In Irene's hands were two files.
One bore the title "Operation Plan for the Elimination of the Night Demon Organization."
The other read "Lighthouse Arms Sales Agency Agreement."
Both were detailed and complete.
Especially the operation plan—it dissected the rivalries and hidden conflicts among Night Demon's affiliated gangs, and listed specific groups that could be divided, persuaded, or turned into allies.
Among them… was Viggo's faction.
Alex said nothing. He simply raised the first file in his hand.
Irene immediately explained:
"Sir, my business is arms dealing and money laundering. Coincidentally… many of New York's gang bosses work with me. Over time, I've learned quite a few of their secrets."
"Since the gangs you had us absorb were all under Night Demon's control, I guessed your real goal was to eliminate his organization."
"And in that picture, Viggo Tarasov stands out—he's one of the most powerful leaders in Night Demon's network, and the one I've worked with most closely."
She paused.
Alex then picked up the second file—the agency agreement.
Sure enough, Irene continued:
"The first plan doesn't require the Lighthouse to act directly. It will be carried out entirely by me, Bruno, and Harold. The Lighthouse's only role is to provide some funds and weapons."
"Of course—"
"If we succeed in bringing down Night Demon's organization, then my reward will be what's written in the second document: official recognition from the Lighthouse, naming me as its permanent arms dealer."
Alex didn't answer.
He tossed the files aside, lifted his coffee, and drank slowly.
The silence pressed down on the room. Sweat beaded across Irene's forehead.
At last, Alex set the cup down and rose leisurely to his feet.
"You're bold. I accept your terms. One million dollars and one hundred pistols—that's all the support you'll get from the Lighthouse. Remember—you have one month."
With that, he walked out.
Only when his figure had vanished did Irene dare raise her hand to wipe the sweat from her brow.
Time passed.
The sun dipped, and neon lights bloomed across the city.
In an upscale neighborhood in uptown Manhattan, a car rolled to a stop outside a villa.
Inside, smoke hung thick as several men chattered:
"Hey, this the right place? The boss of the Deli Gang really lives here?"
"Of course. They wouldn't send us unless the intel was solid."
"Fine. Let's move fast, I've got a date tonight."
"Damn it, could you focus on the job for once?"
They climbed out, stamping their cigarettes dead. Guns slid into their hands.
Half circled to the back door, half to the front.
One man pulled two wires, fiddling at the lock.
Click—
The door swung open. They slipped inside.
The living room lights flared to life.
Their hearts lurched—they'd been set up.
Click—
The front and back doors slammed shut.
A dozen Deli Gang thugs appeared with guns leveled, surrounding them.
The intruders dropped their weapons quickly, raising their hands.
Only then did Bruno emerge, stepping past two armed men. His eyes swept over the captives.
"Which of you works for Viggo?"
Three men raised their hands.
The others barely had time to register before pain exploded at the back of their heads—darkness followed.
Bruno nodded to the three survivors.
"You can go. Tell Viggo this: the Deli Gang, the Giselle Gang, and Harold's organization agree to his offer of cooperation."
The men scrambled away, bolting for their car, tires squealing as they fled.
Bruno smiled faintly, then signaled his men. Three basins of icy water were brought over—splashed onto the unconscious captives.
They woke instantly, shivering.
Looking around, they realized Viggo's men were gone. The truth hit them—they'd been betrayed.
Bruno didn't linger.
"You can go too. Tell your Vietnamese boss the same thing: the Deli Gang, the Giselle Gang, and Harold's group want to work with him—to take down Night Demon."
"Go?"
The three froze in disbelief. Then, just like the others, they bolted out the door.
Watching their fleeing backs, Bruno slipped a phone from his pocket and dialed.
"Irene, Viggo wasn't lying. His people really came knocking tonight."
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