Last night.
According to Alex Cross's orders, the Sisterhood delivered Viggo and his son to Dwight.
After understanding the events and getting a general grasp of New York's current gang landscape from Susie, the shrewd and seasoned Dwight immediately realized—
this was a golden opportunity!
Unlike Irene, Dwight didn't like playing games of alliances, slow boiling schemes, or testing patience.
He was more direct. More violent.
With the crippled Viggo and his son guarded closely, he moved on two fronts that very night:
First.
He took on the task of dealing with Harold.
Within just two hours, every person connected to Harold—over sixty in total—were dead.
Then he made sure the news spread swiftly throughout New York's underworld.
Second.
After waiting two hours to ensure all the major gang bosses had heard,
he contacted Irene.
Through her people, he sent out invitations in his name:
9 a.m. sharp, come to the Lighthouse Club. Those who don't… face the consequences.
Crude? Yes.
But effective? Absolutely.
Vietnamese gangs, the Marlin family, the Yellowstone family—
upon hearing that Dwight, the Lighthouse enforcer, had wiped out Harold and sixty of his associates overnight,
those same bosses who once clung desperately to the "Night Demon Organization" banner…
now rushed to accept Dwight's invitation.
By 9 a.m., almost all of them arrived punctually at the Lighthouse Club.
Irene, wiping blood off her hands with a towel,
watched each gang leader step forward to take the knife from Bruno's hands—
and stab Viggo's lifeless body.
In that moment, she realized—she had missed her chance to prove herself as a pillar of the Lighthouse.
Yesterday, Mr. Cross had told her:
"Tell me all the troubles you need solved. This time, I'll clean them up for you."
It wasn't politeness.
It wasn't a test of her independence.
It was a hint.
A test of whether she had the vision and courage to claim the seat of Lighthouse gang leader.
If she had seized the chance—taken responsibility for Harold and Viggo,
and used thunderous force to crush the already-crumbling Night Demon allies—
then right now, the one sitting there, sipping malt beer, basking in obedience,
would have been her.
But she hadn't.
So she watched.
Still, Irene told herself—it wasn't over.
Dwight was old.
If she performed well enough before he retired,
the role of Lighthouse gang leader could still fall to her.
She clenched the bloodied handkerchief,
stood firmly at Dwight's side,
showing her allegiance through action.
Dwight, his wrinkled hand caressing a beer glass,
scanned the room of self-proclaimed gang bosses.
Only after the last man drove the knife into Viggo and his son's bodies
did he slowly exhale and clap his hands.
"Gentlemen! I am very satisfied with your performance. I believe the Lighthouse will become the best bridge to maintain our relationships."
"From today on—
you are all under the Lighthouse banner."
"And I—
have only three simple demands!"
"First: every quarter, you will surrender thirty percent of your earnings as tribute to the Lighthouse."
"Second: you will not start conflicts with each other. Any disputes, grudges, or matters you cannot resolve—bring them to me."
"Third: absolute obedience to the Lighthouse. Absolute loyalty."
With that, he raised his empty beer glass high
and smashed it against the floor.
"And finally—
let us deal with those who refuse to join us. End this damned chaos in New York once and for all.
Then we can all focus on making a hell of a lot of money!"
His final roar
ignited the fearful bosses.
One by one, they pumped their bloodstained fists into the air and shouted:
"Join the Lighthouse! Make a shitload of money! We're sick of endless turf wars!"
Meanwhile, at the hotel—
After arranging accommodations for Lena's group,
Susie returned to the manager's office.
She was about to report,
but Alex Cross, seated in the boss's chair,
handed her a stack of new tasks.
"Buy the car wash next to the hotel today—settle it fast."
"Also, look into buying some villas in Manhattan—find a suitable neighborhood, buy several."
"And the club… tell Dwight it can officially open."
Susie patiently took notes,
then hurried off with a few killers to handle the first task.
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If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com / Samorash