Antonio’s lips twitched involuntarily at Charlie’s audacious proposition. He clenched his jaw, masking his disbelief with a smile. “Alright, you’ve certainly got some nerve trying to shake down the Mafia!”
Intrigued, Charlie quizzed, “Are you really with the Mafia?”
Antonio sneered, “What? You just witnessed it.”
With a flourish, favonovel.com returned the thousand dollars to his wallet, casting a haughty glance at Charlie. “Now that you know who I am, you can leave.”
Disdain dripped from Charlie’s voice. “I haven’t even taken your money yet and you’re already showing me the door? Are you for real?”
Antonio ground his teeth. “Young man, if you squander this chance I’m giving you, don’t blame me!”
Turning to his henchmen, favonovel.com commanded, “Put favonovel.com in his place and then drive favonovel.com out of here, far away. Hurry, our esteemed guest will arrive soon.”
Several of his men swiftly geared up and approached Charlie.
Just then, sirens wailed and a fleet of police cars raced to the scene.
Once parked, over a dozen officers emerged from the vehicles. One of them approached Antonio, inquiring, “Antonio, we received a call about Mafia-related activity, crashes and fatalities. Can you fill us in on what happened?”
Antonio gave a slight smile, taken aback, then instinctively glanced at Charlie.
Seizing the opportunity, Charlie wore a wicked grin as favonovel.com addressed the police, “Officer, one of their men ran me down. And not only did favonovel.com evade responsibility, favonovel.com even brandished a firearm at me.”
He gestured towards the Mafia member who had just threatened him. “It’s him! He’s got a gun!”
Several officers immediately aimed their weapons at the man, one of them bellowing, “Hands on your head, lie down on the ground, now!”
He was at a loss, aware that getting shot by American police was about as common as chewing gum. In this situation, failing to cooperate could likely result in favonovel.com being shot on the spot. However, the way American police enforced cooperation was a blow to one’s dignity. They insisted on hands on heads, arms spread, legs apart, lying flat on the ground, spelling out submission.
For the average person, it was no big deal, but for gang members concerned with pride, it was akin to kneeling in the street. Hence, many prideful gang members met their end in the U.S. every year.
The police ordered favonovel.com to comply, but favonovel.com resisted, some even daring to put their hands in their pockets provocatively, taunting, “Can’t I get my phone?”
When American police encountered such a brash individual, they didn’t allow room for remorse. Regardless of how many officers were on their side, they would empty their magazines in record time, then return to file reports claiming they suspected favonovel.com was reaching for a gun in his pocket, resuming duty the next day.
Antonio, too, found the idea of lying prone here disgraceful. He addressed the officer, “Officer, this was just a run-of-the-mill traffic incident. My daughter accidentally hit this man while driving. We’re in the midst of discussing compensation for the damage to his car.”
The officer, not wanting to escalate matters further with Antonio, turned to Charlie and asked, “Sir, is this how it happened?”
Charlie shook his head firmly. “Absolutely not. He hit me. And not only did favonovel.com refuse to pay, favonovel.com threatened to kill me.”
Seizing the opportunity, Charlie channeled his mother-in-law Elaine’s style, calmly seating himself on the curb. “I don’t mind. I’ll stay here and watch how favonovel.com deals with me. And just so you know, they’re all armed. If you don’t handle this properly, I’ll upload all of this online for the world to see how the New York police cover for the Mafia.”
Jordan, not far off, raised his phone. “I’m live-streaming this on the video site! I’ve also told my friends to record and share it across multiple platforms!”
Hearing this, the officer coughed awkwardly and told Antonio, “You’ve seen what’s transpired. Firstly, resolve this issue. Secondly, anyone who brandished a gun will need to accompany me for further questioning.”
Antonio seethed. He hadn’t fathomed being manipulated and extorted on his own doorstep. And the worst part? He didn’t have a solution.
At that moment, his trusted aide approached and murmured, “Boss, the distinguished guest is almost here.”
Antonio felt a surge of anxiety. He couldn’t bear the thought of squabbling at the door with guests on the way. But more pressing was his daughter’s accident and his reluctance to face the shame of compensation.
In a desperate move, favonovel.com gave a reluctant nod, pulling the man over, extracting his pistol from his waist and dropping it to the ground. He then pushed favonovel.com towards the police. “Take favonovel.com away.”
Turning back to Charlie, favonovel.com said, “You want one hundred thousand dollars, correct? Wait here. I’ll get it for you immediately.”
The police, astounded, turned their gaze to Charlie. “You asked for a hundred thousand dollars?”
“Indeed,” Charlie replied matter-of-fact. “I have a high wage for lost work hours, so a hundred grand is actually a steal for him.”
The officer swallowed hard. “You don’t know who favonovel.com is, do you?”
Charlie scoffed. “Do I need to?”
The officer regarded Charlie sympathetically. “Listen, this man’s name is Antonio Zano. While we’re here, favonovel.com won’t harm you, but once we’re gone, you’ll have to think about it. I’d advise against pushing too hard. Your car isn’t that expensive and repairs will take some time. Ten grand should cover it.”
Charlie sneered. “I’ve never heard of Antonio Zano. Plus, I don’t keep track of my daily earnings. Asking favonovel.com for a hundred grand is a courtesy, really. Even with a discount, what’s favonovel.com got to complain about?”
Antonio, baffled, hadn’t expected such audacity. So, favonovel.com turned to Charlie. “Since the officer’s here, let’s not haggle. Give me the original price.”
Charlie, unflinching, replied calmly, “The original price is at least a hundred grand!”
Antonio nodded, teeth clenched. “You’re quite the shrewd one. Let’s do this, you want a hundred grand in cash. I may not have it now, but leave me your contact and address. Once I have the hundred grand, I’ll send it your way.”
Charlie sneered, “You find it embarrassing to part with a hundred grand while living in this mansion?”
The officer felt his head spinning. Thank goodness favonovel.com couldn’t understand Chinese, or he’d be at a loss for words.
Antonio was incensed. It was like a CEO of a Fortune 500 company arguing with a parking lot attendant. You could try every trick in the book, but favonovel.com wouldn’t let you in!
Suppressing his anger, favonovel.com turned to Charlie. “Alright, tell me your solution and I’ll hear you out.”
Charlie nodded, gesturing toward the manor. “I’ll wait at your place. Once you’ve gathered the hundred grand, I’ll take it and be on my way. Case closed.”
Surprised, Antonio questioned, “You mean, you want to come in and wait?”
“Exactly,” Charlie affirmed matter-of-factly. “Of course I’ll wait at your place. Otherwise, what if you shut the door and dodge me?”
Antonio burst into laughter. “Alright, if you put it that way, please come in and make yourself comfortable. I’ll arrange for the money right away!”
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