C428 Military Clothes

Charlie continued telling Willy everything. “Uncle, they came with guns. They looked like soldiers. They were wearing military clothes.” Willy frowned. “Military?” Charlie nodded quickly. “Yes. They looked serious. They did not look like ordinary criminals.” “After they threatened us, they told me to give you a message.” Charlie wiped the tears from her face. “They said that if you came near their family again, they would come after yours.” Brian immediately looked toward Willy. Charlie continued. “They spoke about you chasing the Police Minister. Uncle, I don't understand what is happening. Why are you involved with the Police Minister's family?” Willy stared at her for a moment. Then his anger returned. “Fine. You can start your work now.” Charlie looked confused. “What?” “I will make arrangements for you to move here. If you want to be safe, you will stay at my estate.”

Charlie froze. “And my husband?” Willy's expression remained cold. “You will have to leave him behind.” Her face changed immediately. “What? No, Uncle.” “Your husband is not my responsibility.” “He is my family.” Willy stepped closer. “And that is precisely why you need to decide whether you want to survive.” Charlie stared at him in disbelief. Willy continued. “If Alicia and Michael are willing to threaten your family, then your husband has become a weakness. Here, you will have protection. Outside, you are exposed.” Charlie shook her head. “I cannot leave him.” “Then do not complain when something happens.” Tears filled her eyes again. Willy turned away from her. “Call Starc for me.” Charlie remained silent for a moment before leaving the office. The door closed behind her. Willy and Brian exchanged glances. Neither said anything. After a few seconds, Brian finally spoke. “You really want her to leave her husband?” Willy continued staring at the closed door. “If she stays with him, they can use him against her.” “And if she comes here?” “She becomes easier to protect.”

Brian frowned. “Or easier for them to use against you.” Willy slowly turned toward him. “Everything can be used against someone. The question is whether you allow yourself to become vulnerable.” Brian remained quiet. A few minutes later, Starc entered the office in a hurry. “Boss.” Willy looked at him. “Charlie said they were wearing military clothes. Does the Mooney family own any military bases?” Starc shook his head. “I do not know, Boss. I will investigate.” Brian interrupted. “Wasn't Peter Mooney a Special Investigator?” Starc nodded. “Yes.” “Which military base was he stationed at?” Willy shook his head. “That military base was closed a long time ago. It was converted into a police academy.” Brian thought for a moment. “Then perhaps the Mooney family has connections to another military organization.” Willy looked toward Starc. “What about the Gupta family? Do they own any military bases?” Starc hesitated. “Boss, the Gupta family are ghosts. They cannot be traced easily. If they own a military base, I am certain it would be classified information or something known only to the family. It would never be publicized.”

Willy's expression became darker. “So we have a family connected to the Police Minister, another family that cannot be traced, and now Alicia and Michael are wearing military uniforms.” Brian folded his arms. “It is beginning to look like they have more support than we originally thought.” Willy walked toward the window. He stared outside for a long time. Then he remembered something. The men Gonzalo Alvarez had promised him were arriving today. He looked at the clock. “They should be arriving soon.” Starc nodded. Willy turned toward him. “Keep investigating. Find out everything you can about those military clothes and the people connected to the Mooney family.” “Yes, Boss.” “And when Gonzalez's men arrive, make sure someone is ready to collect them from the airport.” Starc nodded. “They will be here any moment.” “They will want something solid to begin with. I want information before they start asking questions.” Starc turned to leave. “Boss?” Willy looked at him. “Be careful with the investigation. If Alicia and Michael really are connected to the military, we cannot underestimate them.” Willy smiled coldly. “I have underestimated them.” Starc left the office.

Willy remained behind with Brian. For a moment, the room was silent. Then Willy looked at him. “Military clothes?” Brian nodded. “I cannot think of any organization that uses military clothing in this situation.” “Even the Gupta family?” “Even them. They are involved in fighting at the border, not operating in military uniforms.” Willy shook his head. “Something does not make sense.” Brian looked at him. “Boss, what do we do now?” Willy answered immediately. “We continue chasing Mark Mooney.” Brian hesitated. “Are you sure?” “Definitely.” “But what if they really come after your niece again?” Willy slowly smiled. “She is my weakest link.” Brian looked uncomfortable. Willy continued. “If she cannot protect herself, I cannot stop everything I am doing just to protect her.” “Boss...” “Jack died.” Brian said nothing. Willy's voice became colder. “If Charlie is weak, she will die too. That is how this world works.” Brian swallowed. He wanted to argue, but he knew better than to challenge Willy when he was in that mood.

Suddenly, Willy's phone vibrated. He looked down at the screen. A message had arrived. Gonzalez's men are at the airport. Willy immediately looked toward Brian. “Send someone to fetch them.” Brian nodded. “Yes, Boss.” He left the office. Willy looked back toward the window. Alicia Mooney was alive. Willy wondered whether he had made the mistake of believing his enemy was finished. Then his expression hardened. “If they want a war,” he muttered, “they will get one.” After several quiet days. At Ben's club, Ben had begun to believe that he had finally gotten rid of Antonio and Steve. He had celebrated too early. That morning, when he arrived at his club, he noticed two familiar figures standing in the distance. For a moment, Ben froze. The two men were not doing anything obvious. They simply stood outside, watching the building. Ben immediately thought about turning around and going back home. But he stopped himself. He could not allow fear to control him. This was his business. His reputation. His life. Taking a deep breath, Ben walked toward the entrance.

The two figures remained where they were. Ben entered the club and immediately looked through the glass doors. They were still watching. He frowned. “What do they want?” One of his employees approached him. “Good morning, Mr Ben.” Ben looked at him. “Did you notice those two men outside?” The employee glanced toward the entrance. “Yes. They have been standing there for a while.” “Did they speak to anyone?” “No.” Ben remained quiet. A few minutes later, the two men finally turned around and walked away. Ben watched them disappear down the street. Only then did he release the breath he had been holding. He knew they were planning something. They wouldn't stand outside his club for no reason. But he could not allow fear to stop his business. He turned toward his employees. “Everyone, get back to work.” The employee nodded. Ben walked deeper into the club, but his thoughts remained outside. Whatever Antonio and Steve were planning, he knew it was not over.