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Chapter 79: Gathering at the Continental
Fisk took a deep breath.
Now that his fate was in someone else's hands, he felt like a grasshopper trapped in a jar. No matter how hard he struggled, he could not leap out of the sealed cage.
In a fair fight, if he faced Dax head-on, the outcome was uncertain. But this was different. Dax had caught him off guard, using every tool at his disposal—bombs, night vision goggles, and a full arsenal. In the darkness, Dax moved like a phantom. It was as if the world belonged to him alone.
Even if Fisk wanted to fight back, he could not escape the overwhelming force of technology and preparation. This was the difference that came from money and power.
"I am a member of the High Table and have a partnership with Madam Gao," Fisk said in a deep voice, playing his trump card. "The High Table will not want to see chaos happen."
"Let Vanessa go, Mr. Wick."
Only if Vanessa was safe could Fisk hope to fight back with all his strength.
He kept his tone respectful and said, "I am willing to surrender."
Dax watched Fisk in silence, his finger resting on the trigger. The barrel was aimed at Fisk's white head. If John gave the order, Dax would pull the trigger without hesitation.
In all this, they seemed to have forgotten one person. Vanessa, Fisk's date, was still there.
Hearing Fisk's plea, John's voice came through, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Your surrender is too cheap."
"When you chose to move against the Wick family, you should have been prepared. Fate will not always favor you."
"You will not die immediately. Enjoy the game and watch as the world you built crumbles before your eyes. That is your punishment."
John hung up.
Fisk remained still, his mind racing. He did not dare to move, not even to lower his phone. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Dax, who stood like a ghost, waiting for the next command.
Just as Dax was about to pull the trigger, Fisk made his move. A bullet struck Fisk's shoulder, making him grunt in pain. At the same moment, Vanessa grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed foam, blocking Dax's vision.
Fisk acted fast. He knocked Dax aside, scooped up Vanessa, and ran from the restaurant. Dax slammed into the wall. If not for the shock-absorbing suit, his spine might have snapped.
Dax got up, brushed dust from his body, and pressed the communicator in his ear.
"Should I chase them?"
"No," John replied, his voice calm. "Let him despair."
Dax smiled, a cruel edge in his voice. "Understood."
He gripped a throwing knife, ready for anything. Just then, Hume walked in, took off his hat, and smiled. "Dinner service."
Tonight in New York, a silent contest was beginning.
After escaping the restaurant, Fisk immediately called his right-hand man, Wesley. They were supposed to be together, but Fisk had separated from him to deal with the High Table's obstacles.
Fisk was injured, his right foot bleeding. He did not leave with Vanessa. Instead, he apologized, "I am sorry for ruining our date."
Vanessa's feelings were complicated. His desperate protection had moved her heart. After a moment, the two parted ways. Fisk went to his car, only to find the driver already dead. He dragged the body out and drove himself. The further he was from Vanessa, the safer she would be.
"Wilson?" Wesley answered the call, already sensing something was wrong.
"All our people are dead," Fisk said.
"Where are you?"
"Contact Madam Gao and meet me at the Continental Hotel. Hurry, before they find you."
Fisk did not care about anyone else, but Wesley was different. Wesley was his lifelong friend, the man who had helped him take Hell's Kitchen.
Wesley never questioned Fisk. After the call, he went straight to find Madam Gao.
Madam Gao, who controlled contraband in Hell's Kitchen, had her own workshop. The factory was filled with blind workers, their hands moving in practiced motions as they packaged the goods.
Wesley found Madam Gao.
"If your head is in the tiger's mouth, you can only compromise or fight to the death," Madam Gao said calmly in her native language.
The constant probing and plotting lately had only added fuel to the fire.
Wesley did not understand her words, but he knew the situation was dangerous.
"Only order can save chaos," Madam Gao said.
She knew how to restore balance.
She got in the car with Wesley and headed to the Continental Hotel.
At the same time, John also got into a vehicle. He looked at the bald Black man in the driver's seat and smiled. "You never told me you were a driver."
Robert smiled back. "You never told me you were a rich man."
John was surprised to find a friend like this. He got into the taxi, and together they drove toward the Continental Hotel.
"Need help?" Robert asked.
John shook his head. "I am not so heartless as to risk your life for mine."
Their friendship needed no more words.
The taxi stopped in front of the Continental. Robert said, "Remember to give me a five-star review."
"I will," John promised.
He walked to the hotel entrance and turned back. Robert's car was still there. That was true friendship.
***
Inside the hotel, Fisk's men were on high alert. Manager Winston swirled his wine and looked at Fisk. "Do you need me to remind you of the rules in the hotel?"
"No, Winston," Fisk replied as a doctor treated his wound. "You should be more worried about someone else."
"With all due respect," Winston said, approaching Fisk with the calm of a poet, "you have awakened a devil from hell, yet you try to keep your soul."
Fisk's face was dark, but he did not argue.
He remembered the warning when the Ten Rings cut ties with him. They had sent a message and a head that should have belonged to the leader of the Ten Rings. From that moment, Fisk knew things were spinning out of control.
Despite his years of experience, he was not ready to give up. He waited for another chance to strike. But this last move had sent him into the abyss.
He needed help.
Wesley arrived. Madam Gao entered slowly. Winston nodded politely as Madam Gao took a seat.
A short while later, the Adjudicator entered with confident steps. She looked at Fisk and frowned. "You look terrible, Wilson."
Fisk clenched his fists, holding back his anger.
The Adjudicator turned to Winston. "How long until John Wick arrives?"
Winston raised an eyebrow and asked the front desk, "How long until Mr. Wick arrives?"
The receptionist checked his watch. "He should be here soon."
None of them seemed to take the Adjudicator seriously, which only annoyed her further.
Three parties had gathered.
Winston represented the hotel.
Fisk represented the High Table.
The Adjudicator represented the judges.
Madam Gao spoke calmly. "We need to reach a consensus."
"Watson Wick was a brilliant man. He built the underground alliance and brought us order and balance. Now that balance is broken and chaos reigns, we must restore order."
The original twelve gangs had come together to form the High Table and the hotel system. Now they wanted to use these powers to force John back.
The Adjudicator nodded.
Fisk understood he needed the High Table's help now. He looked up as footsteps sounded at the entrance of the restaurant.
Everyone's attention turned.
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