Zahavi is dead, but Alkmaar has lost his business. He won't let it go easily and will surely take some actions. Before that, of course, he will do everything possible to find out what kind of person has defeated Zahavi. Alkmaar never fights unprepared battles. But Donning's intention is not to start a war. At this time, he has to gradually step out from behind the scenes and let Alkmaar notice his existence.
"So when reporting business matters to me in the future, you can deliberately show a little flaw and don't need to hide it too deeply."
Barak now has no doubt about the young man's judgment at all. He stands in front of him respectfully and salutes. "Yes, Mr. Donning. I will follow your instructions."
When Donning leaves, Britney comes out with Hannah and watches the young man disappear into the street.
"Barak, how did you meet this young man?" During this period, Britney has witnessed many actions of the young man with her own eyes. She has the same idea as Barak: he is by no means an ordinary young man and can always predict some upcoming events in advance.
"Regarding Mr. Donning's affairs, you'd better not ask or inquire. He doesn't like to be investigated." Barak blocks Britney's curiosity in advance.
Hannah mutters, "What a freak, a mysterious freak."
In the most luxurious apartment in the southern rich area of Brot City, a man has a face as white as a piece of paper. He is wearing a striped suit. There are no signs of aging on his face. There is a silk scarf folded into a tulip flower inserted in his chest pocket. His slender and beautiful fingers are placed on the piano, playing a low-pitched and melancholy tune.
In fact, he is already in his sixties, but he looks like a thirty-year-old young man because he has no beard. Many years ago, he made a deal with someone, losing something in his crotch in exchange for the support of some mysterious power, which is why he has become like this.
Alkmaar, currently the most legendary figure in Brot City, controls almost half of the wealth in Brot City. At the moment, he looks more like an elegant piano player instead of a banker in control of huge wealth.
Luke walks in and stands behind, listening carefully to the wonderful piano music until the playing stops. Then he gives enthusiastic applause. "What a wonderful piece of music. It's so intoxicating."
Alkmaar has a pleasant smile. He closes the piano lid and picks up the red wine glass on the piano. Then he gets up and walks to Luke. "Thank you for your compliment." As if Luke is not his subordinate but an honorable guest who gives praise for his performance, so he has to respond politely.
Luke bows. "Sir, the matter has been resolved."
"No, no, it hasn't been resolved yet. I haven't got my assets back." Alkmaar waves his hand. "Tell me, what do you think?"
Luke thinks for a while and asks tentatively, "Send a few people to deal with the small capitalist who has taken the property?"
"Do you know the opponent?" Alkmaar doesn't deny Luke's idea.
"A once-defeated old guy by Zahavi. He became a beggar and now he has come back for revenge and taken back everything he had. His wife is Britney and he has a daughter who was once a prostitute." Luke tells all the investigation results.
"Wait, you said he once lost everything and became a beggar?" Alkmaar keenly senses something.
Luke nods. "Yes, just a few days ago, he was still being ridiculed by everyone while begging for a glass of wine."
"It's very interesting. Just a few days ago, he was still begging on the streets of Brot City, and suddenly he was able to defeat Zahavi completely." Alkmaar frowns and shakes the red wine glass in his hand. "Do you believe in such a miracle?"
Luke doesn't understand the meaning of this statement. He lowers his head and waits for instructions.
Alkmaar sits on the sofa and analyzes softly. "Zahavi is indeed very stupid. He is so stupid that he can only be in charge of some casinos and brothels. But he is not so stupid as to lose to a once-defeated opponent. There must be a lot of mysteries in it. Tell me all the details of what happened."
Luke narrates it again. "Suddenly changing from a beggar to a wealthy man is indeed a bit strange."
"Smart people can understand with just a little hint. Luke, you are such a person, which saves me a lot of trouble." Alkmaar looks at his capable assistant with admiration. "There is no such thing as unexpected wealth in this world. There must be a powerful mastermind behind him. I want to know who the mastermind is. Find him out and investigate clearly."
Donning goes in and out of casinos and various places where his reputation can spread quickly every day. Barak follows Donning's advice and has frequent contacts intentionally or unintentionally.
Soon someone comes to the door. "Mr. Barak, it's a bit presumptuous to visit suddenly."
Barak looks at the young man with glasses. "Do I know you?"
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Fonte, a reporter from the Brot City Post. I want to do an exclusive interview with you. I wonder if you are free." The young reporter, who is physically weak, stutters a little as if he is nervous.
"I believe you haven't been working for long." Barak takes the reporter into his apartment.
Fonte nods shyly. "Sorry. I hope to be able to interview some valuable news. Recently, the most interesting people and things in Brot City are you."
Barak is very happy to help such an enterprising young man. He thinks this will help atone for his sins. Britney will judge from his conversations with others that he is sincerely repentant.
Britney soon brings up two glasses of water and stands at the bedroom door watching. These days, there are quite a few people coming to ask for help, and Barak helps them generously, like a philanthropist. Britney's aversion to this man in her heart has gradually begun to ease.
The interview begins, centering on that gambling game and Barak's feelings after Zahavi's defeat. The questions go from shallow to deep and start to involve some aspects of Barak's life. This mentions Britney and Hannah. Barak timely reveals his determination to repent.
"Well, Mr. Barak, as far as I know, before that gambling game, you were a penniless beggar. How did you suddenly transform into a capitalist who can compete with Zahavi?" As the interview goes deeper, Fonte has no sense of nervousness and looks very professional. "Of course, I don't mean to be offensive. You can refuse to answer this question."
Barak is stunned for a moment. He suddenly realizes that he has almost forgotten Donning's instructions during the interview just now. But it's not too late to reveal a little information now.
"No, I'm very willing to answer this question." Barak is not at all unhappy. "He is a partner worthy of entrusting everything to, and also an ambitious young man. Because of his discerning eye choosing me, I was able to achieve all this, like the will of God."
"May I ask the name of this gentleman?" Fonte further digs for more valuable information.
"Sorry, that gentleman doesn't seem to want to become a celebrity in Brot City, so I have to keep this secret for him." Barak refuses.
Fonte sees Hannah poking her head out. He waves his hand. "Your daughter, like you, has eyes full of wisdom."
Barak smiles politely. Soon he sees the reporter off. Then he looks back at Britney over there. Britney spreads her hands. "Don't look at me like that. I don't plan to forgive you."
Although she says so, her tone is much gentler. Barak knows that things are going smoothly. "I know. I don't deserve to be forgiven. You are right. If it were me, I wouldn't forgive someone who has committed such a crime against me either."
Hannah runs out. "Father, what a refined young man. It would be great if I could have dinner with him." Hannah likes this shy young reporter at first sight.
But Barak cares more about the previous address. He looks excited. "Dear Hannah, what did you just call me?" He really wants to hear it again.
Hannah smiles gently. "Shouldn't I call you father?"
Barak excitedly goes forward and hugs Hannah, kissing her on the cheek. "Dear Hannah, of course you should." He is almost incoherent. He has been waiting for this moment for too long. His efforts have finally paid off.
"Father, can you send an invitation to that little reporter on my behalf? I want to have dinner with him." Hannah makes her request. She is in love.
Barak also has a very good impression of the reporter named Fonte. "Sure. Just wait for my good news."
Hannah excitedly kisses Barak's scar-covered cheek. "Father, I love you."
Barak looks at Britney. Britney seems unmoved. "Well, my daughter has accepted me. I think we can celebrate tonight. You should be happy for your daughter and won't refuse my kindness, right?"
Fonte leaves the apartment. Until he disappears from the view of the apartment, he takes off his glasses and puts them in his suit pocket, thinking about the information he has just investigated. The cunning Barak still has a little vigilance. He must find other channels to continue to verify.
He goes to the tavern in Brot City to inquire about some strange young men, especially those who are generous with their money, preferably young men who have some connection with Barak.
Soon he has some gainsOn the night when Barak begged for a glass of wine, a young man bought him a glass of rum. He was very generous, but his face was very strange.
Finally, there is a clue. Then he follows that seemingly insignificant clue and finally has a new discovery. That young man has been to the small casino where Barak and Zahavi gambled heavily. Moreover, there is an important clue that has been ignored in that gambling game.
There were not two gamblers but three. It's just that Zahavi and Barak received too much attention, so that young man was overlooked.
Is that young man participating in the gambling the mastermind behind Barak? It still needs further confirmation. He has to go to that small casino.