Chapter 4: One Against Ten

Vito put down his phone and looked up, his voice trembling slightly.

"Found it... it's actually there."

The loss of that shipment was bizarre. He had mobilized almost every informant in New York's underworld, and after three days and nights came up empty-handed.

Yet this young man in the black coat, after merely standing with his eyes closed for a moment, had pinpointed where the goods were hidden.

Vito studied James again. "James, it seems those idiots from the Smith family have no idea what they've missed. You're really something."

He let out a cold laugh, clearly mocking Joseph.

Just then, a rough voice came from outside.

"Vito! I heard someone from that useless family that lost the shipment is here?"

An old man in a dark red suit entered. His hair was gray but he looked sharp and energetic, followed by six elite bodyguards with steady presence.

He was Sal from the Gambino family.

In this cargo loss, Sal's offline channels had suffered the heaviest losses. He desperately needed an outlet for his anger.

"Sal, don't rush. James found the shipment. He's Joseph's eldest son, very capable."

Vito pointed at James and smiled at Sal.

Sal's gaze locked onto James standing in the center of the hall. He snorted coldly. "This kid? Joseph's son? I've heard of you. You're just a bastard who was kicked out for over a decade. What would you know about where the goods are?"

Sal strode up to James. "Kid, I don't think you're here to pay debts. You're the mole, aren't you? Otherwise, how could you find that shipment?"

James didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "The goods have been found. If your eyes are failing you, you can go ask Mr. Gambino instead of barking at people like a mad dog."

"You're asking for it!"

Sal flew into a rage. He held a high position in the family—when had a junior ever humiliated him like this?

"Vito, this kid is suspicious. He's definitely working with whoever stole the goods! Let me cripple him and take him back for a slow interrogation!"

Vito sat on the sofa, lighting another cigar.

He said nothing and didn't stop him, just watching coldly through the swirling smoke.

He needed to see where James's limits were, and wanted to witness firsthand just how strong this young man really was.

With tacit permission, Sal grinned viciously and signaled to two of his personal guards. "Break his arms and legs. Don't let him die too quickly!"

The two guards instantly sprang into action, lunging at James's shoulders from left and right.

These two had a completely different presence from the ordinary thugs at the door—they were real professional killers who had seen blood.

James stood still, not moving an inch.

"I told you, I'm not your scapegoat, and I'm not your plaything."

The instant those two killers touched his clothes, James's pupils contracted, and a dark golden light appeared in the depths of his eyes.

A violent force surged from within him!

It was werewolf power.

"Get lost!"

James swung both arms.

A visible wave of invisible force exploded outward with James at the center. The two killers hadn't even touched James before this force struck their chests.

They were slammed against the relief carvings on the wall, then slid to the ground, coughing up blood and passing out.

The hall fell deathly silent.

Sal's expression froze on his face.

Vito's freshly lit cigar fell to the ground. He stood up, his gaze fixed on the murderous aura swirling around James.

This wasn't power a human should have.

This guy was definitely a monster!

"Sal, how exactly do you want to interrogate me?"

James walked toward Sal step by step, his killing intent completely unrestrained.

Sal kept backing away. He felt he was no longer facing a young man, but a bloodthirsty beast. That fear made his whole body tremble.

"What... what kind of monster are you?"

Sal shakily drew his pistol from his waist.

But before he could pull the trigger, James had already moved.

His speed reached the limits of human vision, leaving only a blurred afterimage.

James grabbed Sal's wrist with one hand and twisted lightly. The pistol twisted into a lump of scrap metal.

Then James slapped him.

Half of Sal's face instantly swelled up like he'd been whipped. Several teeth flew out mixed with blood, and he finally collapsed at Vito's feet.

James stood in the center of the hall, retracting that violent werewolf aura.

"Now, can we talk?"

The whole room was shocked.

Those bodyguards who had wanted to draw their guns now had their hands on their waists but couldn't muster the courage to pull them out.

Fear!

Endless fear swept through their bodies!

This castoff from the Smith family was a monster!!

Vito was the first to break the silence. He clapped lightly.

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful! James, I take back what I said earlier. You're not a waste from the Smith family. You're a blade God has given to New York. That was a misunderstanding before."

Just then, several men who had gone to retrieve the goods from the cemetery ran into the hall.

"Boss, we got the goods back! But near the cemetery, we found some special shell casings and markings... left by The Chimera Collective."

Vito's face instantly darkened. "The Chimera Collective? Those mad dogs holed up in Eastern Europe? They dare reach into my pocket?"

He turned to look at James.

"James, since you could find the goods, it means you're not working with The Chimera Collective."

"But that's not enough. Sal's words were harsh, but they represent the family's doubts. How about this—you lead a team to clear out The Chimera Collective's base in this district to prove your innocence. In return, the debt between the Smith family and the Gambino family will be wiped clean, and I'll give you payment you can't refuse."

Vito was using him as a weapon.

He wanted to weaken his opponents while binding James to his own cause.

James looked coldly at Vito without any hesitation. "I came here to find out the truth about my wife's death, not to be your hitman. Tell me everything you know about my wife, or I'll make your entire family disappear from London!"

Vito looked at James's cold expression and said without hesitation.

"Yes, your wife Emily had business disputes with us, the Gambino family, but we wouldn't go so far as to harm her."

James's face was icy.

"You think I'll believe what you're saying?"

Vito snorted. "I'm willing to stake the entire Gambino family to prove what I'm saying is true!"

Just then, the butler stumbled in.

"Boss! This is bad! Something terrible has happened!"

"Ms. Gambino was intercepted on her way back from Celestial University! All the bodyguards escorting her have been wiped out!"

Vito gripped the armrest of the sofa, his face full of rage.

He ruled New York with an iron fist and had countless enemies, but he had always protected his daughter extremely well.

The route from Celestial University to home changed every day, and the bodyguards assigned to escort her could each take on ten men.

Vito roared at his subordinates. "Find her! Search the entire city! If Sophia loses a single hair, I'll make all of Brooklyn pay!"

An experienced subordinate said in a low voice.

"Boss, if they dared to make a move in the city, they must have already blocked off the routes. Sending people out blindly now will only alert them."

Just as everyone was at a loss, James cut in.

"I can help you find Sophia. I'll go alone."