Noon has arrived.
Today's sun over Winster was surprisingly brilliant, so much so that the sunlight gave a warm sheen to the chronically cold seawater.
Winster Port.
Dock No.13.
This is the third-largest dock, just behind the official docks and those of the Conte family. It has belonged to the Bolita family since Ethan's great-grandfather.
In fact, Ethan's great-grandfather rose to power on this very dock and eventually established the Bolita Clan.
Unlike the usual bustling and hustle, today's Dock No.13 seemed deserted, even a bit desolate.
This desolation actually began after Alberto was attacked.
Initially, with the unstable situation, Tony, who managed this dock area, received orders from Leonardo to regroup and await the end of the war.
Then Leonardo died quickly, and Joan gained an absolute advantage in no time.
Then came Alberto's plea for peace and ceasefire.
When Tony received the news that the terms of the ceasefire were for the Bolita family to relinquish everything to the Cabreya family, his mind began to waver.
At that time, he hadn't yet decided whether to fully pledge his allegiance to Joan or seek another path.
It was at this time that the Evans Clan extended an olive branch.
The Evans Clan was powerful, arguably among the top three within Winster's five major families.
Moreover, they had always been seeking positions at the docks. Compared to the ruthless and unpredictable victor Joan, choosing the Evans Clan was undoubtedly the better choice.
Tony secretly met with the Evans Clan that very afternoon.
The transition was naturally smooth.
If everything went according to the script, then Joan, who ascended last, wouldn't be able to do anything about Tony, who had joined the Evans Clan.
Technically, Tony wasn't betraying the Bolita family.
Unfortunately, there was an unexpected twist, and Ethan suddenly emerged without warning.
In one night, he resolved all people and matters.
The Bolita Clan was resurrected from the dead.
Things suddenly became extremely delicate.
Initially, Tony still had the choice, like attending the company meeting yesterday morning.
That way, everything could have been treated as if it never happened.
But he didn't go because the Evans Clan's offer was too tempting.
He could have full control of the docks, unlike with the Bolita family where he merely acted as a caretaker, having to surrender most of the income to the family.
The Evans Clan gave him full autonomy, only requiring the maritime routes and dock access he provided, nothing more.
Originally not overly ambitious, Tony couldn't suppress his greed in the end.
Moreover, Ethan, whom he hadn't even seen much of, was just a young punk. Could he really kill Joan?
Just a scheme of the Conte family. Instead of benefiting the Conte family in the end...
He had worked hard for the Bolita family for more than ten years.
Tony still came to the docks today. Initially, according to the Evans Clan's suggestion, he was to lay low for a few days, until the family and Ethan had significant talks, then resume operations.
Yet he was worried, fearing that the Evans Clan might take the opportunity to stir up trouble at the docks, or that something might actually go wrong.
Ever since the things about Ethan killing Joan overnight and Fred's incident surfaced, dissenting voices at the docks had grown louder.
Many felt that given the circumstances, they should return to the family rather than become traitors.
For this reason, Tony had killed a few people and, relying on years of management and prestige, barely kept the dissent in check.
But he was still uneasy.
He was having a meal with his confidant in the warehouse, worrying even as he ate.
"Boss, will today's negotiation go smoothly?"
"It will be smooth. Ethan is so young; he can't control the people within the family. He can only agree to Evans' terms."
As he said this, he was actually apprehensive inside.
When the news of Fred's death came, he had started to believe that Ethan really had the capability, but he could only go down this path to the end.
At that moment, a faint noise suddenly came from deep inside the warehouse.
At the same time.
Inside the Hotel of the Beautiful Shell, belonging to the Bolita family, Francis was hiding in his private suite, drinking his worries away.
He was far more cautious than Tony, setting up gunmen outside and inside the suite for protection, and even refraining from calling for women.
His mental journey was similar to Tony's, but he had also been blackmailed by the Corleone family, leaving him no choice but to betray.
Otherwise, with his cautious character, he would have gone to the meeting upon hearing about Joan's death.
He'd already downed five cups of strong liquor, and even with his formidable drinking capacity, he was getting quite tipsy at this point.
Yet, he still didn't forget to have his men patrol inside and out constantly.
He was truly scared witless.
Ethan's methods were thunderous; he took out Joan and Fred in just one night.
They were people he wouldn't dare offend before.
He was really afraid that Ethan might knock on his door at any moment and then blow his brains out with a gun.
"He has a funeral to preside over today. For Fengcui people, funerals are extremely important. He has no time to come kill me..." Francis comforted himself, but couldn't help becoming a bit anxious.
"Why hasn't the patrol come back to report yet?"
Still at the same moment.
The Bolita family.
In the garden.
The banquet had already begun.
The funeral banquet was very plain, simple, just some fruit, simple bread, and vegetables.
No meat.
On the day of a funeral, Fengcui people rarely eat meat, to maintain purity of mind and spirit, devoutness.
To better express grief and perhaps receive a response from the departed soul.
Ethan was eating with members of the five major families at that moment.
The Murich family from the five families didn't come, as there were some unpleasant past incidents, and their relationship wasn't good. They only sent a wreath today.
So only four families were in conversation.
Ethan didn't speak much after sitting down; instead, George Evans and Danny Corleone started talking as soon as they met.
Eventually, the topic inevitably turned to the two absentees from yesterday's meeting.
"Ethan, I know what I'm about to say may sound opportunistic, but when we took in Tony, it was also for Alberto's sake, providing him protection, and for the longstanding friendship between our two families. Now that things are at a stalemate, how about this: the Evans Clan will relinquish three prime lands in the East District in exchange for Tony's freedom?"
George Evans appeared sincerely.
Danny Corleone smiled and added, "We can also offer substantial conditions, just say the word, Ethan."
Sandro had remained silent the whole time, seemingly lost in thought or taking in the scenery.
Ethan ate in silence for a moment, then wiped his mouth and smiled, "No."