert's eyes fell on the first line of the data—Blackstone Capital. This firm, based in the Caribbean, was transferring massive sums daily into James River Asset Management.
With a financier's intuition, Hubert was certain Blackstone Capital was handling Leo's international business.
Where those funds ultimately flowed, Hubert could not tell.
But one thing was certain: James River Asset Management was the final destination of Leo's American profits. As for his global empire, there had to be another such destination.
By that calculation, the wealth under Leo's control could easily exceed tens of billions.
At that moment, Hubert's greedy gaze could no longer be hidden. Inside him, a devil howled: Seize it. Even a fraction of it would make you a billionaire.
Parents, wife, children, mistress—what did they matter? With money, he could have all of it again, and more.
"Vis, have the driver ready. I need to make another trip to Richmond."
The temptation of billions dangled before him. Grabbing the documents, Hubert prepared to leave.
Vis blocked his way.
"Sir, according to company regulations, these records can't be taken outside."
"Vis, are you teaching me how to do my job? You can forget who brought you into this company, but don't forget—I'm the one managing it. Rules weren't made for me."
Hubert shoved Vis aside, summoned the driver himself, and strode out proudly.
Watching the car carry Hubert away, Vis shook his head, sighing inwardly: Good advice can't save a damned soul. He had tried to stop him twice already. If Hubert insisted on courting death, so be it.
Returning to Hubert's office, Vis sat in the chair that symbolized the company's second-highest authority. He picked up the phone and called Joseph.
"Hubert just took away the false records I prepared. Any finance man will see that James River is the vault of Mr. Valentino's fortune."
"You've done well," Joseph replied. "Head back west. The seat of power at Valley Asset Management is waiting for you. Don't disappoint Mr. Valentino. Oh—and when you return, there's a small matter you'll need to handle personally."
"What matter?"
"Take care of your former boss's loose ends in the West."
In New York, Samuel frowned at the unfamiliar man who had entered the church with John Stillman and Oswald.
"You're not the sort to bring outsiders here. Why is he present?"
"Because he brings us leads to Leo's billions. I brought him straight from Richmond to meet you," John explained.
Samuel eyed Hubert with suspicion.
"Words aren't enough."
Hubert promptly handed over the documents. As one of the top figures in finance, Samuel quickly understood the meaning behind the numbers.
"That company?" Samuel asked.
"James River Asset Management," Hubert replied.
"Location?"
"Lynchburg, Virginia."
"That's his hometown. Natural he'd keep it there. The question now is, how do we seize this firm? More importantly, how do we take over these profit-generating assets? As for Leo's retaliation once we move—less of a concern."
Samuel spoke evenly.
"That's exactly why the three of us came together," John said, pointing to himself.
"Taking the company is simple. I suspect Leo used tricks to evade IRS scrutiny. All we need is to have the IRS reopen the case and feed them these real numbers. Leo will face heavy sentencing."
"Not so simple," Samuel said coolly. "The IRS isn't easily moved. You brought me in—so you expect me to persuade them."
"Exactly. Your connections with the IRS are well known," John flattered.
"I can persuade them. But the problem is, Virginia's local powers won't cooperate. Everyone knows Leo has locked the state's politics under his grip. The IRS may want to investigate taxes, but not at the cost of their lives."
"That's where I come in, Mr. Samuel," Oswald stepped forward. "I still hold one last card—the Governor of Virginia, Jesse. He's mine. And he hates Leo more than anyone.
True, most of Virginia's politicians belong to Leo and Thomas. But Jesse has been governor for years; he commands his own forces. Enough to shield our moves until the knife is revealed."
"Then one final question," Samuel pressed. "If Leo falls, how do we cleanly seize the real assets behind his profits?"
"That's my specialty," Hubert said confidently. "I've traveled across the country, mapping out Valentino's empire inside and out."
"Funny," Samuel said, shaking the documents. "I don't see that here."
Hubert smirked.
"It's all in my head, Mr. Samuel. If I put it on paper, I might not live to hand it to you."
"You're clever, and sly—but I like that. If this succeeds, John's promise to make you Citibank's CEO—if he doesn't give it to you, I will."
Samuel declared boldly.
After the men left, another magnate, Will, emerged. Taking the documents from Samuel, he said:
"This is a fine opportunity. But whether these men, and that Governor Jesse, are truly reliable—we'll need to watch them further."
"I'll leave it to you, old friend. If you've vetted them, I'll rest easy," Samuel replied.
Two days later, cane in hand, Samuel entered the office of IRS Commissioner George J. Schoeneman. Clearly, Will's investigation had found no problems.
What they discussed was unknown. But by that afternoon, IRS golden agent Clark Daug led a team to Virginia.
That night, Jesse, after fixing a dim lamp at his villa, returned his tools to an outdoor shed. Looking around to ensure no one was watching, he opened a hidden compartment. Inside lay a radio transmitter.
A coded message was sent from Richmond to Washington.
John and his allies had acted swiftly, with the governor's cooperation. Everything went smoothly—until Clark's team arrived in Lynchburg. Then, the operation went awry.
Evidence and witnesses gathered the day before had vanished or recanted. While the investigators scrambled, a fire broke out in their hotel. Three agents perished. Had Clark not been vigilant, his team would have been wiped out.
Now deep in enemy territory, Clark knew they could no longer work in the shadows. They had to reveal themselves immediately—or die in Lynchburg.
But before he could do so, while trying to contact Hubert for entry into James River, their supposed inside man suddenly went missing.
"Captain, what do we do? I heard the local police are preparing a warrant for us. Since we didn't report our colleagues' deaths, they suspect we murdered them," one agent said.
"Yeah, time's running out," another added.
Clark frowned, his action plan nearly crushed in his hands. Then he noticed: Hubert's most trusted aide was his secretary, Vis. In desperation, he decided to gamble.
That night, Clark broke into Vis's home. Startled, Vis nearly fainted.
"I'm not here to kill you. Your boss is dead. Do you know why? Because that so-called great Italian man is guilty of crime and tax evasion. He's unworthy of admiration—he's stolen from the American people.
I'm from the IRS. I was supposed to meet your boss, who planned to expose Valentino. But now he's dead for justice.
We know Hubert recruited you, trained you. Will you help us expose Valentino, avenge your boss, and return the people's money?"
Clark gripped his pistol as he spoke. As a top agent, he knew how to persuade—with words or with a gun.
Fortunately, Vis seemed sensible. Not only did he agree, he even offered his villa as a safehouse.
"The police won't dare search it," Vis assured.
Just as Clark's relief swelled, Vis suddenly pointed outside.
"Huh? Why is the Ronan family's barn on fire?"
Clark turned to look. His face twisted with grief. Tears welled instantly. He knew the truth—his remaining teammates had been killed.
"May I use your phone?"
Steeling himself, Clark knew they could delay no longer. He had to reveal their identities. Borrowing Vis's phone, he called his greatest ally in Virginia—Governor Jesse.
Jesse moved quickly, soon contacting John. The three met at Oswald's farm villa.
"This is Valentino's style," Jesse said gravely. "Either he does nothing, or he strikes like thunder. Give it up—you've already startled the snake. That place is likely a trap now. Even your supposed insider has been discovered and turned."
As he spoke, Jesse trembled like an actor, performing fear of Leo to perfection.
"I don't agree," Oswald retorted. "Hubert is likely under control, not dead. Think about it: we've spooked him. Naturally, Leo would first imprison anyone who knows his secrets, while slaughtering intruders on his turf.
But this also proves something—he's panicked. He hasn't yet had time to transfer his wealth. His reaction shows we're on the right path. We're closer than ever."
"You're a defeated dog," Jesse shot back. "Don't act the analyst. Leo isn't so easily handled. Continue, and you'll pay dearly. As for me—I may lose my life, for I've broken my promise and struck at him again."
"Sit down, Jesse," John said firmly. "I think Oswald's right. Leo's overreaction shows his anxiety. The plan continues. Don't be such a coward.
Even if we lose this round, I can still spend heavily to save your life. You've proven your loyalty. If only you weren't so afraid of Leo.
Now—use all your forces. I want Clark safely inside James River Asset Management."
"You don't want to vet this Vis?" Jesse asked. "What if he's the mole?"
"We already did," Oswald interrupted. "He's trustworthy. And Hubert told us himself—if anything happened to him, his loyal secretary would be the one to seek for revenge."