Chapter 158: The New Godfather Was Unexpected
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After the Mafia Committee meeting ended, the old godfather got into the car, and his expression suddenly wilted, as if the confrontation had exhausted his energy.
The old godfather closed his eyes and said nothing.
Tom looked at his godfather and told the driver to head back.
The old godfather remained silent throughout the ride, but Tom knew he wasn't asleep; his hand kept twisting the pipe.
When the car returned to the Corleone family manor, everyone greeted him and helped the old godfather back into the house. The old godfather looked at Mike, Fredo, Clemenza, and Tessio standing beside him, and said, "You all come with me to the study. I have important things to announce."
Everyone hurriedly followed the old godfather into the study.
The door was closed.
The old godfather sat in his chair for a long time, seeming to be thinking or organizing his thoughts. After a few minutes, he said:
"At today's committee meeting, I agreed to enter the drug business, and the Corleone family will use some political resources to protect this business in the future."
Mike was surprised.
It wasn't like his father's style, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
The old godfather continued, "This is not the point. After this incident, I feel that the Corleone family's business needs to be transferred; it cannot all be located in New York."
"In the future, the business of the Corleone family will focus on developing the casino business in Las Vegas. I've acquired 39% of the Flamingo Casino from the other three families."
At this point, the old godfather glanced at Mike, then turned his head to look at Tom and said solemnly, "Tom, you are also my son. I've decided to let you gradually take over the family business. You'll need to work harder from now on."
There was a look of shock in Tom's eyes.
Gradually handing over the family business to himself—did this mean he was to take over the position of the patriarch?
Fredo, Clemenza, and Tessio all showed surprised expressions. Only Mike remained relatively calm, as he had never intended to engage deeply in the family business. If it hadn't been for the assassination attempt on his father, he wouldn't have involved himself in the family dispute.
"Well, you all go out. Tom, you stay. I have something to tell you," the old godfather said.
The others left.
The old godfather waved to Tom, who approached him. The old godfather extended his hand, and Tom knelt on one knee, holding the old godfather's hand.
"Father."
The old godfather patted Tom on the head with his other hand.
"Tom, you've been a strategist for several years. You also attended the meeting just now. What do you see?" the old godfather asked.
Tom paused.
"I see all the families attacking you together for profit. They are like a pack of hyenas. If you hadn't agreed to their demands, they would have all turned on you."
The old godfather smiled.
"You are very accurate. To be honest with you, for a moment, I really felt fear in my heart. I haven't felt that way for a long, long time."
"If I had disagreed, they would have dealt with the Corleone family in a more violent way, and the Corleone family might no longer exist."
"I compromised."
"You should have seen that when I agreed, many people had triumphant smiles on their faces."
"But sometimes, for the survival of the family, you have to compromise. If you control the family in the future, you must remember this: be tough when you need to be tough, and compromise when you need to compromise."
"Father—"
Tom started to respond, but the old godfather patted his hand to interrupt him and continued, "Fredo's character can't bear the responsibility of the family at all. Mike wants to develop a career outside the family, so you need to take up this burden."
"Actually, I hope Mike can succeed in business or politics. Tom, I have a request for you. After taking over the family, can you support Mike with all your strength? If Mike succeeds, the family will benefit as well."
The old godfather looked at Tom after speaking.
Tom understood.
The old godfather wanted to make him Tom's backing, supporting Tom with family power, and pushing him to a higher position.
Tom did not reject the old godfather's request.
As an adopted son, he considered himself fortunate to be part of the family. He should support Mike with family power. If Mike could achieve higher positions, it would also protect the Corleone family.
"I promise, Father, that I will do my best to help Mike in the future," Tom said.
The old godfather smiled.
"As long as your brothers work together, I believe the Corleone family will develop better."
"Now you are still a little immature. You attended today's meeting. You should have seen that all the clan leaders are old foxes. Tom, you still need time to grow up."
"In the next few years, I will slowly teach you to become a qualified patriarch and gradually transfer part of the political resources to you."
"Okay, Tom, that's all for today. Go out and call Fredo in," the old godfather said.
Tom stood up and went out to fetch Fredo.
Fredo closed the door, looking a little dejected.
"Father."
The old godfather waved to Fredo, and Fredo hurried over.
The old godfather looked at his second son, who was in his thirties but sometimes behaved like an inexperienced teenager.
"Fredo, you've seen everything that happened in the family these days. You've always been a devoted child. You love your mother and me very much, and I understand your character very well."
"Fredo, stay with Mom and Dad from now on. A simpler life is actually happier. Your mother can't afford to lose any more children."
Fredo's earlier thoughts immediately dissipated.
He knew his personality well and realized he wasn't suitable for leadership, let alone being the patriarch of the Corleone family.
"Okay, Dad, I'll stay with you and Mom," Fredo said, smiling.
The old godfather waved at him.
Fredo lowered his head.
The old godfather kissed him on the forehead.
"Go and call Mike in," the old godfather said.
Fredo left and brought Mike in. Mike walked to his father calmly and sat in the chair beside him.
The old godfather studied Mike closely.
"The family crisis is temporarily lifted. I told them that no matter what danger my children encounter in the future, I will retaliate with all my power."
"I acquired a stake in the Flamingo Casino. The three casinos total 39%. The Las Vegas casino is a legitimate business. I'm leaving this business to you. The other shareholder of the casino is Hardy, who owns 61% of the shares."
"Mike, I will hand over the family business to Tom. You should pursue your own path, whether in legitimate business or politics. I have agreed with Tom that he will control the family and support you fully."
The old godfather looked at Mike deeply and said, "Mike, are you wondering why I suddenly agreed to enter the drug business?"
"I believe you must have your reasons, Father," Mike said.
The old godfather gritted his teeth and said, "I've been strong throughout my life. I've faced countless challenges, but when confronted with the death of my child, I became unbearable. Sonny's death deeply saddened me."
"I can't lose any more of you. At today's meeting, other families were pressing me together. I'm not afraid of them, but I worry about your lives. If I had refused, they would have escalated their attacks and tried to kill you."
"If you're all in danger, then what use are my contacts and political resources? I had no choice but to give in."
Mike felt a surge of anger and grief.
His father, whom he had always admired, was forced into this situation by the other families, which hurt Mike more than his father.
"Mike, follow your own path in the future, and as long as you believe it's the right path, pursue it unwaveringly."
"I will divide my network and political resources into two parts: one for the family business and one for you. The two parts will remain separate and never overlap, so you will always be clean."
Mike's throat tightened as he tried to suppress his emotions.
"I will work hard, Father."
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Mike left the study and summoned Tessio and Clemenza. The old godfather gave them instructions on the future key points and the upcoming changes in the drug business.
After Tessio and Clemenza left, the old godfather closed his eyes and rested for ten minutes. When he opened them again, he appeared more energized. He picked up the phone and dialed Hardy's number.
The call connected shortly.
"Hardy, it's Vito."
"Hello, Mr. Vito. The committee meeting is over?" Hardy asked.
"Yes, it's over. The content of the meeting was as expected. I agreed to their demands. In the future, the Corleone family will enter the drug business, and the previous conflict will be resolved," the old godfather said.
Hardy sighed. "All for business."
"Hardy, I used political resources to acquire the remaining 39% of the Flamingo shares. I want to discuss something with you," the old godfather said.
"Please, go ahead."
"I intend to keep this stake, but I am willing to pay you $3 million for your share. What do you think, Hardy?" the old godfather asked.
Hardy was surprised
. "Mr. Vito, your shares are from the other three families. You don't need to give me any more money."
The old godfather smiled, "Hardy, if it weren't for you, the Corleone family wouldn't have acquired the shares at all, and you'll need to be involved in future operations."
"The Flamingo Casino is a legitimate business. I've decided to leave this business to Mike. From now on, Mike will only engage in legitimate business. I will gradually hand over family matters to Tom. Perhaps the Mafia will no longer have the Corleone family. It will be the Heigen family."
Hardy was taken aback.
How could the old godfather suddenly choose Tom to be the patriarch of the family? This seemed inconsistent with movie history.
But as Hardy thought about it, he realized the old godfather's choice was wise. Tom wasn't treacherous; even as the patriarch, he wouldn't betray the Corleone family but would support Mike in the future.
As for Mike, he might have a better chance at development.
In fact, Mike's original ending was tragic—caught in family disputes and abandoning his own pursuits to become the new generation's leader, only to suffer personal loss and betrayal.
Hardy saw the old godfather's choice as a wise one.
The old godfather's choice of Tom made sense. Tom was calm, rational, and less impulsive than Sonny or Mike. While Tom might not be able to carry the family forward, he was certainly a good choice for protection.
Hardy smiled. "Okay, Mr. Vito. I accept it. Use this money to continue building the casino. I believe this investment will yield great returns."
The old godfather laughed heartily. "Great. Then I look forward to the results."
This was the first time the old godfather laughed that night.
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