"Ding ding."
Inside the brightly lit Shelby Villa, laughter echoed through the halls.
In the study, a man in a suit sat on a luxurious couch, savoring a celebratory drink. Today marked a major victory—he had crushed another powerful family in Nacro City, the Pengelle family. All that remained was for Griffin to return with the head of their last orphan, and the Shelby family would reign supreme.
The thought of ruling Nacro City's entire underground world sent a thrill through him. Soon, they'd be working with the Ten Elders—and maybe even become a direct subordinate to one of them. Tom Shelby's smile deepened.
"The Shelby family will rise to greatness under my leadership," he said to himself, raising his glass. "We're on the verge of true power."
Just then, a man in a suit and sunglasses entered quietly and said, "Sir, Mr. Daniel is here."
"Oh, he's arrived? Quickly, bring him in," Tom said with enthusiasm.
Moments later, a young man in his twenties walked in, exuding arrogance. Tom hurried forward with a wide smile, arms outstretched.
"Welcome, Lord Daniel!"
Daniel offered a cold look and barely clasped Tom's hand before letting go. Tom's face twitched slightly, but he kept smiling and gestured toward the sofa.
Pouring a glass of fine red wine, he handed it to Daniel and said, "Please enjoy, Lord Daniel. This is a Maru wine—aged for thirty years."
Daniel took the glass and casually sipped it, not even acknowledging Tom's hospitality. His disdain was clear—he didn't see the soon-to-be ruler of Nacro City as anything worth respecting.
Tom's eyes briefly flashed with anger, but he forced a grin. After all, Daniel represented the Ten Elders, and the Shelby family couldn't afford to offend them.
"Lord Daniel," Tom said with a flattering tone, "Please speak well of us to your family. We are ready to become loyal subordinates."
Sliding a check across the table, Tom watched as Daniel's eyes lit up. The amount? 500 million.
Daniel casually pocketed the check, patted Tom's shoulder, and smiled. "Don't worry. I'll talk to my cousin. As the fourth son of Lord Hegel—one of the Ten Elders—he can definitely list your Shelby family as a direct subordinate."
Then Daniel's face turned serious. "But remember—being a subordinate doesn't mean you get to act freely. You must always know who you answer to."
Tom nodded rapidly. "Of course, we will serve Lord Murphy loyally and support his path to becoming one of the Ten Elders."
Daniel laughed, shaking his head with a mocking tone. "You? The Shelby family? A bunch of backwater gangsters?"
"Know your place. Your only worth is in how much you can offer my cousin."
Tom's clenched fists trembled slightly. He was the man who had just conquered Nacro, but here he was, being humiliated in his own home. Still, he swallowed his pride. Killing Daniel would bring the wrath of the Ten Elders—and possibly their elite assassins, the Shadow Beasts.
He forced a smile and offered more hospitality before sending Daniel off to rest in a guest room, hoping to end the degrading encounter.
Later, standing by the window with a glass of wine in hand, Tom stared into the night, lost in thoughts of ambition and power—until a knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
A nervous man in his thirties entered, sweat beading on his brow. He bowed deeply. "Sir... I bring news."
Tom turned slowly.
"Griffin's unit... was ambushed. The entire strike team was wiped out."
The glass shattered on the floor.
"What did you say?" Tom shouted, his expression fierce, like a lion awakened from sleep. "John, what the hell are you talking about?!"
"We destroyed the Pengelle family! Only a few nobodies were left! How could they ambush us in our city?"
He grabbed a golden pistol from his desk and aimed it at John's head.
"You'd better explain. Or you're going to join Griffin in hell."
"Yes—yes, my lord!" John stammered, pale with fear. "Witnesses said... it was someone from the Pengelle family. They believe it was Vega. He killed Griffin... with a trap."
Tom's face darkened with rage.
"That damned mutt... Vega!"
"I want him found. I want his head! I want him to suffer!"
"Send everyone! I want Vega's corpse on my desk before dawn!"
"Yes, sir!" John turned and ran.
Outside, John immediately pulled out his phone and gave urgent orders to every gang in the Shelby network:
"Find Vega. Comb the entire city. I don't care what it takes—bring him to me!"
Within minutes, dozens of armed gangsters raced out of the Shelby Villa, piling into vehicles and tearing through the streets of Nacro City. The hunt had begun.