Free Web NovelJavier, who had been keeping his composure, couldn’t hide his surprise and asked,
“So you’re saying you want to take my uncle’s role?”
“Do you think all the cartels would listen to me—a foreigner, not even Mexican, and an Asian at that?”
“That’s true. I’m glad you understand reality.”
“What if it’s not me, but someone appointed by Carlos Slim to act as the godfather?”
“So you’re telling us to become Slim’s dogs?”
Javier frowned, clearly displeased at the mention of Slim.
That was unexpected. I thought he’d favor him, given his connection to his uncle.
“Slim’s dog... If that’s how you see it, then so be it. Survival comes first.”
At my calm reply, Javier shot me a sharp glare.
I met his eyes without hesitation.
“The United States is trying to wipe out Mexico’s drug cartels entirely. And on top of that, the Mexican government sees you as a thorn in its side. If civilians keep dying in cartel wars, the government will use every means at its disposal. What good will regret do after everything collapses?”
“There’s not a single Mexican politician who hasn’t taken cartel money. They all got elected with our funding.”
“I’ve heard the leading presidential candidate hasn’t taken a single cent from any cartel. If he wins, do you think he’ll spare you—especially after you reject Slim’s hand?”
Carlos Slim was not a man who tolerated defiance.
If he set his mind on it, he would erase any organization that opposed him.
And the leading candidate—unlike previous presidents—had never relied on cartel money.
Behind that candidate stood Carlos Slim himself, ensuring he remained untouched by black money.
“Besides, I hear the Tijuana Cartel is losing its former glory. At this rate, you might end up absorbed by another cartel.”
“We will never serve under anyone. We are the core of Mexican cartels. Our uncle—”
I cut him off with a mocking tone.
“Really? The Sinaloa Cartel seems quite eager to swallow you whole. And wasn’t El Chapo one of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s men? Maybe things were different back then—but now? You’re just another cartel. In fact, one of the weakest.”
A man who had been quietly listening slammed the table and stood up.
“Hey, isn’t that going too far?!”
I looked at him, seething with anger, and spoke calmly.
“If you don’t believe what I’m saying, there’s no reason to get so upset. Right, Luis Sánchez Arellano Félix?”
Sánchez was barely twenty, yet he sat among older family members without hesitation in expressing his views.
“Uncle! Do we really need to hear more? Just refuse!”
“Call me Boss! Sit down! Luis Sánchez, this isn’t your place to speak!”
“Uncle!”
Two women beside him pulled him back into his seat.
“Sánchez. Stay quiet.”
“But—”
“Listen.”
After being restrained, Sánchez finally shut his mouth, though his face remained dissatisfied.
“I apologize. He’s still young and doesn’t understand the world yet.”
“Haha, no need. That’s the age when blood runs hot. I understand—I was the same.”
“Thank you. Still... joining under Carlos Slim is not something we can decide lightly. We’ll need a family council.”
So he was stepping back to observe.
“Do as you wish. But remember one thing—the order in which cartels join will determine their position in the unified structure. If you hesitate and join later, after everyone else has already agreed, you may end up with nothing.”
“Is that a threat?”
Javier’s gaze sharpened again.
I shrugged.
“If it sounds like a threat, then it is. I’m simply telling you reality. The Tijuana Cartel isn’t the only one Carlos Slim contacted.”
Once word spread that I had met them, the others who were hesitating would inevitably reach out. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Cartel leaders might be violent and emotional—but they weren’t stupid.
“...I’ll think about it.”
“Good. I’ll wait for your answer. Since we’ve met, let me give you a gift to help with your decision.”
“A gift?”
At the word, Javier looked puzzled.
“You’re aware of Francisco Rafael Arellano Félix’s extradition to the U.S., correct?”
“...Of course we are. We did everything we could to stop it.”
Once taken to the U.S., returning alive to Mexico would be nearly impossible.
The Arellano family knew this—and had failed to prevent it.
“His extradition will be canceled. I’ll have him back with your family within days.”
“...What? Rafael is being released?”
“He’ll serve additional time for other charges. But his original sentence here is already complete—and I’ve pulled some strings. On one condition—he never returns to the drug trade.”
The moment I finished, Javier shot up from his seat.
He rushed toward me as if to hug me, but Manager Ma blocked him.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
Even while being held back, Javier bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
“I couldn’t get Benjamín Arellano Félix out of prison. His crimes are too severe. But I’ll try to stop his extradition to the U.S.”
“If you can do that, we’ll do anything.”
So the rumors were true—the Tijuana Cartel valued family above all.
The atmosphere among the others shifted as well.
“Helping me means joining the new order I intend to create.”
“We’ll discuss it positively.”
It wasn’t an immediate answer, but unlike before, Javier’s eyes now held clear favor.
“I’ll take my leave. Contact me once your family reaches a decision.”
“It won’t take long.”
That was good enough for me.
I stood and extended my hand.
“This went better than expected. Next time, let’s meet with smiles.”
After shaking hands, I stepped outside.
As Javier followed me out, the armed guards tensed.
“Relax. It’s over.”
At his command, they loosened their grip on their weapons.
His control over the organization was stronger than I’d expected.
“We’ll be in touch soon.”
“Good. Until next time.”
I got into the vehicle and left the ranch.
* * *
Meanwhile, Carlos Slim mobilized all his contacts tied to the cartels, urging them to meet Kim Muhyuk.
But days passed with no news.
“...As expected. Those who don’t listen need to be taught.”
He immediately made a call.
“A few days later. A safe house in Mexico City.”
“There’s no benefit in us meeting, Carlos. I’ve said that before.”
Slim greeted the man who entered.
“Calderón. It’s been a while.”
The man was Felipe Calderón.
Unlike Slim, Calderón looked displeased.
“What is this about?”
Slim ignored his tone.
“The atmosphere these days—you know it. It’s war.”
Calderón frowned.
“My opponent is using our relationship against me. It’s causing problems.”
“Santiago Creel?”
Calderón nodded.
“Cartels are secretly backing him.”
Slim smiled faintly and poured tequila.
“I called you to talk about that.”
Calderón hesitated.
“...Cartels? You’re not involved with them.”
Slim drank calmly.
“I’m thinking of uniting them into a single organization.”
“...What?”
Calderón froze.
“Are you insane? Do you think cartels can be controlled? Even if they could, the United States would never allow it. You’d lose everything!”
Slim remained composed.
“Let me explain.”
He ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) laid out his plan in detail.
“So this ‘Charlie’ handles everything?”
“Exactly. If something goes wrong, it’s all on him. We carry no risk.”
“Leave me out of this.”
“Face reality. Cartels will never disappear.”
Calderón clenched his teeth.
“When I become president, I’ll declare war on drugs.”
“I know. But if you can’t eliminate them entirely, control them instead.”
The two men drank and argued until morning.
