Chapter 148: The New Gang.

"They’re still operating."

Dante stopped looking through the document in front of him and raised his eyes.

"What?"

His right-hand man shifted slightly. "The club. Cutting off their suppliers didn’t work the way we expected."

Dante leaned back in his chair.

That was interesting.

Most newcomers understood the message quickly.

"What happened with the suppliers? Were they threatened, or did they get a new set of suppliers?"

His right-hand man shook his head. "I have no idea, sir. Their operation seems tight, and no details about them have leaked."

Dante furrowed his brow.

How could a new gang operate so flawlessly?

It seemed almost impossible.

"Do you have any idea who we’re dealing with?"

"No, sir. But they’re registered under a shell company, and it’s difficult to trace it back to the original owners."

"Even with the resources we have at hand?" he questioned.

Dante had never been disappointed with his right-hand man before, but right now, he was beginning to feel that way.

Whatever this case might be, it seemed he would have to get involved directly.

He looked at his right-hand man.

"I want you to find out who’s sitting at the top by any means necessary."

He nodded.

But Dante continued.

"One thing. Don’t touch the suppliers. Pressure them, but don’t hurt them."

His right-hand man nodded again.

Then he was dismissed.

Dante leaned back in his chair.

Who could be big enough to overrule his order in the state?

At that moment, a thought crossed his mind.

It couldn’t be the Vassaris.

Or could it?

Maybe they were operating under a new name and pretending to be a new group.

But that didn’t make much sense either.

There was no reason for the Vassaris to hide an operation from the Monterrios when both families already knew where they stood with each other.

He was still lost in thought when the door to his office opened.

Dante could already feel a headache brewing when he saw the walking stick enter his office.

A small groan left his lips as the old man stepped inside.

His grandfather settled himself on the comfortable sofa in the office.

"How is my future granddaughter-in-law?" he asked.

Dante chuckled.

"Not even a hello to your grandson?"

The old man scoffed. "I’ve gotten bored of seeing you. I want a new face in the family. And I wouldn’t mind a new baby."

Dante already knew that was the reason he had come.

"Amie is fine," he finally said.

His grandfather’s face immediately brightened.

"I knew you would do me proud." He smiled. "So, how is she? Do you like her?"

That was a difficult question to answer.

Instead, Dante faced him.

"She’s beautiful and comes from a nice background."

For a moment, he pictured June’s face.

He immediately pushed the thought away.

When he looked back, he saw his grandfather staring directly at him.

"Is there someone else?" the old man asked.

"What?" Dante snapped.

But knowing his grandfather could read his reaction from his voice, he quickly calmed himself.

"You know I’ve always been about business, Grandfather. I don’t care for feelings."

His grandfather patted his shoulder.

"You’ll learn to love Amie as time goes on. And if you don’t, it’s enough that you can tolerate her."

Dante frowned.

"Why do you insist that I marry Serena’s daughter?"

"Because the Vassaris owe us."

Dante had heard that countless times.

He wanted another genuine reason.

"Can’t we collect the debt in any other way?"

His grandfather sighed.

"Soon, you’ll learn that some debts can only be repaid in blood."

Then, as if his grandfather wanted to change the subject, he asked, "Have you met again?"

There was no escaping this topic.

Dante nodded.

"We’re together now."

"Really?" His grandfather let out a chuckle.

It was odd for Dante to see his grandfather smiling in that manner. Sometimes, Dante thought the old man had forgotten how to smile.

"I knew you could do it. There’s no way a woman wouldn’t fall for that handsome face of yours."

Dante sighed.

In all honesty, he just wished his grandfather would leave so he could do something other than talk about Amie.

But his grandfather had already moved to the next stage.

He was talking about the wedding.

"Oh! How surprised Serena will be when she finds out her daughter has fallen in love with a Monterrio!" He chuckled, laughing even harder.

Dante stared at him.

"Grandfather, we’ve been together for barely a day."

But his grandfather didn’t care. He continued making plans and listing preparations as if Dante had already proposed to Amie.

When he saw that Dante wasn’t responding or sharing his enthusiasm, Grandfather finally let go of the topic.

His gaze moved to the folder on Dante’s table.

Gone was the smiling old man.

In its place was the expression Dante had come to associate with his grandfather. The serious, don’t-mess-with-me look.

"How’s business going?"

Dante leaned against his table.

Now, that was a topic he was willing to discuss with his grandfather.

He told him about the new developments.

"And you don’t know who they are?" his grandfather asked.

"No, Grandfather. But Rinzo is working on it."

His grandfather stroked his white beard.

"If a newcomer can operate at this level, I wouldn’t want you to underestimate them."

He gave the words as a warning before leaving the room, leaving Dante to think about them.

As soon as his grandfather left, Dante’s phone rang.

Rinzo.

It hadn’t been long since he left his office, so Dante wasn’t expecting any report yet unless something urgent had happened.

He picked up.

Immediately, Rinzo’s voice filled his ears.

"Sir, I finally have some information on the group."

Dante grumbled.

"And you couldn’t wait to bring the information to my office?"

"Sorry, sir," Rinzo said. "I just wanted you informed as soon as possible."

"Fine. So, what did you find out? Have you finally gotten information on whoever is in charge of the club?" Without waiting for his response, Dante continued, "Is it the Vassaris?"

"No, sir," Rinzo said.

There was a brief pause.

"But they’re no new gang, sir."