Chapter 64 – A Rich Legacy

The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows as Simon sat nervously in a chair, pondering his fate. The door creaked open, and Bill entered with a few others in tow.

"Hello, Mr. Charles Simon," Bill greeted.

Simon looked up, puzzled. "And you are?"

"I'm Bill. I'm here to discuss a few matters with you," Bill said, taking a seat.

Simon, still bewildered, asked, "I don't understand why you'd want to talk to me."

Bill's expression remained calm. "First, let me tell you that Dani is dead. He was killed in Colombia."

Simon's face paled. Dani, his boss and a formidable figure, was now gone. The news was shocking, and Simon struggled to believe it. 

"Do you doubt it?" Bill asked, pulling out a check from his pocket.

Simon recognized the check immediately—it was one he had issued to Dani. The evidence was irrefutable.

Bill continued, "I also want to inform you that the recent attacks on your casino, the drug deal, and Burstein's death were all orchestrated by us."

Simon was taken aback. The Spanish gang had suffered greatly from these attacks, and Dani had been unable to identify the perpetrators. Now, it was clear they were responsible.

"What do you want from me?" Simon asked, his voice tinged with fear.

"We need you to hand over all Spanish gang assets," Bill said.

Simon shook his head, "I don't have that authority. Dani was the core of the gang. Without him, I can't control the others."

Bill's tone grew more serious. "We understand that, but we need your cooperation. If you comply, your wife and four children will remain unharmed."

Simon's resolve crumbled at the mention of his family. "Please, don't harm my family. I'll cooperate."

Bill smiled, satisfied. "Good choice. Now, have all the bosses come to the finance company for a meeting. Tell them it's urgent."

Simon made the necessary calls, instructing everyone to gather at the office.

---

The Spanish gang's financial company was an independent building. In the dead of night, cars pulled into the yard as leaders arrived, puzzled by the late summons.

"What's this about?" one boss muttered.

"No idea. Simon said it's important."

The gang had originally twelve leaders. Hardy had already eliminated several, leaving only seven remaining. The leaders gathered in the conference room, awaiting Simon's announcement.

Simon entered, flanked by two young men, one of whom wore a blindfold. He took the main seat, exuding a newfound authority.

"Why have we been called here so late? What's the announcement?" one boss demanded, clearly frustrated.

Simon steadied himself and addressed the room, "Dani has handed over control of the Spanish gang to me. He's retired, and from now on, I am in charge."

The room fell silent, disbelief etched on every face. The bosses exchanged incredulous looks and began to voice their dissent.

"This can't be true!" one shouted. "Dani wouldn't just retire like this."

"Simon, are you out of your mind? Dani's not retiring—he's gone!" another boss roared.

A particularly agitated boss reached for his gun, but before he could draw, he was shot in the head by one of Simon's men.

Chaos erupted as two more bosses were gunned down by Simon's guards. The remaining four, stunned and fearful, were quickly subdued.

"Please, Simon, don't kill us. We'll accept you as the new boss," one boss pleaded, desperate to survive.

The door opened, and a dozen burly men entered. Some carried the bodies away, while others controlled the surviving bosses and prepared to transport them.

---

In a nearby room, Hardy relaxed with Lanster, smoking a cigarette.

Lanster asked, "What's the next step?"

Hardy, grinning, replied, "We'll gradually take over the Spanish gang's operations. We'll manage their loan sharking, underground boxing, and Jiyuan. As for the casino, once it's fully renovated, we'll put it to use."

"What about the bosses?" Lanster inquired.

"They're dealt with. The subordinates will follow the new order. We don't need to exterminate everyone—just ensure the gang is fully under our control."

Lanster nodded in approval. Hardy's plan was more refined than previous strategies, ensuring a smooth transition without causing public disturbances.

The following day, changes were noticeable. New personnel managed bars and nightclubs, and the underground boxing ring saw new management. Jiyuan and the loan shark company transitioned seamlessly, with Simon's expertise proving invaluable.

A few days later, Lanster arrived at Hardy's office, carrying a cardboard box.

"What's this?" Hardy asked.

Lanster smiled. "A hidden safe was discovered in Dani's villa. These are its contents."

Hardy opened the box to find stacks of cash—$50,000 in total, alongside documents proving ownership of various assets, including real estate and shares in companies.

Among the items was a small cloth bag containing a dozen diamonds, ranging from one to five carats, sparkling brilliantly.

At the bottom of the box was a portfolio filled with photographs. Hardy flipped through them, discovering various men and women in compromising positions. Lanster pointed out notable figures, including Deputy Mayor Mike Johnson and the director of the Water and Electricity Bureau.

Hardy chuckled, "Dani certainly left a rich legacy. It's almost as if he was trying to set me up with a treasure trove."

He marveled at the unexpected windfall and the valuable information, grateful for the unexpected gift from Dani's demise.