Free Web NovelChapter 1116: Chapter 1087: Xiao Lin’s Terms
"Miss Francis!" Raphael didn’t give Robert any more time to imagine. Upon seeing Francis walk out from the hall, he skillfully approached and kissed the back of her hand. "You didn’t attend the family meeting last night."
"Yes, Raphael, I had some things to take care of, and besides, whether or not I attend makes no difference. You know my father was betrayed and falsely accused. I need to run around on his behalf." After accepting Raphael’s courtesy, Francis withdrew her hand.
"What a poor child!" Robert feigned sympathy, stepping forward to offer a comforting hug, which Francis evaded, leaving Robert rather embarrassed. "With Mr. Genovese not around, I will take good care of this route, so Miss Francis, you can live without worry. I promise to treat you like a princess, but running around doesn’t suit someone of your status."
"You’re the one who least wants Casabell Jenvies to get out, aren’t you!" Somehow a man emerged from behind Francis, grinning as he looked at Robert.
"Young Master Xiao!" Raphael immediately recognized Xiao Lin, his mouth wide open in astonishment. Wasn’t he supposed to be unable to stand again?
"Raphael, you seem quite surprised to see me. Have you missed me? Or are you still thinking about the drink I owe you?"
"Hahaha, I’m certainly waiting for that drink from you, but I heard some rumors about you, that you were seriously injured in an explosion!"
"Do I look like someone who’s injured?" Xiao Lin put a hand on Francis’s shoulder. "Beauty, is this the Robert you mentioned to me?"
"Francis, you know Young Master Xiao?" Raphael saw Xiao Lin casually hanging onto Francis like an acquaintance, making him suspicious of the two’s relationship, but...
"When Young Master Xiao first arrived in Sicily, he was with Jessica and me, but we didn’t know his identity at the time. This time, I entrusted Young Master Xiao to help out with my father!"
"Ah, I see!" Raphael chuckled awkwardly. "Couldn’t have chosen a more suitable person than Mr. Xiao."
Standing on the side, Robert scrutinized Xiao Lin, feeling he looked very familiar. Finally, receiving the attention from his gaze, Xiao Lin turned around to face Robert. "Congratulations!"
"You’re welcome!" Robert shook Xiao Lin’s hand, not quite understanding the reason behind his congratulation.
"Mr. Robert, I’ll be counting on your assistance in the future. Consider this a greeting, and good luck to you." With that, without waiting for Robert’s reaction, he led Francis swiftly away, leaving a bemused onlooker staring after them.
"Young Master Xiao!" Once in the car, Francis let out a breath, glaring discontentedly at Robert’s retreating figure. "That bastard, he’s killed so many people."
"Consider this our formal introduction today; our objective is accomplished." Xiao Lin nonchalantly maneuvered the steering wheel, still holding onto an unexpected gain.
"I can’t see what we’ve achieved. Young Master Xiao, if you can’t help me, I won’t blame you, but my father’s trial is next week. I must remind you we don’t have much time left."
"We just need to make sure the court can’t convene properly, right?" Hearing Xiao Lin’s words, Francis could no longer pretend to be a lady. She screamed loudly in the car; this man always managed to twist her intentions.
"No!"
"Miss Francis, I’m being honest with you; the idea of breaking your father out of prison is unlikely! The best I can do for you is to put those guys where they belong, not get your father out. You should ask your cousin to pull some strings, get your father into a better prison, and he can come out after a few months."
"Damn it, you’re a liar!" Francis exclaimed in frustration, pounding the innocent car. She shouldn’t have trusted this man.
"I never promised to get Casabell out of prison, only to help your Genovese Clan. Now, Robert’s actions clearly aim to swallow your family’s power, and eventually, he’ll target you. As for the informer, I suspect most of them are his people."
"It doesn’t matter if you can’t rescue my father; I’ll figure something out. But you must promise me to take care of Robert!"
"Girl, don’t think about hijacking the prison van; that won’t help you." Knowing her thoughts, Francis wished she could swallow Xiao Lin whole, but she held back.
"Then what should I do, watch my father go to prison? And then die inside?"
"There’s one point you need to correct: you’re in the underworld, and those charges are real. The urgent matter is to eliminate those against you, to ensure your father’s safety inside. Here’s the plan: persuade your cousin, and I’ll arrange for someone to protect your father’s safety inside. How about it?"
"Can you really ensure his safety?" Francis questioned, distrustful.
"Of course, but the cost is high, and your Genovese Clan will need to cover it. No problem, right!"
"You’re a scoundrel!"
"Thank you for the compliment!" Xiao Lin pulled the car up in front of the police station. "We’ve arrived!"
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Just your guarantee isn’t enough. I want to meet with Casabell. On the way, you can meet with your cousin and have a good talk!"
Director Meisai refused Xiao Lin’s request to meet Casabell! This was expected by Xiao Lin, but in the end, he still got ten minutes, which was quite courteous.
In a single cell, Xiao Lin met Casabell Jenvies in pajamas. He looked much older all of a sudden, with stubble rampant on his face. "You look like you need a thorough cleaning." Xiao Lin leaned on the bars, resting his head on his hands. Director Meisai had said that since being here, Casabell hadn’t uttered a word, keeping his mouth tightly shut. Upon hearing Xiao Lin’s voice, Casabell merely lifted his head slightly, glanced at him, and returned to his original position.
"Keeping silent is a good behavior, but for someone who already has all the crime evidence and who has shot Augusto Lucchesi, silence won’t lessen your guilt." Xiao Lin took out a box of cigarettes, lit one up. "Do you want a cigarette? Miss Francis is upstairs persuading Director Meisai. Shouldn’t you cooperate with me? If you really get locked up, I can guarantee you’ll be dead within two days inside."
Casabell looked at the hand reaching in from outside, with a cigarette pinched between the fingers. "Consider whether your life is more important or silence."
The hand holding the cigarette abruptly grabbed Xiao Lin’s wrist and pulled him forcefully inward, pressing the person outside against the prison door. Xiao Lin’s one hand held against the door, while the other bore Casabell’s strength.
"Kid, you’re in cahoots with Hua Qingyi. I won’t believe you."
"Your daughter trusts me!" Xiao Lin frowned slightly as a bit of tearing pain came from his shoulder—it’s still not completely healed! The wrist being grabbed trembled slightly, flipping his palm forcefully towards Casabell and pushing him away, causing the large figure to fall back onto the bed as if unable to stand firmly. "Robert has already taken over all your possessions and has used force to completely eliminate those who disobey. Do you think, in this situation, anyone would come to save you? Besides, do you really believe the person who betrayed you is Robert and not your great Godfather?"
"What? What did you say?" Like stepping on Casabell’s tail, the last sentence made him leap up and rush at Xiao Lin. "Nicholas wouldn’t do this!"
"Had you not killed Augusto, he might have kept you, but you weren’t a well-behaved kid and fell for Robert’s trap easily. He won’t save you out, nor would he want to live peacefully with you in Sicily. Instead, he’d send some assassins into the prison to kill you. Let’s make a deal!"
Seeing Casabell with an incredulous expression, Xiao Lin squatted down, feeling a bit tired standing. "I guarantee your safety inside, but the Genovese Clan’s assets must be handed over to our Xiao Family. As for Robert, I’ll eliminate him for you, and certainly the instigator behind him, how about that?"
"Impossible!" Casabell rejected outright. "You’re here for the Genovese Clan; it’s about those drugs."
"Casabell, do you still have the assets now? Those have long become Robert’s. Just yesterday, your revered Nicholas Godfather promoted Robert to manage the kingdom you worked so hard to build. I don’t mind, but your daughter won’t have such good days. From what I know, Robert is an infamously lecherous man. His claws will sooner or later reach Miss Francis, this forlorn fallen noble."
"You’re threatening me!"
"You could interpret it that way, but what I’m saying is the truth!" Xiao Lin finished the last puff of his cigarette, stamped out the butt with his foot. "Court is next week. If you have an answer, someone will come over during the weekend to sign the agreement. Once you go to prison, the Xiao Family will arrange personnel to ensure your safety inside, and Miss Francis will live under our protection. As for Robert, he’ll be eliminated when necessary. Regarding your assets, after signing the agreement, ownership is with us, but usage is yours."
"Nicholas won’t let you do this!"
Xiao Lin chuckled, waved at Casabell. "Hope I see what I want over the weekend, Casabell, right now, I’m the only one who can save you."
Returning to the director’s office, Xiao Lin keenly sensed a not-so-good atmosphere; Miss Francis’s eyes were red as if she had just cried, while Director Meisai was indifferent, focused on the computer behind the desk.
"Beauty, we can leave now!" Xiao Lin motioned at the door, reminding the two inside of his presence.
"Young Master Xiao, take her away quickly."
"No, I’m not leaving!" Miss Francis shook off Xiao Lin’s hand, rushed to Director Meisai wanting to say something but was pulled by Xiao Lin, dragged out of the police station.
"Let go of me! Bastard, did you hear me, let go of me!" All the way, Miss Francis shouted, showing no sign of a dignified lady, just like a swearing shrew.
"Have you had enough?" Xiao Lin pushed her against the car door, but in a moment of distraction, felt a sting from his hand, where four nail marks were clearly left on his somewhat pale skin. "You ought to trim your claws, Miss Francis."
Like she was frightened, Miss Francis saw the marks on Xiao Lin’s hand left by her and froze on the spot.
"Get in the car; I’ll take you back." Xiao Lin opened the car door, pushed Miss Francis into the seat, and walked to the driver’s seat.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that!" Miss Francis softly apologized after calming down.
"Do you know Director Meisai well?" Xiao Lin suddenly leaned on the steering wheel, turning his head to stare at Miss Francis.
"Why do you ask?"
"Never mind, nothing." (to be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
