Chapter 118: No Important People, No Money
The person in our family who actually hated Amelia the most wasn't me—it was Marcus.
So even without any evidence to prove Amelia was involved with Albino, Marcus still cursed her to high heaven.
"That bitch, that slut!"
"Should've chopped her up and thrown her in the ocean to feed the sharks ages ago!"
"If Albino wanted to kill Bella, she's definitely got something to do with it! If Bella hadn't been alert enough and lucky enough, she might already be dead."
Just thinking about me possibly getting hurt, or even killed, Marcus became like an enraged dragon set ablaze, ready to burn the whole world down.
He suddenly jumped out of bed, clenched his fist, and swung at Lucas.
"This is all your fault!"
The punch landed solidly on Lucas's face. Marcus froze instead. "Why didn't you dodge?"
With Lucas's fighting skills, avoiding that punch should have been easy.
Lucas staggered back a step, covering his nose, and said in a muffled voice, "I deserved that punch."
Marcus sneered coldly, "Stop putting on an act! You and Amelia bullied Bella together back then, made her suffer for three years, and now you're playing the victim!"
"Marcus, shut up." Brian pushed the door open and walked in, frowning at Lucas. "Are you okay?"
Lucas nodded. Dark red blood was already seeping through his fingers.
I stared at Lucas, pressing my lips together. He suddenly looked up at me, and I lowered my lashes, pretending not to care.
"Brian, why are you defending him?" Marcus protested. "Do you know that killer is connected to Amelia?"
"I know, I heard everything outside the door." Brian cut him off. "Lucas was a bastard before, and he'll never be able to repay what he owes Bella in this lifetime, but he would never want Bella dead. Last night had nothing to do with him. If you've got energy to throw tantrums here, you'd be better off finding Albino and Amelia."
Lucas swore firmly, "I stake my life on it—I won't let Bella get hurt again!"
Marcus still sneered, asking Brian in disbelief, "You're actually speaking up for him?"
Brian glanced at me and tapped Marcus's forehead helplessly. "Can't you read the room?"
Marcus looked confused and wanted to argue, but Brian ignored him and turned to ask me, "Do you want to treat Lucas's injury?"
While Brian and Marcus were arguing, Lucas's nosebleed had already stopped. I pretended not to notice his hint of expectation and said softly, "Roger hasn't left yet, and Alfred is outside too."
Lucas understood. He turned and walked out of the guest room, his back seeming a bit lonely.
Marcus was still fuming. "Did Lucas buy you off or something?"
Brian reached out and ruffled his hair, messing it up like a bird's nest before stopping. "Lucas cares enough about Bella now. Having one more powerful person looking out for her—what's there to be unhappy about?"
"I'm just unhappy! You—forget it, you're a lawyer, I can't out-argue you!" Marcus clicked his tongue in frustration. "It's only been this long and you've already forgiven him!"
Brian shook his head. "I'm not in a position to forgive. The only one who can say 'I forgive you' is Bella."
He paused, then added, "The situation is chaotic right now. Maintaining a stable, good relationship with Lucas does us no harm."
Marcus pouted and turned to look at silent me. "Bella, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about where Amelia is hiding." I'd sent people to search before, but there wasn't a single clue. I'd thought it was because Starstream City was too big, but now I realized I might have underestimated Amelia.
"Maybe someone's helping her." Brian shrugged. "She's not that smart. Someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes—Michelle, maybe?"
"What if it's Lucas?" Marcus said indignantly. "Don't let him fool you! If he hadn't let Amelia leave, how could she have disappeared from under our watch?"
Brian frowned but didn't argue.
"It's not him." I couldn't help but speak up.
Marcus sat down heavily on the bed, arms crossed, pouting and muttering, "Fine, just wait. I'll find Amelia and Albino and show you all that Lucas is no good."
I pulled at the corner of my mouth and changed the subject. "Brian, is everything still going smoothly on Gale's end?"
"Very smoothly." Brian said. "The Gambino family's business keeps running into problems. They're suspicious of each other, and no one's figured out it's Gale's doing yet. Michelle might have guessed, but she's neither welcome nor valued in the Gambino family right now, so no one would believe her."
I perked up. "That's good. I need to speed up and keep pace with Gale's progress. As for Amelia and Albino, whatever they're planning to do, I'm not afraid. I'll deal with them sooner or later."
The next day, I sent over a dozen advertising trucks into the Chaotic Zone.
Of the seven major forces, three were gone, leaving four still resisting: the Drake family, The Supremacy Brothers, The Venom Syndicate, and The Hive Collective.
The advertising trucks circled their territories, playing on loop:
"Surrender voluntarily, and you won't be killed!"
"The era of chaos is over. A new order is coming."
"Tomorrow morning at seven, the Sorelli family will set up ten food distribution points locally. Everyone can collect food, regardless of gender or age."
These words were meant for those four families, but also for the other small gangs and the oppressed ordinary people.
A day later, three forces surrendered.
Only The Venom Syndicate pretended to surrender while hiding explosives in houses, cars, and even on people, trying to take us down with them.
I received advance notice from an informant, deployed sleeping gas, and easily defused the crisis.
Two days later, over a dozen small and medium-sized forces all handed over their weapons and surrendered.
Things were looking great, but people wanting a piece of the pie came sniffing around too.
Government District sent ten medical vehicles and over a hundred administrators, and without any notice, drove straight into the Chaotic Zone.
When I arrived, I saw a busy, lively scene.
Paxton Rivera, one of Starstream City's three deputy mayors.
Not yet fifty, he was incredibly energetic. He always smiled, seeming extremely good-tempered, but was actually utterly shameless.
As soon as he saw me, he enthusiastically extended his hand. "Ms. Sorelli, so glad to see you! The Chaotic Zone has always been a major concern for City Hall. Thanks to you this time, both City Hall and the citizens of Starstream City will remember your contribution!"
He openly flattered me, and I wasn't polite about it, accepting with a smile. "I'm a citizen of Starstream City. Contributing to the city's safety is my duty. If City Hall has anything it can't handle, just say the word. After all, what City Hall can't accomplish doesn't mean I can't."
Paxton acted as if he hadn't heard me mocking City Hall's incompetence. Looking at the busy City Hall workers in the distance, he said with a headache yet sweetly, "We're seriously short-staffed. We need to maintain order and distribute supplies, plus conduct a census and register information. I need you to assign some people to assist me."
He looked at me sincerely. "After all, our goals are aligned—we're both working for Starstream City's stability and future."
I raised an eyebrow and agreed readily. "No problem."
A flash of triumph crossed Paxton's eyes. I turned and extended my hand to Adrian behind me. Adrian handed over a thick labor settlement statement.
"My people aren't free. Overtime pay, hazard pay, equipment wear and tear—it's all calculated clearly. Mr. Rivera, please have City Hall settle the bill."