Capone leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest.
Maybe the girl had a point. He could try changing his approach. He didn't need Cronus's life, but the absolute control of IDGM Group—he had to regain that for himself.
"Zoey, have Mr. Yan come to my office!"
"Understood!"
The secretary went to fetch Winter, who had been staying at the port recently. He had a separate office at the company and stayed in a hotel-style apartment at night. Winter had always preferred to keep to himself, distant and cold toward most people. He wasn't one to stay in one place for long, and now he was temporarily working with a legitimate American arms dealer on a task that required internet access, so he had settled into the company office.
Winter had come with Terry. The two of them walked in, looking relatively relaxed. But when they saw Capone's expression, their mood shifted immediately.
"What's going on?" Terry, usually calm and collected, believed most things could be solved. Hearing Joey's exaggerated account earlier, he had thought Capone might be struggling with some emotional issue. After all, his brothers could only offer so much help in that area. When it came to bedroom troubles, better to ask around elsewhere.
But seeing Capone's stern expression now, it was clear things weren't that simple.
"Well, sit down and let's talk," Capone took a sip of the coffee in front of him, trying to act as natural as possible in front of his two brothers. "Is Cronus still unwilling to let go?"
"Yes! I used to think he was just a bookish, scheming type, but I didn't expect his backbone to be so strong. Even when he's backed into a corner, he won't make things easy for us. His resolve must be huge!" Winter was getting frustrated. Ever since he found out that Cronus had teamed up with Lucas to nearly take Capone's life, he had wanted to leave a mark on that face of his—perhaps even gouge out those damned peach blossom eyes.
But Capone wouldn't allow it. He wanted to consider Diana's feelings, so any punishment had to be something that wouldn't leave visible marks but would still cause unbearable pain.
Why did he have to fall for someone like her, a scheming traitor?
Capone was silent for a moment, deep in thought. "The shares he holds can't be freely transferred yet, and Diana has some too. She can't transfer hers either. The board holds two seats... If Diana doesn't side with him, he can't do anything to me. The old men can't even find him now, so they can't join forces with him either. It's at a standstill. Maybe it's time to think of another way."
Terry caught the meaning behind his words. "Boss, you want to let him go, not pursue it anymore?"
Capone lit a cigarette, then paused as if recalling something. He quickly extinguished it in the ashtray beside him. "Fighting, killing, back-and-forth... when will it ever end? If it weren't for my father being so ruthless with his family, he wouldn't have spent all these years biding his time, lurking among us, just waiting for an opportunity to get his revenge."
Those words didn't sound like something the boss would say. Winter frowned. "A traitor's crime is unforgivable. His father was an undercover cop. If we don't eliminate him, he'll be a future threat!"
"And his sister? Who took care of her? A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl—was she played to death and thrown into the sea by any of you?"
That's why she went missing. Cronus could never reunite with her.
At that time, Capone wasn't even in the country. He had been sent by his father to Thailand to attend a bigwig's birthday banquet as part of his grooming for an adult position.
Cronus's sister had been violated, and it was clear that his father had brought her back to hand her over to these brothers. The specifics were unknown to him.
Terry and Winter exchanged glances and shook their heads.
It had been nearly ten years, and they could only be sure it wasn't their doing. As for the details, they couldn't remember much. They had been around sixteen or seventeen back then—an age full of wildness and bloodlust, and sometimes they went too far. But they were certain they hadn't been involved in that particular incident.
Capone waved his hand dismissively. It had been so long, and it wasn't something he needed to dwell on. But Sophia's softness and sensitivity had rubbed off on him, and standing in Cronus's shoes, he understood that if it had been his own sister in that situation, he would have reacted the same way as Cronus.
Terry furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment, as if hesitating over whether or not to say what was on his mind.
"Just say it!" Capone demanded straightforwardly.
"It's about David Lee, you know him, right?"
"Of course, he's the longest-standing major shareholder in IDGM. A few years ago, he was the most troublesome, always getting his way, avoiding legitimate business, and now he's calmed down a bit. What's he up to?"
Terry nodded. "The reason he's been quieter these years is twofold: one, he's secured some mining operations outside; and two, his health has deteriorated, so he doesn't have the energy to stir up trouble anymore. He's still clinging to his position at IDGM, but now he seems to be trying to make amends, likely hoping that after his death, we won't make things difficult for his family."
"Any conditions?" Capone knew these elder figures too well—without something to trade, they wouldn't lift a finger, no matter how near death they were.
Terry paused for a moment, then continued, "He doesn't have a son, and it seems the women in his family have only given him a few daughters. They're said to be exceptionally beautiful and graceful, so he's looking for a 'son-in-law' to help manage his estate and take care of his family after his death."
Capone scoffed, "He's got quite the plan, doesn't he? So, who's he eyeing from your group? You all haven't married yet, so why not just pick one of Ye's beautiful and graceful daughters? We can pull his shares and position over to our side, and no matter how powerful Cronus is, he won't be able to stir up any trouble!"
Terry cleared his throat, "Boss, the son-in-law David Lee is interested in... it's you."
Capone, who had been absentmindedly twirling a Pelikan fountain pen—one of only 420 made, with a silver-black body that had a metallic sheen—paused. His fingers stopped the pen mid-spin as the final words of Terry's sentence sank in.
"You said what? Say that again."
Terry was resigned. "It's true. David Lee has hinted at it several times. He's willing to hand over not just his position at IDGM but also control of his outside businesses if you marry his daughter and become part of his family. But the only person he'll accept as his son-in-law... is you."
In other words, they were after Capone's massive inheritance and the entire IDGM empire.
Capone's expression darkened, his voice low. "These old men really aren't simple. They actually think they can pull something like this on me."
Terry, however, thought that with Capone's status, it made sense these people would target him. A direct confrontation wouldn't work, but a softer approach, like an alliance through marriage, might be their strategy.
After all, they were all still bachelors, weren't they?
Capone thought for a moment, then slightly raised the corners of his mouth. "Tell David Lee I'm interested in his offer. Have him send over the details of his daughter, and if it's possible, set up a dinner for us to meet."
"Boss, are you really planning to marry into the Lee?" Winter frowned, disapproving. They were all used to a life of freedom, and the idea of marriage felt distant, almost unattainable. An arranged marriage seemed like a last resort, something that would cost them a lifetime of happiness.
Capone stared at the pen in his hand. "Don't rush me, I haven't finished yet! A dinner to discuss doesn't mean this will actually happen. Whether or not I like what you call 'beautiful and graceful' is up to me. But I need you to spread the news about this potential marriage. The more convincing, the better. I want everyone to think I'm desperately eager to marry David Lee's daughter, understand?"
Terry understood, even before Capone finished speaking. He quietly pressed his lips together, amused at how Capone, too, could care about someone. It was clear that among all the people Capone referred to, the target was Sophia Diaz. The message had to spread widely and convincingly, enough for the Diaz family to believe he was planning to marry someone else. The goal was to force her to reveal her true feelings and perhaps even pressure her into marrying him.
Winter's brow remained furrowed, clearly still unconvinced by the approach. Terry gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, signaling that they should step out and give the boss some time to think things over.
Terry would take it upon himself to explain to his straightforward younger brother why Capone had chosen this path.
The Pelikan pen spun in Capone's fingers again as he sat back in his chair, feeling a slight ease in his chest. What had once been a collection of jagged wounds seemed to be sealed up by a quiet sense of anticipation, holding everything together with a soft, silent pressure.
He wouldn't marry anyone else. Apart from Sophia Diaz, he didn't think any other woman could stir that same desire in him to marry and spend his life together.
He remembered her words, kept them close in his heart. He would try to let go of the things she believed he shouldn't be fixated on—just as long as she and their future child were safe and healthy by his side.
He could avoid hurting others, avoid spilling blood, and stop accumulating grudges from his violent past. But in the business world, the games of deceit and manipulation were a necessity. He would use this opportunity with David Lee to show her the reality of things, to make her realize the need to marry him early on. Once that was done, he would never have to entertain such strategic marriages again. Let the other brothers deal with those complications.
Capone wasn't the only one troubled by his thoughts—Sophia was, too.