Chapter 21 I Have Another Question
Added 2024-06-01 15:31:11 +0000 UTCPeter had a bold idea.
"We're going to take out the boss of the Seta group?" Frank was shocked by this bold idea. He said in astonishment, "Are you crazy?"
Peter said firmly, "I'm not crazy. Right now, the Seta group would never expect anyone to counterattack them. They just want to catch me, to find out who killed their brother. But they would never expect me to strike back. With that in mind, we have a chance to take him out!"
Frank fell into deep thought. Then, very puzzled, he said, "I don't understand. You're safe now. Once you're back in the United States, you don't have to worry about the Seta group coming after you. You could just change your name and never come back to Tijuana. So why do you have to kill Juan? That's not like you."
If you've angered someone you shouldn't have, you can always flee and hide. Despite the power of the Seta group, they wouldn't necessarily be able to find Peter.
But Peter was not choosing the simple and safe route of escape. Instead, he was determined to take out the boss of the Seta group. If he wasn't crazy, then he must have had a reason that compelled him to act this way.
"I have no way to escape."
It was clear that Peter had a compelling reason to take out Juan. He looked fierce and spoke with a tone full of hatred. "They have caught my partner here, they know my address in the United States, and my family is no longer safe. I can abandon my investments and assets here, but I can't abandon my family. If Juan doesn't die, my family and I will have to live in constant fear. I don't want to wander with my family forever. I don't want that kind of life!"
Solving the problem at its root wasn't a bad idea, but Arthur couldn't think of a reason to follow Peter into this risky endeavor. To them, Peter was the source of trouble.
But Peter seemed confident, and it was hard to ensure that he hadn't made arrangements to ensure he wouldn't be seen as a problem that needed solving.
Arthur couldn't think of a solution, but after hearing Peter's reasons, Frank was extremely surprised. "You have a family?"
"Of course, everyone has a family!"
Frank waved his hand and said urgently, "I can't understand. You told your partner about your family?"
"We've known each other for a long time. It's because my partner knows my background that he agreed to cooperate with me."
Frank couldn't help but laugh, then he asked curiously, "Well, for you, taking out Juan is indeed the most fundamental solution. But there's a question. Why should we join you in killing Juan?"
"I can't find anyone else now. I can't afford to pay someone to kill Juan. Since you're already involved, we're in the same boat now. Let me make it clear, I've told a reliable person about your identities. If I die, this person will inform the Seta group about you."
Peter was acting like a rogue who wanted to drag others down with him. He was very straightforward and honest, saying, "Your company is in Los Angeles. As long as Juan knows your name, King Defense Company won't be able to continue. Are you willing to give up everything? Can you afford to?"
Frank nodded, "Well, that's indeed a problem."
Peter whispered, "So let's work together to take out Juan. The Seta group's goal is to make money. Whoever takes over the boss's position, who will want to avenge Juan's death?"
"Makes sense. But there's a question. If we help you take out Juan, how much can you pay?"
Peter didn't hesitate, "I can sell my properties in the United States, at least five hundred thousand dollars. I also have assets in Tijuana worth at least five hundred thousand dollars. So, I can pay you one million dollars. It will take at most one month, but I can get you the money."
Frank nodded, "Your so-called family is just an excuse. Your partner is dead, and only by killing Juan can you stay in Tijuana and inherit your partner's estate. That's why you must kill Juan, right?"
Peter was silent for a moment, then he said grimly, "Is one million dollars not enough?"
Frank smiled, "One million is a lot, but for taking out the boss of the Seta group, it's not that much. So, one million is not enough."
Peter waved his hand and said, "Let me repeat, Captain, we are now in the same boat."
Frank didn't hesitate, "No, we are not in the same boat. Peter, you are a middleman, and I am a mercenary. Most importantly, you forgot who my boss is, didn't you? My boss may have retired, but his influence remains, and he is willing to exert some influence to protect his old subordinates. Even if the Seta group finds out that I killed Sanchez, what can they do? Would they dare to come to the United States to trouble me? So... why should I get on your boat?"
Arthur had been observing Peter all this time. He noticed a slight bead of sweat on Peter's neck.
Peter was scared. Frank's words had scared him.
After Frank mentioned his former boss, Peter seemed to finally realize something. Frank had a powerful backer, and he didn't. So, his attempt to drag others down with him lost its effectiveness.
Frank got the result he wanted. He smiled and said leisurely, "Show me your sincerity, or else... hehe."
Peter didn't hesitate. "I'll give you half! We'll split all the profits. It might take a bit of time, but you'll get at least three million dollars!"
Three million? Three million dollars? Arthur's heart skipped a beat.
Peter continued, "Mind you, that's at least three million dollars! If things go well, you could get up to five million. My partner has been doing business in Tijuana for many years. He's worth tens of millions, and when he dies, I'll be able to take over his market. It's a long-term income. What do you say?"
Frank seemed to be tempted. At this moment, Rubber wanted to speak, but Frank raised his hand to stop Rubber from speaking. Then, he leaned forward from the front seat and looked at Peter.
"That sounds fair, but if we have to take out Juan, it'll be us doing the work while you do nothing. We're the ones being dragged into this, bearing all the risks, including the risk of death. It could be any one of us, or even all of us, who might die. And you want to take half?"
Peter didn't hesitate. "Who says I'm not doing anything? I'll be the bait!"
"You'll be the bait?"
"Yes, I'll be the bait. That's the only way we have a chance to take out Juan. Captain, I'm risking my life too. Why shouldn't I get half?"
Frank thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I agree to split it. But we need to discuss it. If we all agree, then the deal is done."
Peter let out a sigh of relief. "Okay."
Frank said to Rubber, "Stop the car and let him out."
The car stopped, and Peter got out. Frank looked at Peter standing about ten meters away and said softly, "Do you think this deal will work?"
John couldn't wait to say, "If we can get three million, of course, it will work! With three million, we can... it's enough. Let's do it!"
George whispered, "I don't trust this guy much, but three million dollars, let me think... let's do it!"
Rubber also whispered, "It's very dangerous, but the money is too much. I can't refuse."
After the others had spoken, Arthur remained silent. At this point, John nudged him with his elbow and said anxiously, "Say something, what do you think?"
Arthur was taken aback and pointed to himself. "Do I need to give my opinion too?"
Frank nodded. "You're involved, so you're entitled to give your opinion."
Arthur sighed. "I don't know how you usually do things, I don't know how strong the Seta group is, and I don't know how dangerous it is to take out Juan. I don't know what to do. I'm just worried about what if Juan doesn't die?"
It seemed that Frank and the others all treated Juan as if he were already dead. Arthur was puzzled. "If we make a move but fail to kill Juan, then the situation will be different. We will have become sworn enemies with the Seta group, and there will be no turning back. So I want to know, what if Juan doesn't die?"
John immediately said, "There's no need to worry about that."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"As long as we make a move, if Juan doesn't die, we will die. There's no need to worry about what happens after we die."
Arthur was stunned for a moment. Then he whispered, "Alright, so... can I get a share too?"
Frank whispered back, "Yes, you can get one-fifth. We split it evenly among us for this mission."
Arthur scratched his head. "I have another question."
John impatiently said, "Why so many questions?"
Frank sternly said, "Bottle Cap, be quiet and let him speak."
Arthur whispered, "Sorry, I was wondering, if Peter has to raise the money in Tijuana and liquidate his partner's estate before he can pay us, do we need to stay in Tijuana to supervise him? If everything is based on trust, how good is Peter's credit? If he runs off with the money, can we find him? Well, it's just one question: can we get the money?"
John was surprised for a moment and asked Frank, "Yeah, can we get the money?"
Frank nodded. "You've asked a very crucial question. If we take out Juan and get the remaining payment, we can't kill Peter, then he's safe. He'll have too much time and opportunity to run off with the money, and we can't possibly go around the world looking for him. That's Peter's plan."
After hearing Arthur and Frank's conversation, John was stunned for a moment. Then he sighed in resignation. "It's too complicated. If we can't get the money, what's the point? Let's forget it. We can just ask the boss to mediate. The Seta group won't necessarily retaliate against us, right?"
Frank said expressionlessly, "That's just to scare Peter, to let him know that he doesn't have us under his thumb. But don't forget, the boss has no relationship with the Seta group. If we ask the boss to mediate, he'll have to rely on someone else's connections and relationships. What price will he have to pay? If it involves money, should we let the boss pay for us? Besides, the boss has been retired for a long time. We can't just ask him to step in every time something happens."
John sighed, "So we've been dragged into this by Peter, right?"
Frank sighed. "I have an idea. Here's what we'll do..."