Chapter 1131: The Isolated and the Dead End

Fran was gone. Bob sat in the chair that only Fran had ever occupied. He patted the leather armrests, yet felt little ease or joy.

He was the new patriarch of the Perez family, but the challenges he faced were unprecedented.

The room was nearly empty now. Unlike before, when Fran merely sat there and the room was packed with direct lineage members and others crowding the doorway,

The empty room made everyone keenly aware that the family's glory was fading.

"Did they leave safely?" Bob pursed his lips. He hadn't gone to see Fran off, as he needed to consolidate and rearrange family affairs.

However, he had sent his son, confirming a form of severance within the family.

His son nodded. "They left quickly, without any lingering sentiment."

Bob felt complex emotions. He half-wished Fran had shown some lingering attachment, which would at least validate the value of the power Bob now held.

Yet, he didn't want Fran to be unable to let go, as the family's authority was now in his hands.

He sat there, lost in thought for a while, before his eyes refocused.

"What is the situation outside now?" he asked.

He had promoted several people, giving them new responsibilities, including some branch members.

The people in the room looked at each other; they had no information.

Fran's departure meant the complete cutoff of all high-level external information channels. They could only try to gather news from the street or their personal contacts.

But sadly, the people Bob could contact, such as the Mayor, wouldn't talk to him.

Without Fran, the entire Perez family was deaf and blind, unable to see or hear.

Looking at their stunned faces, Bob felt a momentary pang of regret. Perhaps he should have left too.

But that trace of regret quickly vanished, replaced by resolve.

He firmly believed he could accomplish what Fran couldn't!

"Alright, regardless of the outside world, we must remain vigilant."

"Some of the new brothers might be unclear about what happened, so I will briefly explain the situation."

He recounted the events of the past few days. The family members, newly promoted from the branch and periphery, listened wide-eyed. They realized the severity of the crisis.

What shocked them even more was that Fran had fled with a group of people.

One young man immediately stood up and demanded loudly, "What does that make us?"

"Abandoned pawns?"

"Or crops waiting to be harvested?"

The question resonated with others, who looked at Bob, putting him under immense pressure.

He pursed his lips. "We are not abandoned pawns, nor are we crops waiting to be harvested. We are brave fighters!"

"This is a massive crisis for the family, but in my eyes, it is also a huge opportunity for us."

"To quote a phrase they often use, the Perez family has become rotten!"

If Fran were present, Bob would never dare say this. If the Perez family was rotten, who was responsible?

Fran. Bob couldn't have said it.

But Fran was gone, and Bob was in charge. "We must give more opportunities to everyone. The Perez family is not the domain of a small clique; it is the home of us all."

"If we can seize this opportunity, the Perez family will usher in a rebirth!"

"Therefore, I hope every one of you will work with me to achieve this grand goal!"

"I guarantee that your share—whether it is power, wealth, status, or anything else—will be delivered to you in full."

Hearing Bob's promise, their expressions shifted. They knew how profitable a criminal organization was.

Especially in recent years, their income was higher than some listed companies, but the money was primarily concentrated in Fran's hands.

About 60% of the income was channeled through various means to influential figures and protectors.

This was ostensibly to ensure the family's healthy development, but in reality, the money was meaningless. This latest incident proved that the protectors took the money but didn't actually deliver.

The money should never have been given to them.

Of the remaining 40%, Fran took about 20%, leaving 20%. Branch members received about 8%, and direct lineage members received 12%.

It looked reasonable, but the true profitability was only known to Fran. The structure was opaque.

Bob's new policy—promising a large share to everyone in the family—was the true motivator.

The anxiety that had been simmering was now suppressed by self-interest.

"What do we do next?" someone asked.

Bob thought for a moment. "Two steps."

"The first step is to consolidate the family's assets. Hide a portion of them as potential capital for a resurgence, should we fail."

"With money, rebuilding the family won't be as difficult. And... even if we choose not to rebuild, that money can ensure we live comfortably."

Everyone nodded. They didn't know the exact extent of the family's assets, but it was certainly tens of millions of dollars. These assets, including property, could be quickly transferred or liquidated.

"The second step is to continue consolidating our forces. Our priority is not to reclaim the properties the Lance family stole, but to minimize our presence."

"We need to anticipate and prepare for a surprise attack from the Lance family."

"Simply put: we wait for their move, then decide ours."

"Remember, be discreet!"

It sounded simple, but the actual implementation was complex, with countless small details to manage.

Bob was unaware that a public speech by Mr. Potter had already put them on the execution block, leaving them no avenue for retreat.

Even those who knew the situation were reluctant to call Bob and warn him of the severity.

They were watching and waiting. For these "vultures," the prospect of their former tablemate being served up was enticing. They felt no sadness, only anticipation.

They only hoped Mr. Potter sought fame, not all the profit.

If he sought profit, he would at least leave some for them!

Just as Bob contemplated how Lance and the Federal government would move against them, Lance had already concluded his plan with Director Roland.

"First, we surround the Perez family estate. We'll deploy men, along with the local police. Then, we rush in, eliminate the small fry, and capture the leaders. That will essentially conclude the matter."

"The rest involves extracting confessions and evidence through threats or incentives. You should be good at that, and it will serve as practice."

Lance's tone was mocking. Roland knew Lance was implying they were currently no match for him.

Roland knew Lance was right. This was a valuable opportunity. Lance's confidence solidified his resolve.

The FBI had never handled a case of this magnitude. This was a critical training exercise for the supervisors and agents.

They needed to apply theory to practice, preparing the FBI for its future role as a powerful authority.

Although he saw Lance's provocation, he ignored it and nodded in agreement.

"Since there are no other issues, I will start preparations." Lance stood up, leaning on the armrest.

Roland also stood up. He proactively shook Lance's hand. "Good. We'll meet tomorrow."

"Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

Lance walked out. He glanced at the inconspicuous FBI office, then gave the command, and the motorcade moved.

He needed to "change clothes" now.

The Federal government would not, and could not, admit to cooperating with a gang. Even now, there was no concrete evidence to prosecute the Lance family as a gang.

They were merely a "vigorous violent group" who, outside of selling liquor, engaged in little traditional gang crime.

But the perception persisted.

With Mr. Potter advocating de-gangsterization, the FBI cooperating with a gang to eliminate the Perez family would only make him look like a fool.

So, the Lance family's participation would be entirely in police uniforms. On the surface, this would look like a joint operation by two law enforcement agencies.

Under Mr. Potter's guidance, they would launch a surgical strike against the long-established Perez family, quickly arresting the leaders and securing massive evidence from the estate.

Lance and others knew what the headlines would be before the event even happened.

Politics was complex, yet often predictable.

The entire day passed quietly in Old City, making the rumors of the Perez family crisis seem false.

That evening, exhausted after a full day of work, Bob slumped onto the sofa.

But work wasn't finished. His son returned from outside. Bob beckoned him over.

"Take your mother and sisters and leave this area. Leave under a different identity."

His son paused, then frowned. "I can contribute to the family!"

Bob looked at him. "What can you do?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continued. "You can do nothing. The situation is extremely dangerous. I have a premonition that the Perez family cannot survive this."

"If that happens, they will purge everyone."

"If you are a family member, even if you committed no crimes, you won't escape."

The influential figures connected to the Perez family, though unable to protect them, would intervene to accelerate the family's total annihilation.

Only by ensuring everyone was eliminated could they guarantee no evidence fell into the wrong hands. Bob now understood this implicitly.

He would resist, and he would fight bravely, but that didn't guarantee victory.

"If... something happens to us, you must ensure your mother and sisters live well. Don't seek revenge, and don't try to rebuild the family."

"The money we hid is enough for you to live a wealthy life."

He pressed his hand onto his son's shoulder. "Listen to me!"

"I'm begging you. Take care of them!"

His son, startled by his father's uncharacteristic plea, was silent, then agreed. Bob sighed in relief. "Do it immediately."

Watching his son leave, Bob dragged his tired body back to the study. He hesitated, then called the McKaykin family.

The McKaykin family was another of the Federal Five Families. They had a good relationship with the Perez family because they were geographically distant and had no business conflicts.

All conflicts were immediate and local. This, perhaps, proved the value of "distance makes the heart grow fonder."

Clark McKaykin, the man in charge, answered. He was rigid and almost appeared to be a protagonist.

The McKaykin family was the most charitable of the Five Families.

While they were ruthlessly involved in crime behind the scenes, Clark was publicly a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Fran often spoke highly of him.

Fran believed Clark was intelligent and adept at pretense. Anyone meeting him for the first time would never suspect he was a gang leader.

But those who knew him deeply knew how saintly he was publicly, and how ruthless he was privately.

Clark was surprised by Bob's call but greeted him warmly. "And Fran?"

"Fran is out of town convalescing. He just had an organ transplant."

Clark expressed shock. "That's very soon. He must be suffering greatly, both physically and mentally."

"I hope he recovers. We are losing too many friends of our generation."

"So... Bob, why did you call me?"

Bob sighed. "Clark, you know our situation is precarious. I was wondering... could I ask you and the other three families to mediate with Lance and the people above us?"

"I know they are angry about the shooting in the New Golden City. I can guarantee I had no knowledge of the Ministry of Defense official in the car."

"I can hand over some of our gunmen and 'planners' to take the fall, just like we did before."

"I can also compensate them with money or anything else they demand. I'll meet any price!"

"I need a chance."

Clark listened, then fell silent. "Bob, if this were any other matter, I would help you. We're familiar with each other."

"But this is... honestly, beyond my capabilities. I will ask around for you, but don't get your hopes up."

Bob immediately thanked him. "Even just asking is a huge favor. Clark, the rise of the Lance family is a massive threat to all of us."

"We should unite. Otherwise, what is happening to us today could happen to you tomorrow."

"In any case, thank you for helping me. Call me if you need anything."

Clark agreed, then hung up, shaking his head.

The man across the table asked, "That was Bob?"

Clark laughed. "A man who doesn't understand the current reality."

His friend asked, "Are you going to do anything for him?"

Clark shook his head. "No. I won't do anything for him. They are a hot iron right now. Anyone who touches them gets burned."

"Mr. Potter has already sentenced them to death. He is still struggling. If I interfere now, even I might not escape!"

His friend was intrigued. "So the Perez family is finished?"

Clark sighed. "Yes. They are finished!"