The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Aman couldn’t help but notice that by sparing his life, Charlie was showing a touch of benevolence in the midst of all this
malevolence. He knew he needed to seize this opportunity without begging any further. The idea of Charlie having a change of
heart was too disheartening to even consider; the alternative could be much worse.
In his desperation, Aman felt compelled to speak to Charlie. “Rest assured, Mr. Wade, once we reach Syria, I’ll work closely with
Commander Hamid and give my all...”
Charlie acknowledged Aman’s words with an approving nod and a smile on his face. “You know, Mr. Ramovich embodies the
essence of Taoism, as we Chinese say. In this society, very few truly understand the principles of Taoism.”
Charlie checked his watch and turned to Wesley. “Wesley, it’s getting light outside, and people are starting to arrive. Contact the
ship, then head upstairs and have a serious talk with our associates. After that, set sail and get them out of the United States.”
Wesley nodded respectfully and asked Charlie, “Mr. Wade, any specific instructions for this ‘talk’?”
Charlie raised a single finger and spoke earnestly, “I have just one request: make them feel fear. Let their encounter with you
leave a lasting mark, whether they leave or stay.”
Wesley understood the gravity of the situation and quickly reassured Charlie, “You can count on us to handle it.”
Jagoan then instructed Antonio to hold onto the railing as he swiftly ascended to the second floor, with Wesley following closely
behind.
Meanwhile, the gang members upstairs were still upset with Antonio, unsure of what was happening. They knew Antonio had
deceived and restrained them, raising doubts about his motives. Some thought about forming alliances against the Zano family,
while others simply hoped to get out of this situation without harm.
The echoing footsteps on the staircase drew their collective attention, yet the identity of the intruder remained a mystery.
Antonio’s attempts to climb the stairs, hampered by his broken leg, seemed like a never-ending struggle.
After what felt like an eternity, Antonio’s head finally emerged. The crowd’s anger and suspicion deepened, wondering why he
had seemingly turned against them.
Antonio’s prolonged struggle to reach the upper floor only intensified the onlookers’ curiosity. When he finally made it, it was
clear that one of his legs was severely broken, and he had made no attempt to address the injury, which continued to bleed
profusely.

The once-powerful mafia leader now appeared feeble and vulnerable. In an effort to quell the hostility, he removed his hat,
revealing the shocking absence of both ears, leaving behind only bloody scars.
The conclusion was undeniable: Antonio had endured inhumane torture. The realization settled in that someone had
manipulated them into this predicament, using Antonio as a pawn.
Jagoan and Wesley proceeded up the stairs, introducing themselves to the gathered gang members. Even though they had seen
Jagoan downstairs, his purpose remained unclear.
Jagoan chose to be straightforward, “I’ve brought you all here to discuss the future division of gang territories and profits in New
York. With our numbers, individual opinions won’t factor in. Let me be clear: from now on, all your gangs report to the Chinese
Gang, and 75% of your earnings must go to the Chinese gang every week.”
The room buzzed with surprise, despite some of them having their mouths covered. It was clear that anger simmered beneath
the surface. Antonio had recently been helping the Burning Angels take over Chinatown, and the other gangs saw the Chinese
Gang as weak.
However, these gangs were used to taking matters into their own hands. Their outward compliance was only temporary; they
were determined to seek retribution when the opportunity presented itself.
Jagoan continued firmly, “Starting tomorrow, each gang must appoint someone to keep meticulous records of revenue and
expenditures. These records must be sent to the Chinese Gang weekly and subjected to our audit. Any discrepancies will result
in limb amputations, with the penalties increasing for repeat offenses.”
Jagoan’s stern warning left a deep impression, emphasizing the gravity of their situation. The gangs were fully aware of their
relative strength and believed they could withstand this pressure.
Jagoan went on, “You might have noticed that all the gang bosses brought their right-hand people today. Let me be honest:
within the next few minutes, all current gang leaders must leave for Syria by boat. The deputy leader will step up as the gang
boss. Refusal to comply will result in intervention by Mr. Drake here.”
Jagoan gestured to Wesley, who stepped forward with a serious demeanor. “Allow me to introduce myself; I am Wesley Drake,
the Master of Dragon Temple.”
This revelation sent shockwaves through the room. Just mentioning Wesley’s name sent a shiver down their spines. Wesley, the
renowned mercenary king, commanded thousands of mercenaries and maintained a legitimate base in Syria, earning him

mythical status among gangsters.
The news that the Dragon Temple was backing the Chinese Gang completely changed their understanding of the situation.
These gangs might have been street-smart, but they recognized that Wesley was a formidable force, and this alliance
significantly altered the balance of power.
Wesley stressed the consequences of defying Jagoan, promising swift and severe retribution for anyone who dared to resist.
The severity of the punishment and the involvement of Dragon Temple served as a somber reminder of the authority they faced.
Jagoan’s ultimatum left the gang members in silence. While they may have appeared compliant on the surface, they were
resolved to seek revenge when the opportunity arose, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable forces arrayed against them.