"Bill!" Sean shouted, causing the previously raucous celebration to fall silent.
"Tomorrow, you're going out with Saul to transfer this factory into your name."
"Wait, what? Me? Why would it be under my name? Shouldn't it be yours, Boss?" Bill stammered, confused.
"I need someone to run this factory again and use it as a cover. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any issues with the current market demand for 'moonshine', but it's better to be cautious," Sean explained. "After all, there's always a risk of getting caught by the police or other authorities."
"That's why this factory can't have any legal ties to me. If something goes wrong, you'll have to take the heat."
"Got it," Bill replied, waving his hand dismissively. "It's just a minor detail. What you're saying is a bit exaggerated. In the U.S., commercial crimes aren't that risky. With a good lawyer, the worst-case scenario usually isn't severe."
Jonas, who was black, chimed in, "Fighting with a white girl could land you six years in prison. Trust me, I've seen it happen."
"Alright, that's settled," Sean continued. "Jonas, take the money to Carpenter and Negie. Tell them to keep producing. In five days, I want 10,000 sets and pay them double the market rate. We don't want anyone thinking we're robbing them." He pointed to the cash on the table. "Nothing else matters; we have the money!"
"Understood, boss." Jonas grinned as he finished speaking, then turned to Sean with a mischievous smile. "Should I tell that poor guy Neki about his wife?"
"Definitely," Sean replied, equally amused. "Consider it a reward."
Laughter erupted around the room.
"Alright, everyone, pack up! Let's head to Yuri's bar and find a couple of girls with big asses to enjoy the night!"
"Long live the boss!" the crowd cheered.
With wine and women, there was no need to think about anything else. For Jonas and the others, it was pure bliss.
That night, the north side of the second floor at the bar was completely taken over by Sean and his crew.
The Mexican girl's name was Jaime, and she had brought in ten stunning women. Jonas and the others were happily mingling.
Drinks, women, and marijuana made the atmosphere electric.
Sean had made it clear to everyone that he didn't mind marijuana; it was too common in New York, where mobile vendors sold it openly. However, he had strictly prohibited any other drugs. This was a wartime order. Anyone caught breaking this rule would face severe consequences.
Jonas and the others were having a wild time, even Saul was joining in on the fun. Meanwhile, Sean sat a little apart, uninterested in the women around him. Given his looks and demeanor, it was uncertain who would be taking advantage in that scenario.
For over an hour, seven or eight women approached Sean, but he turned them all down. The quality of the women in this speakeasy simply didn't meet his standards.
Then, there was a commotion as Jonas returned from the first floor. He had just met with Carpenter and Negie and was supposed to be back an hour earlier.
"Sean," Jonas said, leaning in close. "That poor guy Neki is here, waiting outside."
Sean paused, frowning as he awaited further explanation.
"I told him about his wife, but he didn't believe me. His reaction was priceless—he went from calm to furious in seconds. He begged me to let him watch you, thinking you might help him confront the guy who's with his wife. He's been waiting to see the man leave her house."
"Did he really just wait around?" Sean asked, surprised. "That's pathetic."
"Exactly, he's calm now and insists on talking to you."
"Why me?" Sean asked, puzzled. "I have no interest in his personal drama."
"He said he'd do anything for your help, so I thought it best to bring him here."
Sean contemplated whether it was worth meeting Neki and what value he might offer.
After a moment, he stood up. "Alright, bring him up. Set him up with two women to help him relax, and we'll talk tomorrow when he's calmer."
With that, he headed downstairs. He was here to celebrate, not to deal with Neki just yet.
As he descended the stairs, a woman rushed past him, colliding with his chest. Instinctively, he caught her, his hands gripping her slim waist.
"You idiot! If I catch you, I swear I'll make you regret it!" a furious man shouted as he charged toward them from a nearby private room, drenched and enraged.
The woman quickly stood up from Sean's arms, flicked her long hair, and turned to yell back, "You stupid pig, go to hell!"
As Sean looked up, he was momentarily stunned by her beauty. Her youthful, radiant face, full of collagen, glowed under the light. Her healthy, sun-kissed skin and her voice captivated him.
Seeing the angry man rushing over, the woman tried to escape downstairs. However, Sean wasn't about to let such a stunning woman get away. He swiftly pulled her back behind him, turned, and delivered a powerful kick to the man's face.
With a loud thud, the man's nose exploded with blood, and he collapsed to the ground.
The woman hiding behind Sean gasped in surprise, exclaiming, "Oh my God!"
A flurry of curses erupted as four more burly men charged out of the private room, heading straight for Sean.
Sean stood his ground, unfazed, while the woman behind him, terrified, tried to flee again. Sean grabbed her hand, pulling her back just as she tried to step away.
"Today is a beautiful day; this hero will save you," Sean smirked. "Even Jesus couldn't stop it!"
The woman, Jennifer Lopez, was visibly shaken. She had come out to the bar alone to unwind after a family argument and had not anticipated someone trying to drug her. Now, she found herself in the midst of a chaotic scene with a man who seemed determined to play the hero.
The four men closed in on Sean, but he remained calm and focused, ready to defend himself and the woman beside him. The scene was set for an intense confrontation, with Sean ready to take on anyone who dared threaten him or the beautiful woman he had just defended.