Old Don Antonio, having confirmed through a subtle verbal probe that Gianna was aware of the incident at Santino's club, now had to keep this information from his impulsive and not-so-shrewd son. Revealing it could lead him to mistakenly view it as his sister's retaliation or a strike against him, which would shatter the fragile unity within the family.
"So, let's stick to the facts," he suggested.
"Santino, before we discuss this, aren't you going to tell your father about the despicable acts Valentino committed in that club of yours?" Gianna, seizing the timely assist from her father, saw it as a perfect moment to strike at her foolish brother.
Santino did not respond to Gianna's taunt, either out of reluctance to engage with her or perhaps because he too was aware of the hellish reality of his club, too ashamed to admit it in front of his father.
Even though his father likely knew everything, Santino was unwilling to voice it himself.
Instead, he looked at his father with an inquiring gaze, eager to understand why his club was attacked by the high table Elders' direct squad, why the guests were killed, and why such a huge scandal was tied to his name.
At that moment, Old Don Antonio turned his gaze towards John Wick: "John, I'm giving you a chance to repay a favor to Santino. Tell him what really happened, and let him know who he has truly angered."
"It was you!" Santino, misunderstanding his father's words in his emotional turmoil, instantly assumed that Gianna and John were behind the incident, nearly lunging at John in a fit of rage.
"Santino, you fool, calm down! Who told you it was John and I? Sit down, or I'm not hesitant to teach you a lesson right now!" Gianna, her face cold with anger, sharply rebuked her brother.
John realized that the old fox might have gleaned some insight into his and Castle's relationship through certain channels, although likely only scratching the surface. Otherwise, he would not be pushing John to clarify things but would use the information to confront him and Gianna directly.
With a clear strategy in mind and not intimidated, John confidently took a seat on the sofa, looking earnestly into Old Don Antonio's eyes, and asked, "All of it?"
Old Don Antonio's eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement, pleased with John's response: "Yes, let him understand the foolishness of his actions; it's actually for his own good!"
Taking a deep breath, John decided to follow Old Don Antonio's instructions, knowing that if it could peacefully resolve the issue of the blood oath sigil from Santino, it was better than having Gianna and his only brother-in-law turn against each other.
"Santino, the reason your club was destroyed stems from your business partner kidnapping the wrong people. Initially, we did not know that these Albanian traffickers had kidnapped girls who were then auctioned off at your club like animals. It was only after this incident that we learned you were the major figure behind the scenes.
Don't get agitated. I can assure you, Gianna and I had no part in the attacks on your club or your people. We didn't even know about it beforehand.
Mr. Don Antonio asked me to explain this because I know who launched the raid on the Albanian traffickers' camp and rescued the two girls who shouldn't have been touched."
John raised his hand to stop an agitated Santino from interrupting, continuing solemnly.
"Santino, first, one of the girls kidnapped by the Albanian traffickers is the daughter of a former CIA field operations director. Yes, her father took action, but he did not come to France himself; instead, he asked a friend of his to intervene.
That friend, through the Continental Hotel, hired a squad of mercenaries who raided the traffickers' base on Paradise Street in Paris, slaughtered them, and rescued the kidnapped girls.
The four men you sent to handle the situation were killed by him.
But as you know, the Continental's rules do not allow action against families affiliated with the high table, so your club was raided not by him directly but by someone else through means that we are not entirely clear about, by the direct squad of the 'Elders.'
Mr. Don Antonio wanted me to clear this up for you to help you understand that this action by the 'Elders' might have hidden motives we are not aware of yet.
Santino, Mr. Don Antonio likely doesn't want to see any conflict erupt between you and Gianna. What if your conflict allows a hidden enemy to benefit from your strife?
I think you're holding on to my blood oath sigil, planning to use it when necessary to ask me to kill Gianna for you, then silence me under the guise of avenging Gianna, positioning you to take over as head of the Don Antonio family
."
John's disclosure laid bare the events in France and voiced the concerns he and Gianna had harbored.
As expected, Santino, who had been calming down, showed a look of shock and fear when his secret thoughts were exposed by John's last statement.
This expression did not escape the watchful Old Don Antonio, and it infuriated Gianna, who had been closely monitoring Santino.
"Santino, you bastard, you were actually planning this? I am your sister! Were you really planning to kill me? And you were going to have John do it?
Santino, I'm laying it out right here: if you don't hand over John's blood oath sigil today, then let's go to war!!!"
Just as Santino was about to deny John's words and deflect the troubling topic, Gianna's authoritative "Let the battle begin" froze him in place.
Santino knew his own capabilities all too well; not only was he no match for his sister in terms of power, resources, or connections, but John Wick, soon to be his brother-in-law and already siding with Gianna, was also a formidable figure. Santino had initially planned to have John quickly eliminate Gianna, but now the tables could easily turn on him just as swiftly.
Glancing at his father, who appeared neutral but was clearly supporting Gianna, Santino knew he had no choice but to hand over John Wick's blood oath sigil. He bowed his head, fighting back his despair, and after a long moment, he looked up and said, "Fine, I'll give you John Wick's blood oath sigil, but you must promise not to pursue me to the death!!!"
Seeing her foolish brother finally relent and achieving her goal, Gianna burst into laughter, "Haha, how could I? Santino, no matter what, you are still a Don Antonio, my own brother. I wouldn't hurt you without reason. Come on, hand over the blood oath sigil!!"
John, relieved to see the resolution between Santino and Gianna and the promise to return his blood oath sigil, breathed a sigh of relief.
As the room filled with a mix of joy and dejection, Old Don Antonio spoke up, "Gianna, you need to tell me, could the appearance of this 'Elders' direct squad pose any implications for our family???"
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