MTLNOVEL Chapter 146: It Doesn't Matter, I'll Make a Move!_3
He hung up the phone.
Dean smiled as he looked at a dumbfounded Dick. "Did you hear that clearly?"
Being so close, Dick naturally heard every word Amon said.
He licked his lips and asked, somewhat incredulously, "Dean, are you really just the chief of detectives in Los Angeles?"
Dean reached into his coat, pulled out his FBI and NSA credentials, and said indifferently, "Actually, I'm also a special agent for the FBI, an honorary consultant for the NSA, and an honorary chief of detectives for the New York Police Department. In fact, if you had told me about this matter earlier, they probably would have given me some face."
He spoke casually. But each title was like a huge stone thrown into a lake, stirring up massive waves in Dick's young mind, rippling endlessly, and finally transforming into admiration and…worship!
Cousin Dean, you're awesome!
Seeing Dick looking at him with admiration, Dean smiled and patted his shoulder. "Since the meeting is to deal with this trouble, I won't get involved. We should keep in touch more, Dick. I really like you and your siblings."
"Huh?" Dick asked anxiously upon hearing this. "Cousin Dean, are you leaving?"
"There's an urgent matter in Los Angeles. As for the family's troubles..." Dean turned, headed back into the room, and said lightly, "It doesn't matter. I'll handle it."
Dick left the place in a daze, rushing to tell his grandfather about this.
By now, the hall was filled with many unfamiliar faces—old and young, men and women—all busily getting acquainted and expanding their networks. These were members of the Lucchese Family, dispersed across the world over the years. Some had achieved considerable success, wielding power and influence in their respective locales. However, a greater number, much like Dean's maternal grandfather Laine, had initially established themselves with the family's backing. They had achieved financial stability but no longer possessed their former prestige. Because their strength was scattered, these family members living abroad could, more often than not, only offer financial support back to the Lucchese Family in New York, providing little assistance in other areas.
To be precise, these people were the Lucchese Family's contingency plan and their ultimate trump card.
Some people recognized Dick and greeted him enthusiastically. Dick, however, responded absently as he hurried to the meeting room.
His mind was consumed by Dean's casually spoken yet imperious words: "It doesn't matter. I'll handle it."
He would remember that moment, that scene, for a very long time to come.
「On the other side.」
After hearing his grandson's account, Dick's grandfather hurried towards the residence where Dean and Niel were staying, intending to have a proper talk with Dean.
But by the time they arrived, the attendant at the door said timidly, "Family Head, Mr. Dean and Miss Niel left the estate by car just a moment ago."
The old man sighed and patted his grandson Dick's shoulder. "Dean is your cousin; you two should keep in close contact in the future!"
Dick nodded but then asked hesitantly, "Grandfather, what if Cousin Dean just ran off because he was scared of the trouble?"
"Do you think someone like that could become a chief of detectives at twenty-two?"
With that, the old man left with a smile, much of the sorrow from his eldest grandson's death alleviated.
The family has a successor, he thought. He even knew his place and left discreetly to avoid stealing the main family's thunder at the meeting. This is someone reliable. Besides, even if what Dean said wasn't true, his close relationship with Niel is undeniable. Even if he did deceive us, we couldn't possibly sever ties with him over something like this. So, there's no need to dwell on it. We just have to wait and see what happens.
「Meanwhile...」
Dean was whistling, a sleepy Niel by his side, as he planned to switch to a high-end hotel to relax and have some fun for a couple of days.
If he had known what the old man was thinking, he would only have told him: You're overthinking things!
His decision to leave so abruptly was twofold. Firstly, he wanted to maintain a certain distance from the Lucchese Family. Secondly, he aimed to cloak himself in an aura of mystery. This way, he could leverage the Lucchese Family's manpower and resources in the future to handle inconvenient matters that he couldn't deal with himself.
Subordinates exist to get things done, Dean mused. As long as I can make them willingly do my bidding, I don't care if I actually control them. It's just like a playboy arranging a casual hookup. He doesn't care how the woman usually lives; as long as she's willing to foot the bill for a room with him when he wants her, that's all that matters.
Perhaps even fate couldn't stomach Dean behaving like such a scoundrel. Just as he was mulling over where to take Niel for some fun, a call from Los Angeles came through.
Dean glanced at the caller ID. Monet? A bad feeling crept over him.
A moment later, Dean tossed the phone aside, clearly annoyed.
So much for any romantic escapades with Niel. A major, troublesome case has just blown up in Los Angeles!