Hector Salamanca sat in the factory office, where Saul was introducing Sean, Mr. Luther's best helper and the person in charge of operations. Sean, however, had his doubts about Saul's capabilities. If Saul were truly competent, the company wouldn't be on the verge of bankruptcy.
Despite his reservations, Sean knew he needed Saul to manage the factory, especially to calm the workers from the nearby town of Basek, who were growing increasingly restless.
"Hello, Burns Cecil," Sean said as he shook hands with Saul. After they both took their seats, Sean got straight to the point. "I'm not here to discuss the factory's past issues. Your priority is to reach out to previous suppliers and merchants to get operations back on track."
Saul sighed with relief at this direction; he had feared he was about to be out of a job.
"Next, we need to reassess the pricing and market positioning of our products," Sean continued.
Saul frowned slightly. He had been deeply involved in the company's operations and took pride in his work. "What do you mean, sir? What's your plan?"
"We need to comprehensively reduce product prices, even if it means lowering quality. We need to reposition in the market—"
"Sir, I must interrupt," Saul interjected firmly. "Product quality is the lifeline of any brand. Altering it will ruin our reputation! This proposal seems like reckless folly born from youthful impetuosity. You cannot simply think that cutting costs will save a company!"
Sean was taken aback by Saul's intensity. He could see the passion in Saul's eyes and the seriousness of his demeanor. "You believe that?" he asked, a slight smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Absolutely!" Saul nodded, his expression resolute.
"Well, maybe you have a point," Sean replied, standing up and patting Saul on the shoulder. "Let's stick to your plan for now and focus on getting the factory running again."
"Understood, boss," Saul said, straightening in his chair, ready to comply.
As Sean left the office, he shook his head in disbelief. How could Saul be so confident when the company was on the brink of collapse?
Saul's unwavering honesty was both admirable and concerning. Sean decided to leave him be, for now, planning to find a replacement once operations stabilized.
By September 11th, despite Saul's bluntness, he proved to be capable. After Sean provided funds to settle payments with some suppliers, the factory was up and running again within five days.
With renewed momentum, Sean increased production. Two tons of alcohol were smuggled in discreetly under the cover of night, and the assembly line churned out 10,000 bottles of wine without a hitch.
Thanks to Alec's previous intimidation of local gangs, Sean didn't need to intervene directly this time. The gangs understood that the new smuggler was not to be trifled with, and they behaved more cooperatively during this second transaction.
In just a month, Sean had made over 600,000 yuan.
Recently, Sean had also reconnected with some old associates, expanding his team to ten battle-hardened veterans.
Now, Sean was determined to broaden his sales reach. Spreading a map of New Jersey across his desk, he marked the five major cities: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and the capital, Trenton.
Jersey City, with its population of 230,000, was particularly appealing. Located right across the Hudson River from Manhattan, it was an industrial hub known as "West Wall Street," boasting a wealthier consumer base than Newark. The proximity between the two cities would make it easier to penetrate the smuggled alcohol market.
"This is it," Sean said, tapping the map decisively. "Jersey City will be our first target."
As Sean strategized, a local newspaper in Long Branch reported a shocking home invasion. A thief had broken into a house, only to murder two occupants—a man and a woman—before making off with valuables. The owner of the home, busy at his factory, received the grim news from the police and was reported to be devastated.
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, Stephen Keria, a member of the Lucchese crime family, was growing increasingly frustrated. "There's no more alcohol in Newark?" he asked, brow furrowed.
"Yes, Mr. Stephen. A guy named Sean has taken over the smuggling operations there. He even had a violent altercation with a local gang, resulting in seven deaths. Now, he controls all the smuggled alcohol in Newark," a subordinate reported.
"Who is this, Sean? I've never heard of him," Stephen muttered, irritated.
"The Salamanca family is partnering with him," the subordinate replied.
"Those Spaniards are clueless if they haven't noticed the rats in their warehouse," Stephen scoffed. "Get our action team ready. We can't let this Sean challenge our authority "Do we need our action team to take action?" his subordinate asked.
"No, inform the Salamanca family. Those brainless Spaniards may be a bit slow, but once you wave the red cloth, they'll charge and destroy anything in their path," Stephen replied.
"Understood, Mr. Stephen."
Back at the Salamanca family headquarters, Hector Salamanca, a gaunt and slightly hunched man with eyes like a vulture, was fuming. "Who is this Sean, and where did he crawl out from?!" he demanded, glaring at his subordinates.
No one dared answer, fearing Hector's wrath.
"Idiots!" Hector spat. "Find him and kill him. The Salamanca family's authority cannot be challenged."
As Saul efficiently managed the factory, Sean continued to expand his operations. The factory was now running smoothly, and Sean's team had grown to include ten seasoned veterans. Their next target was Jersey City, and Sean was confident about their chances of success.
In the meantime, Sean kept a close eye on the broader market. He knew that expanding too quickly without understanding the competition could be disastrous. However, he also recognized that the lucrative market in Jersey City was too good to ignore.
While Sean plotted his next move, his recent activities had not gone unnoticed. The local media continued to report on various incidents, including the shocking home invasion. The story became a talking point, especially since the crime was unusually violent and involved a love triangle gone wrong.
Stephen Keria in Brooklyn wasn't the only one watching. Other crime families and local gangs also took note of Sean's rapid rise. The smuggling business was lucrative, and competition was fierce. Stephen's frustration was shared by many who saw Sean as a new and unpredictable player in the game.
"Sean," one of his veterans reported, "we've marked Jersey City as the next target. We've also identified key distribution points and potential partners."
"Good work," Sean replied. "We need to move quickly but carefully. Ensure that our operations remain discreet and our partners trustworthy."
As Sean continued to tighten his grip on the smuggling operations, he knew that maintaining a low profile was crucial. The last thing he needed was to attract too much attention from law enforcement or rival gangs.
In the following weeks, Sean's network expanded further into Jersey City. The smuggling operations grew more sophisticated, and their reach extended deeper into the market. Despite the challenges, Sean's determination and strategic thinking paid off.
However, the tension between the Salamanca family and the Lucchese crime family was far from resolved. Sean knew that any misstep could lead to a violent confrontation. Yet, he remained focused, believing that with careful planning and strong alliances, he could outmaneuver even the most formidable opponents.
As the clock ticked, the stage was set for an inevitable clash between Sean and the established crime families. Each move was calculated, and every decision weighed with the potential risks and rewards.
Sean's journey was far from over. With every passing day, the stakes grew higher, and the challenges more daunting. But with his team by his side and a clear vision ahead, Sean was ready to face whatever came next.
The battle for control over New Jersey's smuggling operations had just begun, and Sean was determined to emerge victorious.