Chapter 136: Tension Rising

The room was abnormally cold, most likely due to the tension filling and encapsulating the atmosphere so much so that one could almost touch it.

The two most powerful families in New York, The Bennett Family and The Romano Family, were in the same building and the same room, all at the same time. Such a convergence was, without a doubt, a 'once in a blue moon' occurrence, if ever. Surely, there was never smoke without fire, and beneath this smoke was a brightly burning, dangerously heating, and fast-spreading fire.

"Let me begin by offering my condolences to you, The Romanos, for the unfortunate and untimely loss of Charles, who, as we all know, was a father, and also a friend."

This voice belonged to Johnathan Bennett, the Patriarch of The Bennett family. He is also the CEO of Bennett Conglomerate and the long-time rival of Charles. He was seated clad in a suit and tie, his face was filled with sadness.

"We all know how important he was to you all. And, frankly, to me, as well… even though we were rivals, there was a time we were close friends and believed we could end this bitter rivalry between our families." Johnathan took a deep breath and continued "We do hope you can find the fortitude to bear this loss."

None of the members of the Romano Family who were present reacted with any form of acknowledgment of the aforementioned words. Of Charles's children, only Alexander and Lucas were present, as well as some of their cousins.

They all knew this wasn't a condolence visit. The most furious of them was Lucas, who sat side by side, directly opposite Alexander. At this time, they could both guess that the very words they didn't want to hear were what Johnathan and his son James would spill next. And, by God, if he dared say them…

"… But, I want you all to understand that Johnathan's death did not come from me or my company.. We had no hand in it, and we would be willing to allow you to investigate us to any length you desire, just to prove this.."

Johnathan paused for a while to take in the expressions on the faces of the ones he was addressing. Alexander and Lucas looked largely disinterested, Sophia, their sister, was almost tearing up, and the rest of the goons they had with them were glaring wickedly at him. They were probably in no state of mind to receive what he had to say next, but… He had to. He cleared his throat and continued.

"And, I apologize if this is wrongly timed, but, I had always wished me and Charles to come to peace before his passing. Please, Alexander, let's end this rivalry that separated your father and me and ruined our friendship. I propose that you and my daughter Isabella get married so that way we can finally strengthen the bond between our families."

"You jerk!!!!" Victoria yelled as tears flowed freely on her face. "My father was just murdered! All your fingers and toes point to you, and all you can think of is how to get your hands in your father's company!"

James was irritated by Victoria's outburst, and he was about to say something, but Jonathan, his dad, stopped him.

Victoria was screaming at the top of her voice, and Lucas, in whose right hand she'd been sitting, immediately held her in a hug, while she cried on his chest. As he did so, he stared icily at Johnathan. If looks could kill, Johnathan would be five feet under. He looked at Johnathan and mouthed the words, "You are a heartless monster."

Alexander, who'd been calm, while stroking his chin and slouching in his chair all along, finally sat upright and looked the old man Johnathan in the eyes. He could see the sorrow in his eyes, "does he feel bad about the death of my father?." The question puzzled him.

"You've got some real nerves, Mr. Betty.."

Johnathan, being an old man who wasn't used to sarcasm, couldn't tell if Alexander was being sarcastic by mispronouncing his name or if he genuinely didn't know how to, so he chipped in. "It's Bennett", he said, as gently as he could.

"Who gives a rat's ass what it is? I could call you Donatello if I wanted to!… You've got some real nerve, Mr. Jonathan, you get our father killed, and then waltz in here like some Messiah, with zero fear and regard for your actions, and you still have the guts to propose something as outlandish as me marring your only daughter."

"Okay, so Alexander was being sarcastic when he said Betty." Johnathan thought to himself.

"Firstly, Alexander … I am not demanding anything. I merely propose a means to end this forsaken rivalry and give your father a proper and peaceful remembrance. And, as I previously said, my people and I DID NOT have a hand in your father's death.." Although Alexander was visibly furious, Jonathan wasn't going to sit and let the man, who was about the same age as his son, James, scold him. He was the CEO of one of the two biggest companies in North America and now the richest man in the world for heck's sake, and fear wasn't a thing to him. He would say his piece if and when he needed to. And, as it was, he had so much more to say.

"And, don't forget, Alexander, your father and I have been rivals for years, we have both lost many people we loved over the years, but we never aimed a gun at each other. But, instead, we acted like civil people, then, and didn't start a war. I expect you to do the same now that you are next in line to run your father's company."

Alexander was appalled at Jonathan's confidence, so much so that he laughed out loud, looking around in disbelief at his brother and men. "Act civil? Can you believe this jerk?"

Then, he got serious again, more infuriated than ever, staring Johnathan down. "So, that's what that was, huh? You get rid of my father, then I marry your daughter, and then you find a way to get rid of me and take both companies as your trophy, huh?"

Johnathan was still very calm, meeting Alexander's stare without an iota of terror. He could see his father, Charles' fire in his eyes. " Listen, boy, If I wanted to get you or your father, I can guarantee you, Alexia," Johnathan paused, purposely pronouncing Alexander's name wrong, fueling Alexander's anger.

"Not only would you not be alive right now to have this puerile conversation, but I would have burned your company to the ground a long time ago."

Unable to condone the fearless, arrogant, and unflinching mannerisms of the old man before him, Alexander got up suddenly and pulled Johnathan's shirt collar.

" Do you think you can say whatever the heck you want, huh? You think this is a joke, huh?" Alexander was boiling with anger, while old man Johnathan looked amused at the young man's fire.

Johnathan smiled softly. "Here I believed we were having a civil conversation. And didn't we agree that everyone would leave their anger and resentment at home?"

"Well, too bad you jerk. Give me one good reason I shouldn't take my revenge right now." Alexander shot back. He was unsure what to do next as his anger was at its boiling point."

Johnathan remained unfazed. "Alexander, the reason me and Charles always kept away cool was because we knew how bloody this family rivalry could get."

Just like that, Shane, Johnathan's bodyguard, punches Alexander, and he stumbles and is caught by Lucas as the Bennett bodyguards and Romano bodyguards pull out their guns at each other.

So, The Romano Family, with their handguns, were now in a standoff with The Bennetts, who held sub-machine guns. It was quite obvious that without a single bullet being fired, the Romano had lost. Alexander looked around and came to this painful realization.

Johnathan, who had been very calm all through, despite being threatened by Alexander,"So, now, Alexander… Would you rather have us sit, think, and discuss this like intelligent adults, or would you prefer we throw reasoning out the window and play rough?"