Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 114: Father’s Love

Chapter 114: Father’s Love

Marcella observed the yakuza guys in there. They all were sitting with their backs straight and had a hardened look on their face. She’s used to seeing men with a no-nonsense attitude and she was not intimidated by them.

The group of men were all wearing suits like office workers. If anyone saw them on the streets, they would think they were working on Wall Street. That’s how decent they were dressed. One of the guys was sitting silently while the other guy was observing his face as if he was waiting for his command. The other guys were observing everything going around.

The silent guy looked at her directly noticing her stare. Marcella didn’t look away. She was not staring at him; she was observing him. He would know the difference.

She bowed her head as she knew it was how they were greeted in their country. That guy bowed his head at her. She sensed no hostility from him. She’s heard women aren’t mostly allowed in the yakuza and yet women of the family in the top held power. Maybe that’s how he sees her as—the boss lady.

She then turned away. That guy is the general. He will do what the family asks him to do. She can make a scene saying that she was offended that the family sent a general for the negotiations, but then, what purpose would it serve?

But through her peripheral vision, she saw the other guy accidentally dropping something. She turned to look reflexively. That guy was missing his pinkie.

She turned to the front. She knew the yakuza had their way of showing remorse to their superiors. Well, whatever floats their boat!

It was different in her father’s gang though. Once someone betrays or disobeys, that’s it. There is no turning back. Maybe losing a finger is not as bad as losing the heartbeat.

For the question Tony asked, Mclaughlin was not saying anything straight. That was surprising considering how open he was earlier.

"Do you know who killed my sister, Mclaughlin?" she asked.

Since Mclaughlin wanted to pass the time, she wanted to at least gather some information.

"It was not me!" Mclaughlin raised his hand. He looked away as if he was hiding something. It was obvious he knew something.

"Was it Thevis?" she asked.

Mclaughlin shrugged. That was not an answer.

Marcella wondered what this meeting was about. The yakuza, Mclaughlin, and Thevis... what could be the common denominator?

Smuggling... that’s the common denominator. Be it drugs, arms, or humans, they smuggle.

Mclaughlin already has control of the harbor. What more does he want? Why would he need me? If it is some government papers related, he would have talked to Tony. But he is talking to me. What could he want that I have?

"I want to tell you something, Bambina," Mclaughlin stood up.

Marcella looked at him with no change in her expression.

"You were only half right when you said that I took what was left of Don DeAngelo’s empire," he placed his hand on his chest.

He looked humble and serious and that only made Marcella’s alarm bells ringing. It’s Mclaughlin. He doesn’t even know the spelling of humility. What is he playing at?

Also, it is not good in his business to appear humble. If he bowed his head, it would fly off as someone else would be waiting for the perfect timing to ax his head off.

Hmm...

She looked at Tony and he had an air of alertness around him.

"But one thing I want to announce in front of a witness is that..." he pointed at the silent Yakuza man. "Mr. Yamaguchi will be my witness."

"I am intrigued," Marcella smiled and pulled her chair closer to Tony’s. "Will you come to the point?"

She really didn’t want to be there. For all she knew, those guys might pull out their weapons and shoot at them. At least if she was near Tony, she would be safe.

Tony placed his hand on her knee. She leaned back crossing her legs. Tony’s hand ended up on her thigh. She placed her hand over his.

"Mark Paulo is not a traitor as you all think. Mark Paulo worked for your father, right till the end," Mclaughlin said.

Tony scoffed.

"You never doubted it?" Mclaughlin asked.

Marcella didn’t even want to entertain that idea. Mark Paulo betrayed her father and testified against him and he is working for Paul Romano right now. Mclaughlin must want to sow confusion in their heart.

But why?

"Bambina, your father wanted to get indicted. He thought it would help him," Mclaughlin said.

Marcella looked at him but her mind was thinking of other stuff.

Tony started thinking. A false indictment would have helped Don in launching his political career. But Don never told him about it. Why would Mclaughlin say this to them now?

"Did you think the indictment was a surprise to him? He gave up the port to me just before he got indicted. Do you think it was not his plan?" Mclaughlin shouted. "He gave up the port in exchange for protecting his youngest daughter until I lived. He made me swear on my mother’s grave!"

"As if a sheepf*cker like you would value promises. Did you think my dad was a..." Marcella paused for a moment.

Yamaguchi, he said... He is not a general. He’s the family. Judging by his age... He must be the heir to the Yamaguchi clan. The heir is here for the negotiation.

What important thing do they need? Think, Marcella... Think...

"The island!" Marcella stood up.

Tony stood up following her.

Marcella scoffed seeing the pale face of Mclaughlin getting paler. "The Olympus Isles..." Marcella laughed looking at Tony. "They need that island for their little smuggling businesses, Tony..."

Tony’s eyes widened. That island is a private island that her father owned in the Mediterranean Sea. Although it was closer to Crete, her father had it joined with Italy as it was his homeland.

It is an important piece of land as it could connect three continents. It is part of Europe technically and it has access to Asia and Africa. It would be a prime spot. Once goods reached there, it would be easier to smuggle them to various parts of the continents.

Tony was amazed. If what Mclaughlin told was true, Don did more than just ask him to protect her. He had Plan B and Plan C put together to have Marcella protected.

That island is also a part of Don’s plan to protect his protegee.

Don loved her so much!

Marcella gritted her teeth and walked forward. "And you had the nerve to lie to me! You killed my sister!" She lunged at Mclaughlin.