Chapter 3 Systemic Corruption

The next morning, I received a call from Thompson.

"Marcus, the FBI has come knocking on my door." His voice was filled with fear. "Agent Smith told me directly that Marcus Kane is a wanted traitor, and anyone who helps him is an accomplice."

I gripped my phone tightly.

"They threatened to revoke my license and I could even face criminal charges. I'm sorry, but I can't help you anymore."

"Thompson..."

"I'm sorry, Marcus. I'm so sorry."

The call ended.

I sat on the dilapidated sofa, feeling despair slowly consuming my sanity.

Legal recourse has been completely cut off.

I turned on my computer to check on Sophia's condition. The monitor showed that she hadn't eaten for two days and was only being kept alive by intravenous nutrition. Victoria had deliberately reduced the supply of nutrition, trying to hasten her death.

This viper-like woman is slowly murdering my daughter.

And all I could do was hide in this dilapidated apartment, watching all of this happen like a coward.

The phone rang. Victor.

"Kane, are you ready for tonight's game?"

"I need more money. My daughter's condition has worsened and she needs more expensive treatment."

"Then you'd better listen to me even more," Victor sneered. "Tonight's opponent is 'Iron Hammer' Bruno. You're going to get knocked out by him in the second round. Remember, make sure the audience sees blood."

"How much?"

"Still 50,000 euros."

"Not enough. I need at least two hundred thousand."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Kane, are you trying to bargain with me?" Victor's voice turned dangerous. "Don't forget who you are. You're just a fugitive traitor, a loser who threw fights for money. You have no right to negotiate with me."

"My daughter is dying."

"That's not my problem," Victor said dismissively. "You either do as I say and get fifty thousand euros, or you get nothing and watch your daughter die. The choice is yours."

I closed my eyes.

These people have never treated me like a human being. In their eyes, I'm just a tool for making money, a pawn they can manipulate at will.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth, "I agree."

"A smart choice. Be on time, eight o'clock."

Victor hung up the phone.

That evening, I went to the underground boxing ring in Rome again.

"Iron Hammer" Bruno is a professional boxer, and his technique is far superior to Carlo's. But to me, he is still no match for him.

The match has begun.

In the first round, Bruno displayed impressive skill. His boxing was methodical, and his footwork was agile. The audience cheered for his performance.

I'm still acting.

Whenever he attacked, I pretended to barely defend myself. Whenever I retaliated, I deliberately avoided vital points.

But deep down, anger was burning.

I am "Death" Marcus Kane. I was once the king of the underground boxing ring, a figure that struck fear into the hearts of all my opponents.

Now, I'm here, performing a failed act like a clown.

In the second round, according to the script, I should be knocked down by Bruno.

He threw a left hook, aiming for my chin.

In that instant, I thought of Sofia.

She lay on the cold floor, her body trembling with pain. She called for her father, but he would never come.

Because Dad is a coward.

My fists clenched involuntarily.

Bruno's fist was getting closer and closer.

I can easily dodge it and then deliver the fatal blow.

But I can't.

I forced myself to stand still and let his fist hit my face.

The force of the impact knocked me to the ground.

"one two three!"

The referee began counting.

I lay on the boxing ring, feeling the pain in my face. This was real pain, not an act.

"ten!"

Another failure.

The audience cheered wildly, celebrating Bruno's victory.

Victor nodded in satisfaction and handed me another envelope.

"Fifty thousand euros. There's one last match next week."

I took the envelope and silently left the boxing ring.

Back at my apartment, I immediately transferred money to Sofia's hospital. But a few minutes later, the bank sent me a message: the transfer failed and the receiving account had been frozen.

What?

I checked the account information again. Yes, this is the dedicated account for Sofia's treatment.

I called the hospital.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kane," the head nurse told me, "the FBI has frozen all accounts related to you, including your daughter's medical account. We are unable to receive any funds from you."

"What about my daughter's treatment?"

"Currently, the Belmont family is covering the costs. However..." the head nurse hesitated, "Ms. Belmont said that if you continue to try to contact the hospital, she will stop all treatment."

My hands started to tremble.

"Do you understand what I mean, Mr. Kane?"

I see.

I completely understand.

They set a perfect trap. I can't save my daughter legally, nor can I save her by earning money. All avenues are blocked.

I hung up the phone and walked towards the safe.

The satellite phone lay there quietly.

Seven years have passed.

For seven years, I have been running away, compromising, and believing in those so-called "rules".

I believe that as long as I don't contact Shadow, the FBI won't harm my family.

I believe that as long as I keep a low profile, I will be able to rescue them through legal means someday.

I believe that justice still exists in this world.

But now I understand.

There is no justice in this world.

Only power.

I reached out and touched the surface of the satellite phone.

It's not the right time yet.

There's one last chance.

Tomorrow, I'm going to fight my last fixed fight. If Victor is willing to give me more money, if I can find other ways...

I closed the safe.

But deep inside, the seeds of despair are sprouting.