Female Novel
Chapter 5549
Antonio, the clandestine ruler of all New York’s underworld, wielded an unquestionable influence. Whenhe beckoned the gang leaders to his summons, they all responded with a prompt and eager enthusiasm.
The messages conveyed by Charlie, on the other hand, were shrouded in mystique. Following Charlie’sdirectives, he informed the gang leaders that a momentous and highly confidential business awaiteddiscussion. Each leader was tasked with bringing a trusted confidant to a hidden meeting spot inChinatown – a modest roast goose shop.
Moreover, Charlie stressed the utmost secrecy and exclusivity of this gathering, explaining that thechoice of Chinatown was intended to keep prying eyes at bay. Antonio cautioned them never to breathea word to anyone outside their inner circle, lest they risk permanent expulsion from the Zano family.
These gang leaders relied on Antonio for their livelihoods, their territorial sovereignty in New York, andhis unwavering support. Without his backing, rival gangs under Antonio’s jurisdiction would undoubtedlyencroach on their territories. This instilled a profound loyalty in the gangs, a fear that even the slightestdissatisfaction would result in their removal.
In essence, these New York gangs loyal to the Zano family were akin to a pack of fierce guard dogs,each with their own territory. The size and quality of their “food bowls” varied, but owing allegiance to thesame master prevented any of them from coveting another’s resources.
Yet, should a dog be abandoned by its owner, the others would swiftly seize its provisions and eliminatethe outcast, ensuring their own dominance.
An intriguing twist emerged as Daniel, the leader of the Burning Angels, arrived first at the rendezvouspoint in Chinatown, accompanied by his trusted confidant, Mike. During their journey, the two ponderedAntonio’s enigmatic intentions, as he had revealed no specifics over the phone. They presumed theirsummons was in recognition of their recent successes in Chinatown, where they had unexpectedlytriumphed over the Chinese Gang, conquering territories and the entire neighborhood.
To them, this was a remarkable feat, a sure sign that rewards and promotions awaited them in the ever-brightening future of the Burning Angels.
Upon parking outside the roast goose shop, they noticed the motorcycles belonging to some of theirmen. Mike found it somewhat surprising and commented, “Boss, those motorcycles seem to belong toWill and his associates.”
Daniel, undeterred, responded, “Will has been in Chinatown for days, dealing with the Chinese gangmembers and uncooperative Chinese vendors. He must have impressed the boss with his progress.”
Mike offered a discreet warning, “Boss, while I acknowledge that Will is your mistress’s brother, I can’thelp but caution you to be cautious of him. He’s ambitious and might not be content with a subordinaterole. His aspirations might surpass your current achievements. This favor he’s earned from the bossmight pave the way for even greater prosperity in his future. Beware.”
Mike’s words perturbed Daniel. While he wasn’t known for his intelligence, his fierce determination hadrallied a loyal following among street-level gangsters. Coming from a modest background, he remainedunacquainted with strategic thinking and believed in rewarding hard work and loyalty from his brothers. Ifhe had a piece of bread, they all had a share of the soup. However, Mike’s intellect surpassed his own.
Despite hailing from a neighborhood rife with crime and divorce, Mike’s intellectual prowess allowed himto secure admission to a reputable public university as the sole top student from his community. In suchan environment, Mike’s success was a testament to his extraordinary intellect.
Yet, his financial struggles during college led him down a wayward path, resorting to theft to make endsmeet. He pilfered fellow students’ belongings, including cell phones, laptops, and bicycles, for quickcash. Ultimately, he was expelled from college in his second year.
Desperate, he joined the gang he’d encountered while drowning in debt, the precursor to the BurningAngels. His intellect propelled him to become the second-in-command of the Burning Angels, earning
Daniel’s respect.
However, Mike harbored a constant unease about his tenuous position and viewed Will as his greatestthreat. He seized this opportunity to sow doubt about Will, urging Daniel to be vigilant.
Unbeknownst to them, Will’s fate hung by a thread, and their current circumstances were poised for aseismic shift.
They soon entered the roast goose shop, finding Antonio, who had lost two ears and a leg, seated at atable in the farthest corner. He donned a woolen hat, his appearance unassuming.
As they entered, both greeted Antonio with deference. Antonio cast a complex gaze upon them and, witha heavy heart, mentioned, “Daniel, don’t blame me when we end up in Syria.”
Puzzled, Daniel inquired, “What do you mean, boss? Who’s going to Syria? Are we going to Syria?”
Antonio let out a deep sigh. Jagoan had laid out his plans without reservation. Tonight, he would useAntonio as bait to lure the leaders of all the organizations under his control and the second-in-commandfigures. The following morning, Wesley would transport these gang leaders to Syria. When Wesleyarrived, he would take them away before the second-in-commands, promoting them to leadershippositions within their respective gangs. The intent was to make the entire New York gang scene Jagoan’spuppets in a single night.
Once these surviving second-in-commands returned, fully under Jagoan’s influence and aware of thepowerful Dragon Temple backing him, they would have no choice but to obey his every order. Thedecades of work put in by the Zano family would be undone overnight.
Resigned to his fate, Antonio could only lament to Daniel, “Daniel, it’s not just us. Once the other leadersarrive one by one, we’ll all head to Syria. Our new bosses will take over, and we’ll be expected to pay
75% of our profits to the Chinese Gang every month. If anyone disobeys, they’ll join us in Syria until acompliant boss is found.”
Daniel was taken aback, “Boss, we’re not mercenaries. What’s our role in Syria? We can’t just invadeand seize territory there. Those people are much more formidable than us, armed with RPGs while wewield nine-millimeter pistols.”
Antonio replied, “Mr. Jagoan will provide the details.”
Confused, Daniel asked, “Mr. Jagoan? Which Mr. Jagoan?”
At this moment, an East Asian man emerged from the kitchen. He calmly addressed them, “Startingtomorrow, all gang leaders under the Zano family, including the Burning Angels, will be dispatched toSyria. The second-in-commands will assume control, while the new leaders will remit 75% of their gang’sprofits to the Chinese Gang every month. Any defiance will result in a one-way trip to Syria until anobedient leader is found.”
The shock of the demand rippled through Daniel and Mike. To them, the idea of paying tribute to theChinese Gang, despite their recent victory in Chinatown, was absurd.
In an impulsive moment, Daniel drew his pistol, aiming it at Jagoan, and uttered, “Who are you? You’requite audacious! Are you part of the Chinese Gang?”
With lightning speed, Jagoan snatched a chopstick from a container before Antonio and, in one swiftmotion, sent it hurtling towards the side of Daniel’s pistol. A sharp “chu” echoed as the chopstick piercedthe pistol’s side, lodging it firmly into the wall. Daniel’s astonishment was palpable, how could a merebamboo chopstick penetrate a steel firearm, let alone the sleeve and barrel constructed from robustmaterials?
Terrified, Daniel’s legs quivered as he contemplated a hasty retreat. At that moment, two East Asianmen, Jordan and Casey Vigo, entered and trained pistols at their heads.novelbin
Soon, they were bound, silenced, and escorted to the second floor, joining Will Johnson and five otherswho had met a similar fate. Bound tightly, their mouths gagged with a greasy-smelling rag, the groupfound themselves in a precarious situation.
Jordan activated an electric kettle, threatening, “Remember, as more gang members arrive, not a soundfrom any of you. Once this kettle boils, I’ll pour it down his throat!”